3.0 GPA, 2nd tier target, looking to get into FT IB
Hey everyone. I'm a rising senior studying finance and economics at a 2nd tier target undergraduate business school (think Berkley, Georgetown, Michigan) with a 3.0 gpa. Unfortunately I didn't have great grades early on in my career, but I've increased them substantially this past year (straight A's in the spring and this summer).
That being said, everything else on my resume is rather reputable according to people in the IBD industry. I have solid experience at private equity funds, a student-run investment fund, as well as volunteering and leadership roles on campus. I would say that the biggest flaw in my application is my GPA, which I am prepared to speak about.
Do you have any suggestions as to how I should navigate the FT recruiting process with a low GPA, granted it's beginning now? How should I ask for referrals based on a low gpa?
All forms of criticism are encouraged and are welcome. Thx in advance.
Network, network, network. You're at a target school which is good, but you're going to need referrals to help you offset the GPA. Other than that, prep hard for first rounds and know your stuff
No chance unless you network your way into an interview. Any cold applying will lead to your resume in the trash.
Also, you need to make sure your GPA answer is good, because it will definitely come up in at some point in the interview process
Would those “straight A’s this spring and summer” be due to everything being online?
Not trying to be a dick or downplay your hard work and I obviously don’t know anything about your situation, but that would likely be my first question if I was doing an informational or interviewing you and you said that about your GPA. I get it’s valid and shows improvement, learning from mistakes, taking things seriously now, etc. but I’d be ready for that one (or it’s just me)
A little off topic but why do people say "rising" senior? I don't know if it's just me but when I see that, be it on here or some kid trying to network with me all I can think is that this person is a giant tool. For me it's as bad as those people who put incoming analyst on LinkedIn. Not trying to shit on the OP, just genuinely curious why people put "rising" in there.
I say rising senior, I've never heard of someone having an issue with it until now
Hey man - love that you are still gunning for IB and not getting discouraged by a low GPA. GPA most of the time really means nothing to me, I have had interns under me that went to H/Y/P had normal to great GPA's and were complete idiots, i've also had non-target kids that have been awesome.
It's annoying how some in the industry use this as such an important point in deciding on candidates.
1.) Wondering - why do you not have a great GPA?
2.) Set up coffee-chats/informational interview phone calls with all seniors at your school who have already interned in IB/are interning in IB now/ or are incoming analysts right now...at whatever firms you want to work for ->ask these individuals for leads/advice etc... don't get discouraged when they're snobs and think your GPA is too low but don't actually know how to operate a model
3.) Put some strengths in your academic section i.e. is your finance GPA high? Accounting GPA high? Something high? Put Biz GPA: 3.5+ or whatever it is on there if it's better than your 3.0
4.) NAIL your story when doing informational interviews. When i'm talking with kids it is RARE that they have that good of a story or why IB, if you called me and had a stellar story i'd be happy to help you out... it's not hard to practice and craft a good one, just use mergers and inquisitions advice/BIWS guides...great formats on those
5.) BUILD relationship with seniors/younger guys and gals who seem like they want to help you and help you out...keep in touch with them and figure out how next summer recruiting is happening at their firms
6.) Don't think about your GPA so much also - you do not NEED to put your resume on informational interview emails, obviously if asked that's different...most people won't not respond just because they see you have a low GPA...personally I have never done that
7.) You can always ask after having a good conversation if they think it will be a big issue that you have a low GPA, BUT remember that, that is only one person's opinion and you just gotta hustle and GRIND
8.) Keep up to date on IB trends/M&A trends whatever sector you are interested in working in. If you are interested in consumer, fig, tmt...whatever it may be - learn a lot about X industry whatever it is, know deals, trends, general high level valuation so you can chat about this interest in calls -> if you can figure out what groups people are in before you talk with them (especially at higher levels) you should definitely know about their sector/trends/deals and prep some good questions,,,it will come off good for you especially b/c of the GPA issue -> you would be surprised how many 3.9+ kids from top schools do not do this when they chat with people and actually don't really know anything but just want to do IB because everyone else is doing it ---> so you can really distinguish yourself if you do this
Explore ALL avenues... are you a diversity candidate? are there any programs or things you can qualify for to help you get your foot in the door?
not sure if i've missed anything...probably have...anyways good luck and if you have more questions feel free to ask or DM me
Also, I personally know of an individual who had a circa 3.0 GPA and got into and works at GS in either IB/S&T...