I'm an econ major at a pretty good target right below the level of HYP, Wharton (think Columbia, Dart, UChic, Duke, and maybe 1-2 other schools). I know a few people in my hometown who have connections to BB IBD in NYC and other cities as well. I've heard that if you can network your way in, then your GPA doesn't matter as much as long as it's not super low. How true is that?
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Dude, you've posted about this very thing several times before. You'll be fine. Network ------> not screwed. When you get the interview, GPA stop being a major factor, usually.
What ^^he^^ said. chill out bro. you go to a target and have a 3.3 with contacts. If you think you're "screwed" you need to reevaluate your situation.
Also depends on how difficult your major is
honestly, you're kind of screwed. ya, if you network you up your chances tremendously and you will get interviews (you're not screwed in this sense, but you better be a networking fiend).
however, even going into the interview, you're going to be starting at a lower point than more qualified candidates. you need to be that much more legit all through the interview process if you're a weaker candidate.
You're most definitely not screwed, unlike the real Paul Ryan 2016.
You're not screwed, but just realize that many other applicants will be applying from the same schools and the same major with a much higher GPA. An engineering major is not going to get scrutinized for a 3.0 to 3.5 as much as Econ or finance. Also, if you are applying to a larger bank they may have a computer sorting system that filers out GPAs below a certain level.
Main thing is, network your ass off and be prepared to answer in interviews why your GPA is where it is. If the correct answer is that you screwed around too much Freshman year, just point that out along with the fact that your GPA since then has been much higher. Unless your interviewers are total jerks, they will give you credit for your 'run rate' GPA.
All about the story -- are you a varsity athlete? That helps. Do you have work study? That helps. Is it one or two classes that you can point to, and the rest are really good? I know some poeple give engineers extra credit. But if you are kind of at 3.3 in most of your classes, and you don't have any serious time commitments or a good story as to why, don't get your heart set on IB. Bankers are GPA obsessed.
Bankers are GPA obsessed. I was trying to explain to a first year analyst that a 3.9 in finance was not as impressive as a 3.6 in EE, but she was clueless. It was like talking to a brick wall.
Internship Advice - Semi target with a 3.3 GPA (Originally Posted: 12/05/2011)
Hey guys I come from a semi target with a 3.3 GPA. I am much more of a realistic person as opposed to an optimistic and I have exhausted all realistic opportunities to get an internship in IB (im a junior heading into senior year). Its simply too hard to get an internship in IB from a non target. I am now going to my best "non IB opportunity" and i have heard that is corporate development. I am really interested in Corporate M&A and was wondering if you guys knew about any corporate development internships with M&A being an added bonus. Thanks
don't. feed. the. troll.
that would definitely be a great option, especially at a F500. Places like apple will pay 1st years over 100k and you'll work "normal" hours
You get an IB salary but work 'normal' (60?) hours a week? What gives?
wait, you're a junior heading into senior year? You didn't miss SA recruiting yet...why not give that a shot?
I have been networking and most MD's and VP's I have spoken with all assured me it will be very difficult to get a SA position this summer. Do you think there is any point to try and continue networking? If anyone have any ideas about M&A or corporate development internships that are even a little less competitive than IB, that would be greatly appreciated.
Nbascian, I think you are confusing being realistic and giving up. SA recruiting has barely begun.
I mean absolutely no disrespect but It isn't "too hard" you just aren't trying hard enough. You have got to e-mail, call, and meet with everyone you can. Look up boutiques in your home state or near your university and call them and ask if they need interns. Apply to every SA position you can find through OCR as well as anything relevant, even commercial banking credit analyst positions or financial analyst positions at firms are good to have as an internship this summer when you decide to apply for FT IBD during your senior year. I promise you if you put in the time and effort, something will come your way.
I myself go to a semi/non-target and have a 3.3 GPA. I am a senior liberal arts major despite the fact that my school has a very good business school. I have had some relevant internships but nothing in banking. I networked hard and had numerous MD's and VP's from banks tell me that I had 0 chance of getting into investment banking and that I should consider another career. I used that as motivation, worked my butt off and networked really hard. I interviewed everywhere, cold called, etc and landed a FT offer with a MM IBD for after I graduate.
PM me if you have any questions or need some advice. I just went through this but for FT recruiting. You can do it, you just have to want it bad enough. Watch the video below and read the article below...those were big inspirations for me and kept me going.
http://vimeo.com/27933991
Just FYI: Corp Dev at an F500 is probably a lot harder to get into straight out of undergrad than IB. Just saying
I just had to bump this for Pike's helpful post.
also dont forget the kids with 3.6's and 3.7's who network too. its not only the underdogs or kids with lower gpas that network like mad. some don't, but i'd imagine they're not chillin either.
3.2 GPA: Am I screwed? (Originally Posted: 12/23/2013)
I applied to my school's major OCR BB banks for IBD. Does having a 3.2 in a fairly difficult major completely screw my chances at getting an interview? I've networked with a number of bankers. I have a middle market ibanking internship under my resume and a fairly good set of extracurriculars too with leadership.
Since it's pretty late to change anything, you might as well just wait for your interview results.
I guess I should frame this question a little differently. Would it be worth my effort to go hard at preparing for the interviews? Or would it be a better use of my time and effort to look for plan-B options?
I'd still prepare. The internship you had sophomore summer is more important than your GPA from my experience. You'll definitely get interviews if that MM is a name brand, otherwise it's tough to say but still worth preparing.
what major?
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