Are 1st round interview cutoffs RELATIVE?

I go to a target but my gpa is only in the 3.5s. Tons of kids at my school want to do ibanking but most of the banks only interview for 1 day, meaning only around 10-12 slots.

Does that mean they'll only take 12 top people with 3.9s for 1st round interview or will they give everyone with a 3.5 and good resumes a chance to interview?

Very worried. Though I've got some good credentials, I'm afraid my 3.55 wont even get me 1st round interviews.

5 Comments
 

Good experience makes up for lower GPAs. Basically, there has to be a reason an interviewer wants to meet with a candidate, whether it be top grades and good experience, or amazing experience, etc.

That being said, if there are a lot of first round applicants, a cutoff may be used to thin the field, so you should probably check with your career services office.

 

Unless you have something that really stands out on your resume, it is very important to have a high GPA to get a first-round interview. I'm assuming you come from a "semi-target" if banks only interview 12 or so people - this advice may not apply at true target schools. I went to what I'd call a semi-target and and all the banks interviewed at least 24 kids; most more than that.

 

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