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Do not even mention your GPA. It's irrelevant this early. You should be focused on getting them to ask you for your resume (but do not ask them straight up). They will see your GPA, but after they have met you, they should feel that your interest in finance and their background will allow you to clear the GPA hurdle. Besides, it's your freshman year. Good luck
Should I have my GPA on my resume? I have left it off since it isn't stellar.
I think this is a case of which networking too early can actually hurt you. This summer, do something memorable, fun, and worthy of a story.
Next year really do not settle for anything less than. 3.8. Bust your balls, do whatever it takes to get that Gpa. Then you will be in a much better position for banking.
no one cares about your gpa at this point. Even if you had a 3.8, I would advise against bringing up gpa. If I went out to meet an undergrad to talk about my bank and he/she started talking about gpa, there is a good chance it would be the last time I talk to them.
I wouldn't reach out to BB/MM IBD people just yet if that's your plan. Unless you're diversity IBD doesn't take interns until you're a Junior. Late sophomore year would be better for that.
I'd start focusing on networking for your sophomore summer internship. Start building relationships with people in BB PWM, boutique IBs, and/or at corporations for finance spots. Your #1 objective should be getting a 3.9+ first semester sophomore year to bring your GPA up to around a 3.3 when you're applying second semester. Without that you'll have no chance anyway. It is absolutely critical that you end sophomore year with a 3.5+ and hopefully bring that even higher after first semester junior year to make you more competitive for IB SA spots.
Finally start getting very active with leadership positions in finance related ECs to make up for your GPA. Even with a 3.6-3.7 you don't have much of a chance with BB IBD unless you had a great sophomore internship, great ECs, and great interview skills.
By diversity I am assuming you mean race. How would I be able to use this to my advantage? I do want to secure a fall internship and I did have a IB internship this summer
Each BB has a sophomore diversity "summit" type weekend event which feeds into sophomore internship programs.
would I even have a chance with my current GPA? I plan on raising it for a summer position but for the fall?
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