do investment banks really look at grades/gmat in bschool

I recently got accepted into a top 20 b-school where most investment
banks recruit from.

My goal is to break into investment banking through b-school so I've been doing my due diligence the past couple years.

Question for anyone who can help -

Do investment banks really look at your b-school grades if the school doesn't practice grade non-disclosure? I heard it's an automatic question during first round summer associate interviews.

I have a 700 gmat but I'm worried that I may not be able to get the straight A's while recruiting come this fall. And if I end up not catching a summer internship then that would that mean more focus on grades?

Does it matter if the bank is BB or top tier MM?

 
Best Response

I was asked about grades by all banks (Top BB to regional MM boutique) for specific courses (we don't have non-disclosure). Just make sure you focus more on Accounting and Finance versus say Economics or Marketing (second years in the school will tell you what matters). You don't need an A all the time, just don't get the lowest one (e.g. B). It's an awkward conversation.

I had my GMAT on the resume, but I know some ask for it. I also know guys with 700 who got BB offers.

If you don't get a summer internship its pretty much over. Very few full time only offers for major banks, worse if you are a career switcher. Once you get the offer, grades go out the window.

MBA recruiting is a balancing game. Must have good grades, do a load of networking and still do extra curricular.

 
abacab:
I was asked about grades by all banks (Top BB to regional MM boutique) for specific courses (we don't have non-disclosure). Just make sure you focus more on Accounting and Finance versus say Economics or Marketing (second years in the school will tell you what matters). You don't need an A all the time, just don't get the lowest one (e.g. B). It's an awkward conversation.

I had my GMAT on the resume, but I know some ask for it. I also know guys with 700 who got BB offers.

If you don't get a summer internship its pretty much over. Very few full time only offers for major banks, worse if you are a career switcher. Once you get the offer, grades go out the window.

MBA recruiting is a balancing game. Must have good grades, do a load of networking and still do extra curricular.

 

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