GPA needed for BB/EB IB from target?

What GPA from Cornell (social science major) should you have for IB for a BB/EB by junior year for recruiting? What about for trading?

thanks, I am a freshman with a 3.5 and will probably have like a 3.55-3.64 after the end of this semester

Also, what internships should I aim for? I have nothing lined up for this summer (have been emailing local wealth management BB branches, but they keep saying that they aren't hiring any unpaid/paid interns)?

24 Comments
 

Above a 3.5 will be fine - other points of your resume will be more important by that point. It's pretty late to find an internship at this point but luckily freshman year doesn't really make a huge difference. If you're able to get something that would be great but if not that will be okay too, try to do something that is fun/interesting over this summer otherwise as it might be your last truly free summer

 
Best Response

Is it possible to get into banking with a 3.5 GPA in a social science major from Cornell? I guess so.

However, if you want to get a first round interview through on campus recruiting, 3.5 will not cut it, especially in your major. 3.5 is the kind of grade range which will require networking with alums to make sure you get a first round interview, or come with a favorable recommendation or have some serious connections in industry.

When I was applying for internships, an MD from GS who was part of the recruiting team told us that getting a first round was like a checklist - 3.8 GPA, leadership and team experience. They are definitely more lenient for STEM majors (3.7+ is fine) but there just aren't that many interview slots.

I'm not saying you won't be able to get an interview. I'm just saying that you'll struggle to get them across the board unless you take action to stand out. There will be a lot of kids at Cornell with top grades and extra-curriculurs, and even at target schools there are few interview slots.

 

I feel like the 3.5 standard is a bit outdated, I went through recruiting last fall (not at Cornell though) and several BB/EB OCR interviews informally had strict cutoffs at 3.7 or 3.8 (according to seniors at those firms). Kids with less than that who networked extremely hard were able to succeed, but many more opportunities will open up if u kill sophomore year and clear above 3.7

 

I'm with that guy ^, just go for the 4.0. You're a lot more likely to get a 3.7 while aiming for a 4.0 than getting a 3.7 while aiming for a 3.7.

I can't answer your question though. I'm sure a 3.5 from Wharton would be fine but I wouldn't want to get any lower just because it's below the beloved 3.5 mark.

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

Honestly, I just don't know if 4.0 is realistic. Obviously I am going to be aiming for the top.

I think 3.6+ is definitely possible, and I was curious with that GPA what kind of opportunities would be realistic.

 
  1. depends on the individual: some don't really care, some look for the highest GPAs. this varies significantly even within the same firm (e.g. two people looking at the same resume at GS or MS might disagree or agree on many different things)

  2. depends on the type of target. top targets like wharton or harvard might be cut some more slack vs. cornell or duke

  3. I think 3.6 is a sweet spot, but that's my personal preference. If you have a 3.9+ though (not 3.8) that really catches people's eye and typically you'll get interviews even if you have little other experience. with a 3.6-3.8, you'll get the interview assuming that you have good experiences and on campus activities. with a 3.9 you have more breathing room (this is just my experience, yours could vary a lot)

 

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If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.

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