Hi, I was wondering if it is better to have a really good GPA (3.9/4.0) with somewhat easy classes or have a decent gpa 3.4/3.3 with really tough classes? Which is more appealing to recruiters?
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I think it’s probably a mix of both. Recruiters certainly look at your total GPA and there are usually minimum GPAs for certain positions. I’m not sure a recruiter would be able to deem what is a “tough course”, but would likely be able to deem relevant coursework. This relevant coursework will also assist you in conversing with your interviewers as you get further into the process.
So a high GPA is good but you should try and take relevant courses and things that interest you as even if they are tough you will likely perform better in them.
GPA gets you in the door. If you can get away with easier classes and still know everything you need to for IB go for easier classes. I had friends who would game the system (Drop classes, look for the easiest teachers, etc.) to get a high GPA and they arguably got better interviews out of school, but didn't have the grit to grind through rejection it took to be in IB. They ultimately settled for BO or lower firms.
GPA is usually more relevant. It varies from bank to bank to provide your college transcript- I've only had to do this ~10-25% of the time. IMO: take easier classes to boost the GPA (keep in mind, you're gonna need at least a 3.5 to get looked at) and study all IB material in parallel to your coursework. That way you'll have a good GPA to get looked at and be able to articulate answers to finance related interview questions.
Check out the mergers & inquisitions 400 questions and Udemy's investment banking course to learn the material by yourself.
If you did have to submit a transcript I could see a bank being a little concerned about 10 different intro to music, intro to breathing, intro to attendance, etc. type classes. I am sure this would only be at top shops.
Ok yeah there's a difference of course, I mean for your finance electives or something like that, choosing the easier ones instead of the more rigorous ones
I have a friend who took a different career development course every semester...his resume and cover letter were already great, and he is well-connected and on top of his career path already, so these already easy classes were dumb easy. Got like 12 credits of A’s out of that during college lol
Depends on school
Go for the higher GPA. I don't think anyone is going to parse through the transcript when you apply and they'll only look at it when you get the offer, so there's no benefit as such. They'll gauge the difficulty by seeing a major (is it Finance vs. Neuroscience/physics etc.) So get the highest GPA you can.
I personally like to select the easiest profs, courses etc. but I am also in the honors college so I don't think anyone doubts the classes I take. Plus, in all the interviews I have had thus far, no one's asked me about my classes wrt difficulty levels. Instead, get into easier classes and use your free time to get other stuff for your resume (GPA takes up less than 1% of the space on a resume, you need to get other stuff too).
I got seen with my transciprt by MDs and others. They'll talk to you about it. That being said, youthink they care what classes you took? Make the GPA highest it can be and get those offers.
I don't think a bank has ever asked for my transcript. GPA is 100% more important.
nothing ever goes perfectly to plan, so don’t apply some conversion factor between easy classes and hard classes. gpa cutoffs exist (at as high as a 3.8 for some shops). optimize your gpa and maximize time for recruiting and leadership roles in ECs
Any specific names for the cutoff you mentioned? Unless youre talking about HF/MF programs. Ik people at every EB with lower
I definitely think GPA is wayyyyy more important - no one has ever asked me about my classes or even looked at my transcript.
My current bank asks you about your transcript. they dont' have time to lok at classes thouh an dhow can tehy know what classes you had to take and which ones you didn't have to?
Also, my wifi connection to this website sucks. MIght accelerate my leaving this website for good.
it's better to have a really good GPA (3.9/4.0). Alas, but few people look at the classes. Usually, decisions are made only on points.
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