GPA vs. Experience for Top Investment Banks
It's finals szn and I'm taking L's. So, here I am on WSO trying to see if my hopes and dreams of breaking into banking can still be a reality. I'm a sophomore at a target with search fund PE experience and a F500 Corporate Investments internship lined up for this summer. However, my GPA is going down this semester.
I'll probably be somewhere at a 3.7 when recruiting comes around. How is this compared to average GPAs around the street? I know this may seem pretty high, but most of the people at my school that go to to BBs have 3.9+. I know I won't get dinged with a 3.7, but is this a factor at all or am I still above the indifference cutoff.
I haven't done IB recruiting (from the other side) in many years but I would imagine you're fine. Network if you feel insecure at all. Also, you can sandbag next semester and take a bunch of easy classes (or at least delay hard classes til later).
Thanks! I plan to network heavily, so that should help. On another note, since you're in PE now, what are your thoughts of going straight to PE vs. doing the traditional route? Not sure if I'd be competitive for the big funds as they are probably looking for beasts, but my interests are definitely more so in PE.
If you are indeed at a target, you are fine. Not really a difference betweena a 3.7 and a 3.8 IMO. Maybe a slightly larger difference between a 3.7 and a 3.9. Instead of dwelling on this, make sure your resume kicks ass and you network with a few people at each firm. FWIW, I recruited with a 3.7 the first time around and a 3.85 the second time and got looks at the same places.
Will do, thanks for the help!
Yea 3.7 is good. No need to worry. You've got some good experience and I'm sure you'll do great for 2021 recruiting.
Thanks!
Work experience can definitely compensate for a lower GPA. It doesn't make sense to me why you would not be clear for the cut off at most banks, if not all, that do OCR at your school.
At the school I g to many of students heading to BB's didn't have sophomore internships lined up at all. If you are shooting for EB maybe the 3.7 isn't enough for a place like PJT, but still pretty impressive. You are fine.. should be a sweep for SA21. Good luck!
Current soph heading into SA 2021 recruiting. Did BB PWM this summer and also during the fall (I go to school in the city so I went to work after classes 2 days a week). This spring I will be doing a botique IB internship during the week, and then this summer I have a botique lined up in Connecticut. However, my GPA going into recruiting will be a 3.4/3.5 (Finals fucked me lol) How will my work experience be viewed in comparison to my GPA? I know its low :(
How much deos GPA really matter?
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