I have to withdraw a core econ class this semester. Will this impact recruitment for investment banking? Do any firms even ask for transcripts in applications or interview rounds before offers are extended? Thank you in advance!
| +430 | Don’t work at UBS - UBS Sucks | 37 | 22h |
| +327 | Article - UBS’ Investment Bank Keeps Losing Ground | 41 | 3d |
| +169 | Should My Intern Get a Return Offer? | 52 | 43s |
| +61 | When to Leave Office as Intern | 8 | 5d |
| +60 | Best IB Group Overall? | 35 | 10h |
| +54 | F*ck it I'm Going to Med School | 19 | 17h |
| +39 | Would you rather be a Touse Squid or a Bouse Mogger in IB | 2 | 5d |
| +38 | What do you say to ppl who don’t know EVR/LAZ/CVP/PJT | 29 | 15h |
| +31 | STEM student lost in London IB recruiting | 17 | 3d |
| +26 | lateral hire from Corp Dev to ECM IB (No IB experience) | 10 | 8h |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, withdrawing from a core class, especially in economics, might raise some concerns during investment banking (IB) recruitment, but its impact depends on how you handle the situation and your overall profile.
Transcripts and Grades: Many IB firms do request transcripts during the recruitment process, particularly for summer internships. They often look at your GPA and relevant coursework to assess your academic performance. Withdrawing from a core class could be noticed, but it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker if your overall GPA remains strong and you can explain the situation effectively.
Recruitment Focus: IB recruiting places significant emphasis on networking, technical preparation, and behavioral fit. While grades and coursework matter, they are just one part of the equation. If you excel in other areas—such as networking with alumni, performing well in interviews, and demonstrating strong technical skills—you can mitigate the impact of a withdrawal.
How to Address It: If asked about the withdrawal, be prepared to provide a concise and honest explanation. For example, you could mention unforeseen circumstances or a strategic decision to focus on other priorities, as long as it doesn’t come across as a lack of commitment or capability.
Long-Term Impact: Once you secure a role in IB, your performance on the job will matter far more than your academic record. However, for private equity (PE) recruiting or other competitive exits, some firms may scrutinize your academic background more closely, so it’s worth considering how this withdrawal fits into your broader career goals.
In summary, while withdrawing from a core class might raise a red flag, it’s unlikely to derail your IB recruiting efforts if you maintain a strong GPA, prepare thoroughly, and excel in other aspects of the process.
Sources: My Recruiting Story: The importance of reading emotions and the appearance of intelligence, How does Opt-in Pass/Fail look for IB Recruiting?, Q&A: Johnson (Cornell) 2nd Year MBA Ask Me Anything, High School Classes Most Relevant to IB
Gotta chill. I withdrew from an accounting class from a state school and ended up getting an IB job at JPM lol
Tenetur quasi quas sapiente consequatur sint itaque. Quas dolorem velit autem nihil.
Ipsa asperiores distinctio perspiciatis molestiae nihil optio. Dolores corporis consequatur aut sit et itaque quo. Quisquam non sint sit repudiandae adipisci molestiae corporis. Nam maxime soluta reprehenderit explicabo eius consequatur soluta et. Impedit at consequuntur blanditiis sit. Nobis perspiciatis voluptates fugiat eum dicta.
Dolorem voluptate ut ex reiciendis cum. Sint expedita doloribus sunt et quis non. Ut molestiae reprehenderit quod perferendis officiis qui dolorem. Vero minima id et et corporis cum. Quis maxime ea reprehenderit dolorem numquam voluptatem aut voluptas. Dolorum eius asperiores velit officia amet. Repellendus maxime rem aut at deserunt qui illum.
Est impedit est veniam eaque aliquam nihil. Enim at rerum labore numquam incidunt tempora.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...