How do you guys make of this?
I recently reached out to a MD at a top MM IB (think Harris Williams, William Blair, etc). HR got back to me asking for my resume and saying that they will be my point of contact.
So I fork my resume over and the HR responds to that email asking for my overall GPA
Unfortunately, my GPA isn't stellar, 3.0, so I list my major gpa of 3.3.
I do have somewhat solid deal experience at my current internship.
What do you think my chances are of getting an interview? Do these firms have a GPA cutoff?
It sounds like they are somewhat interested at least if they are asking. They probably are relieved it isnt below 3.0
Well the thing was that the email was a cold email to an MD asking for a call. I think they just forwarded my email to HR.
Just to clarify, my resume lists my Major GPA so the HR asked for my cumulative in that separate email.
You want people to calibrate your "chances at an interview" based on an anecdotal story the circumstances of which only you fully understand? It's like asking an online forum how likely it is that your mother will cook potatoes for dinner -- of all people you know best.
Jesus.
Did you have a stroke while typing the subject of this thread?
You have to tell them the truth, lying will definitely kill this. If there is some mitigating circumstance, such as family hardship while in school, present that in a very short explanation of how you overcame obstacles to get through school. "After parent died and I became the breadwinner of the family, I had to go to school and work full time while handling multiple responsibilities at home, so I've learned to manage an intense workload from an early age" sort of selling point.....keep it simple, people have short attention spans.
Otherwise, just give them the GPA and hope for the best. Most places just want to see a 3.0 or better so they know you're not retarded. Listing "major GPA" is a red flag, that's why they're asking.
Thanks! Do you recommend me taking off Major GPA on resume and just put Cumulative GPA then?
Give them both GPAs. That will make your major GPA look good compared to your overall GPA.
No, keep your Major GPA, but identify it as such. If people ask for your cumulative or overall, give it to them straight.
3.0 is the magic number in most cases, from my understanding of how things work. The simple truth is that GPA serves to thin out a large number of resumes, and no one cares that much. 90% of finance will be learned on the job, and it's really not rocket science at all. In fact, there's very little correlation beteen GPA and performance over time once you make it past the very basic stuff. If you've made it this far, my honest guess is that only a REALLY terrible GPA is going to knock you out of the running, like a 2.3 or something.
Again though, this is just what I know, I don't have a direct yes/no answer for you. Maybe someone else here can help?
What was your major? That may help parse out what's what here. If you got a 3.3 in one thing but didn't do well in general requirements, that may provide insight into how you present yourself.
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