Hello I'm a current sophomore at a non-target state school. I just finished my third semester and I have a 2.7 gpa cum (2.2--3.4--2.7). I've spent my third semester partying and joining a fraternity. I need opinions on how bad I've messed my self up in regards to my gpa and will I even get looked at in the future when applying to working in investment banking?
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Little to no chance unless you know someone who will go to bat for you
You still have 1 semester to boost your GPA. Being below a 3.0 will be almost insurmountable come SA application and interviewing. Try to get some relevant experience this summer and work on the GPA next semester
With that GPA, obviously the chances are low even for SA your junior summer. But the good news is that you've recognized the problem and it's not too late as long as you start to turn things around now. If you can raise your grades (>3.7 every semester), network, and apply broadly, you'll probably have a great shot at a boutique for your junior summer and then may even have good prospects for full-time recruiting.
If you delay graduation one year, take a full course load for the next 4 semesters, and get a 3.8 in those semesters, you could get a 3.4 cumulative. That will also give you a chance to get 2 summers of relevant experience. Not all is lost yet. You need to get your shit together though.
Of course, given your current performance at a non-target no less, I'd question your ability to do what I just recommended. Prove me wrong.
First of all -- How bad do you want to work in investment banking?
I want to go into investment scale 8/10. I see it as the best way to start off a life in finance, the experience you get at a young age i imagine is like no other.
But when you guys say networking do suggest reaching out to people on wall-street etc.? I'm attending school in the south/midwest.
Do you have any previous finance internships? Any internships? Any on-campus (or high school) jobs? I would say that if the answer to all of these is 'No', it might be nigh-impossible to get an internship in IBD, unless you have some ridiculous connection (an uncle MD or something).
Otherwise, you still need to do some serious reaching out to people, as getting recommended is pretty much the only way for non-targets, especially with a low GPA. It's going to be really, really tough.
I only have a summer job experience, some connections maybe but non in finance.
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