Incoming Junior GPA problems
Hi everyone,
I am a sophomore at a semi-target in California. I just finished the bulk of my final exams and project my GPA to be a 3.4 after this year. This summer I will be interning at a boutique investment bank, so I believe that my work experience will be strong coming into summer analyst recruiting. Also, I believe that I can bring my GPA up to a 3.5 after 1st semester junior year. My question is, when do banks typically start the resume submission process and when do they start interviewing? I really want to have my GPA at a 3.5. Also, I have friends that have received interviews with a 3.4 and even a 3.3. Once you are in the interview stage, is everything else equal amongst your other competitors? i.e. gpa doesn't matter anymore and your performance in the interviews and your likability will be the determining factors (?)
Thanks!
Of course GPA matters — everything matters. But if you really hit it off with the team and you know your stuff, you should have a decent shot at turning an interview into an offer. That said, you should aim for a 3.5 since many banks set that as the cut-off for OCR.
You're going to be cutting it close. Are you planning on recruiting for LA/SF offices or NY as well? I ask because NY recruiting has occurred a little later than west coast recruiting the past couple years (maybe longer; only speaking from my knowledge).
For west coast, traditional SA recruiting starts in early January and is TYPICALLY done considering candidates from west coast targets by the beginning of February. This applies to BBs and major boutiques; I don't know how much later the smaller shops start recruiting. Bank applications vary, but resume submissions through your OCR portal will likely be due at mid/end December through early January. Non-accelerated recruiting season for NY offices starts slightly later. You'll likely be able to update your GPA for OCR for some of your applications.
That being said, you should be networking throughout your Fall semester. If you start developing solid connections with various banks, they will likely ask for a copy of your resume so they can keep you on file once the resume drop happens with OCR. Some banks also hold accelerated interviews in December in hopes of securing a few top candidates before everyone goes on winter break. The point I am trying to make: banks will likely see your resume before you can honestly update your GPA to a 3.5. It's not the end of the world--just think of it as one more reason to really be on your A-game at networking events in the Fall. If they like you enough, I doubt they will exclude you from the short pile of names to look out for because you have a 3.4 instead of a 3.5.
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