Looking for advice on what I should do

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a structured plan to help you navigate your situation and maximize your chances of success:

1. Focus on GPA Recovery

• You're already on the right track by improving your GPA. Keep pushing for strong grades in your second and third years. A 3.5 GPA is respectable, especially if you show an upward trend. Many firms value improvement and resilience.
• Consider taking "easier" elective courses or "joke classes" to pad your GPA, as suggested in WSO threads. This can help you boost your overall average.

2. Leverage Your Extracurriculars

• Your achievements in math competitions, chess, and stock pitch competitions are impressive and unique. Highlight these on your resume and in interviews to differentiate yourself.
• Continue participating in business and stock pitch competitions. These not only strengthen your resume but also demonstrate your technical skills and passion for finance.

3. Network Strategically

• Networking is critical, especially if your GPA isn't stellar. Start reaching out to alumni from your school who are in the industry. Use LinkedIn and your school's alumni database to find connections.
• Aim for 2-3 networking calls per week. Build relationships with professionals at firms you're targeting. Focus on mid-tier firms or boutiques initially, as they may be more forgiving of a lower GPA.
• When networking, be prepared to tell your story. Emphasize your upward GPA trend, extracurricular achievements, and technical skills.

4. Develop Technical Skills

• Strong technical skills can help offset a lower GPA. Use resources like the WSO Technical Guide, Mergers & Inquisitions templates, or other online courses to master financial modeling, valuation, and accounting.
• Practice technical interview questions and case studies. Aim to be so technically sound that your GPA becomes a secondary consideration.

5. Secure Relevant Experience

• Even if you can't land a top-tier internship right away, look for opportunities at smaller firms, startups, or even unpaid internships. These experiences can help you build your resume and develop relevant skills.
• Consider roles in corporate finance, accounting, or other related fields if investment banking internships are out of reach initially. These can serve as stepping stones.

6. Prepare for Masters Applications

• If you decide to pursue a master's degree, focus on programs that value a strong upward GPA trend and relevant experience. European programs, for example, may be more forgiving of a lower undergraduate GPA if you demonstrate strong performance in your final years and have solid work experience.
• Use your master's program as a reset button to position yourself for top-tier opportunities.

7. Polish Your Story

• Be ready to address your first-year GPA in interviews. Frame it as a learning experience and focus on how you improved. For example: "I faced challenges in my first year adjusting to university, but I took steps to improve, and my GPA has been on an upward trend ever since."

8. Additional Tips

• Join finance or investment clubs at your university to build your network and gain more experience.
• Create a detailed spreadsheet to track your networking efforts, applications, and follow-ups. Organization is key.
• Consider cold emailing professionals for advice or informational interviews. Many are willing to help if you approach them respectfully.

Final Thoughts

Your first-year GPA is not the end of the road. Many professionals have overcome similar challenges through networking, technical preparation, and persistence. Focus on what you can control—your grades, skills, and relationships—and you'll significantly improve your chances of success.

Sources: Did my GPA screw up my application?, Low GPA, trying to get my foot in the door. What do I do?, Feel like I'm going to be stuck in this job, what do I do?, Ask CompBanker, Don't Throw Away Your Shot - Networking with Senior Professionals as an MBA