Path to entry

go to B-school and try to get a summer associate gig... but you're going to need years of work experience to get into a good b-school

Try networking? It is impressive that you have 12 varsity letters D1, but at that same time that 2.8 is not going to get you past the initial screening stages when they have 3.6+ Ivies in the same stack.

Wait... 12 letters is a 3 sport varsity athlete for 4 years? I assume that is the case...I ask only bc i was a D1 varsity athlete for one sport and cant imagine playing 3 sports (esp. since D-1 sports generally overlap into other sports seasons)

Best of luck to you...my reco would also be to go the b-school route and sign on as an associate...there is no reason to join banking in this environment anyway

I played D1 is that even feasible under school / NCAA rules ?

Yes it is possible. Charlie Ward did it at Florida State...won the Heisman in Football, was a starting outfielder for their College World Series team, and the starting point guard for the basketball team. Could have went pro in all three and decided to play point for the Knicks. Wasn't a great pro but nonetheless impressive.

I myself played a sport in college and I can not begin to imagine how difficult it would have been to play 3. Although the 2.8 is pretty bad, I would just leave it off your resume, and get some work experience and try to jump into a small regional boutique for a year or so before b-school. I'm talking like a 5-10man shop in Charleston, SC or something for example bc that might be ur only hope pre-bschool. It gets a foot in the door. And by leaving the 2.8 off the resume, people will be more likely to interview and once you can get in, you then have the chance to tell your 3 sport story which will be impressive and possibly get them to overlook your poor academics if you convince them you are talented and work really hard.

I assume he ran at the varsity level, 3 completely different sports would be insane (either way it's impressive though). Anyway, from what I've read I'd say if networking doesn't work out then try your best to get a great GMAT score and excel at your job, then apply to b school in a few years. Good luck

mnabanker: Charlie Ward did not play college baseball....nice try

Yeah, if you run long distance you'd basically be required to compete in three sports - the coach would get mighty pissed if you decided to stop training for a season, so you're doing xc, indoor track, outdoor track = 3x4 = 12 letters.

From what you wrote you currently are not in a position to move in to banking, and certainly won't be able to get a summer position. If you gave more details on your current positioning, it could clear things up, but what others have said is your best bet - gain a few years of real work experience, ace the GMATs, b-school, summer associate, and you've got a good shot at making it.

Ward played baseball I thought because I remember he was drafted by Mil and then the Yankees drafted him in '94 when the Knicks also drafted him

Quickfeet - as JBS mentioned, I think your best bet will be to go to a top bschool and break in from there.

Yes I ran in college. It may not seem as amazing now, but I can assure you trying to compete at your highest level for 10 months out of the year without any off season has a lot of challenges. I had a chance to wrestle at school as well but cutting weight and running do not mix.

Thank you for all the comments, I know my hardest part is going to be actually getting past the initial screening, which I figured I would have to get past by an extreme amount of networking. I ask because my office is being shut down come August and I will have a year of work experience under my belt. Do you think that trying to get into PE or a boutique hedge fund would help me if those opportunities were to arise? I am very attracted to the buy-side and want to attack this with a wide broom so I can continue to gain experience with a relevant company.

I knew it would take a few years, which it would if I was a soph in college anyway. B-School was always a top priority and I am currently studying for the GMATs.

Thanks again for the input!