3.0 GPA, what to do from here?

I’m looking to get an IB internship (I’m a sophomore) but have a 3.0 from a non-target. If given an interview I can explain away my low GPA (engineering major, PE internship during semester) but am afraid that no company will care or give me a shot. Is there anything I can do besides network to help?

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To be frank you have a 0% chance at a BB/EB unless an MD+ is pulling for you - and even then it’s tough.

Have a buddy that was in a similar spot - he extended his graduation by a semester and got his gpa up to like a 3.3 , went crazy on networking to land an offer at an international bank, and recently lateraled to a EB. If you network and start getting good grades it’s doable

 

Not sure how anyone could MS this comment, if you are going into junior recruiting for IB and a non target while ALSO having a terrible GPA, it will be extremely difficult. If you are a non target and have a great GPA (3.8+) it is still very very difficult but can be done

 

Most BB recruit generalist which includes product, coverage, and capital markets. However some like CS separate IB and capitals markets recruiting.

 

Honestly dude, I feel for you because engineering is a tricky major and a 3.0 is a fine GPA in that sphere. Unfortunately for IB, GPA is THE most important thing even if you majored in basket weaving. You should network with boutique IBs (like 30 man shops in a regional city) or try to convert the PE internship. Extending grad is a decent idea if you still have time to change your major to Econ or something you can get 4.0s in the next few semesters.


BB/EB/MM are going to be such a difficult battle for you I wouldn't even focus on those. You'll invest so much time networking and get cut before first rounds every time. 

 

3.92 GPA from a complete non-target. Was able to sneak out an offer, but starting from that low of a GPA is an uphill battle. You’re going to need to network like a dog. Good luck

 

Pretty much agree with what’s been said. I think the most important factor is your school. Only if you’re not from a target, then I’d look at GPA, and would expect it to be 3.7+, and for a complete non target, probably higher. 
 

Ik it sucks, and I get the struggle of engineering because I studied it, but you have to be realistic. Why study engineering if you’re going into finance? My advice would be to go into tech where they care less about school name and GPA, or take an extra year of school, switch majors to finance, take bullshit classes for a year to bring your GPA up, and try again. But tbh, even then it’ll be extremely tough. If you really want to go into IB that bad (it’s overrated) you can also try again post MBA

 

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