About to Graduate from Target School with a 2.9 GPA
Hello everyone this is is my first time posting and I'm trying to figure out how to proceed from here. So I'm about to graduate from a target with a 2.9 GPA. Originally, I was focused on doing premed, but have since flamed out. I won't sugar coat it; there are 3 Fs on my transcript all of which occurred freshman year. I don't want to excuse this at all but the following things might give context for this performance. I am a first gen student so I really had no clue what was going on aside from the fact that my parents wanted me to be a doctor. Granted, plenty of first gen students do well despite this status, but unfortunately I was not one. Second, both of my parents passed away during undergrad and it basically sent me into a nose dive into depression (much better now after therapy). The only silver lining in my transcript is that in my last semester I pulled all 4.0s. I have no relevant internship experience and my employment history all occurred before undergrad.
Some quantitative context:
GPA Trend: 2.2 - 1.2 - 3.2 - 3.3 - 3.3 - 3.5 - 4.0 - 4.0 (Cumulative 2.9, Cumulative excluding Freshman year 3.55)
GMAT: 790/800
SAT (not sure if it's event relevant anymore?): 2320/2400
CFA Level I passed
Currently I am planning on pursuing the finance masters program at the extension school to fill in some gaps in knowledge. In the meantime, how do I proceed? Should I seek out internships for the summer intended for undergrads? I am at a loss.
First, I'm sorry you had to endure such loss during your time in undergrad. I have a very similar story as you– I lost a parent during college and it brought me to a 3.2 GPA (had a 3.9 year prior), first gen and at ivy.
As a rising junior I was worried about my GPA and was convinced there was no way I'd get any interviews. After meeting with my college counselor she basically spelled out to me that the only way I'd have a chance is through networking – so through my VERY extensive networking I was able to communicate my story and witnessed people hardcore vouch for me. Despite my terrible GPA I was able to secure 5+ superdays (all places where I had referrals and contacts) and will intern at GS/MS this summer. I can 100% attest that this is the result of heavy networking.
Do you have a solid network? Have you yet reached out to school alumni? With a GPA in the low or sub 3s and no relevant internships, I would argue that even coming from a top target your chances come down *strictly* to who you know. Applying cold probably won't get your resume looked at whatsoever. If it's of any resolve, I was completely transparent with alumni about my story and my loss to explain my GPA and most were more than willing to help me (many even going above and beyond). Contrary to popular belief, there are a lot of benevolent people in this business :) Best of luck!
Thanks so much for your comment! It really means a lot knowing there's a way out of this and that there's someone who can relate. Do you happen to know if I can just cold email alumni for networking? I'm kinda ashamed of my GPA and don't know if they're willing to vouch for someone with such a low academic record.
I used LinkedIn to get alumni names and applied it to the bank email format. Response rate varies but with enough effort and a good enough emailing template I'm sure you'll get someone on the phone. Many of them had to do something similar and are sympathetic towards networking. Check out past threads dedicated to networking and cold-calling alumni on this site! I used WSO forums to formulate my approach and strategies towards networking.
SN: Does your school have a networking database for alumni? My school has an alumni connection website established by the career services/alumni relations office – a GREAT resource as it is meant exclusively for career networking (alumni willingly opt in so response rate is high). *Most* targets I personally know of have something like this; I highly highly suggest you utilize this as it was of so much help for me.
Also +1 on leaving off your GPA on job applications for now. If you are going to apply somewhere without a good word being put in/referral, the rule of thumb is to leave off GPA if it's under 3.
Did you address GPA without them asking about it? Or would you wait for someone to say something?
I haven't reach out to anyone yet, but I don't think I would address my GPA without someone bringing it up first
Reach out to alumni and convey what you have written above. You have a lot of solids and some good stats. You should find something.
Look into whether it’s possible to retake some of the classes you failed or have Ds in over the summer and get a grade replacement, not sure if your school does it but have heard some schools do. Also if financially feasible you could potentially extend graduation by a semester to try and get your gpa above a 3.0.
Also I would leave gpa of your resume, or if your major gpa is higher i would include that instead but if not leave both off. Would also definitely include your gmat on your resume.
Best of luck!
I would also consider masters in finance programs. With that gmat I assume you might be competitive at decent programs if your application tells a good story
Don't be ashamed at all about your GPA, imo you should be extremely proud of yourself for your impressive upward trajectory.
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