Ambitions, non-stellar cumulative GPA

Okay, so I am an Industrial Engineering student with a secondary in Economics & Finance and I am trying to get into banking or consulting (top firms). Also, I will be a senior in the Fall of 2015.

I have a current cGPA of 3.25 and major GPA of 3.56. My last two semesters were GPAs of 3.66 and 3.86. The low cumulative is thanks to my first semester freshman year GPA of 2.5. Thanks to my ambition, I've taken on many extracurricular and relevant part-time jobs to help my case [as well as mediocre internships (unfortunately) (Grant Thornton Transaction Advisory in Dubai, UAE) (not thaaaat mediocre)].

But anyway,

Here are my questions... Should I round cGPA to 3.3 and mGPA to 3.6 on my resume? I've read that it's okay to do so but does anyone have first hand experience with getting away with it?

Is it okay to (eloquently) explain my misfortune (low first semester GPA) on my cover letter? or is it that unprofessional?

I truly believe I have what it takes to become part of top IB firms or strategy/financial services consulting firms.

Please let me know how I can help my case.

Thanks

3 Comments
 

Problem is, the fact that my GPA is at a 3.25 isn't landing me as many interviews as I deserve. Knowing myself, I can land a job once I get the interview but that just hasn't been happening often (especially because just recently I pulled myself out of the hole that was my messing up first two semesters of college) even though I have strong credentials other than GPA.

But okay, so you're saying don't include anything about that in my cover letter, no matter how short or how eloquently written (I can be smooth about things)?

 

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