Bad GPA, No Job, Grad School?

Hey guys!

I am a junior at an upper level private school, that is not necessarily known for their finance program. To make matters worse, until this semester I have averaged a sub 3.0 GPA. Additionally, I have had to Finance internships since I can't even land an interview with my GPA. I have held down multiple internships, with the most recent one being a human capital internship at a boutique firm for the past 12 months, and that will continue through the summer.

With all of that background out of the way, I need help.

I am obviously going to be graduating next year, and need to know what to do!

I want to stay in the finance field, but don't want to end up getting some bad job with no potential to advance, that is if I even get a job... what do I do?

Because I am an athlete at my school I will be able to get into our Grad program and earn a Masters of Science in Finance...

Should I try and take that avenue, and keep trying again to find a starting level finance internship for next summer (2013)...

please lend me whatever guidance you can, as I have really screwed myself over.

Thanks so much!

 
Best Response

Personally I don't think that 3.0 GPA is going to the reason that prevents you from getting a banking job. Yes, 3.0 GPA is shitty, and I am not going to lie about it. The only thing you can do is to try to bump up that GPA by the time you graduate.

At 3.0 GPA, you are going to get dinged at most recruiting events (mostly by the HR people). The only way for you to fix is to spend more time cold calling, and networking (to more of associates, VPs level people who actually make the hiring decision). You will have to actually go an extra mile to prove that you really want the job. You might also need to provide more sample works to demonstrate that you can take initiatives and get the job done. At the end of the day, getting things done is what most employers are looking for.

Another point is that most of the BB can get obsessed with GPA. You might have to position yourself to get into MM or Boutique. That again you need to work on your networking skills. All in all, you just have to cast your net a bit wider (in term of location and various departments within IBD) and spend more time convincing employers to hire you.

It is not impossible. It is just going to take some efforts from you since you screwed up on the GPA. But don't lose hopes yet. It is still possible. Hope this makes you feel a bit better.

"I am the hero of the story. I don't need to be saved."
 

StephanFranke31: Additionally, I have had to Finance internships since I can't even land an interview with my GPA.

To? Two? Too? New drinking game: run through the forum posts and every time you spot this kind of Appalachian grammar, take a shot.

 
oldmansacks:
Can u really get into a good masters program with 3.0? Id just pick up the phone and start networking

You'd be VERY surprised. It's definitely possible.

" A recession is when other people lose their job, a depression is when you lose your job. "
 
The.RealDeal:
oldmansacks:
Can u really get into a good masters program with 3.0? Id just pick up the phone and start networking

You'd be VERY surprised. It's definitely possible.

How good are the programs you could get into with 3.0? It would not be possible in UK.

 

How ironic that your username is JeremyLinMVP and you're telling people something is impossible haha.

I got into a respectable graduate program (MSc.Finance/T-10) in the UK with a sub-3.0 and no internships. Same goes for schools in the USA. Of course I was also rejected at others, but it's definitely possible provided that other areas of your candidacy are above average or spectacular.

" A recession is when other people lose their job, a depression is when you lose your job. "
 

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