Cold call now or later?

For starters, because you're a freshman, your GPA wouldn't really matter too much anyways because you're just taking Gen Eds that shouldn't be hard and aren't focused on your major.

If you do get someone that replies with that answer, you should write another email back thanking them for taking the time to respond and that you will stay in contact in the future should they need any extra hands for extra workloads.

Also, when cold calling...most of the time, they don't even ask about your gpa. This is just your initial "get your foot in the door" call.

Generally if you get a gate keeper, they won't forward you on to the person you actually want to talk to. You could always email though.

I'd start off with cold emailing first, and then move from there to calls. and yes, you can start now.

For me, I have generally gotten good responses from boutiques. I have gotten my past 2 internships this way. I would generally call first and be sure to research who you want to speak to, or ask to speak with a hiring manager if it is a really small firm. If a call doesn't work, then email.

Say you need to speak with a specific person (in a confident voice(. Boutiques respond better in my experience. Good "gatekeepers" will ask the person before transferring your call though.

You don't want to talk to hiring managers. You want to talk to MDs as you are pretty much looking for a position that isn't posted, and that they aren't looking for someone for.

Me personally, I would email, and then if it was a firm I was really interested in, I would call after a week or two of no response to the email.