“GPA doesn’t matter”
Before college, I had no connection to the finance world. Both my parents were PHDs, and had an older sister and brother who both went to a HYPSM for engineering/STEM related fields. I ended up at a decent school, but not super extreme top target, due to me not trying as hard as I should have in HS.
I’d recall, during family dinners my siblings, and their friends that’d they bring along to our home town during break, recant the same dogma everytime when recruiting came up: “GPA Doesn’t matter in college”. To me as an idiot kid, I took this idea to heart from HS to freshman year of college. I basically interpreted it as if I landed a good school (which I did - not top target but still objectively good), found my passion, and coasted, I would be pretty set after graduation, even if I get some Bs.
Anyways, I did eventually find that “passion”, it’s just that I did after a very unflattering first year GPA. Long story short, my trash ass GPA induced a shit ton of stress and anxiety while recruiting,. While I’m happy to say that I did eventually land a seat that I’m okay with, I can’t help but imagine how much better I would have done if I hadn’t gone into college with this shit ass lazy mentality.
Now, when I see anyone saying “GPA doesn’t matter for job recruitment”, I have to suppress my primal urge to hurl slurs and bash them with a hammer. I mean, in retrospect they all probably said that because they were going to roles which didn’t require a strong GPA (like research for example), but my general point is that nobody should be telling any high schooler that your academic performance in college doesn’t matter, because it fucking does and that idea might handicap your potential
Sorry for the rant, some frustrating thoughts I’ve been dealing with
Agreed - I believed everyone when they said GPA doesn't matter in high school. I barely scraped by and got into a semi-target. GPA absolutely matters, and having a high one since freshman year has opened so many doors for me.
Your frustration is valid, and your experience highlights a critical truth: GPA does matter, especially in competitive fields like finance. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
GPA as a Screening Tool: Many firms, especially in investment banking and private equity, use GPA as a quick filter during the initial resume screen. A high GPA (typically 3.5+ or even 3.7+ for top firms) can open doors, while a lower GPA might close them before you even get a chance to showcase your skills.
First Impressions Matter: As noted in WSO threads, GPA is often the first thing recruiters look at when sifting through hundreds of resumes. It's an easy way to narrow down the pool, especially for entry-level roles where candidates have limited work experience.
Long-Term Impact: A strong GPA doesn't just help with your first job. It can also play a role in securing your first buy-side role, MBA admissions, and even post-MBA opportunities. It's a foundational piece of your early career trajectory.
Exceptions Exist, But They're Rare: While some roles or firms may prioritize experience or networking over GPA, these are exceptions rather than the rule. Even candidates with compelling stories or strong connections often need to meet a minimum GPA threshold (e.g., 3.3 or 3.5) to be considered.
Advice for Future Students: The idea that "GPA doesn't matter" is misleading and can be damaging. It's crucial to emphasize to high schoolers and college freshmen that academic performance is a key component of their professional toolkit. Coasting through college without prioritizing GPA can lead to unnecessary stress and missed opportunities later.
Your story serves as a valuable lesson for others. While you managed to land a role you're okay with, your experience underscores the importance of starting strong academically and maintaining that momentum throughout college.
Sources: Does GPA matter for Private Equity?, Easy A classes?, PE Recruiting as a Lateral Analyst w/ Weak Academic Profile, On the off chance Investment Banking doesn't work out for me, Yet more fun with resumes
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