How important is ATAR vs WAM??
Hi all, I’m currently studying at UNSW/USYD, not in my penultimate year with a WAM just above 90, but my ATAR was in the low 90s.
Just to provide my perspective and to explain why I’m even asking this, I actually have no clue if my ATAR result is considered “bad” when people review CVs for SA recruiting. That perception is purely based off the fact I see alot of people in IB with really high ATARS and maybe I assume they’d just see my atar as bad (?) and wouldn’t be able to look past it even if my WAM is strong.
I’ve chosen not to include my ATAR on my CV unless it’s specifically required (is this a bad idea?) My question is basically can a strong WAM outweigh a comparatively lower ATAR, or is ATAR still viewed as a major screening factor even after strong uni results?
Would appreciate any insight from people who’ve been through the process. Thanks!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, your strong WAM (above 90) can absolutely outweigh a comparatively lower ATAR, especially as you progress further into your university studies and career. Here's what you need to know:
WAM vs. ATAR:
CV Strategy:
Perception in IB Recruiting:
Actionable Advice:
In summary, your WAM is a much stronger indicator of your current abilities, and most recruiters will prioritize it over your ATAR. Keep building your profile, and don't let a lower ATAR hold you back!
Sources: How much of a "hook" is legacy at a college?, Q&A: 2nd yr IB Analyst - Australia, Should I retake the GMAT? 710 (41Q 47V 6AWA), Low GPA/High GMAT, Ask mbaMission about Business School Admissions
Some shops care about your ATAR, some shops don't. Fundamentally, whilst your WAM is logically the metric that should matter most, given the very small size of the sector in Australia (whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth), sometimes firms will use ATAR as an additional mechanism to be able to filter out applicants. It is incredibly arbitrary and whilst I believe the old saying of "ATAR doesn't matter after you get into your course" to be true, when you have so many applicants and so few seats, sometimes you need a way to separate people. This all being said, I do think some of what you're perceiving is selective provision of information and subsequent confirmation bias, in the sense that those who got high ATARs and WAMs choose to disclose that information, whilst those who did not, do not, and choose instead to discuss their professional achievements.
I can tell you now that not all I-bankers (at least in Sydney) were Duxes at High School or University Medallists. Some (particularly some of the higher-level guys and girls) broke in through grit and perserverence, or through starting elsewhere and moving over. There are some MD & CEO-level bankers that lack a university degree, albeit this isn't something that is repeatable nowadays. At the end of the day, Investment Banking isn't some fundamentally academic sector that requires you to be some sort of a megamind. The reason why there is a high bar to entry is because the jobs are desirable and pay well, and provide a solid array of later-stage career options. A lot of what you do at an IB isn't necessarily stuff that you need to be innately smart to do.
ATAR isn't the be all and end all, and some firms genuinely don't care. I got an ATAR in the high 80s and worked my ass off to get into Comm/Law, and was subsequently a high performer at Uni. My comparatively low ATAR didn't impact me when it came to SA szn, however this was now a few years ago so things may have changed.
I wouldn't include your ATAR on your CV - if they ask for it, give it to them, but I personally wouldn't give it voluntarily, particularly if you believe it to be a weak point for yourself. I didn't include it on my CV because I didn't want to be arbitrarily disqualified for having a sub-90 atar, particularly given my WAM was above 85 across commerce and law.
In any event - best of luck. The one piece of advice or wisdom that I will impart upon you is that time moves in one direction. What I mean by this is that your ATAR is something that you are now in no position to change - it is in the past. Don't let it hold you back or stop you from trying. If it is an obstacle that you have to overcome, find a way to overcome it.
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