My Chances at Getting a Top-Tier Sophomore Internship in the Finance Industry

I know the Finance Industry is highly competitive, and I want to know how I stack up. I will just include the major points:

I am a rising Sophomore at the University of Richmond (Number 17 business school by Businessweek), with a 3.3 GPA (this will rise), major in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Economics. Various business clubs and honors societies.

Summer Preceding Freshman Year:
-Host/manager/minor accounting at two high-volume restaurants - Two Months - Responsible for managing over ten waitresses, reviewing cash flows and inventory, managed cash deposits and withdrawals

Summer Freshman Year:
-Interned at a medium-sized marketing firm in Barcelona - Two months - Client acquisition, PR work etc, ran with the bulls during San Fermin in Pamplona

-Interned at small philanthropic consulting firm in New Jersey - One month - Fundraising analysis/planning/modeling, client research, worked closely with the CEO/President with high profile clients

Sophomore Year Projection:
-Philanthropy Chair and Alumni Chair, Sigma Chi Fraternity - I plan to use my experience in fundraising to increase fundraising revenue by at least 400% (we barely broke even last year)

I am very personable, and I have been told I am excellent at interviews. I will work hard at networking and utilize all of the resources I have at my disposal.

I highly value your relevant opinion(s); does my experience qualify my for a chance at a highly prestigious-or at least respected-firm in the Finance Industry?

5 Comments
 
Best Response

To be honest...first what internships are you looking for ? IB/ST/Consulting ? That will matter. Second, for sophormore internships most people have no prior experience that is relevant (yours is barely relevant but spin it properly to show you learned necessary skills i.e. teamwork, communication skills, asking questions, etc.).

The 3.3 will hurt you and while Richmond is ranked high in Businessweek, no one cares. Richmond is in VA and is not a major name in the industry (there are people but not major name).

 

I think at your school, 3.8+ would be a safe position to be at to get interviews. If you are talking about top tier as in GS, JPM, MS and MBBs, then 3.8+ for sure. I think you'd be better off getting informational interviews and then pursue actual interviews junior year after you bring up your GPA.

You crave what you are not. Dude, your perspective on life sucks.
 

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