Non Target 3.5 GPA

I’m a upcoming junior with a 3.55 majoring in finance. My first year of college I had a hard time adjusting and got a 3.24 GPA. Last year I only focused on my grades and didn’t prep for interviews and got a 3.8. I currently have a audit internship this summer. I am obviously interested in IB/PE/ER, should I target small boutique firms or what should I try to do? I feel very lost, anything helps.

10 Comments
 

cast a wide net. But as someone from a non-target not having a near perfect GPA is killer. To be frank you are going to have to really grind to land an offer. Most banks are done for summer 2024 so I would shoot for regional banks for 2024 and start shooting applications now, network as much as you can now, and study technicals. If that doesn’t work out, try for a FT offer next recruiting cycle.

 

monke19

Thank you, yeah I definitely think I'm going to be trying for next recruitment cycle in my case. 

FT is a lot more competitive and difficult. So start grinding technicals and networking now to set yourself up for success

 

You'll be able to land a gig if you work hard at it, but it will likely be at a LMM or boutique. You could lateral after if you do well and are on top of things. The biggest thing you might want to do, however, is break down your gpa to include your major gpa as well (assuming that it's better). Banks know that you might have a rough time during your college transition, so you might be able to mitigate (but not completely remove) the negative impact your gpa has on you. Try to go for relevant internships if you can, maybe a search fund to start out.

 

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