Non Target Networking with Low GPA
Hi everyone!
Here's a brief break down of my situation: I am at a non target located in NYC with a 3.0 GPA. Although I consider my school a non target, we do have some alumni in baking.
I do not have an internship lined up for this summer, and I know I should be networking to find one. However, how effective will networking be if my GPA is low? Will any analysts or HR people take me seriously? How can I better offset my low GPA during informational interviews?
If you're networking with alumni, then GPA doesn't matter that much. I networked like crazy with a 3.1, and alumni still connected me with IB and S&T analysts, associates, and even a VP. Don't worry about it too much for informational interviews. Just sell your passion (bullshit that if you have to by researching reasons) and your experiences that have led you to finance. Good luck.
Make sure recruiters know if there is a legitimate reason for your GPA being lower than normal. You don't need to apologize for it; but don't be afraid to say if you are working two jobs just to pay for school, etc.
networking with low GPA (Originally Posted: 02/18/2013)
Hey! I'm a sophomore student at a good target right below the level of WHYP (think Columbia, Dartmouth, UChicago, Cornell, Duke, etc). However, my GPA isn't that great (3.2) although I'm doing a harder major (math-econ double). I've started networking at Boutiques and middle markets in the satellite hometown I live in. Some of the guys I've come across there have connections with some of the big dogs (like managing directors and VP's) at the Bulge Brackets. I guess in the grand scheme of things, my GPA isn't TERRIBLE but surely isn't ideal for BB IBD. Most of the students from my school getting BB IBD and maybe even trading have 3.5+ GPA. Anybody have stories of networking success with low GPA's? Is IBD at the BB's totally lost cause? Would MM's and boutiques be better? Should I focus on other career paths instead?
I have good leadership across campus and am also an athlete.
i'm at a similar level school to be you but a junior, and with a 3.6, i networked my way into interviews with almost all the elite boutiques and top middle market banks. didn't make much headway into BB's. i've heard all through the process that a 3.5 is the cut off, so I would not be too hopeful. Stock up on some summer courses and do everything you can to boost your gpa while networking your ass off.
3.5 is the cut-off as a rule of thumb, but if you're successful at networking you may surprised at some of the pull the people you meet have.
I've heard 3.5+ as a general cutoff as well. However, is that with or without networking?
3.5 is often the cutoff for OCR so if you have a GPA below that, sometimes your schools career website will automatically block you from applying. If possible, bring it up to at least that level. If not, you've got your work cut out for you - network hard. But to your credit, a math-econ double major will make people think you're pretty smart, or at the very least not getting shit grades in an 'easy' major
The whole point of networking is that it is not what you know but who you know. A 3.2 isn't amazing but it isnt bad either. So if your networking efforts aren't working, you're either doing it wrong or talking to complete douche bags.
As a junior with a 3.5 GPA in a similar set of schools who's managed several first rounds with lower tier BBs and a very elite boutique, my experience has been that even with extensive networking you can probably rule out the top banks (GS/MS/JPM). I only got the elite boutique interview because I got lucky.
With competition these days it seems like to me you realistically need a 3.7+ AND networking for top shops, and a 3.5+ for middle of the road/lower opportunities. I guess this doesn't answer your question completely but it'll probably be useful for other people who stumble into this thread.
yeah 3.5 GPA is pretty much required. That's like the magic number for at least 10 years. Hard major or university don't mean anything if your GPA is below that number. You must get that number up at all costs and by any means necessary. Still not too late.
Is middle market or boutique in non-NYC cities out of the question with 3.5 GPA?
bump. Is middle market and boutique in non-NYC cities still very doable with networking, if my GPA is ~3.3 during recruiting season?
Networking in spite of low GPA (Originally Posted: 11/07/2013)
My GPA is right around a 3.1-3.2 or so, and I also have a couple withdrawals on my transcript....I understand that with mgmt consulting, as opposed to ibanking, your grades and transcript are scrutinized pretty heavily. If this matters, I go to a school known for strong rigor and relative grade deflation (Princeton, MIT, Chicago, etc.). HOWEVER, I have a connect who is a director at McKinsey. Would he be able to get me an interview provided I network right?
If that's the case-- hope your screen name is unrelated to the school you attend
Unless he plays for Saban.
Haha nice. Crimson ain't gonna cut it. But MIT, Chicago, and Princeton might.
lol yeah. I don't go to Alabama.
A director at McK can definitely get you an interview if he wants. But if he's just a random connection and not a family friend or something, you're gonna have to really sell him on why you're deserving of an interview.
Freshman networking with a less-than-stellar GPA? (Originally Posted: 12/27/2012)
So after a string of terrible finals my GPA came out to a 3.0 flat this first semester. Considering I'll be looking for non-structured positions with small firms via alumni connections, how important is GPA? Should I just leave it off the resume?
I guess I shouldnt disclose the school?
You've got to do the "think H/Y/P" thing... They love that here. Definitely a good idea to avoid full disclosure.
You might want to remove the post disclosing your school.
As a freshman, PWM is your best bet. Most of the time, they don't really look at the GPA, just cold call BB's within your area and hopefully they'll have something for you for the summer.
If you have any connections, use these connections to your advantage.
Okay good looking out guys.Think H/Y/P/S/M/P/C/D/D/C/B/NW/CBS/MSNBC...lol
I have some small IBs in a few cities where I could stay with family, as well as a few small PE firms.
And I heard PWM is likely to be unpaid. If accepted, is there a chance I could negotiate for$8/hour or something? At least something so my parents don't have to send me anything.
Excellent
Just know you are ahead of the game and even take a student loan out if unpaid. Will seriously be worth more than the $3G's you'll make over the summer.
If you have a shitty GPA... would you bring it up when networking? (Originally Posted: 08/27/2015)
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I wouldn't highlight it but if they ask I would tell them.
Having coffee isn't a job interview, it's an interview of your personality and character - an opportunity to build a relationship that you could capitalize on in the future. One coffee isn't likely to turn into an offer, it's about making a first impression and getting on their radar. Quite frankly, I think it would be too forward and insulting to automatically assume they would want to know that level of detail about you. If you got them to accept a meeting to learn more about them and the industry keep it to that. If you do things right in the beginning you'll have plenty of opportunities at a later point to highlight all that you've done and hopefully your better GPA. All in all, be personable and make it about them, not yourself. Good luck.
No reason to disclose it. Why in the world would you if they don't bring it up?
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