Pass/Failing a single class

I know this topic has come up before, but I'd appreciate some input on a specific situation. I just finished my freshman year at a non-stanford west coast target (UCB/UCLA/USC/CMC) majoring in engineering with finance minor. I want to go into IB. My first semester GPA was 3.7, but this semester I got a B+ in calc 3. I have the option to pass/fail it even though it's a major class because of COVID. If I do, my GPA will be 3.82, but if I keep the B+ it'll be 3.76. So a couple questions: 1) Do banks only look at transcripts after offers are already given, so they'll only see my GPA beforehand with no details? 2) Would they even care if I pass failed one class but kept letter grades in all others, since it's a calc class that's way above any skills needed in banking? 3) Is there any other downside besides banking? B-school, etc. that I'm overlooking? 4) Does 3.82 look that much better than 3.76? Can I just round it up to 3.8 anyway?

8 Comments
 

Lol I am a freshman at a similar school, but I pass failed three classes this semester. And I have a W from last semester. I don't think you pass failing one single class is going to be a big deal. I've asked HR at one BB and they told me that they don't care.

From now on though, I don't think I will pass fail any classes for the rest of college and will be very careful in choosing courses. It doesn't matter for recruiting, but it can matter a little but for MBA. Or so I've been told.

 

They only look at the transcript for background checks. So you'll be fine. Just do whatever is best for your GPA

 
Most Helpful

Literally no one cares. This is so excessively minute I do not understand why you are worrying OP, by being at a target you're already 70% of the way there. Engineering major? Dude, your "high GPA" is anything 3.5 and above. 3.3 in engineering is a 3.7 in finance. You're fine, do whatever you want it won't make a difference.

 

3.82 is way better than 3.76 - P/F the class

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

I did p/f it. I posted this three months ago, not sure why it keeps getting bumped

 

Alias numquam aut maxime et. Nisi et enim voluptatem veritatis et et. Accusantium nulla deserunt nihil adipisci omnis. Quis ut et molestiae fugit fuga. Consequatur voluptatem accusantium reprehenderit.

Quaerat consequatur labore eligendi rem unde. Nulla non quam occaecati dolores dolore ea. Nam labore quia ut sint unde voluptatum. Provident voluptas et veniam non est et.

Corrupti voluptas quibusdam et totam eligendi ut porro. Et sit ut dolorem aperiam officiis perferendis. Vitae dignissimos quia praesentium. Quia quo fuga libero est et.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”