To any Canadians

hey guys,

After a couple of months of lurking around this forum I decided to finally make a post. After a LOT of networking and informational interviews I have been fortunate enough to receive a sa position at a decent boutique investment bank (think Blackmont/Westwind/Orion level...maybe a notch below) in Toronto, as a sophomore. My goal for next summer is to land a SA position and ultimately a FT position at one of the big 5/BB offices in TO.

Based on your thoughts, what do you think my gpa will need to be at the Minimum, given my strong work experience (asset management first year summer and now boutique banking 2nd yr) and provided I do enough networking. My gpa suffered because I've been helping out with the family business part time during school.

I know many of you guys will probably say "why stress about this and just get it as high as possible", its just something I havent been able to get off my chest of late. I was a little discouraged this recruiting season as I have received no first round interviews at the big five banks through on campus recruitment. I know these are mainly reserved for third years, but I know someone in second year, with very little to offer other then a really high gpa, and he got first rounds at two bulge brackets. I'm just a little worried they put a bigger premium on grades here in Toronto then they do in the states.

Thanks.

5 Comments
 
Best Response

If you want to PM me more details about your firm etc., I'd be happy to give additional advice. As one example, I went to a top canadian school (Ivey/Queens/McGill/Toronto) and my roomate did a summer at a CAD independent (Orion/Westwind/Blackmont/GMP) and then for FT he got a job at a BB (Citi/Merrill/JPM). He had a ~3.6 and was a good interviewer and knew his stuff. Honestly, without connections, sub 3.5 will make it very difficult to get many good interviews.

Another option would be to take FT at your firm and then try to lateral to a major bank as a first-year analyst (basically sacrificing a year for the better bank).

 

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