What are my chances - Student at UW

I'm a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison graduating in three years. I really want to get into a BB bank in NY or Chicago, but I'm concerned about my chances. My GPA: 3.6/4.0 overall, with a Major GPA in Finance of: 4.0/4.0. I'm currently interning with a boutique investment firm in Chicago area and getting a great experience, working on 7 deals and personal doing a fairness opinion (valuation and so forth). Come fall recruiting I'm wondering if I have a shot? Any comments would be appreciated or advise.

15 Comments
 

I disagree.

Quick question though, how were you able to take finance classes as a freshman (as you said you have three years left until graduation)? We have family friends who go to Madison and I thought you have to wait until junior year to get into the b-school/take b-school classes.

In any case, if you're able to bring up your overall GPA, continue to get work experience and make some connections I definitely think you have a chance.

I go to a school similar to UW-M and I know that in the Midwest at least, their program is very well respected.

Best of luck.

 

Just to clarify I'm going into my senior year. I'm graduating a year early. And you can take b/school classes you just sign-up for them after the students in the b/school sign-up.

 

My bad. I read the "graduating in three years" incorrectly. My advice, talk to alumni or other potential contacts in IBD that you might have. Ask around and see if family friends know of anyone in the business they could put you in touch with.

May I ask why you are choosing to graduate early? An extra summer would give you more experience and might put you in a better situation for employment at a BB after graduation...

 

Advice:

1) BOOST GPA TO 3.8 MINIMUM 2) GET IB RELATED INTERNSHIP NEXT SUMMER--> Leverage current year to getting a 'brand' and hopefully and offer 3) TRANSFER OUT OF WISCONSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

agree with the first 2, but dont transfer, wisco is the shit

I'm not going to get into one of those school arguments, but I feel the need to defend my alma mater

cover...you have a lot of time to develop some valuable relationships, but you have to start now

 
Best Response

Network your arse off. UWM is an enormous school, no doubt full of alumni working in Chicago and NYC in banking. They might not have started directly in i-banking like you want, but now that they are there and in MD/VP positions, they can be extremely helpful.

I'd also make the case that you should stick around another year. First off, you get another summer to get an internship at a BB. Second, it gives you another year of classes to pull up your cum. GPA, as it seems like your finance classes are your strong suit and those are what you will take from now on.

Coming from a nontarget myself, having a strong GPA isn't enough. I was speaking with an alum from my school who is now a VC and a former MD at a MM bank and he basically said that a GPA and extracurriculars are great, but you are going to need to stand out visibly from the competition in both desire and preparedness to get the same opportunity.

I'm sure you're qualified, but the road is slanted against you. Use UWM contacts to get a bit more level path and of course help yourself by improving your GPA.

 

networking would be the best way to go for you. if you are smart and can present yourself properly in an interview, should be ok.... assuming you can get in the door.

 

Do what I did. I graduated in 3 years, and applied for a Masters program in Finance. My fourth year will thus be spent at LSE in London, where recruiting for IB is the top in the country if you want to work in "the city". If you are shooting straight out of undergrad and are not target, i can only say good luck... I have a 3.6 GPA and a 3.85 Finance GPA and went to a state school on the west coast.

 
DisjointDo what I did. I graduated in 3 years, and applied for a Masters program in Finance. My fourth year will thus be spent at LSE in London, where recruiting for IB is the top in the country if you want to work in "the city". If you are shooting straight out of undergrad and are not target, i can only say good luck... I have a 3.6 GPA and a 3.85 Finance GPA and went to a state school on the west coast.

While I feel that your plan is really solid Disjoint, I would recommend it after you experience it personally. No offense, just my opinion. Good luck at the LSE though this coming year. Keep us informed on how it goes.

 

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