Sub 3.5 GPA First Semester
Hey forum, this is my first time posting and I wish it would've been on a happier note but I am really worried because I let my GPA drop low. I told myself I wouldn't let it happen but somehow it did anyway and I'm just not feeling confident anymore. I'm embarrassed honestly. I was going to call firms to ask about internships over the summer but now I feel like it's going to be pathetic when I ask for one with my GPA. As for the number, I sadly let myself get a 2.72 at James Madison University. This is going to affect my cumulative GPA for years Onward. I feel terrible. The best I can do by the time of graduation is about a 3.8 ish and that's by getting 4.0 GPAs from next semester onwards. I know this 2.72 GPA is completely unacceptable for Wall Street but I really want to enter that field; I just don't know what I would do if I couldn't.
I just want advice from you people. How worried should I be? Has this happened to anyone else of you? Should I still call firms for a Summer 2014 internship? As embarrassing as it is, do you think I can recover from this and still have a chance for Wall Street by graduation?
Thank you,
A naive and ashamed soul who wants to be a Wall Streeter
Better start networking and shut yourself in studying. From James Madison you're going to need to have a flawless resume.
Yeah... about that - you're from a hopeless nontarget and have a shit GPA and are a freshman. Unless you have family connections, you've got basically no chance at an internship. I would consider taking summer classes so you could get your GPA up to a reasonable level and grab at least a PWM internship next summer.
You need to get your shit together. Sub 3.5 is one thing, substantially sub 3.0 at a non-target is quite another.
OP, people always say this and it's hackneyed to hell, but think about why you are interested in a career on Wall Street. Do you know what these jobs involve, day-to-day?
Second, don't be ashamed; be strong and galvanize your resolve to be a better student. At a non-target, you will have to be more resourceful than your target counterparts to secure the job of your dreams, but people do it all the time. Hell, there are stupid posters on this board who purport to be gainfully employed in high finance.
Having mental toughness will be much more important to your success in finance than being smart, so make sure to buck up and get that 4.0 next semester.
also... please don't tell me that's a picture of yourself.
More importantly, he used his real name as a handle... EDIT: Not anymore, apparently.
What do you think I can do for this summer of 2014? The big names are out of the question but maybe I can do something as a prerequisite to getting an intership at a big name bank some time in the future? I know I'm in a bad position so I'll swallow my pride and am willing to look for opportunites at less prestigious firms.
no name regional shops is your best bet, then hope they dont ask about gpa at all.
Freshmen at targets with good GPAs do not get "prestigious firms". This is they year they generally do PWM or the like. You are so far behind you shouldn't expect even that. There's not that much harm in going for it, but I would just network and take summer courses.
Wow, how gracious of you to "swallow your pride" and give less prestigious firms the gift of your interest!
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