Looking for realistic path to PE with weak undergrad record but strong GMAT
I’m seeking advice on the best path forward given my current situation.
I transferred within the same school from CS to Econ during my junior year. The school is T10 for CS but closer to T20 for Econ (non ivy). I also took a semester off, and I’m currently sitting at a 2.6 GPA. That said, many of my CS courses count toward Econ requirements, so I can graduate by next fall or this spring if I take extra courses.
I don’t have internships or relevant work experience yet. My strongest quantitative signal is a 775 GMAT focus. I have a solid technical background from CS and am now focusing on Econ coursework.
At this point, I’m trying to be realistic. Given this profile, what would be the most viable way to position myself for finance roles? I ideally want to work in real estate private equity, but that's a long shot. Should I be thinking about delaying graduation, pursuing a master’s, targeting off-cycle roles, or focusing on alternative entry points?
Any perspective on how recruiters might view this profile or what steps would make the biggest difference over the next year would be much appreciated.
If your goal is to work in REPE, then I'd recommend that you look for financial analyst jobs at CRE brokerages. A lot of developers and REPEs recruit from there. If you're on the "investment sales" team in brokerage, that's your best shot at getting into an investing role on the buy side. If you're on the "leasing" side of brokerage, you're more than likely going to develop the resume and skillset for asset management on the buy side.
A lot of the RE forum covers this path a lot, but going to a shop like CBRE, JLL, CW, M&M, and Newmark will give you the brand name in CRE that investment banks give to PE firms. There are branches of those brokerages all over the country, so if you're striking out in NYC, LA, etc. then look at places like Charlotte, Cleveland, Minneapolis and get your reps in. Then you'll have name-brand backing for the industry, reps on what to look for in CRE, and should be working with REITs, developers, and REPE firms on transactions to network.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you. I also have an offer from a deep tech VC firm in SF, which I’m considering given my current level of experience. From your perspective, would that background meaningfully help with a long-term path into REPE, or is starting in CRE brokerage still the stronger option?
Since CRE is very niche and requires regional/industry specific knowledge to be successful, it's tough to transition from corporate investing to CRE, let alone bleeding edge tech to CRE. That being said, it's equally tough to transition from CRE to any other form of investing. Normally, you get pigeonholed into CRE once you start it, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but does somewhat limit your career options later in life if you decide that you don't want to do CRE anymore.
If you want to end up in a REPE seat, then I'd recommend you turn down the VC role (unless it's just an internship, then it doesn't hurt to have extra internship experience if you don't have other options).
Do you have context or back story on your GPA? Sorry to be harsh, but I think that’s an immediate dealbreaker without some connection or favor within the industry.
I had a serious health issue in my first two years that required hospitalization and time away from school, which impacted my early GPA. Since returning and transferring majors, I’ve earned all As in my coursework and expect to graduate around a 3.3, but I understand this is far to low for most roles.
Sorry to hear, sounds challenging. Some potential guidance:
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