On cycle vs off cycle with low GPA?

Blessed to have landed at a mid-BB (Citi/BofA/Barclays) for FT coming from a non target (although well represented in the finance world). Problem is I’m graduating with a ~3.4/3.5 GPA. I wanna recruit for growth equity or mm tech PE - don’t really care about MFs.

My question is with a sub-3.5 is it even possible to make it past the headhunters for on cycle, or should I just sit it out completely to avoid burning bridges? What’s the best strategy here? Is off cycle significantly more forgiving of low GPAs or will it be just as bad? Is it worth it to try for a 750+ GMAT to cancel it out? Just have no idea how to navigate this whole thing and it’s creepin up on me fast.

16 Comments
 

I think it’s really contingent on what type of undergrad you went to - people are willing to lend you credence if you went to a target / Ivy - I’ve seen many candidates with subpar GPAs place. I honestly think GPA is only important once you get to MFs / UMM - otherwise I think for MMs, many of them are looking at school but I think bank / deal experience exceed GPA.

 

OP already said he went to a non-target... Personally I'd say that major is more important here. If OP has 3.4 in hard majors such as engineering/math/bio, HHs will probably give some leniency. If OP is a business/econ major, this become more difficult since the standard is higher.

 

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