Am I screwed - Currently in my 4th year

I don't want to make this too long. I'm currently in my 4th year of university. Due to an awful combination of being too young, not knowing what I wanted to do, going into the wrong field and, the biggest aspect, some unfun personal problems, I did atrociously my first two years. I'm talking 40s/50s first year, and 50s/60s second.

My third year I started to get help for the aforementioned personal problems and progress was made. Unfortunately, I still didn't know what I wanted to do, and stayed in the program as a result. I did a lot better by comparison, above the class average, but still not exactly a stellar GPA.

I did some research this summer, looked into different programs and courses, and investment banking appeals to me. Unfortunately, not only is my field philosophy, but my school is extremely-strict about switching fields, and economics/general business is reserved for kids going into first year, then going into second, then third, etc. so I'm essentially last, i.e. no room. I also can't switch schools as far as I can tell because my marks from first and second year are so bad.

What are my options? Just how impossible is it for me to get into a good school, and eventually into i-banking?

Thanks!

6 Comments
 

You have terrible grades, probably no work experience, and a field of study that won't help you get a job in finance.

I'd say you need to get the best job you can and work your butt off there and make as many connections as you can. School (I assume business school) is a couple years away (most schools look for at least 4 years of work experience).

 

Agreed. Those 1 year Master's programs are a lifesaver in situations like these. Dominate your last years of undergrad, smash the GMAT, and get the best grades in your Master's you can.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.
 

Accusantium voluptatibus architecto voluptatum aliquid voluptates. Ab fugiat dicta eveniet autem iste numquam. Qui voluptate neque non rerum commodi modi omnis. Quo modi aut eos repudiandae non. Similique dolorum aut blanditiis in.

Est eos sint minima ullam ut. Eos quis nesciunt ut vel. Quo eligendi nemo vel enim quia optio. Quaerat tenetur tempora aut similique in dolorem dolorem. Laboriosam et omnis quisquam consectetur facilis quisquam.

Iste deserunt doloremque voluptas non laboriosam. Quos debitis rerum animi debitis. Omnis qui magnam ea.

Autem minima omnis aspernatur. Eius velit rem et et odio. Voluptas veniam pariatur quis minus eaque. Qui amet dolorem aut quasi. Laborum facilis placeat et. Illo accusamus voluptatum quasi quo veritatis aut.

I am permanently behind on PMs, it's not personal.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”