[UK] Bad school grades BUT target university - Can I get into IB?
So, I got pretty awful A-levels of ABCC but through a contextual offer I was able to get into UCL. I'm a first year studying a humanities subject.
UCL is apparently a target, apparently only Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial are better. Many banks came to our careers fairs and they seem to sponsor many UCL societies, so there is some truth to target unis being better for breaking in to the industry.
The more I research about breaking into high finance, the more I realise the importance of having a near perfect academic record. The traditional route seems to start with spring weeks, which ask for A-levels. Even the grad schemes ask for them too.
I applied to some diversity spring weeks (I'm black), but I don't think my applications were very competitive so I'm not exactly holding my breath.
So, is it over for me? Am I just going to be auto-filtered on the basis of school grades?
Many, if not all firms state "excellent/strong academic record". This generally means a minimum of ABB grades at A-Level, but most candidates will have better grades than that. For what it's worth, I got an internship and multiple interviews and assessment centres with ABB and my friend got his internship in FX S&T with ABB. I didn't apply through any diversity pipeline despite being eligible (I'm Asian), whilst my friend got his and was not eligible for any diversity schemes (white).
Thanks. I was aware that ABB is the absolute minimum to get past the filters but I'm slightly short of that, hence why I was wondering if there's much point in even applying. I guess my only route is through black schemes lol.
I was able to get interviews at BBs with a lower than upper second. Honestly feels like high school matters just slightly, if you have a strong bachelor/master GPA it’s pretty much good. Besides you can’t change this stuff anymore so worry what you can change.
Thanks, that's encouraging to hear. I'm wondering if you got AAB/ABB beforehand, that might've helped you know? Since you mention GPA, I assume you're American and UK IB scheme seem more based on traditional academics, i.e: low a-level grades -> non-target uni + no spring weeks.
In any case, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed with the diversity spring weeks and fill up my CV with work exp. UCL careers service has a really good internship scheme purely for low income students. Schemes like SEO London and 10000 black interns might also help. Honestly these identity based diversity schemes seem unfair, but don't hate the player etc etc.
Worst case scenario I stack up my CV with cool finance stuff that can help me secure something in fields other than IB.
Appreciate the reply!
I’m from continental Europe the upper second is just a rough conversion. So I’m going through the same pipeline as you do. Albeit have to say I’m probably getting rejected by some banks based on my high school GPA as I get automatically dinged by some banks as some banks do ask for your high school grades.
Oh I see, ty for the clarification. The fact you're getting interviews is a good sign. I have some mitigating circumstances (with documented medical proof) about my shitty secondary school performance, so I was thinking of hitting up HR at every firm I apply for. Idk, do you think that would help?
I applied for both Citi spring weeks, normal and black insight, and queried HR about the application process. They haven't responded and that was something pretty urgent.. so I'm unsure if disclosing anything to banks will even work lol.
This is because you can always predict yourself a 2:1.
What I'd say to OP is are you willing to change any of those C's to a B? If not then just work with what you've got. Don't know till you try. If so then retake.
Also some firms only ask for total UCAS points which would be ABB equivalent but I guess if you've got 4 A-levels you'd technically pass the threshold...
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