GPA importance for quant trading
I'm currently a rising sophomore at Duke majoring in CS and math. For the past several years, I have been pretty heavily involved in coding at startups. Especially this last semester, I prioritized work over school, and my GPA is currently a 3.6. I did get A-'s in my most relevant classes, Computer Architecture and Probability for Statistical Inference, Modeling, and Data Analysis. However, I bombed my linear midterm first semester and got a B- there. Also, I worked on some really cool projects and had very prestigious experiences through the startups, something that I can definitely talk to.
So my question is, will this affect me when applying, and if so, what can I do to counteract that? I have a competitive math background and believe that with study I will do well in the interview process. Plus, I have some older friends at top quant firms, but they took more of a traditional route and didn't have much advice for me.
It's kind of important ngl dude. If you are gunning for a tier 1/2 quant shop, you are competing for some of the most coveted seats out of undergrad (MIT math olympiads, etc.). There is a chance you can still get an interview, but only people I've seen have 3.9+. Also a CS major at a T10 without a 3.9, and I plan on applying to sell-side trading roles as well. Recommend doing options 101/201 at Akuna Capital for 1st round interview. Apply to MS equity derivs and JPM Markets since they'll recruit in the fall as well but apply now. Banks and T3+ quant shops will have lower standards for STEM GPA
Not the OP, but I realy appreciate your advice as someone in a similar situation (mid Ivy, but only 3.6 GPA).
To clarify, are you referring to Morgan Stanley's 2026 Institutional Equity Derivatives Trading & Structuring Summer Analyst Program and JP Morgan's 2026 Commercial & Investment Bank Markets Summer Analyst Program, with interviews scheduled for this fall?
Are there any other things you would recommend people to be aware of? Thanks for your time!
Yep those are the two. Both give automatic hirevues. Recommend wearing a suit. Be prepared to answer why you are interested in markets/trading, a current event related to markets, and I think they ask you to pitch anything you want as well
3.6 is fine given your degree and projects
For sure cooked at Jane Street, Citadel, SIG, etc. with a 3.6
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