Feedback needed

Hi I’ve been applying SA 2021 and wanted to hear some opinions from WSO community members.

I’m currently a sophomore at a top ivy, with 3.6, solid past internship experience (MBB, BB ER, HF), and have something lined up for this summer. Even though I have only applied to 3 EBs, I didn’t get a single first round from any of those and was wondering what could have gone wrong.

Some of my friends who did less networking with no relevant experience and similar to lower GPA seem to yield some interview. That made me thought I probably got red-flagged during networking. Could anyone enlighten me a bit what possible reasons would be behind this?

Much appreciated

 

Stop being so entitled and have a better attitude and work harder. The fact that you're complaining about not getting an interview after only applying for 3 EBs while bragging about your background, although 3.6 wasn't even something to brag about, tells me you probably just annoyed the fuck out of the people you networked with, wasting their time talking to you, hence no interview for you.

 

I wish I could apply to more than those. But I’m an international student and wasn’t given that option. Also I wasn’t bragging, I tried to provide the setting and situation for more objective advice and opinion.

 
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I still think it takes an entitled person to have your reaction to not getting an interview from 3 probably the most sought after places in one of the most competitive industries in one of the toughest times. I mean you're like "omg I go to a "TOP IVY" and have some good stuff on my resume how is it possible that I am not getting any interview. I must have gotten red flagged or something." Well let me tell you, a lot of people apply to tens of banks, only hear back from a few for a first round after extensive networking but don't write a WSO post about it asking people how come they didn't hear back from Goldman Sachs and PJT. Also with a 3.6 applying to EBs, you don't have to be "Red-flagged" during networking for you to not get an interview... You probably just didn't impress any of the people you networked with for them to push for you.

 

Maybe it's your international student status. I have no way of knowing if your networking efforts were well received or not, so I'm not going to assume anything about that. 3.6 GPA is probably low for the top EBs, but should not disqualify you with good networking and experience (which you appear to have). Do you know for sure if the places you applied to even sponsor or take on internationals for SA?

Side note: are you saying that as a current sophomore you have already done 3 internships at an MBB, a BB in ER, and a HF?

 

Nobody would know this better than yourself. Did you go to all relevant on-campus events? Did you network on your own? Were you extremely awkward in these situations or did they go well? Is your resume correctly formatted and free of mistakes? Do you require visa sponsporship?

Could be any of these. But would like to echo a commentor above and remind you not to feel so entitled. A 3.6 from top ivies (notorious for grade inflation) is not particularly impressive, though you do have strong internships so perhaps you missed GPA cutoff for top EBs. (you mentioned others with lower GPAs got through, my answer is that maybe they had stronger connections to get them through anyway)

 

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