Hi all, I was hoping to get advice and perspective regarding GPA for prospective PE Recruiting.
I am a very recent graduate of an M7 Bschool. I attended a top 25 LAC that most people wouldn't have heard where I graduated with a 3.4, but was very active in extra co-curricular. I have experience in IBD, PE, and a tech company.
In a decent number of my post MBA PE interviews, my undergrad GPA has come up. I understand it's on the lower side (in add'n to my GMAT perhaps) and a bit harmful when you compare it with the likes of guys who are 3.5+ from HYP (or the likes) so I wanted to hear thoughts on when someone - either the HH or the PE fund employee - asks me for my undergrad GPA (they don't ask masters GPA, which is probably better for me), I should present a reason as to why it's low, which I do have one. Also, can someone chime in whether my undergrad GPA would be weighing against me in the context of what I have shared above?
Thank you, WSO Community.
bump guys
I'd answer it similar to a "weakness" question:
Recruiter: "Talk to me about your undergrad GPA" You: "Glad you bought it up, I know it's surprisingly low. I honestly was immature when I started college and screwed around my first year. I quickly turned it around and ended up doing much better in later years. I learned my lesson for business school and am happy to say my business school GPA is [3.8]. I'm confident I'll bring that same level of preparation and work ethic to your firm."
They just want to make sure you're not an idiot, I don't think it's a big deal given you are now many years from undergrad, but everyone likes to make you sweat in interviews.
along the same lines, how much does prestige of the undergrad institution matter?
for context, i attended a non-target public school that is very good for engineering but will be working at an EB that places into PE very well.
how receptive are PE firms/headhunters to people who don't have that traditional ivy league -> BB/EB path?
As someone that recruited for private equity from a non-traditional background, some will care and some won’t. Megafunds and some upper MM won’t give you looks but some will.
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