ibanking question

I'm a student at a mid-level ivy with a 3.8 in a double major in Math and History. I am interested in ibanking. Please keep in mind that I know almost nothing about the ibanking process and its competitiveness.

First, is a 3.8 OK? I know people in pure liberal arts (ie, not math or science) with gpas of 3.9 and 4.0. I would think they pay attention to majors and realize that math ain't that easy. Will a 3.8 be good enough to impress interviewers?

My knowledge of finance is pretty much related to reading the wall street journal a few times a week and watching channels like CNBC. I don't know mathematical models in finance. What sorts of questions in interviews can I expect? Will many be math related, specifically covering the intersection between math and finance? I've heard that history majors might get asked questions about things like "what is your favorite stock?" or something.

Thanks a lot for any help.

 

sounds like flame.

if not, a 3.8 in math at an ivy is pretty good, especially if it includes upper level courses...what year are you? you're actually somewhat overqualified for IBD, which is more relevant to accounting. Look into sales & trading, and, and start reading some books that will give some flavor about the field (Liar's Poker), some idea of the quantitative methods used (LTCM, by Loewenstein), and traded securities and their derivatives (Options and Futures, by Hull).

 

i think you are in great shape. i have a lot of respect for you for being a math major to start with. i couldnt finish my math major...

in terms of interviewing stuff, get the vault guide for finance interviews, it covers all the grounds.

questions like "what is your favorite stock" is used to ascertain your interest in finance, so be ready to talk about a stock that you know well. know things about the company, its industry, capital structure, PE, EV/EBITDA. just be able to talk intelligently about the company.

 

you should be fine. i was a math major and fared well..many of my friends were history or philosophy majors also. most of the interviews had to do with showing interest and doing some basic research about the industry you wanted to go into. For example, you may get a question about yield curves, etc. but they might not ask you why it's shaped like that.

let's hope you're not socially inept? esp. at the ivies, a lot of getting an interview isn't about how great your gpa is, etc. it's more of what activities you do, and if there are alums that you know who can vouch for you (i.e. varsity team, community service activity, greek organization).

 
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