It's certainly not over after freshmen year. Evaluate why you got a 3.2 this year and make appropriate changes. Just look at it this way: your GPA is going important for many reasons - scholarships, internships, full-time gigs, grad school, your own morale, etc. Make the necessary sacrifices and you'll thank yourself later. Good luck.

 
AgreeWitMe:
I will probably finish my freshman year with a 3.2 GPA from a non-target university. What do most ibanks look for?

you are pretty fucked right now, but that is what it takes to get a big turnaround. Just realize how little of a chance you have right now, and hopefully that will inspire you to work that much harder to get in.

 

dpa38d2u is right, but I'd just place more emphasis that you MUST bring it up higher. Because you're not from a non-target, I'd shoot to end at a 3.8+ GPA. It's the only way that you can possibly compete with students from other schools.

Also, make sure you land great internships possible. Work during school, summer, etc. ECs that are outstanding, etc.

 

It's definitely not over...at least I hope not. I'm also going to finish my freshman year with a 3.2-3.3 GPA (I'm taking two summer session courses), and if I can get a 3.7+ next semester, I'll be up to a 3.4-3.5 (I'm from a strong target, though). I don't know if you've checked that out, but in case you didn't realize, all you need is 2-3 semesters at 3.7+ to get that GPA up to a solid level. It's an uphill battle, but not impossible.

 
Best Response

remember, there's a difference between nontarget and not on the map at all. there was a kid here last week talking about his surprise at not getting an offer coming from north dakota state.

if you are from a nontarget (ie- your school's average SAT clears 1100-1200+ if private), then it's probably a good idea to get your GPA as high as possible. think 3.8+. i've got a 3.9 with okay ECs and did not get to a final round coming from a decent nontarget, though that's just my personal experience so far.

if you are a nontarget from a place like NDSU with a 3.2 GPA, then you better know somebody through family/friends, have started a company in high school, or be the luckiest sumbitch alive. i'm no expert, because, like i said, i'm not in IBD, but i know several friends from targets and a few from my nontarget school who got in, and the standards are definitely much higher in terms of GPA/ECs for a nontarget, and would have to be amazing for a not-even-on-the-map.

 

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