MBB GPA cutoffs for FT undergrad recruiting?
Does MBB do auto cutoffs when during resume screens?
I will be a senior at HYP with a 3.38 GPA. I had some mental health issues last semester and got some Ds and Fs, so my GPA dropped by a lot. I interned with a T2 this summer (OW/LEK/ATK), and I made it to final rounds with MBB during internship recruiting (but this was back when my GPA was 3.8).
A couple analysts from MBB have already reached out to me to talk me about their firms, offer recruiting advice, etc. I'm just wondering if it's worth going through with this networking if I don't even have a chance of making it to interviews when they see my GPA. Any advice would be appreciated!
kzs2017, shame nobody has responded. Maybe one of these topics will help:
If we're lucky, maybe these professional users will respond: zsneoh PapaNewGuinea Dylanzhu
I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.
quick thoughts on this as a current student at a target with many friends & connections at MBB. these firms tend to evaluate candidates on multiple dimensions, with GPA being just one. you clearly have strong relevant experience, and even better you've shown that you can be a strong candidate (by reaching the final rounds last year).
I'd continue networking with the analysts that have reached out, and even though your GPA will definitely be something that you'll have to explain away in the interview, it's not going to kill your chances.
I am not an undergrad, I am currently in a PhD program (at a kind sorta target but not really). My undergrad GPA from a non-target was a 3.33 and it has not come up. Like gottagetanswers said, there are many dimensions to an applicant!
To give some examples: I know of Harvard masters student, brilliant grades, brilliant scores, brilliant resume all around... who didn't even make it past the first round at MBBs. I also have brilliant friends who had much better GPAs than I (both grad and undergrad) and did not get interviews at all. I would argue that while GPA is important, there is a whole lot more you need to show on an application. From what I have seen in successful applicants, showcasing strong and results-driven leadership is much more important than grades.
Still network - if anything, it will help you out even more. Don't sell yourself short!
Honest question, what is it like doing a PhD? do you plan to be a professor?
The PhD experience ranges student to student and project to project. For STEM majors its a very different process that social sciences and humanities. Even within STEM, you find a lot of variation (a biology-focused PhD can be very different than one in physics). Overall, its a lot of figuring things out on your own and learning how to do things independently. PM me if you have more questions!
I do not plan on being a professor and never have - I initially wanted to do R&D for industry. Now I'm gunning for consulting, so hopefully it works out! :D
No. Don't rule yourself before even applying.
1) You interned at a strong T2, which MBB love to poach from 2) You got to final rounds during internship recruiting 3) MBB analysts have been proactive in encouraging you to apply. They may have the power to help pick out your resume in the pile.
The best thing you can do is continue networking, as well as note in your over letter the reason for your GPA slipping.
They might. I'd be willing to bet that a 3.38 from UPitt would get cut but they might have more relaxed cutoffs for target students. Honestly, if you get even a phone screen you've made the cutoff and from then on it's all about how you interview. I know a buddy with a 3.99 through a 5 year program that can't make it past 1st / 2nd round interviews. Does alright on technical, bombs behaviorals.
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Oh I understand completely. I'm a BIG10 grad myself. I know for sure though nobody with a 3.38 is making it in from my UG though. Such is life.
Ok I won’t rule myself out after all, thanks for the advice everyone!
With your health issues are you sure you don't want a less stressful job?
Did you get an offer from your summer employer?
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