Low GPA planning for future, am I screwed?

Hey Everyone, first time poster here. I'm in a tough spot right now and hoping to get some guidance (maybe some success stories too?) as I've seen others get a lot of help on this site. 


A little background on me: I am a rising senior at a semi-target, about to intern at a bank in Chicago this summer. At the start of my junior year my doctors stated I was showing symptoms of a serious genetic medical condition and I was immediately hospitalized. Throughout this time I lost a lot of weight due to my medications, and suffered from bouts of depression. After numerous procedures, medications, back and forths to the hospital, by the grace of God I was able to reach a point where it is no longer life threatening. 

I kept in constant contact with my professors and did the best I could in my classes, but my GPA fell from a 3.7 to a pitiful 3.1. My mother says I should be proud that I was able to somewhat maintain my grades, but realistically I know this has put me at a major disadvantage. 

While I am not entirely sure if the PE or VC route is for me, I would love to explore that option. I would also love to further my education with a masters/MBA in the future. I can get my GPA up to a 3.4 by the time I graduate, my main worry is how much that will hold me back and if I find a PE/VC or other opportunity that interests me. Will I get the opportunity to explain why it is so low or will anyone even care? I have a very solid resume otherwise, experiences in BB corp fin, wealth management, running my own business, and numerous campus involvements. I've also been studying for the GMAT and plan to take it after my internship. My only "downside" in the employers eyes is my GPA.

I've been given advice like leaving it off my resume, rounding up, etc. but have also seen pushback on this website about how that might make me look to employers. If you were in my shoes, a rising senior, how would you position yourself as someone interested in the opportunities after IB? Am I getting ahead of myself here and are things like my return offer in question now because my GPA has fallen so low? If there's anyone out there with a success story or guidance, I could really use some help. 

I have a lot of things to be thankful for, my health, my family, this internship, I am truly blessed, but now that I've got things somewhat under control I'm hoping this hasn't jeopardized the first few years of my career. 

 

You should be proud that you managed to keep the grades up as best you could sounds hellish man. Can you hit up your advisor for a couple retroactive mercy pass/fails?

 

Props for getting through that, facing something similar at the moment that thankfully shouldn't be life-threatening. My biggest advice is you need to hustle and grind. A lower GPA without a Target school can be tough, unless you grind your way through it.

 

Thank you for that, I appreciate it. Read about your grind as well, wishing you the best of luck with your journey. 

 
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