investment banking & GPA - Page 4

cryptography · 02-20-2008, 01:00 PM

you have to be pretty exceptional to get multiple bb offers with a 3.5. i'd assume that most of your offers were from small boutiques, unless you had previous work experience or connections

this year was brutal, with few people with <3.7 getting interviews if they did not have previous finance experience. generally people >3.7 got interviews, though perhaps its because of the market

bsbllallstr8 · 02-20-2008, 03:45 PM

i got ZERO IB interviews with a 3.5 in ECE/Econ from a target. I applied to all of the top 10 firms. It's competitive as all hell.

ixjunitxi · 02-20-2008, 08:27 PM

Yea these kids have no idea what they are talking about /in for....GPA is number one...no exceptions!!! the only thing that is weighted heavier than GPA is really really good work experience ( as in previous IB/S&T internships or working buyside at a prop/HF /PE firm......

The same kids hog all the offers.....ask any of your upperclass men buddies interviewing this semester...

lookingforwhat? · 02-22-2008, 10:05 PM

Is McGill a target?

ijreinsn · 02-23-2008, 02:38 AM

I got like 5 interviews (couple BBs, and lazard, houlihan, moelis and co) non-target, sophomore.

kmzizzle · 02-23-2008, 12:11 PM

by calling/cold emailing?

WFBanker08 · 02-23-2008, 02:12 PM

gpa isnt nearly as important as you guys seem to think it is. Once you are above a certain threshold (3.4-3.6), that box gets checked off and they look at other stuff. i did final rounds with a bunch of firms, and not one person cared about what my gpa was. banking doesn't demand much intellectually; its waaaayyyy more important to not be a tool and be able to connect with your interviewers than it is to have a 3.9.

kmzizzle · 02-23-2008, 02:58 PM

how do YOU connect with your interviewer?

UCLAri · 02-23-2008, 04:27 PM

One banker I met said that he happened to like the same baseball team (I think it was Boston). That was enough to make a connection and move forward.

southpasdena · 02-23-2008, 06:21 PM

i like to know how one gets an interview at moelis from outside there recruited schools

ijreinsn · 02-23-2008, 07:19 PM

by simply applying on campus. well, semi-target i guess.

southpasdena · 02-23-2008, 08:24 PM

what school

collegebound9696 · 02-27-2008, 07:40 PM

I had very strong academic credentials (think, 3.7+) at a target. while I got interviews at some of the top IBs, I didn't get interviews at some of them either. The interesting part is that I got more interviews at the very top consulting companies (think 5 top on vault). It's extremely competitive. I think GPA is very critical.

collegebound9696 · 02-27-2008, 07:42 PM

And at one of the receptions by one of the top IBs (think top 5 on vault), they said that it is very critical for someone to demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills. The meaning: you need to have good social skills and they need to be apparent during the interview. I know a lot of very intelligent kids that got interviews at the top banks but didn't get many offers.

matthanuf06 · 03-06-2008, 08:50 PM

Basically I go to a mid-level business school in their MSF program. I should graduate in a year with about a 3.8-3.9. My B School isn't recruited by any of the major players, but the mid guys do recruit here. I work full time also so that is why it is taking me a bit longer. I've already passed the 7 and I should have passed the second level of the CFA exam by the Summer of 2009. That is when I want to get in. Anyways I currently work at a medium-large size financial firm doing performance research. It really has nothing to do with IB though, it is more of an IT/Accounting position. It is slightly better than a basic ops position, and it is on the lower end of the research spectrum. So the experience isn't great by any means.

Would I be better sticking with my current job until Summer of 2009, and just rely on my 2 and a half years experience from that position or should I try to get a buy-side internship this coming summer? The problem with that is I'd obviously lose my current job, make less money (not that I make much now), and be out of a job in fall. Or should I just roll with my 2 and a half years of work experience in my current position, MSF degree and Level II CFA when I want to get hired Summer/Fall 09?

Also I'm not a total nerd by any stretch. I had a much lower GPA during undergrad, partied way too much, and enjoyed the Greek life way too much.

Either way what are my chances of getting a good associate position in Summer 2009 with those credentials? Do I have any chance with the bulge and if so how would I go about it considering they don't recruit my school?

Oh and I can't get in with my current firm's IB division for a couple reasons. They have some weird rules about transferring departments plus I wouldn't be able to get in even as an analyst until I'm done with graduate school. They have this thing about working and going to school at the same time. So essentially I'd have to wait until 2009 anyways with my current firm. Plus since I'd essentially be transferring I'm sure I'd get lowballed even if I got to come in as an associate.