<p>I'll probably be attending MIT, and I was wondering how much one's gpa matters, particularly when looking for a job in the financial industry. I'm hoping to major in chemistry as well as business with a finance concentration, however I'm certain that once in college, I won't be able to maintain the 4.0 that I've had in high school-partly because of the intensity at MIT and also because I would like to enjoy life a bit more in college (rather than spending all my time obsessing over grades and my resume, as I've done in high school). Say if I manage to pull straight Bs or so at MIT-- would I still be in a decent position to be recruited by some investment firm? I'd assume that they would be slightly more lenient on me because of the MIT pedigree but I'm not sure.</p>
<p>So fidelgato, I take it that you’re in high school… </p>
<p>The same rules in high school apply in college if you want to succeed. You should try your best, because the better you do, more doors of opportunity will open up for you. </p>
<p>But definitely don’t aim for the bare minimum. It’s a tough world out there. </p>
<p>Congrats on getting into MIT, and enjoy your summer!</p>
<p>Grades still matter and straight Bs will look bad no matter where you are.
If your goal is to work in finance, majoring in chemistry will not be the best career move, despite whatever interest you may have in it.</p>
<p>well how can it be bad to major in chemistry if I’m also majoring in finance? I’ve heard of plenty of physics or engineering majors being recruited, so a chem+finance major should be even more easily recruited, no?</p>
<p>Chem gives you more opportunities to get lower grades.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, if your desire is to enter the finance world, why do you intend to study chemistry?</p>
<p>It makes a little more sense if you are entering the consulting industry, since plenty of firms handle very specialized clients. I see more utility in a physics major than a chem major to enter into finanace…</p>
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<p>not really… they’re completely unrelated</p>
<p>In this day in age, experience matters the most. I’m sure that must be difficult considering how much time, energy, and money into college, because that isn’t the point. A college degree is essential to have a well-paid career, but I wouldn’t obsess too much over perfect grades. Like you said, enjoy the college life (to an extent) but still prove that you are valuable in the work place. One great thing to do is begin networking once you begin and all the way through graduation. Networking these days is the number 1 reason why people get jobs, but they have to work hard also. Just because you got all C’s doesn’t mean you’re going to get a great internship.</p>
<p>It depends- Do you want to go into medical school, law school, investment banking? Try to get as close as a 4.0 as you can(Because in these cases this will actually be worth your time). If you are actually interested in learning something instead of trying to get all A’s go and start doing research on your subject of interest. The truth is that as long as you have over a 3.0 GPA and work experience most employers don’t care(Notice how I said most- Not usually those who recruit from MIT). I spend a significant amount of my time in college getting 20 or more A’s in subjects I didn’t necessarily care about- I could have better spent my time doing research.</p>