<p>Dear Parents,</p>
<p>I have a low GPA(2.8-2.9 due to the high-level courses I choose and some personal business) at a very prestigious college, but I really want to work in consulting firms during my sophomore summer. Is it possible? What are some of the other qualities that will make my GPA less of a disadvantage? Thank you!</p>
<p>Any Consultants in the house? I really need advice on this.</p>
<p>If you're talking about management consulting at firms such as BCG and Bain, it will be tough. The look at GPAs and hiring is minimal right now so it's tougher than ever.</p>
<p>Most top tier consulting internships are targeted towards juniors, so that they can give them job offers at the end of the summer. THus as a sophomore you will have a very difficult time. Also, the economy is pretty awful so people who would have been trying to get banking/hedge fund internships are now looking at consulting. So you will have even more competition. Finally, most of the top firms have GPA cutoffs of a 3.5 to even get looked at, even if you were a junior. So unless one of your parents is a partner in the firm, I would say that you're chances are not very good.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>The thing is that I feel like that my GPA does not show my abilities. I have worked in two top non-profits last summer and had stellar performances. I was planning to go into public service after graduation, but my family situation does not allow me--I need to provide financial income to pay back family debts. That is why I am thinking about consulting industry right now.</p>
<p>I don't plan to apply to top firms like McKinsey or BCG. I know I have to start small. I think I am good at strategy planning, as that is what I have been doing for some charity projects. I am sharp, good at communication and learn very fast.</p>
<p>I would really appreciate advice on how to shine on the other respects other than academics.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Btw, I come from China and i have good knowledge of the Asian region.</p>
<p>If you can swing it, you might take on an unpaid internship with a small firm. The little guys are really starting to hurt (big players too) and many will not survive this economic downturn. They have cut staff to the bone and a free intern could look pretty attractive. Your knowledge of Asia and language skills would make you interesting to some. Then pull up your GPA and you would be well positioned when the market gets better. </p>
<p>I see you're at Princeton and an international which I assume means you have top scores. MC firms look at SAT scores (strange but true) and particularly love 800 CR scorers because they can quickly digest and analyze info--key in that business.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I see you're at Princeton and an international which I assume means you have top scores.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>I would look at the Princeton alumni database to scout out alumni consultants who might be interested in the Far East knowledge you can bring to the table. I'd send them a targeted letter or email. Princeton alumni are known to be helpful to other alumni. If they can't use you, then they may be able to spotlight other firms that may be able to use you.</p>
<p>H hires consultants. He looks carefully at gpa and courses taken. With low grades, you would not make the cut past HR since that is something that is used as a filter for the thousands of apps he gets. He currently has a half dozen kids who have graduated from non name brand schools but who took the right courses and the got the grades. He has about three kids from the most selective schools, and again they have the courses and the grades. Oddly enough the major makes little difference to them. It's the specific courses.</p>
<p>The other problem you have is that you are international from a country with a lot of competition for work visas. It is a pain in the neck to do the paper work and someone in that situation has to be well worth the effort. At this point you need to find a job where you are a real catch to them, who will find it worthwhile to do the paperwork to get you.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse-
Just out of curiosity, what specific courses do they look for?</p>
<p>Anything is possible, but I must be honest and say that your GPA is likely too low to be taken seriously. There is usually a lot of competition for these places and many applicants will have taken similar advanced courses, but received much better grades. </p>
<p>I'm not saying don't try, but just be realistic about where you stand relative to other applicants.</p>
<p>Mathematics, economics, statistics.</p>
<p>The coursework would totally depend on the group within the consulting firm you're joining or the practices of the firm if it's a small one.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse-</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. Maybe that partially explains why S is taking a minor in economics and has signed up for a statistics class next semester in addition to his engineering courses.</p>
<p>Do you speak another language fluently? That might help you as well.</p>