<p>I just finished my freshman year at NYU Stern and my spring semester did not go as well as planned. I had a 3.4 after first semester, but unfortunately in the second semester I got a C+ in Microeconomics and a B in statistics. This will probably make my cumulative barely a 3.3 not to mention that Microeconomics was a key class I did not do well in. I know I can do better and improve in the semesters to come but I worry that I've already done too much damage to my chances. </p>
<p>Do recruiters look at your transcripts or at your cumulative GPA? If I do turn things around and do well in my Stern courses do I have a shot in IB? Will a C+ in Microeconomics be a red flag for recruiting?</p>
<p>GPA matters most.
When IB recruiters are looking at your resume, they weed out resumes by GPA first.
You’re shooting for 3.7+ GPA ideally, maybe a 3.5 GPA as a bare minimum for getting an interview.</p>
<p>I’ll be blunt and say that a 3.3 GPA for a finance major is going to get your resume tossed for IB.</p>
<p>You should try bringing it up to at least a 3.5+, which is entirely possible if you work your ass off…</p>
<p>Alternately, there are other (less selective) finance careers other than investment banking…</p>
<p>Once you get an interview, GPA no longer matters very much, and it’s all about how you perform during the interview.</p>
<p>Thanks terenc. Would I have to have my GPA up by junior spring, as I’ve heard that’s when recruiting starts? If I get a 4.0 next semester (difficult but doable with my new classes) my GPA will be back to a 3.5 so hopefully I can do it. </p>
<p>Do you have any idea whether recruiters look at individual transcripts or just your cumulative GPA? I’ve heard for some applications they have you upload an unofficial transcript, so would a recruiter see that C+ as a red flag?</p>
<p>My major (concentration) is finance as of now…and I plan to do a joint minor in comp sci + math.
Should I concentrate in econ courses as well to demonstrate that I have the ability to do better than a C+ or would this draw attention to the low grade?</p>
<p>@terenc
When you say it will be an uphill climb, do you mean because my GPA is low or I go to a non-target? If I get my GPA up to a 3.7 by recruiting coming from Stern what kind of position do you think I’d be in for IBanking jobs? (I know there are a lot more factors involved in getting jobs like networking, but any ideas…)</p>
<p>^I was talking to vienneselights about the uphill climb.</p>
<p>Stern is a target.
There is no need to concentrate on econ to “show that you have the ability to do better than a C+”. That’s a pretty stupid reason to take a class.</p>
<p>fair enough…I just don’t want a recruiter to think I don’t know economics just based off what I got on an intro course. I know I should take courses that I’m interested and I prefer macro to micro so I’ll probably just take more in that area…</p>
<p>Overall GPA counts but if you can show improving progression in grades, it will count more. Everyone knows freshman year is an adjustment period so don’t worry about it, just do your best in the coming years.
Also, don’t get too hung up on IB, there are other very good finance jobs with good prospects.</p>