<p>Smaller firms will take folks, who interview well, with a sub 3.4 gpa.</p>
<p>"Oh, you were there with him when this recruiter raved about his very-average GPA?</p>
<p>Since you seem to lack reading abilities I’ll say it again. I WORK IN THAT AREA and the people I work with all graduated with 3.5+ GPAs. Your friend is lying." </p>
<p>Not necessarily true. While certain jobs have GPA requirements, they routinely (this may be too strong of a word) make exceptions to this rule. </p>
<p>My friend applied to the Big4 in our area, which has a 3.5 minimum requirement from his school (tier 3 state school), and he was offered the internship, despite his 3.1 GPA. </p>
<p>My GPA is slightly above a 3.0 and I recently was offered an interview for an accounting firm that had a 3.5 minimum GPA requirement. I have also interviewed for consulting firms, f500 companies, and investment banks. I go to a top 25 school, but the point is that if you have an impressive resume (leadership, internships, extracurricular), they often make exceptions. </p>
<p>That being said, if you have a GPA below a 3.0, you better have an impressive resume.</p>
<p>people here focus way too much on the gpa. if you take a look at the average undergrad gpa for students across all b-schools, you will find that there’s no correlation whatsoever between a top 15 school and a third tier school. as long as it’s 3.0+, focus on other things that are more important such as interviewing skills and other intangibles. you’d be a lot better off.</p>
<p>Err … GPA is pretty important in finance guys. My friend’s 3.68 GPA from Wharton was called “on the low side” for FT hires. Don’t sacrifice leadership and extracurricular involvement to get the 4.0, but to say that firms “routinely make exceptions” for those under 3.5 is wrong.</p>
<p>econ2accounting,</p>
<p>there probably are some exceptions. but that is what they are, exceptions. i think “routinely” is definitely too strong a word. </p>
<p>i have a hard time believing a student with a 3.1 gpa from a tier 3 school could get a big4 gig, much less a big4 interview. maybe if he had a family connection?..</p>
<p>i dont know much about recruiting practices @ top 25 schools…I suppose companies could possibly have fewer restrictions for you guys…but if that is really the case…know that that is NOT the case for most schools before you start making generalizations.</p>
<p>Every Big4 posting or F500 posting is usually a 3.0-3.2 and above. GPA is a function of how well you take tests, among other things. If you have a B average and excel in other things no one cares. </p>
<p>High GPA is only good for on campus recruiting. If you do a little networking you can get in with a 3.0. GPA is MAYBE a 2 second question when the interview starts. Not really important.</p>
<p>MSFHQsite, how much do referrals help in the recruiting process?</p>
<p>Night and day dude. Networking is the great equalizer. As long as you have a 3.0 you can get any job on WS. </p>
<p>Honestly, take gym classes to boost your GPA. If your goal is to work on wallstreet you should start contact alumni. They can forward your resume off and get your resume picked from the pile. </p>
<p>GPA is important. Don’t flake on it on purpose, but if you have a lower 3 ish GPA there isn’t a problem. No one talks about GPA once you have an interview and a job. It is just a signal to recruiters, nothing more.</p>
<p>You have any tips for situational interviews?</p>
<p>What do you mean by situational?</p>
<p>I know of behavioral and technical. Go check out WSO guides, M&I, vault, etc. I would take every interview you can just to practice. Apply to edward jones, axa, etc. They will usually interview anyone so it is easy to get some dry runs in.</p>
<p>Oh it’s another name for Behavioral interviewing.</p>
<p>Will do though.</p>
<p>whatdidyou,</p>
<p>My friend at a tier 3 state school did have a 3.1 GPA, but he is also a division 1 athlete, which is probably one of the reasons that he got the B4 interview. </p>
<p>Like I said, I have applied to multiple jobs/internships where I did not meet the minimum GPA requirement and I got multiple interviews… that being said, I have a solid resume (internships, leadership positions, volunteer service, ect). </p>
<p>Only on one occasion when I applied to a financial leadership rotational program for a F20 company did they say that their 3.5 GPA requirement was firm, and that they wanted me to interview for a different department’s rotational program because it only had a 3.0 GPA requirement.</p>
<p>
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<p>Which is where a majority of Big 4 (or just public accounting in general) associates come from. Big4 isn’t one of those places where networking can make a huge difference in recruiting, imo.</p>
<p>MSFHQ,</p>
<p>“GPA is a function of how well you take tests, among other things.”</p>
<p>You mean other things such as your intelligence, work ethic, understanding of the material, and time management skills?</p>
<p>“If you have a B average and excel in other things no one cares.”</p>
<p>B average is a 3.0. Recruiters care. Especially since most college students are not going to have a substantial amount of related work experience.</p>
<p>“High GPA is only good for on campus recruiting. If you do a little networking you can get in with a 3.0. GPA is MAYBE a 2 second question when the interview starts. Not really important.”</p>
<p>Gpa is for getting interviews…It will probably take more that just a little networking, unless your very charming. To say GPA is not important in getting a job out of college is foolish.</p>
<p>GPA is a function of how well you take tests. Some people over study. Some people work during school. Some people take 18 credit hours vs 12. GPA is a function of many things. </p>
<p>Charming? How about sending an email and talking to an alumni. Networking is just talking to people. You aren’t trying to get laid. You get internships during college to show your work experience. You join groups. If you think a high GPA, by itself, is going to do anything for you then you are nuts. </p>
<p>GPA is only one piece. Yes, get a good GPA. Don’t slack. But some people think a high GPA is the only thing on earth. No one cares after the initial question. Focus on internships, networking, interview prep. Books and classes are great, but have limited real world functionality. </p>
<p>Sorry man, I’ve recruited for companies, I have applied and have had friends apply, all with lower 3 ish GPA’s. </p>
<p>Not a big deal. In a 4-5 years or working you delete your GPA anyway. </p>
<p>Not a big deal people.</p>
<p>Everying F500 job I have ever seen poster looks for a 3.0 or 3.2 GPA. GE, J&J, General Mills, Etc. </p>
<p>Get a B, check the box.</p>
<p>workingATbig4, “Big4 isn’t one of those places where networking can make a huge difference in recruiting, imo.”</p>
<p>Why not? If your uncle is a partner or your cousin is a senior manager, you are almost guaranteed a position at that firm. Connections and networking trump GPA any day.</p>
<p>Mind you, I am not telling anyone to screw around in school. All I am saying is that if you have a low GPA, it isn’t a big deal. Just send some emails and pick up the phone and you will get interviews. </p>
<p>People grow up thinking so linear. Got to go to high school. Got to get a high SAT. Got to have a high GPA. Etc. </p>
<p>You really don’t need to do any of that. </p>
<p>Life is full of side doors and back entrances. Think outside the box and your life will be easier and more full. Don’t climb the ladder, take the elevator.</p>
<p>“Life is full of side doors and back entrances. Think outside the box and your life will be easier and more full. Don’t climb the ladder, take the elevator.”</p>
<p>:) nicely said</p>
<p>OMG, I have seen people so obsessed with their GPA, especially girls, and it appears that they can commit a suicide if they get anything below a B.</p>
<p>Yeah, no need to freak out about something that will go away in the future. B school is important, but they focus more on your GMAT and work experience. Try for the best GPA you can get, but if you get a 3.3 dont fret.</p>