Low GPA planning for future, am I screwed?
Hey Everyone, first time poster here. I'm in a tough spot right now and hoping to get some guidance (maybe some success stories too?) as I've seen others get a lot of help on this site.
A little background on me: I am a rising senior at a semi-target, about to intern at a bank in Chicago this summer. At the start of my junior year my doctors stated I was showing symptoms of a serious genetic medical condition and I was immediately hospitalized. Throughout this time I lost a lot of weight due to my medications, and suffered from bouts of depression. After numerous procedures, medications, back and forths to the hospital, by the grace of God I was able to reach a point where it is no longer life threatening.
I kept in constant contact with my professors and did the best I could in my classes, but my GPA fell from a 3.7 to a pitiful 3.1. My mother says I should be proud that I was able to somewhat maintain my grades, but realistically I know this has put me at a major disadvantage.
While I am not entirely sure if the PE or VC route is for me, I would love to explore that option. I would also love to further my education with a masters/MBA in the future. I can get my GPA up to a 3.4 by the time I graduate, my main worry is how much that will hold me back and if I find a PE/VC or other opportunity that interests me. Will I get the opportunity to explain why it is so low or will anyone even care? I have a very solid resume otherwise, experiences in BB corp fin, wealth management, running my own business, and numerous campus involvements. I've also been studying for the GMAT and plan to take it after my internship. My only "downside" in the employers eyes is my GPA.
I've been given advice like leaving it off my resume, rounding up, etc. but have also seen pushback on this website about how that might make me look to employers. If you were in my shoes, a rising senior, how would you position yourself as someone interested in the opportunities after IB? Am I getting ahead of myself here and are things like my return offer in question now because my GPA has fallen so low? If there's anyone out there with a success story or guidance, I could really use some help.
I have a lot of things to be thankful for, my health, my family, this internship, I am truly blessed, but now that I've got things somewhat under control I'm hoping this hasn't jeopardized the first few years of my career.
You should be proud that you managed to keep the grades up as best you could sounds hellish man. Can you hit up your advisor for a couple retroactive mercy pass/fails?
Likely not since they were major classes, but I can try, who knows maybe a professor might change their mind
Props for getting through that, facing something similar at the moment that thankfully shouldn't be life-threatening. My biggest advice is you need to hustle and grind. A lower GPA without a Target school can be tough, unless you grind your way through it.
Thank you for that, I appreciate it. Read about your grind as well, wishing you the best of luck with your journey.
Prayers up man , you’re a trooper
Similar situation grade wise. My GPA after my SA stint dropped from 3.6 to 3.1 and that is what I graduated with. No, my return offer was not rescinded and to be honesty, I dont think anyone noticed or would care. At this point in time, I have been trying to lateral and I don't keep it on my resume. I have been asked verbally about it maybe once or twice and sure, that negatively affected me there as I didnt get a call back from those, but from the dozens of other phone calls I have had I have not been asked, especially because most of those originated from connections and friends I have in those firms. As far as PE, if you do a good job on the desk and look to recruit, you will definitely have a chance to explain it to headhunters. I think more than half of buyside headhunters I have spoken to have asked me for it, so I would prepare for that. But with your job experience, you will have no problem getting inbounds from HH and getting people on the phone. Goodluck.
thank you for sharing, it's interesting to hear more from someone working in industry. Do you mind if I PM you with more questions?
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