Applied Math PhD + Sr. Engineer at Raytheon, with 2.3 Undergrad GPA
Hi Everyone,
I am a new member of the Forum, first of all, it is nice to meet you all. Here is my situation:
- Current position: Sr. Systems Engineer at Raytheon (2009~Present)
- U.S. Citizen
- Education/GPA:
U.C. Berkeley - Bioengineering 2003 (2.3 cumulative B.S., 3.2 major)
Texas Tech - Math 2006 (4.00, M.S.)
U. of Washington - Applied Math 2009 (3.80 M.S., 3.78 Ph.D.) - Other experience: Interned at Microsoft and a small financial planning firm
I am actively seeking a quantitative modeling, model validation position in the banking/finance industry, and despite a very strong background in math/programming, and an extensive experience with model development, simulation, analysis, and validation, my college GPA from 7 years ago still concerns me. Here are my questions:
(1) How would the 2.3 GPA be perceived by the recruiters/managers?
(2) Should I put the low GPA on my resume?
(3) Should I mention the lowly GPA on the cover letter?
(4) What are ways to market myself to get around the lowly GPA and boost my chance at getting a quantitative finance position?
Thank you very much for your inputs and feedbacks.
A quant math PhD will conquer all, not so young jedi. Go forth and Matlab.
I don't even think you need to include it, in fact, you probably don't need to list ANY of your GPAs. You no doubt graduated summa cum laude from Texas Tech and magna or summa cum laude from University of Washington. Just put those distinctions down under those schools and that should be sufficient to prove you succeeded at those schools. To top it all off, you have about a year's worth of working experience, so your GPA will be even less of a factor.
There's a lot of Math and Physics PhDs out there earning less than $20K/year and/or delivering pizzas. U. Washington is a strong state school, but when Math PhDs out of U. Chicago are sometimes having trouble getting jobs, it's natural for you to have a little trouble as well.
Don't get down on yourself- just keep working at it. In the meantime, come up with a couple of ideas for trading strategies and see how they work out on some backtests. If you can go into an interview and give some traders good/new/proven trading strategies (ideally make them agree not to use them if they don't hire you), you look like a relatively compelling candidate whether you are from Princeton or you have an AS from Mendocino County Community College.
The undergrad GPA from seven years ago isn't worth mentioning on your resume or cover letter. The problem is the supply/demand dynamic for Math/Physics PhDs, not some GPA from seven years ago. (At this point, they will also assume you must have had a 3.0+ GPA since you got into grad school.)
I would recommend going to Quantnet.com or Wilmott.com and asking the same question- might get some more specific advice
Real question - how'd you get into grad schools with that GPA from Berkeley (and manage to make such a positive change later)? Just curious.
You definitely do not have to add your GPA. Some Hedge Funds require it for submittals, but small prop shops and Ibanks usually don't.
I have a number of excellent positions with top firms to discuss with you if your open. you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 212-982-6370
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