You can theoretically get into IB with a 3.1 GPA, but it will not be easy, and if you’re not at a top target school, it will be even harder. Internships and networking always help, but there are still some limits, and if yours were all in China/HK, banks in places like the US and UK will tend to discount the experience a bit.

My recommendation here would be to aim for something a bit less competitive, like corporate banking, work there for a few years, and use your experience to make a lateral move into IB. Your GPA will be less of an issue at that point because bankers will focus more on your deal/client experience in CB.

Yes, or also list your undergrad GPA.

With a GPA in that range and a “top 40 school” (by which I assume you mean something in the bottom of the top 40), you don’t have a good shot at IB roles unless you can greatly improve your GPA and/or do a ton of networking very quickly, well in advance of when summer internship applications open (typically a year or more before the internships begin).

If you cannot do that, then yes, you should focus on other roles for now. Corporate banking, Big 4, independent valuation firm, the list goes on. I assume that you are also not a 1st year student in university, which makes this even harder (due to the speed and early start dates of the recruiting process).

Thank you!

My guess is that your actual problems are your GPA and university. GWU is not a target school, and your GPA is below the minimum level that most banks want to see, so you’ll have to fix or overcome those to have a good chance.

Since you cannot “fix” those quickly, you will probably have to network aggressively and focus on smaller banks at this stage. The LatAm experience hurts you a bit, but the major issues are your GPA and university.

So… I would start by going on LinkedIn and/or your alumni network and reaching out to bankers at mid-sized-to-smaller firms to set up informational interviews and ask about recruiting for summer internships next year. The process moves very quickly now, but you can still find various firms that will recruit into the fall.

If you are already that successful on your own, there is really no reason to join a bank or any other normal company. Just keep investing and growing your capital. If you don’t like Indian culture and attitudes toward wealth/professions/status, leave the country.

I have a poor high school GPA and a decent one U.G GPA, but I’ve been researching and investing in equity since sixth grade and now I’m going to turn 21 next year and have making big six-figure gains from investing. Private equity is my game, and I’m writing a book about it and Founded a real estate marketing company. Should I strive hard to get into banks, or should I simply be a retail investor since I wanted to work at a well known bank to satisfy my parents and society. Being an entrepreneur in India is difficult. Even attaining results and gaining money isn’t enough for Indian parents since we as Indians cherish high-level positions (which is not wrong in any way). I prefer my present work and equity investment and because of it I can afford all of the extra luxury and posh things  that just a few 20-year-olds can. My family is constantly pressuring me to acquire a job in the government sector or banking sector. What jobs can I acquire at a bank if I have investment skills?