The "Am I good enough for Investment Banking/Consultancy?" Thread

I think academically I am ok:

5 A*s, 7 As and 2 Bs at GCSE
AAAA at A-level in French, English, Maths and Economics (and a B in AS Further Maths)

admittedly my first year results at university were pretty poor (1 mark off a 2.1)

but my main concern is that I have absolutely no relevant work experience in the IB industry, and I know a bit about it but in comparison to some of my friends, my knowledge is extremely limited.

Will the lack of a Spring Week count against me in the application process for internships? Obviously I'm going to get as clued up as possible in terms of knowledge of the industry, but where would be a good place to start?

Obviously your application won't be as strong without a Spring Week but that wont hold you back.

Which uni are you at?

Good start will be to learn as much as you can and network with anyone you know in the industry - try to use some contacts to get some work shadowing/a couple of weeks unpaid experience if you can.

Which division are you aiming for?

Obviously LSE.

Did I miss something?

Whatever your opinion of Warwick it doesnt change the fact that year on year, a significant proportion of front office summer interns and grads come from Warwick and like I said |Warwick is in the core group of universities targeted by all of the major investment banks. This however cannot be said for Durham. Not knocking Durham, it's a pretty good uni, but just doesnt compare to the targets in terms of FO recruitment.

Obviously your application won't be as strong without a Spring Week but that wont hold you back.

Which uni are you at?

Good start will be to learn as much as you can and network with anyone you know in the industry - try to use some contacts to get some work shadowing/a couple of weeks unpaid experience if you can.

Which division are you aiming for?

Expecting all Bs and As in Maths and Science at GCSE. (Little work etc)
Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Economics AS. Hoping for AAA after A2.

Would I be good enough?

AAA at A2 is quite ambitious from those GCSE grades, but I think the most important things are getting an internship and getting into a good uni so just concentrate on getting into a good uni for now.

I'm predicted 12 A* at GCSE, am doing Maths, Economics, History and German at AS (possibly French and Italian too), and am hoping for A* grades in at least Maths. Would you say I'm good enough? The only trouble with getting experience in this sector is the only opportunities start after A2.

You can't tell, grades at school matter little beyond getting AAA. What matters is what you do after school (i.e. during your uni years)

Purely in terms of academics, is it that important though? Assuming you get into a good university, you need to get a 2:1 or above which most people seem to get.

Or do you mean in terms of internships etc.

You can't tell, grades at school matter little beyond getting AAA. What matters is what you do after school (i.e. during your uni years)

I'm predicted 12 A* at GCSE, am doing Maths, Economics, History and German at AS (possibly French and Italian too), and am hoping for A* grades in at least Maths. Would you say I'm good enough? The only trouble with getting experience in this sector is the only opportunities start after A2.

I'm predicted 12 A* at GCSE, am doing Maths, Economics, History and German at AS (possibly French and Italian too), and am hoping for A* grades in at least Maths. Would you say I'm good enough? The only trouble with getting experience in this sector is the only opportunities start after A2.

I should/could of gotten A's/A*'s had I applied myself.