[higher_energy]

Thanks a lot for all the insight. I was away for a while, had a ton of work and didn't really have time to check 2p2.

To answer some of the questions: I go to Tufts and I have a 3.36. I was a mess freshman year, took way too many hard classes for a freshman, joined the varsity team, slept during the day and worked at night and have been raising my GPA ever since.
I agree with what a lot of you are saying about the importance of networking, interviewing skills and being a good fit for the firm. Ultimatly, they will hire the guy with whom they can get a drink after work. While all of this is true I feel like the hardest is to be able to GET that 1st round interview, at least for me.
For the past two and a halfs weeks I have been scouring Boston and NYC for anyone that can be of any help. My parents don't have any contacts at all in the finance world because I am not from the U.S.
In any case, I have been to pretty much every presentation/conference/networking panel at Harvard, MIT and of course at my school (can't make them all because of classes). After being stared up and down by all the harvard kids and sending over 40 thank you notes I feel like I haven't made that much progress.
I am pushing very hard throuhg all the Tufts alums and the career network at my school, but the problem here is that they are taking at most 1-2 kids for each firm and I am competing against some of the very best with MUCH higher point averages.
What else do you think I should be doing to increase my chances of getting a full-time position?
Also, up to a few weeks ago I was certain that I want to do S&T but now, after reading more resources and talking to analysts, I am also interested in IBD because I feel like I can develop a broader skill set which will be more transferable in the future and i can get exposure to deal flow. While I am still young I am OK with working insane hours so that doesn't bother me at all about IBD. I know that these are completely different areas, require different skill sets and personality types. My question is this: If i apply for both at one firm do you think that will jeopardize my chances for getting either one of them? Same goes for applying to other departametns like GTS, CM etc? You think i should just focus on one thing or go for whatever I can get?

Last point that I wanted to make. In response to gimpoone, I wanted to say that I DID NOT intern at Wall St. this summer. Instead I interned in Moscow at the leading Russian Ibanks (had to get a visa so had to come back). It was just as intense, but I feel like thats a disadvantage relative to other candidates.


To whoever made it to the end of this post..thanks a lot and I appreciate any comments, tips or advice.

higher_energy