Competitive profile for J.P. Morgan?

Question

Hi everyone,
I’m applying for J.P. Morgan’s investment banking analyst roles next year and wanted to get a sense of how competitive my profile might be. I study at a semi-target in Europe with solid but not outstanding grades, and I’ve done internships in corporate finance and a small PE fund. I keep hearing that JPM screens very heavily on academics, so I’m not sure how much my experience can compensate.

Do you think candidates without top grades still get interviews if they have relevant internships and strong technical prep?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Good question, and your concern is very common. JPM does screen quite heavily on academics, especially in the early stages, so grades do matter and they are often used as an initial filter.

BUT – Coming from a semi-target with solid but not outstanding grades does not automatically put you out. What helps in your case is that your internships are directly relevant. Corporate finance and a small PE fund are both strong signals and show that you have already worked with financial statements, valuation, and investment thinking. That kind of experience can partially compensate for academics, especially once your CV is reviewed more holistically rather than by an automated screen.

In practice, candidates with profiles like yours do get invited, but the margin is smaller. This means presentation matters a lot. Make sure your grades are clearly explained, your internships are described in a results-oriented way, and your motivation for JPM is consistent and credible. You should not assume rejection just because your academics are not perfect, but you should also be aware that competition is intense and outcomes can vary by office and year.

If you are getting through the CV screen, your profile is already strong enough. From there on, performance in interviews becomes the decisive factor.