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Focus on building the strongest quantitative economics degree you can. The thing is that ER (equity research) is going to be analytical and quantitative and trading positions (like you see in the movies) are moving to either quantitative trading or algorithmic trading. So really the best thing you can do is build on the quantitative skill set. I'd suggest: Calculus II, Intro to Econometrics, Topics in Econometrics, Game Theory, Calculus III and Differential Equations. My suggestion is check out the forum Wall Street Oasis and really comb through their Equity Research forums. Its a great resources for this. Also start studying for the CFA now. It's practically a requirement these days for ER positions.

Thanks for the advice. Its not a good standing in my class. A decent ways away from magna cum laude. The reason can be explained away (working full time at this start-up while going to school full-time) but I know those 'excuses' aren't going to help. Its why I studied so hard to crush the GMAT. I've considered a full time research assistant position, but from what I can tell within the business realm those aren't exactly that common in my area I'm currently at. The best I could do is attend the MA in Communications program here at ASU and do research. I know that industry recos are not that useful (the only reason its included is if I can't get my the other 2 professors to obtain LOR's in time). The benefits is I did some serious sales management research for the company which were implemented and increased efficiency but I know it won't be too strong. For both the LOR's I have from professors, I secured them by specifically doing more work and research for the class than necessary and would allude to my ability as a researcher and student. Most of the marketing staff at my school were not PhD's and were instead industry professionals who taught as well or as a 'retirement package'. And there are couple schools which have active professors studying the sales portion and I plan to apply to those no matter what. I've heard within the PhD for Marketing category that since the demand > supply that rankings aren't AS important as other PhD programs. I know my lack of research and rather low GPA might mean that I will have to focus on lower tier PhD's in general (outside T20) with a possible reach of a couple in the top 20. Might it be smart to get a second bachelors (it'd take less than 2 years) in Marketing or even something more quantitative like Statistics? Would that be added to my 'undergraduate GPA' in regards to PhD admissions? Thanks.

Hello, I am aiming to get accepted into a top-tier marketing (consumer behavior or sales management/sales operations) PhD program. I believe I have a very strong profile, but my GPA is much lower than I would have liked. My goal is obviously academia. Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): GMAT - 760 Undergrad GPA: 3.07 Cumulative with a Major GPA of 3.53 (Interdisciplinary Studies focused in Management Issues) - University of Texas at Dallas Having taken 2 courses in Marketing and have a GPA of 3.87 for those 2 courses. Research Experience: None. Might consider a MA in Communications with research track for a thesis and to do more research. Teaching/Work Experience: Work 9 months at a leading SaaS unicorn company as a SDR before moving to sales manager positions where I have worked for 9 months. So 18 months total in a sales type role at a top unicorn company (think Box, Slack, Groupon, Zenefits) Honors: ​Had the highest level scholarship for my undergraduate studies which the school provided. LOC: Director of Sales for my company, Digital Marketing Professor from Undergrad where I earned a 100 in his course, Criminology professor where I earned an A+ in his Criminal Law course Concentration Applying to: Marketing - Consumer Behavior / Sales Management and Sales Operations Number of programs planned to apply to: 20 Dream Schools: UT, Northwestern, ASU, UF, A&M, Cornell