What was your overall college GPA......And did it matter later on?

[corndogmcgee]

i've reviewed stacks and stacks of new grad resumes over many years working in HR. I can tell you that GPA is rarely considered. That's not to see it's completely disregarded, because it is a measurable data point on a student's academic success.

Building relevant experience through internships and tangible school projects carries much more importance. Good luck.

 

[memo]

yeah, I don't think it matters. there's a lot of things that can effect your GPA, like bad teachers, being sick, and other things. 

 

[atlien seeko]

Good insight. I worried a lot about my GPA, and not to say this thread is gospel, but it sheds some insight.

 

[nycknicks105]

Depending on the field and major, there might be different expectations regarding GPA.
For example, there is more leeway when it comes to engineering majors compared to finance majors.
Personally, I don't think it matters after you land your first job.

This x100

Graduated with a 3.9.
It did not matter at all for the job. You just need to pass the interview. I knew people that had a 2.0 average in my class and got the job.

I knew a few people as well that fell under this category. I remember a long time ago when I was entering my first year in college. One of my friends told me that you GPA doesn't matter as much as the people with whom you know and build relationships with. Looking back at what he said--He was 100% right.

i've reviewed stacks and stacks of new grad resumes over many years working in HR. I can tell you that GPA is rarely considered. That's not to see it's completely disregarded, because it is a measurable data point on a student's academic success.

Building relevant experience through internships and tangible school projects carries much more importance. Good luck.

I spoke to some hiring people as well and for the most part they all say the same thing. Experience will always outweigh "credentials"

It seems like credentials and GPA only matter when you're looking for an entry level position.

 

[nazdrowie]

I would say that is pretty accurate. GPA will probably matter for the first job though.

I'm willing to bet that more of those "people who you need to know" will take notice if you have better GPAs though.

Unfortunately, people equate how you do in a class room setting with the real world. Until the world wakes up, GPA is a contributing factor to market yourself to those that matter (not the only one). What people designate with a decent GPA is subjective, though (although the higher, the better).

I was involved in an organization that had some very successful alumni, and they were much more receptive to those with good, well-rounded experiences (including decent GPAs), then those who felt entitled just because they were in the same org.

 

[tlrdx91]

I'm still a undergrad but I'll give my $0.02 with regard to STEM students. If you wish to go the graduate school and phD route then it will be essential to have stellar grades and research experience and some networking with faculty at the target institution. Specifically for mathematics and physics, if you want to attend a top 20 school then you must have near perfect grades and research done based on NSF grants or REUs. Outside of academia, trying to get straight into an engineering job or programming job from undergrad will be highly dependent on experience more so than GPA.

 

[hankmoody]

If you want to get hired for a presitigious job out of undergrad, if you want to get into a prestigious grad school,  if you want to open as many doors as possible or if you want to just make your life a whole lot easier, then having a great undergraduate GPA should matter to you. 

If you don't want those things, then no, your GPA doesn't matter as much. 

McKinsey isn't interviewing 2.9s. Yale Law and most other great law schools dont accept 3.1s and if they do, the admit rate for that pool is less than 1%. Good luck trying to get into an American med school with a 3.0. 

 

[frostythepoptart]

and again if you don't need to be a doctor, lawyer, or accountant which 99% of us aren't...

then gpa does not matter. law / and medical school are in essence continued schooling for a niche so obviously gpa is going to matter.

work is not school, it's about making money.

law, accounting, and medical are about being skilled and knowledgeable about your subject matter, so of course what you learn and retain matters more there.

 

[secretzofwar]

GPA matters for "blind" jobs or grad school. I mean blind as in, you know no one at the company or its an old guard corporation that uses GPA as a screener.

It really comes down to who you meet and luck. I've happened to have great timing the last few years that has helped me more than anything.

Interning is so so so so key I can't stress it enough. I worked my tail off for some people who ALWAYS look out for me and busted their butts to help me get a job.

 

[marsiv]

Every workshop/lecture I've had on resumes has said not to put your GPA on there.

 

[baseballer10p]

2.6 for me - didn't matter at all. I'm pretty sure my company never even checked for it.

 

[green rhino123]

3.74

was actually proud that i got a 4.0 both semesters senior year while most friends had senioritis
would have been a cumulative 4.0 if i wasn't forced to take those classes i couldn't stand

it helps if there is an honest opportunity to bring it up during an interview

 

[ninjallamafromhell]

3.1

The only company that cared was Intel, and they wanted 3.5+. Then again I didn't really want to work for Intel anyways
The professors made it sound like no matter what you needed 3.5 and the FE exam, I didn't have either and still got a job without connections or recommendations. Then again it was a 6 hour interview with a 30 minute presentation at the end, and I swagged my way through it.

 

[ricky409]

3.1
The only company that cared was Intel, and they wanted 3.5+. Then again I didn't really want to work for Intel anyways
The professors made it sound like no matter what you needed 3.5 and the FE exam, I didn't have either and still got a job without connections or recommendations. Then again it was a 6 hour interview with a 30 minute presentation at the end, and I swagged my way through it.

swaggy p

 

[blazah]

3.1
The only company that cared was Intel, and they wanted 3.5+. Then again I didn't really want to work for Intel anyways
The professors made it sound like no matter what you needed 3.5 and the FE exam, I didn't have either and still got a job without connections or recommendations. Then again it was a 6 hour interview with a 30 minute presentation at the end, and I swagged my way through it.

Are you an engineer in the fab?

 

[ninjallamafromhell]

Are you an engineer in the fab?

Electrical Engineering with emphasis on RF and Microwave(High Frequencies generally 1GHz+ for those that are thinking about the kitchen) Design.

 

[Majorbread]

3.2 and landed full time offer with a Big 4

Will say though that I made up for it in other ways, like reaching out to recruiters and networking with employees etc.. All that did was just give me a chance for an interview and I crushed that as well as the internship the following summer.

GPA doesn't matter 100% but it does play a role. If yours is lower than it should be for your field, find a way to make up for it in other areas.

 

[corndogmcgee]

It might go without saying, but I also want to add: do not provide an inaccurate GPA

I was working at a company that rhymed w/ Shmoogle and a friend of mine was referred in for a position in Sales (completely different department/discipline than my job). I saw the formal interview feedback and he aced it. After the background check the offer was rescinded. He had claimed a GPA 0.3 or 0.4 than what his transcripts revealed. He countered that his claimed GPA was within his core major and not his total at that point it was too late

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

3.541 GPA and it does matter when you can speak to it on a resume where you worked 25-30 hrs a week while maintaining a solid GPA during college. If you want to qualify for a Government position or internship, you must have at least a 2.95 to obtain the Superior Academic Achievement qualification which lets you compete for GS-7 level positions.

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

I'm in the process of being converted from a SCEP Intern (where the GPA requirement was 2.0) to a full time government employee on a GS 5-7-9-12 PD and my GPA was a 2.8. I worked this internship for the past 3 summers though. I'm wonder if I had over a 2.95 if I'd start at a 7 instead of 5. I'm a 4 step 2 right now and will finally get my 5 in September. I'd have it already if it wasn't for the employee in my company who processes this retiring in the middle of the process last year Should be a 12 within 5 years

Yeah those pay increases of 10K a year are solid and you will build a lot of connections and experience. What job field are you in?

 

[tero]

Had a 2.6 and got into grad school...
*shrugs*

word?

im probably graduating with a 2.5.. do you think i would be able to get into grad school too? howd you do on the GRE? what school?

 

[lazyj10]

You can have a sub 3.0 GPA and get into a grad school...however, it's the type of grad school that's limited in that range.

Ricky isn't in a Tier 1, I'm willing to bet.

 

[703 hwy]

Graduated with a 3.02 Dec 2009 from a HBCU. Work in the Fed Gov now. HR specialist, GS-5/7/9/11/12 they screwed me cause I was already in the gov doing a bs job so I had to come in at the 5 even though I qualified at the 7 based on education but I wasn't complaining.

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

I work with on a Budget & Contracts team for the Resources, Security, and Administrative branch of a company housed in the Pentagon. There's like 5-6 other employees in my office besides myself. I'm head of tracking contracts now but also have to shadow my co-workers that work on the budget so I can do their job if they are out. Once I get all my certifications/trainings and am proficient enough in ALL of the work done in my office I can get the desk audit that will get me to a GS-12. There's a lot I have to do/learn before I can get to that point but I'm coming along.

Nice, we are in somewhat similar fields. Are you doing the DAU classes for a DAWIA or FAC-C certification? Time flies, so that GS-12 will be there before you know it.

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

I'm doing the DAU class ACQ101 right now then will do ACQ201 once I finish that. I'm trying to take them seriously but they are SO boring!

Yeah the CON courses and anything involving the FAR/DFAR is like NYQUIL in text format. You really just have to skim through them unless you are working on something that directly applies to the course you are taking. The certs come in handy though, especially once/if you can obtain a level II/III. Can't beat free training or education.