Should I place my low GPA on my Resume
Hey guys, I need a quick insight on what I should do about my GPA. I graduated May 2010 from a non-target with a B.S in Finance and Business with a cumulative GPA of 2.85 and major 2.94. I was wondering whether I should put my GPA on my resume? I don’t want recruiters thinking it’s lower than what it already is by not placing it on my resume or does it even matter at this point?
I personally wouldn't place it.
I don't know how much it actually matters. If someone doesn't put their gpa, I usually just assume that it's below a 3.0 anyway and then ask what it is during the interview (if they get one).
If it's that low, then just don't put it. Better to explain away a low GPA on an interview than not get an interview in the first place. I know this because I did this.
There's a LOT of reasons why someone's GPA may be low, and as time goes by it matters less, but for the first job and grad school, you have to work the system to your advantage.
ABSOLUTELY do not put it on your resume. Unfortunately, you will probably be asked what was your GPA more than your own name going forward. So if I were you, sounds like you need to start working on another degree...
yea dont put it. make sure you come up with a good convincing story as to why it is so low
In fact: turn it into an asset. I graduated high school at the top of my class, but then a series of family tragedies made the luxury of sitting around cranking out A's impossible anymore. My undergrad GPA SUCKED, but when I interviewed I told my story (worked 2 jobs, supported family, started a business, took time off to travel and learn a trade) I came across as much more appealing. Your GPA is low, but not so low that you're out of the game......outside of the most competetive BB FO positions, they only care that you graduated, especially for ops jobs. However, if/when you go to grad school, you're going to have to CRUSH the GMAT and really polish your story. Also, you have to PERFORM every day - your experience is going to have to outshine your grades
Good luck, and for what it's worth, there's plenty of people out there doing pretty well who weren't model students in college, but you have to recover, compensate, and dominate, otherwise you're just mediocre (and I'm not getting that impression)
round up to 3.0 and then put it on :P
putting that on your resume is about the same as showing a girl on your first date with a positive STD report with your name on it.
When does a Low GPA come off the resume (Originally Posted: 09/15/2015)
At what point would you say a GPA should come off the resume as an undergrad without FT experience? 2.9? 3.0? 3.2?
I would really like to gauge what the community would say about this
I say if it's 2-point-anything it should be left off. You're not impressing anyone with that.
Low GPA Resume solution (Originally Posted: 01/13/2014)
So I come from a semi-target school and I have a less than stellar GPA. As a result, I left it off my resume. I majored in Econ and Soc, but didn't really care for most of the course work. I worked for a hedge fund this past summer and a mutual fund the summer before, and I really have a passion for investing and following the markets. So, instead of working super hard on my classwork, I would generally read a lot of articles on investing and work on building financial models. I am hoping to break into investment banking, as a path to a long/short hedge fund, and that is proving difficult with my low gpa (hindsight being 20/20 i probably would have worked harder on my class work...). What if I put the Mark Twain quote, "I never let my schooling get in the way of my education." on my resume? It's just a thought. Any feedback or opinions?
that is a terrible, terrible idea. How bad is the GPA?
I would not put that quote on your resume.
I appreciate the creativity but I wouldn't take this approach. With formalized campus recruiting your resume will be analyzed by any where between 1-3 layers before your resume hits a decision makers desk. I don't think you should run the risk that everyone thinks your quote is "clever".
I was in a similar situation to you. Rather than draw attention to a deficiency, let the rest of your resume shine. In my opinion, two internships in Asset Management is more important than anything you did in school. On your resume make "Career Experience" the first heading and "education and honors" the last heading. I had a lot of success taking this approach.
It would make you look silly if you put that quote on your resume.
Don't do it, but you're not the only one going to school just to get a good job.
Probably not the best idea. I agree with CornTrader, try to draw attention to other parts of your resume. Im sure there's more to you than your grade point average.
As a survivor of the low GPA woes, I 100% advise against adding the quote. Go with the strategies above and make sure to highlight experience value. When someone asks about your GPA, don't stutter, don't hesitate, don't apologize. Answer it honestly and confidently, then move onto what you focused on instead of school.
Appreciate the advice everyone, especially Corntrader. That approach could work really well for me. Kind of suggested the quote as a creative joke. GPA is 2.8 overall and 3.1 major gpa. Thanks for the all the comments.
You got it all wrong son:
1) List 4.0/4.0 GPA 2) Add following quotes below: - "A thing worth having, is worth cheating for" - W.C. Fields - "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" - Mark Grace - "The line between an economist and a criminal is incredibly thin" - Freakonomics
lol, awesome.
I am pretty sure that this could actually work if one has nothing to lose.
^+1 SB
But you forgot:
"I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle my low GPA, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best."
A buddy of mine had a 2.9 from HYP but his resume said 3.9. He's now an analyst for a top tier HF (>$15B AUM). Their HR never checked...
I guess the question would be, what would happen if they did check? Would it have mattered or could he just passed it off as a formatting error and apologized profusely?
Low GPA on resume or off? (Originally Posted: 02/09/2010)
I have a 3.17/4.0 GPA... should I leave it off my resume or leave it included?
I would keep it on your resume. If you leave it off (assuming that you are still in school) most employers will think that it is below 3.0.
I'm a recent grad.
Well in that case it depends how recent.
There are no steadfast rules, but usually once you are 2 years out you can keep it off. If you haven't had a full time position after graduation, or if you aren't in grad school, I would still keep it on.
Maybe someone else has a different opinion, this is just based on what I have heard.
Low GPA - Listing it on resume? (Originally Posted: 01/29/2013)
If I have a low GPA, 2.4 from a top canadian school, in economics, should I list it on the resume? Currently I'm listing major GPA only, which is 2.77. And should I consider applying to an MFin to make up for the low UG gpa? Thanks!
Canadian firms place a lot of emphasis on GPA (unfortunately) from my experience so yea I'd prob look towards a Masters program
I don't think you should listed it on your resume. Just show companies your knowledge. To some people gpa doesn't matter, its all about what you learn. In this business world of course GPA matters. Yes Masters program do want your GPA. Just do well for the rest of your UG career, that way it shows you matured. Take the GMAT and get a high score and also get job experience.
Dont list your GPA. You might not get the job that you want out of undergrad, but you can achieve it eventually. I believe the rule of thumb is that after 2 years of work experience, most employers stop caring about your GPA and the focus shifts to your experience.
I've been following some of your posts, particularly your ER report which was extremely well written and presented, yet I'm quite surprised about your GPA. You're clearly very knowledgeable and driven, two factors that take much more precedence over GPA. I would say keep doing what you're doing, reach out to people at boutiques and share your research. If you do this long enough, you will definitely land something. While Canadian banks do place a lot of emphasis on GPA, they are also more welcoming to people from other backgrounds after a few years of work exp. Rather than the MFin, I would suggest that you work for 3-4 years, kill the GMAT and apply to Rotman, Ivey and Schulich's MBA program. From there you're all set for ER.
Fck this... I'm going to prepare a huge Binder, with copies of my resume and work sample inside, and knock on boutiques' doors, asking to talk to someone in charge of hiring. I'm desperate for an internship or real job.
Should I put GPA on my resume? (Originally Posted: 01/02/2015)
I have a 3.37 GPA, I don't have a major gpa yet since I haven't gotten into the major specific classes yet. For recruiters is it a red flag if there is no GPA on a resume?
Thanks!
Its a bit of a concern if you have no GPA listed, but given that your GPA is below the cutoff (3.5 - 3.7) it's probably best to just leave it off.
Yes it's a red flag. You'll probably be ok listing it as a 3.4/4.0.
People would assume it's lower than what you have if you leave it off.
Most banks have 3.2 mins. Put it as a 3.4 and you should be fine.
GPA on resume? - Applying as junior (Originally Posted: 05/15/2007)
My GPA sucks.I have a 3.13 G.P.A. Messed up my sophomore year in college but have a BB rotational program internship (freshman year, had a 3.9 at the time) and a return offer to the same firm for my soph summer (this coming summer). I'm looking to transfer to another BB (think MS range)in my junior year.Is it okay if I leave off my miserable looking GPA off my resume when applying as a Junior? Will HR definitely toss my resume aside despite my two summers of BB experience?
You'll get a second look from HR no doubt, but the BB rotational program internship is not all that special. It would raise red flags as to why you have two BB internships and no GPA listed.
Just stick with your current BB firm.
In case you are wondering how I degenerated from a 3.9 to a 3.1. Its sad but it actually happened. Had a 3.9 fall of freshman year and a couple of Cs and one D spring semester and last fall messed me up really bad.
i degenerated from a 3.9 to a 3.4!
What is your major? Is there any reason that you dropped off so much. Just pull your grades up, your only a sophomore.
I'm a physics and math double major
paulson, suck my nut.
My advice if you really want banking: You have two tough majors with tough curves (C+/B-?). Also, having two semesters in a row of poor grades suggests that it might just be too difficult. Drop physics or math (whichever gives you a harder time) and double in a BS easy major or a challenging but reasonble major like economics (B- to B+ curve). Get a high major gpa and then you have something to show, along with a rising overall gpa.
Banks do not care that your major is difficult (unless MIT) and has a tough curve. There will always be people who apply in these majors with top grades.
You can always compensate bad grades with other aspects, but it isn't as easy as some people might think.
Anyone in HR know after how many years of experience BBs no longer care if GPA is on the resume or not?
i dont htink GPA matter much after your first job if youre staying in banking, its more about experience, deals you close, your skillset etc. However, if you interview for assocaite positions in top PE and hedge fund jobs, your GPA matters again just like it did for banking the first time around.
GPA Question - Should I put it in my resume? (Originally Posted: 03/21/2012)
Okay, so overall I have a 2.9 GPA and my major is History. But in courses related to Business it is a 3.4 GPA but it's only 15 units.
Is it stupid to put in my resume Business Related GPA: 3.4/4.0?
Or maybe just leave out GPA all together?
How do you not even have a 3.0 in history o.O
LOL
Hahahaa
History is harder than you think buddy. Anyone can crunch numbers in a formula but to analytically write 8 page papers for midterm, essay, and final in an 8 week time frame isn't so easy.
are you at a target? otherwise you're fucked...i wouldn't even put that 2.9 on my resume.
you are so FUCKKKKEEDDD
how many credit hours do you still have to pull the overall GPA above 3.0? at 2.9, I won't put that on my resume.
No, I go to a pretty prestigious school thats semi-target. I'm not trying to get into investment banking. I am going to get into equity research or PWM. But do you think it's worth it to put GPA for business related courses if I'm not going to put my overall GPA?
I'm graduating next quarter btw. I'm going to take some more courses next quarter to try to boost my gpa over 3.0
no one puts a minor gpa on the resume...same goes for your business related coursework gpa
With your low GPA, I would suggest two things:
1) spend more time networking and getting rapports from people who actually have the power in the decision making process. avoid HR at all cost. you are not going to get through HR with lower than 3.3GPA. you will be just wasting your time doing so. 2) have you done any other extra circular activities, i.e. leadership positions = president of investment club, part time internship while going to school, sample research reports (for ER gig) that you can demonstrate to the future employers
I will leave the GPA off from the resume. Try to pull it up to at least above 3.0 before you are done with school. Your best bet is polishing on your interviewing skills, networking with decision makers (ask for informational, do coffee, attend industry conferences) and putting together work samples (research reports), that would potentially tips the favor to your end. And avoid applying for BB, and try for smaller boutiques and middle market firms. BB have too many qualified candidates and more bureaucratic red taps, which would put you at a great disadvantage.
I applied to like 20 BB but none of them wanted to give me a shot. I have been talking to a senior associate for a couple of weeks and he's been helping me out a lot. I understand that I have a far away to go to become successful but I'm determined do what it takes. I have been a member of the investment society and volunteer alot.I'm also taking the CFA level 1 in June. All I need is a shot to prove myself.
I didn't even think to write a sample research report, I need to do that. Thank you for all the helpful advice though.
Don't put any GPA on there and hope no one asks.
If you put "Business Course GPA 3.4" or something similar, I can't imagine someone seeing your major as History and not asking what your overall GPA is. And, if you tell them it's a 2.9, that means you did so poorly outside of business, that your 3.4 could only get you up to a 2.9.
You can't explain a bad GPA away as "history is a tough subject". Sorry. There's bound to be plenty of students at your school with your major with >3.5 GPAs. Hopefully you have a good reason (i.e. launched my own business).
Is you GPA just shit cause of first year? or spread out? I've seen someone put 1.9 as Freshman GPA (in a hard science) but had 3.7 GPA since freshman year after transferring to Econ and got some interviews. Don't know if he was just lucky or that works...
Yeah it's spread out from junior and my senior year, I did have a 3.1 before then. I figured it's not a big deal to just take a couple more of classes to just push it over a 3.0. I do have a reason why it took a hit but I don't want to use it as an excuse of why my gpa took a hit.
"Its spread out over junior and senior year, before that I had a 3.1" lol you say that as though a 3.1 should be respected. Well then again, maybe it is at your prestigious semi-target that has harder history courses than finance courses.
You should take another year, change your major to secondary ed, and become a high school history/gym teacher
Lol thank you for the insightful comment. I really appreciate it too because I'm shocked that a nobody had the nuts to speak up. I applaude you.
Having resume without GPA (Originally Posted: 05/24/2017)
Im rising junior majoring com sci and finance at non target school who is applying for IB summer internship for next year. I wondering if I can leave off my 3.5 GPA since it's not competitive at all. I was told people have done this before and get a job offer as well. Any thoughts guys?
3.5 is fine. It might not be the highest, but if you leave it off, people will assume a lot worse than 3.5
Agree monkey.
Leaving off a GPA screams: I was a shitty student and by leaving off my GPA I'm assuming you'll just forget about it. WRONG.
I would put it on. I would immediately assume sub-3.0 GPA if I looked at a resume without GPA. Include your Major GPA as well if higher.
Definitely put GPA on. Resume's missing a GPA I assume are a sub 3.3 at best, most likely around the 3.0 range. That's going to be the first question I ask anyways.
I was always told to add an overall GPA because it would otherwise seem that you're hiding something. Also, most apps ask for a transcript anyways so it's an unavoidable concept in the recruiting process. You can add your major GPA to give it a "better look" if it's higher than your cumulative one.
3.5 isn't bad. As others stated, if you omit it you probably won't make it to a first round unless the rest of your resume is solid. We'll initially think you are hiding something (
3.5 in finance and CS is respectable. From my university (semi-target), students with those profiles got interviews at most BBs.
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