Leave 3.5 GPA on resume???
My GPA is gonna be about a 3.5 by the time I apply to most places for SA 27 recruiting, which isn't perfect, but it's not "bad" for Econ at my school. Should I leave GPA off or keep it when applying to banks? If I leave it off, people will suspect my GPA is far lower, but if I leave it on, I'll have my resume thrown out when HR gets a bunch of 3.8s. I've already had some first rounds that I've absolutely crushed, but not moved on to the next round, and I believe it was my GPA. Good enough to meet the cut, but not good enough to beat out other candidates when everything else is equal. Is bumping it up to a 3.6 too egregious a lie (I know it is, but will there really be consequences?).
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Keep the GPA on your resume if it's 3.5: A 3.5 GPA is generally considered a solid threshold for many banks, especially for non-target or semi-target schools. Leaving it off might lead recruiters to assume it's lower than it actually is, which could hurt your chances.
Do not inflate your GPA: Bumping your GPA to a 3.6 is not only unethical but also risky. If discrepancies are discovered during background checks or through transcript requests, it could lead to immediate disqualification and damage your reputation.
Context matters: If your GPA is 3.5 in a challenging major like Economics, it’s worth keeping it on your resume. Some recruiters take the difficulty of your major into account, especially if you can highlight strong extracurriculars, internships, or other achievements.
Alternative strategies: If you're concerned about your overall GPA, consider listing a "Major GPA" or "Last Two Years GPA" if they are higher and more reflective of your academic performance. This is a common and acceptable practice, as long as you're transparent.
Focus on other strengths: If your GPA is on the lower end of the spectrum for competitive banks, make sure the rest of your resume stands out. Highlight internships, leadership roles, and technical skills to offset any concerns about your GPA.
In summary, keep the 3.5 GPA on your resume, avoid inflating it, and focus on showcasing your other strengths to stand out in the recruiting process.
Sources: Cover Letter + Resume Advice, Should I include my GPA in my resume if it is not ideal?, Non-Target Recruiting Guide Part I: Resume and Networking, On the off chance Investment Banking doesn't work out for me
3.5 is totally fine. Leave it on the resume. If a firm cared enough about GPA to ding you for it, they would ask you for it or request a transcript anyways. If the firm doesn't require it, it likely doesn't matter that much to them in the first place.
I highly doubt that's why you were dinged from interviews. Many people don't get past interviews for minor reasons or behavioral reasons. Every year, there are 2-4 superday candidates we love, but as a small boutique, we don't have the space for them so they get dinged on the most minor behavioral / technical things....but never GPA because they would've been dinged already in prior rounds if it was that bad.
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