Should I list a sub 3.0 GPA on a resume?

Im not stupid, I was just lazy during my undergrad and literally did not try very hard. I have a 2.6 overall and a 2.8 in business/finance classes

A lot of people say that you need to list your GPA on your resume because if you dont, recruiters might assume its below 2.0 or something.

Personally, I feel like a recruiter will automatically throw out my resume if they see my GPA.

Thoughts?

41 Comments
 

If you weren't stupid you would know not to put a 2.6 on your resume!! Haha, seriously though don't. You would only put a GPA on your resume if it was close to a 4.0.

 
arigoldness

I am in the same boat as the OP (2.7 GPA from a State school). Although I will be networking heavily to get my resume in the right hands, you think its wise to round it up to 3.0? Wouldn't they check and be more pissed that I lied?

Yeah, don't do that

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

I think If you're going to list a major gpa on your resume, then you must list your overall gpa as well. Listing a major gpa alone will only raise questions during the hiring process (In most cases, people will see you listed a major gpa only and will start asking about the overall). I think your best bet is to just leave both off.

Were you a good student in highschool? If so, you must have gotten some scholarships (even though you probably lost them due to the low college gpa). If you have them, I would list those. Technically, you still earned them, even if you ended up losing them later on. Maybe recruiters will see the awards/scholarships listed and assume your gpa is higher than a 3.0?

 
Mr. XI think If you're going to list a major gpa on your resume, then you must list your overall gpa as well. Listing a major gpa alone will only raise questions during the hiring process (In most cases, people will see you listed a major gpa only and will start asking about the overall). I think your best bet is to just leave both off.

Were you a good student in highschool? If so, you must have gotten some scholarships (even though you probably lost them due to the low college gpa). If you have them, I would list those. Technically, you still earned them, even if you ended up losing them later on. Maybe recruiters will see the awards/scholarships listed and assume your gpa is higher than a 3.0?

Thats not a bad idea. I could simply list the name of the scholarship I had (it sounds swanky)

Im obviously not going to list my GPA on resume, just seeing what everyone thought.

Life would be sooooooo much easier if I was in the upper 3.5 group

 
Mr. XI think If you're going to list a major gpa on your resume, then you must list your overall gpa as well. Listing a major gpa alone will only raise questions during the hiring process (In most cases, people will see you listed a major gpa only and will start asking about the overall). I think your best bet is to just leave both off.

Were you a good student in highschool? If so, you must have gotten some scholarships (even though you probably lost them due to the low college gpa). If you have them, I would list those. Technically, you still earned them, even if you ended up losing them later on. Maybe recruiters will see the awards/scholarships listed and assume your gpa is higher than a 3.0?

For future readers of this thread I can say 100% that if you have good major gpa but low cumulative, leave cumulative off and put the major.

People want to see you tried at some point in school. If you're overall gpa is low I'm sure you're not submitting online anyway.Your goal is just to impress a person who has real power in the bank. There are no resume rules regarding gpa at that point.

 
"DaBBzMan"

Just leave it off dude. GPA is one data point, not the only data point. I have a 2.6 UG and am at an EB

How does one swing an EB offer with a GPA like that? Grad school? I'm impressed

 

I landed a TON of interviews (at least 7 superdays and ~20 first rounds, some with BB/MM) with a sub-3.0 GPA at a target school (yes, I included my GPA on my resume). You had a consulting internship and PE internship, so with a decent cover letter and other resume assets you should at least land some phone screens/first rounds. From there it's all about how well you interview. Network well and study lots. You have nothing to lose by applying through OCR. Good luck.

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

curious, which retail chain? We seriously need more competent managers at places like Target and Best Buy. Besides with a top 10 edu, you probably move up fast > assistant regional manager?

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 

If you don't have sufficient work experience in retail to be eligible for the MBA program of your choice, consider doing a Master of Science or Master of Art with majors in Economics, Mathematics, Financial Engineering, or Corporate Law. These can all serve as stepping stones in your transition into finance. This is a good time to be in school! A CFA takes much longer than a grad degree (though inexpensive), and is much harder if you don't have a year or two of foundational knowledge in finance. I made the transition myself and would be happy to give you more advice - feel free to shoot me a PM if you want.

 
Best Response

With a 2.9, non-finance major, and no real finance experience you are going to have a tough time breaking through with so many overqualified people in the market. Even the target name on your resume won't overshadow the 2.9. I would recommend hitting up your alumni network, and hitting it hard. Since you are from a target you should have a pretty extensive network. Send emails or cold call everyone you find, at every bank and try and set up some informational interviews. Then be prepared for a lot of tough questions (why do you only have a 2.9, why history, why are you all of the sudden interested in finance, etc). You need to have some really solid answers to these questions. If you just graduated, you are probably networking now for FT recruiting 2010, unless you find a boutique or MM that is looking to make an off cycle hire.

Overall the alum is going to have to be really impressed with you to push someone with a 2.9 through the typical screening and into the first round. After all, it's their name on the line. So if you get to talk to any of these alums you better be damn impressive and then prep a lot for interviews so you don't let them down.

 

You might want to consider leaving out the 2.9 on your resume. They might assume you have below a 3.0, but that assumption doesn't matter because it's true anyway (not really a loss). If you leave it out, there's at least the chance that they'll give you the benefit of the doubt and focus more on the target school name. But when asked, of course you don't want to lie about it.

 

Of course you can find A job. The BB Analyst gig in NYC is likely out of reach and it will take longer to get where you want to go. Make up for the sub-par GPA, by killing it at whatever job you land. I was in a similar position (great grades from a non-target) and I got a great gig after shoveling shit for a year or two.

 

Sorry about your dad.

Have you considered the MSF at Vandy? This would give you an opportunity to print a better GPA and perhaps get a relevant summer internship.

 

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