Importance of Study Abroad GPA

Do marks from a study abroad term carry the same weight as those from your home school?

I have a GPA >3.5 but rough marks on my exchange transcript (which do not show up on my official transcript), will these marks be valued equally by adcom?
Would a strong GMAT overcome this issue?

18 Comments
 

None. I hope you had fun and enjoyed your exchange. My GPA was 2.3 during the year I spent as an exchange student in the U.S. It does not appear on my official transcript from my European school. For my applications I just explained in a text box (they always have one in the education section to add some comments (e.g. scholarships, awards, etc.) that all the courses I took were on a pass/fail basis and don't appear on my transcript.

'Oh, yeah, that's right. That's what's it's all about, all right. But talkin' about it and bein' it, that's two different things.'
 

Usually it's hard to explain a bad grade so I would avoid CS and Ds. Other than that I think if it doesn't count towards your GPA it doesn't matter that much because recruiters ask for your school's transcript.

 

It does not count for your GPA so you would be lying. Also, very few places ask for transcripts from study abroad, so when they see your school GPA does not match the one you listed on your resume, they could ding you and they would be 100% in the right.....I have never heard of a school that allows grades from study abroad to count.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

I'll assume you split the 2 schools up in your Education section for your CV. I'm also assuming you did quite well while on exchange. Put the cGPA you received under each school, but I would not blend the two.

 

3.5 does seem to be a key level so that is something to think about. What you should be more worried about is that most firms interview in Spring semester for SA and it could be tough for you to get accelerated interviews if you go to a non-target---you'll get some, but you are definitely putting yourself on a time table if you don't get an offer. I ahve a friend that had a very difficult time finding interviews when he went abroad in the Spring of junior year.

Usually firms ask for them after the offer is given, although some smaller firms ask for them before they even give you an interview.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

I dont think they will care but you are lying and that is unethical. You should have added another section on your resume stating you studied abroad and got X GPA. Why would you average your GPA even though you did not get a 3.48 GPA at your current school, seriously ridiculous and who ever advised you on this is foolish. I hope they call you out and rescind your offer.

 
ct bankerI dont think they will care but you are lying and that is unethical. You should have added another section on your resume stating you studied abroad and got X GPA. Why would you average your GPA even though you did not get a 3.48 GPA at your current school, seriously ridiculous and who ever advised you on this is foolish. I hope they call you out and rescind your offer.

Those are credits (with the grades) I can transfer back to my home university, and I actually stated that I studied abroad under the section of my home university.

 

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