GPA lie?

I think it was nystateofmind who said something like, "HR expects inflated GPAs to some degree. Just don't stretch it too much."

You can always put down "Expected GPA (at end of semester)" or something to that effect.

I'm not really sure if this counts as inflating your gpa. If that is what HR thinks it is, I will assume they will think I inflated it too much. Will HR check it with my transcript before the actual interview?

They will ask for your transcript right before or right after extending an offer (though this can vary).

As for: "HR expects inflated GPAs to some degree. Just don't stretch it too much." This kind of shit is upsetting. HR expects you to be honest. There is a huge, huge difference between proper rounding (which I also don't approve of, but I see why some people do) and straight up inflating. HR expects your resume to be dressed up through ways such as fancy wording to make your dull work experience sound more exciting, activities listed that you only participated in once, etc. Adding unearned points to your GPA is not commonplace nor acceptable.

just so i dont' get blamed for being the one who recommended it, i found the quote from nystateofmind: "No - I've said this before and still believe it to be true, but HR expects some inflation on resumes. You'll be fine. The only reason most of these people want a transcript is to ensure that you're actually enrolled, scheduled to graduate, and don't have a 1.0. You can explain your story if asked, but honestly they don't whip out all of your past resume submissions and start checking your numbers."

And I still stand by it. When they check your transcript after extending the offers it's for admin purposes, they don't go back and compare it with your resume. However, if there's a 3.5 cut off and you have a 3.4 - they'll wonder how you got into the interviews. Even then I still think you'll be fine.

I'm not telling you to lie, that's a decision you need to make. The question is how bad do you want the interview and can you handle the obvious risks involved. Prospie - thanks for the shout out.

Lying is never good. Banxx- it might be okay if you say "expected" but at the same time, what if you fail your final exams or something (nto sayin gyou will, and that's a big if).

Trust me when I say, when you're trying to pick 12 kids out of 100 resumes for 1st rounds from a target school, our recruiting team tends to throw out resumes with the slightest formatting mistakes (especially as 1st years, most of our time is spent formatting stuff). If you were lying about your GPA, there's no way you'd get an offer. We usually ask for an unofficial transcript.

I expect to have a 75% annualized return by the end of the summer solstice, doesn't mean it is going to happen. Don't put "expected" on your resume as it will qualify you for an automatic ding. Either lie or suck it up and put down what you have really "earned". How can you predict your GPA or qualify anything as definite?

Understood all, but my question wasn't totally answered. I won't go into the interview or even sign up for one if my actual GPA is lower than the 3.5 I will have on my resume. If it's lower I will just not interview at all. So, I understand it's still lying, but if the lie doesn't become the truth by the time interviews come around I will just bail out.

Serendipity, when does your firm look at unofficial transcripts? Before the interview date? My plan is to get out of whatever slot i am in before the sign up period is over if my GPA doesn't increase. Would you have looked at unofficial transcripts before the interview schedule is finalized?

Also, do most undergrad programs check transcripts with resumes on any routine basis? I know my school does resume audits, but they just make sure your graduation date and major are correct. Would they see if the GPAs match if you just sign up for an interview?

how we do it. We get a stack of the resumes. We pick however many we are supposed to (each person chooses) and usually a few alternates. We individually then check the unofficial transcripts quickly against your resume. Some firms request that an unofficial transcript be sent with your resume and coverletter (i.e. you cant even submit anything else if you don't fill in all the fields).

If you lie, you're out. After each person has chosen, we meet as a recruiting team and go over each lists. Usually, there are some overlaps. Any red flags are brought up (usually from analysts/associates who may know these kids personally). We go around again until we have a list we are happy with and then we send the list to the career services.

it is almost exactly the same as sorority rush, if you've done that before.

anyway, this is generally how we do recruiting and how career services does it at my alma mater. THis may vary from school to school, firm to firm though.

Hmmm, but can a company get an unofficial transcript if the student doesn't give it to them? For instance, most of the internships I've seen do not say anything about sending in an unofficial transcript, just a resume and cover letter. They say to bring the transcript to the interview. So, can/will a bank get the unofficial transcript from career services if they don't even try to ask the applicant to send it in with the other documents? Or do they have to get it from the student if it's required? Basically, I'm asking if it will be clear that they will see my transcript while reviewing my resume?

Also Serendipity, can you clarify what you mean when you say this is how your career services does recruiting? Do you mean your career services separately goes over and matches GPAs to resumes or that the process with your company is the norm among all companies that recruits at your alma mater?

im sorry but i dont care what HR says. I think most HR ppl are retards. One asked why i wanted to be in inventory banking.

be honest and put down the current gpa. No one cares for your Expected GPA because it may or may not happen. a good example is the fact that a lot of ppl put CFA L1 Candidate on their resume. It means absolutely nothing to the interviewer because you didnt pass it.

If it's not specified to send in an unofficial transcript, then you don't need to. From my knowledge, banks cannot ask career services to provide one without your knowledge. They can, however, make a request, and career services will follow up with the individual. Bottom line, they don't see your transcript unless they've requested it.

No, I mean my career services set up all the recruiting rules. They don't match up GPA's with resumes at all. They just do what the companies want, which is sometimes an unofficial transcript, and other times, nothing but a resume.

My firm's recruiting practices are probably inline with all the other BB's on wallstreet. Other recruiting teams (target school teams) may not do it the way I mentioned before, and have their own 'system'.

Lie and get the position. The rest is gravy.

Haha, I like the "almost exactly the same as sorority rush, if you've done that before." Methinks the level of white-male-dom is pretty high on this board.

how about this.. is it okay to say you got a 4.0 last year if you withdrew from a class (and it shows up on your transcript)?

Why wouldn't it be ok? No one cares about a withdrawn class.

NY,

To your knowledge, do most banks ask for your transcript to match up to your resume before interviews? I know Serendipity said her firm does, but your comment said HR looks at the transcript after extending the offer. Also, if the listing in the career center says nothing about a transcript, how common is it for them to ask for it after the resume has been sent in?

I really hope that you get caught.

Academic probation; possible suspension/expulsion. Delayed degree (if one is granted). Revoked career services privileges. Blacklisted across the Street.

People like you need to get what they deserve. Some people work hard for their GPAs. What makes you so special that you deserve an interview slot, possibly stealing it from someone who actually deserved it, w/o putting in the necessary work? Regardless; if you're not smart enough to maintain a 3.5, you're probably not smart enough to get the job anyway.

Aspiring_Consultant,

So what's the problem then? The GPA is one part of a complete application, it won't get people through by itself. You could take the other side to that argument and say some people lock themselves in their rooms for four years and come out with a line item on a resume without any social graces or worldly experience.

It all comes out in the wash. Even if they were to get the job, if they aren't cut out for it, they'll be shown the door fairly soon.