I don't think it's a given age. In theory, there are people who graduate undergrad at 30 and still go into Finance, so GPA is still on their resume.

My guess would be that it's some number of jobs after undergrad or some number of years since entering the workforce.

“Millionaires don't use astrology, billionaires do”
 

Once you change your resume from educationally-focused (education on top) to experience-focused, I'd say you can just list your institution and degree and get on with your life. Also, if you have a more recent GPA (i.e. MBA), you'd write that one more prominently (perhaps exclusively).

Ultimately, consider whether your position is for new grads or for experienced hires. If its for more experienced hires, it's a pretty safe bet to leave the GPA out (especially if it wasn't stellar to begin with).

 

I have only seen 1 MD-level resume, and he had it on there.

I think the better question is when it stops mattering. If you have done 2 years at Goldman and 2 at KKR, I honestly wouldn't care if you had a 1.7 in Basket Weaving from UPhoenix. If you are good, you are good.

There will always be the people that judge based on alma maters and GPAs, but, once you have solid work experience, it matters far less to a lot of people. Low GPA? Maybe you got sick or played multiple varsity sports. Terrible college? Maybe you followed your highschool girlfriend. God knows I have met incompetent Ivy league grads, and state school students (not even "public ivy" grads") far smarter than myself.

 

2-3 jobs after graduation. Who cares what you got in Psych 101.

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ivoteforthatguy:
if it's 4.0, it will always matter

+1. If you did great in undergrad, why would you not want a potential employer know that?

By definition, most people are 'average' students in college. Thus, after a little experience, a mediocre GPA from undergrad only hurts the the picture being illustrated by the resume. That being said, it becomes less relevant over time and I think you can get away with leaving it off if it's nothing to write home about.

 

VP and beyond it seems pretty moot. If you're summa or what have you that's a feather you always seems to towt.

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I'd agree with Stringer Bell. Takes a long time for it to go away completely. The good news is, prior work experience starts to trump GPA in terms of importance after your first job.

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It actually matters for a long time I think. I'd say that you're done with it once you're getting your SECOND job after MBA. Obviously it matters for all pre-mba jobs, it matters for MBA apps, and it definitely matters for MBA/Associate level recruiting too.... granted the significance of GPA is decreased gradually over time (i.e. for UG recruiting it's the most important thing, for second job it's the 2nd most important thing, after your first job, etc.)

 

I'd say take it off after you get your first job, unless your first job ends up lasting less than a year.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

So many things becoming more and more redundant these days. Yesh, the top schools probably want as many degrees as possible just for show. Lots of politics. Also, not gunning for a top 5 university, just some respectable state school somewhere warm maybe, haha. Just be nice to have a job then, right? Oh how my perspectives have changed. . .

 
EagleSpread:
So many things becoming more and more redundant these days. Yesh, the top schools probably want as many degrees as possible just for show. Lots of politics.

I was under the impression that a university cannot hire someone as a professor unless they have a phd. They may be lecturers, assistant professors or other titles that do similar work, but fully fledged professors earn more and probably have easier access to research grants.


Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
 

You are in a unique position in that you are five years removed from undergrad. In this case, I would actually list your GPA. Although it is mediocre, leaving off your GPA entirely may lead the interviewer to think that your GPA was actually much worse. Not to mention that because you are five years removed, most interviewers would choose to focus more on your recent work experience and may only use your GPA as a rough measure of work ethic, book smarts, etc...

 

I think this is entirely counterintuitive. If they'll focus on recent endeavors, why throw a shitty, 5-year old data point at them?

I say don't list it. You already went to what sounds like a fairly well-known school and have 5 years of experience. Let the shitty past be the shitty past.

in it 2 win it
 

I wouldn't bother. Think about it this way, when you were 5 years removed from high school, did you list your high school GPA? However, this is just my opinion and reasonable people will disagree with me.

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Do not list it. I think beyond 3 years of work experience, not many would care about a 3.3GPA from a top 50. I come from a non-target with a bad GPA and I do not list it. I have had about a dozen interviews, only one actually asked about my GPA.

 

what position are you interviewing for?

how does your cumulative GPA compare to your major GPA?

if usual suspects (banking, consulting, buyside, etc) in US, then think you should include. if you leave off, people will assume it is bad without knowing + to get hired, someone will eventually want to know

5 years isn't that long, it's not like you're 40..

 

Yeah, I mean you've got no other choice if you want to move forward. I would reach out to the most senior person you've interviewed with at the bank and explain the situation. Deal with HR as little is possible and go over their heads every chance you get. Don't send them SHIT with your transcripts. Talk to your senior guys first before you even send them and do what they say.

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Agree with the above poster. At this point, just go ahead and submit your transcripts and hope that you make the cut. They've already interviewed with you, and you've at least made it into the interview pool, which means you know they're interested in possibly hiring you.

I've been in your position before, and in all honesty, once you've been out of school for a couple of years, grades don't matter nearly as much. This could be more of a "check the box" kind of requirement, rather than them actually screening you based on your grades.

 

Thanks mlamb93.

The reason why Im asking is that.... when I read those job descriptions for post-MBA Associate positions, I more than often see, "proven strong academic performance", i.e. strong MBA GPA. Some of them go even further and say, "strong UNDERGRADUATE GPA required" for post-MBA Associae position, usually provided with specific number they are looking for (3.5+/4.0)

That got me thinking... if employers are asking for undergraduate GPA from candidates for post-MBA positions, how much more emphasis would they have on undergraduate GPA from candidates for pre-MBA positions? (I only have Bachelor's degree from a non-target with a not stella GPA)

 

Honestly, I would let it ride without the GPA; these companies are obviously interested in you even without knowing your GPA, and you are in a top UK program/went to an Ivy for UG and have 5 yrs of WE all that should take care of any concerns they might have with your UG GPA and/or capability to do the job. Worst case scenario is that they bring it up in an interview, so I would have an explanation ready along with how you've developed academically/professionally in the time since UG.

Also, if you have an GPA from Msc I would include that.

 
Best Response

You're always going to find the answers you'e looking for. You know what you want to hear. The only thing you're doing is worrying. If the majority of answers fall in one direction are you going to structure new goals off of them? Are you willing to give up before you even try and change what you really want to do based off of a few user's responses? I hope not. I know you are looking for answers and trying to calm your mind, but you really shouldn't be. Focus on what you can control and don't let the fire in your heart be extinguished. You are going to always find stories and responses that contraindicate each other. It's all irrelevant as you're obviously already doubting yourself by asking the question, you're already letting pessimism creep in. Be confident, focus on doing the best you can right now, and don't worry about the statistics of it all. If you work hard, life has a funny way of working things out in your favor. Although I may be contradicting my own comment, I look forward to hearing about the successes you one day share with other members. Best of luck.

 
shortstack:

You're always going to find the answers you'e looking for. You know what you want to hear. The only thing you're doing is worrying. If the majority of answers fall in one direction are you going to structure new goals off of them? Are you willing to give up before you even try and change what you really want to do based off of a few user's responses? I hope not. I know you are looking for answers and trying to calm your mind, but you really shouldn't be. Focus on what you can control and don't let the fire in your heart be extinguished. You are going to always find stories and responses that contraindicate each other. It's all irrelevant as you're obviously already doubting yourself by asking the question, you're already letting pessimism creep in. Be confident, focus on doing the best you can right now, and don't worry about the statistics of it all. If you work hard, life has a funny way of working things out in your favor. Although I may be contradicting my own comment, I look forward to hearing about the successes you one day share with other members. Best of luck.

Thank you. I was a bio major as an undergrad and am looking to break into IB at some point, business school will be necessary for that.

 

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