is this ethical, regarding averaging grades?

so say i attend a target school and get a 3.4 but i take an easy as shit state school course over the summer (maybe intro to psych) and get an A, or a 4.0 it shows up as a "T" on my transcript for transfer credit from another university

would it then be unethical to then write down the average (3.7) on my job apps

if i get into hot water for it, after i already get hired, i can just be like, "oh sorry i knew i was supposed to include the transcript from all courses i've taken, so i just wanted to make sure i had a 'cumulative' GPA."

i guess my question isn't whether or not this is ethical, but more like would i get fired for this? is this a good idea?

12 Comments
 

I think it would make more sense to put GPA per school as you may have the schools bifurcated on the resume, but if you didn't, i would definitely make sure you have a good reason for taking the course. i mean you can't go take college algebra and spanish 1 and have that be discovered. you'll look like a jack ass haha. like if you took business ethics, business law, or some other business class you missed at uni then it would make a lot more sense.

 

Agreed, a lot of people reviewing resumes must have forgotten how some colleges work in terms of grade distribution. You've got nothing to lose by adding a little more context to you're GPA. If they aren't taking 2.9's more info won't be a deal breaker anyway

"anyone who believes money is the root of all evil, doesn't have any"
 

I have a friend who was in the same situation as you(but as a graduate). He is a real go-getter on got interviews at top shops such as GS,MS,EVR, etc. by networking with BSD MD's.

After going through a phone screen with 2 of the 3 above banks listed, they couldn't pass him to the next round on the count of his GPA being bellow the waterline. Push hard to get that GPA and network.

Remember while Average GPA is 2.9, average people (generally) don't break in - so keep pushing.

 

Laudantium sed et iure ipsa. Consequatur nostrum ut impedit earum veritatis minus.

Voluptates non eum distinctio natus cupiditate. Vel et facilis necessitatibus mollitia voluptas.

Natus nam omnis sint incidunt. Ullam sequi dolor ullam sint.

Aliquam quis distinctio dolorem at. Adipisci animi aperiam iste eum. Sapiente iusto inventore aut voluptas vel et. Culpa quasi omnis dolores nesciunt et debitis qui. Quia maiores sit aut temporibus et rerum earum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”