Really Rare GPA Resume Question (Not generic)
So I transferred to a non-target the beginning of my junior year with a crap gpa, (2.9). Since then, I have made Dean's List every semester at this new school, bringing my cumulative gpa to an OK 3.2/4. This is where it gets weird: the school I transferred to has a gpa reset policy which currently only counts my credits at this University towards my "Overall" GPA on my transcripts. However, one look at my transcripts and you can tell I dont really have a 3.6/4. Should I just list my major gpa (3.6)? Or should I slap the "3.6 Overall GPA" on there? I have sent transcripts to a firm (not a bank) and have been rejected due to the transcript. (But it DOES say 3.6 overall gpa at the bottom.)
I should also add that I already have a job in banking, I just want to transfer to another larger bank. I worked full time as an analyst my senior year and still made dean's list every semester.
Guys, what do I do? I know banks will want an analyst who had the brains to make the grades AND work full time in banking at the same time. What's the best way to spin this?
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I just dread getting my dream job, quitting my current banking job, moving, and getting let go because of this.
I often wonder if my transcripts will even be looked at. The weird part is I won’t be graduating with honors...
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Putting "3.6/4.0 GPA" next to "XYZ University" isn't something that you should worry about doing. If you put "All-College GPA" and put 3.6, that would be deceptive, but if it's just the GPA you have at your school next to the name of your school, there's no misconduct there. Someone would have to be a colossal and unethical shitbag to pull an offer after having that explained to them, if they take issue w/ the transcripts in the first place.
Weird policy for your school. Idk that I’d be able to sleep at night giving a misleading number but it’s pretty unlikely anyone actually requests your transcripts for a lateral banking move
A lot of schools ‘reset’ your cumulative GPA when you transfer
I feel like it's normal to start off with a clean slate when you transfer schools. While they may take your performance at previous schools into account for certain accolades (e.g., phi beta kappa, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, etc.), they're not going to factor some other school's GPA into the one they give you.
Also, on your resume you're listing the 3.6/4 next to the school you graduated from, not the one you attended previously. That makes total sense. If anything, I'd find it strange and deceptive to see someone combining GPAs from different institutions without expressly stating this.
So the consensus seems to be to just go with the overall gpa?
I personally would not list the 3.6 overall GPA... most schools do combine transfer units into the cumulative and you are right that it is misleading. There is a case that it's fine, but most schools don't do that.
Too much work goes into recruiting to lose it on a technicality and I would spend the entire time up until the job worrying about it. Put major GPA, explain your situation to anyone you can network with, and you still have a chance.
From rereading it seems like you about to graduate and trying to lateral, so your situation is different than someone trying to land a competitive summer internship at a BB. I still think major GPA is the most honest way to do this
Two-points from me.
I lateraled to a BB as an analyst and also transferred schools during undergrad. The GPA calculated at the new school I transferred to excluded my GPA from the old school. Since my transcript listed my GPA that way, I used it (the GPA would have been higher if I combined them but I didn't feel like it would be right to create my own cumulative GPA or use my own weighting scale etc.). Both were over 3.5 anyway so the inflation game was not an issue.
Not related GPA but can provide some insight on the potential scenario of being "caught." During the lateral, I had a discrepancy that was discovered during my on-boarding/background check. The third-party that did the actual processing for the bank opened inquiries through the online portal and I was able to upload support/proof/provide explanation. I imagine this info made its way to the BB/HR team for review. My issue was a combination of an easily explainable situation/inexcusable error on my part.
Advice: Whatever you do, make sure you can support it clearly with evidence that uses logic and reasoning. Unfortunately, after that, it is somewhat out of your control.
So you are saying that if I can provide the transcripts that show WHY I put the overall gpa on my resume, I would likely be fine? (In your opinion)
Please respond; I find your situation to be the closest to mine. PM me if you like.
Tough to say. I wish I could provide the "likely to be fine answer" but no one can. I feel your pain since lateraling is a tough decision and a lot of variables are out of your control.
There is enough pieces between 3 posts if you make the 3.6 choice: 1. Eloquence: You are a lateral (see infinite threads on SA/FT hiring GPA inflation considerations) 2. ChuckieSullivan: The process of supporting it 3. FellowTraveler: Loading the gun to defend it
Not much else that can be said to give you comfort.
I'm aware of no school on earth that includes your grades from another school in its calculation of your GPA. I'd list your current school GPA next to your current school on your resume, and either put your old GPA next to your old school (the improvement and transfer shows focus and ambition) or not list the old one at all.
If you don't list your old school GPA and your worst case scenario comes to pass - you get a job and after the background check someone actually cares about the fact that your GPA isn't an average of two schools - you are well armed to say that neither your school nor any other calculates GPA that way, the career office told you it was their policy that you only include that school's GPA to avoid giving an unfair advantage to transfer students from less demanding schools where it might be a lot easier to get straight As.
Lol you are overthinking man. I had a 3.4 GPA at a CC and then transferred to a target and got a 3.5 (GPA reset so this is my GPA at the new school).
On my resume, I have the 3.5 listed next to the new school.
That's literally all you have to do. It is the school you got your bachelor's from right? Put the GPA that is on that school's transcript. Simple. Easy. Relax. That isn't lying or shady in any way. It's the truth lmao
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