How important is college GPA?

[batbeef]

I'm a student right now and only have a few semesters before it's all over. Right now I'm doing pretty well in my classes and I'm on course to graduate summa ###### laude.

I want to know whether or not having a high or low GPA matters after I graduate? Do employers consider it?

[dreamz Veteran]

it depends. most employers don't care about gpa unless it's unusual (a really high gpa can be a huge benefit, and a really low gpa can be a warning for many employers). of course, this will vary by industry. some employers may weigh gpa more heavily, especially if it reflects or is highly correlated with future job performance.

in my case, gpa helped a lot. i graduated summa ###### laude with departmental honors (i did theoretical research in game theory/mathematical economics); i was also inducted into phi beta kappa. these three achievements were the most important for me in my job search. even then, finding a job in 2004 was difficult.

now, if you're planning on going to graduate school, gpa can matter a lot, especially major gpa (or gpa for the classes in your intended area of study, if this is not your major). most grad programs do not have a cut-off, but low gpas are deeply injurious.

anyway, keep up the good work. i hope you graduate summa ###### laude. :)

[bunker]

So would a 2.0 GPA look bad to most employers?

[Lewism]

I applied for a few internships for next summer and all my classmates with high GPA got interviews with the companies. When you do not have a lot of experience, right after college, GPA matters.

[Fred Derf Veteran]

Most employers do not care about marks and will not ask for a transcript. If you have exceptionally high marks then it is in your interest to promote that.

The other important reason to have a high GPA is to apply to a graduate school.

[wrack]

Forgive me but how do you compare GPA with Marking system? i.e. x marks out of 100 means GPA A.B ?

[Lewism]

Forgive me but how do you compare GPA with Marking system? i.e. x marks out of 100 means GPA A.B ?

For me, it's different for each class, I can get an A for a score between 83-100 in one class and from 90-100 in another class.

[zivan56]

Personally, if a company asks for my GPA, it's not worth my time to even go in for an interview. Why? Because I didn't learn anything really new (well a few things, which I could have found out for free when buying an algorithms book). In fact, about 90% of the courses I had to take were unrelated to what I do. Funnily enough, all those people who have a high GPA are always baffled at interviews...when they are asked about current technology events, platforms, etc...basically all practical knowledge (which most of them have no clue about). For example, they ask you things like "what is the best video card today?" "What technologies does the iPhone have?" and then they go more into the specific field that you are in. Basically, all the things a textbook can't answer.

[sundayx Veteran]

^Sometimes. It depends on what field you're aspiring. I am in design and I'm taking mostly environmental/philosophy, economic geography and art courses (mostly unrelated), and I would hope that a powerful portfolio will cover all the bads of my GPA. That is what I think of in this industry, portfolio and ability over academic achievements (not that it is not important, but less).

[PricklyPoo]

It is pretty important, any big-time company will usually ask for your college GPA scores. Most smaller companies won't though. If you are being interviewed for a job high-up on the ladder then they will most likey ask for you college GPA.

[kak]

From everything I've gathered, GPA only matters when you are wanting to enter the following..

-Graduate School [most forgiving]

-Law School [depends on prestige]

-HIGHLY competitive job markets

I know a few guys that work for some of the best companies in the state and they do interviews for their teams and say it is best to have a good attitude. Most employers would rather hire someone who is competent, willing to learn the job skills needed, and friendly. They have always told me that personality goes much farther than GPA but a good GPA never hurt.

In my opinion, anything under a 2.0 is just not trying. I would avoid that at all costs.

[zivan56]

^^ Are we talking about the same GPA scale (0-4)? I recall that 2.4 or below puts you on acedemic probabtion in Computer Science (2.2 in Buisiness), and anything below 2.0 for a couple of semesters gets you kicked out of University.

[revvo]

Other than for academic reasons, large and successful companies like Google will ask for GPA, not because it matters but because they simply want the best of the best because they receive so many resumes/CVs, something like 1200 a day?

It's sort of like if you want to apply as a police officer here in Montreal, well you won't get a job if you have glasses and even if you do the surgery to fix your eyes they won't take you. I know this because my friend went to do the laser surgery but he went to Ontario instead, forgot in which town not too far from QC.

Companies will use these extra requirements as a way to cut off people because too many apply.