Eric
Does having a high college GPA distinguish one from the competition on job applications?
I am a college student pursuing a degree in computer information technology, and I have worked hard to be studious and to keep a 4.0 grade point average. Many of my classmates in the information technology track have less than stellar grades, which had me wondering: will my high grade point average distinguish me from other candidates on job applications? In high school, I also had a high grade point average, but no one has ever asked for my high school GPA since graduating. Will the same ring true after graduating college; will my GPA never be bothered with again? #college #education
5 answers
Alyssa Streller
Alyssa’s Answer
I have interviewed at least 100 candidates for business intelligence positions. I have never asked any about their GPA. It would be an achievement to bring up in an interview or list on your resume as a differentiator, certainly, but it isn't something I seek out.
Rachel Resnick
Rachel’s Answer
It is one of the things that colleges pay attention to in the admissions process. To see how much a particular college cares about GPA look them up on Collegeboard.org. I poured through the pages of universities all over the U.S. when I was a senior in high school. Collegeboard was my go-to site! They put all of the information in one place and it is very easy to use. They even have various filters you can apply to see only colleges that have programs you are interested. To determine academic rigor, look at the admissions requirements, G.P.A. of past admitted applicants, SAT/ACT scores, class rank etc. This will give you an idea of what scores and grades you need to be accepted. However, don't be discouraged your application will be reviewed based on the full picture! College-board will help you get an idea of what is most important to the specific school you are applying to
Saul Jaime
Saul’s Answer
Having a high GPA will only benefit you at the end of the day. Whether it makes you stand above everyone else is a different issue.
Look at your CV/Resume if you can fit all of your honors and accomplishments in 1-2 pages with very minimal gaps between your experience and awards, then those, in my own opinion, will be more reflective of your capicity to contribute to a team. If your resume is only half a page long and the last award you won was in 2015, then you would try very hard to have a high GPA to counteract the lack of experience.
To some employers, the GPA is a direct comparison to intellect. To others, they prefer experience over grades. In research, I can say that the GPA might put you on top of the pile of applications, but the experience and your ability to stick to a project for longer than a semester will be more definitive.
And then comes graduate school. If you plan to continue to a higher degree, states have minimum requirements to apply for graduate school with minimum scores on standardized tests (i.e. GRE, PCAT, MCAT, etc.) In Texas the GPA should be higher than a 3.0 with a 1000 GRE score. Therefore the higher the GPA the better your odds at getting accepted. It also places you in a good place to apply for scholarships and small grants when you are on top of your class. Therefore, a high GPA is a good thing but it is not a deciding factor.
Hope this helps and keep up the good work.
Good luck,
Kelly Reed
Kelly’s Answer
GPA and extra curricula is looked at now for graduate school. I had students in grad school that became paranoid when they saw that they weren't going to make an A. Forget about it. They finally understood, earned their master degree and went on to become an excellent clinician. I have had 4.0 students that could quote textbook answers and not perform a successful 30 minutes of therapy. I've also had professors that wouldn't give that A that couldn't do therapy, but they were great in writing journal articles and book chapters.
Wael Al-Rihawi
Wael’s Answer
Yes, it will. Keep up the good work.