Coach
Related Posts
I need help with my interviewing skills
Conversation Starter
More Posts
Conversation Starter
anyone looking to case today?
Additional Posts in Career Advice for Students
What’s the culture like at FTI Consulting?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Your friend is wrong in rounding a 3.92 to a 4.0. It would be a 3.9. Generally, rounding to the tenth place is ok, but 4.0 should be reserved for those with flawless grades. 3.92 is more than enough to check the GPA checkbox, so no need to risk coming across as dishonest.
Coach
Thank you for your response. That was sort of my original thought when it comes to 4.0, I didn't earn it, so it didn't really feel right putting it, but I wanted to see what others thought.
Subject Expert
If you had a 3.48 and were asking if you can round to 3.5, I wouldn’t think it’s an issue. That’s generally acceptable as far as I know. However, 4.0 is a really notable accomplishment, so claiming that GPA when you did not get it is more of an issue. You have a near perfect GPA anyways so it’s not like anyone will question your educational accomplishments in the first place. Also your friend doesn’t know how to round. His would be 3.9, not 4.0 if “rounding” correctly.
Coach
Thank you for your input, I was sort of on the same train of thought with rounding a 3.48 to 3.5 vs anything to a 4.0. It didn't really feel right to round it because I didn't actually earn the perfect score. I also know you are supposed to frame yourself in the best possible light you can, so I wasn't sure if this was a situation where that applied. I didn't understand my friend's logic either, but he is a year ahead of me, so I thought maybe he got taught or told something different that made it work.
For the life of me, I don't understand who is telling new college grads to include their GPAs on their resumes. If you are applying for a grant or internship then yes include it but if you are looking for your first job, employers don't really care and a GPA adds no value.
Coach
I thought that it may not be as good once there is more full time experience to put, but I assumed and have been told that it is atleast good for getting your first job or two. Would you say that it is harmful or does it just not matter either way?
Don't do it. It is computed that way for a reason. You'll be manipulating your grades/records if you do that. Don't risk your future.
Coach
I'm glad I asked before I did it, it looks like the cons would have far outweighed the pros on deciding to do it. I wouldn't want to risk any part of my future over a minor area of my resume.
Based on previous responses my opinion might be completely different from everyone else's, but I don't think you even need to include GPA. I've looked at 1000s of resumes and interviewed hundreds of candidates. Not once was GPA a deciding factor in my hiring process. The focus is more on 1- relevant experience 2- potential 3- relevant education 4- personality and attitude.
Coach
Thank you for the reply and for explaining your thoughts process further.
Since you don't believe GPA has much sway (if any) on who gets the job in the end, what do you believe college students should be focusing on instead of their GPA? When interviewing college graduate age people, what makes one stand out from the other the most on a resume? Is it extracurriculars on their college campus? Leadership experience? Brand-name internships or colleges? All or None of the above?
Going back to the four criteria, how do you measure potential when reading a resume or interviewing? I would have assumed that relevant experience + relevant education + attitutde/personality = potential, but based on it being a separate criteria and it being weighed on a scale with the other 3, that is not the case.
Don’t do it. Your friend is wrong.
You will be fine. Companies will ask for updated transcript after you join. So the current GPA you put now will not matter as much as you think it will. Take care~best of luck
Your logic actually goes against your argument
No don’t do this