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College Grades

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Guck
Posts: 528 - Karma: 221
I was wondering the significance of grades in college. Obviously you need to pass a class to receive credit, but is there a real difference when it comes to a B and an A? More of what i'm looking for is how many of you older folk have been asked for a college transcript by an employer? I know it's important to learn the material, but is it worth killing myself to get an A?
Nov 8 2012 10:39PM
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
Well I'm in grad school now so my grades were relevant. But regardless, yes your grades are important. If you apply for an internship while you're in school odds are they'll want to know your GPA. Every internship I applied to as an undergrad made me send a transcript. Most employers will ask for your GPA right out of college too since you don't have much experience yet.
Nov 8 2012 10:43PM
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NBCskier
Posts: 3877 - Karma: -289
C's got me a degree. But I knew I wasn't going for an MBA. If you are, they matter a whole lot more.
Nov 8 2012 10:45PM
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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
they matter according to employer. teachers love spreading the rumor that there is nothing holier than good grades, but in reality you'll get hired somewhere with a your degree, no matter the gpa behind it.
or you can do what i did, and sleep your way to the middle.
Nov 8 2012 10:48PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
this is my last year and i found out all i need is the credits. no minimum gpa. so yeah ive been slacking like mad. i do agree that its kindof lame because im doing well on the assignments i actually do.
but w.e
Nov 8 2012 10:48PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,469
Well with my major I need to have at least a 2.25 gpa to graduate. But that really isn;t that hard to achieve
Nov 8 2012 10:53PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
extremely important. if you want to be successful, if you want to have some choice of where you work, and not have to settle for whoever will take you, if you want to get a master's or MBA.

believe me, it's extraordinarily important to have good grades.


I went to CU and didn't try that hard, partied too much, got a finance degree with a 2.85 gpa. had to settle for a job that sucked ass.


came back to school for accounting, I have a 4.0 right now, just got a great internship with a public accounting firm, making more money as a fucking intern than i made as a full time finance employee, and i was just accepted to the masters program at my school. opportunities have come to me so much easier because my grades are so good. believe me, do your best, you won't regret it. you'll thank yourself for the rest of your life.
Nov 8 2012 10:55PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
coming out of school your resume will be put beside other resumes where people list their gpa. employers will choose interview candidates based on who has the most impressive resumes. gpa is one of those quick easy ways to compare you to other applicants. once you're out of school nobody will give a fuck about your gpa

tl;dr - if your gpa is shitty leave it off your resume
Nov 8 2012 11:05PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
I don't think I ever had anything higher than a 2.8 but I got a kick ass internship while I was still in school.

getting hired is a unique process that rarely ever follows a formula or process. some employers look at GPAs sometimes. others never look. but good grades surely never hurt anything.
Nov 8 2012 11:22PM
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TheBlueMtSkier
Posts: 909 - Karma: 42
Basically this. As long as you give a shit about getting a good career/job, you probably will.

Little rule of thumb I follow:I don't give a shit if I'm doing bad, as long as I gave it 95%+ effort. Just a little philosophy that I follow. May not work for some depending on how well they achieve in college.
Nov 8 2012 11:26PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
I came in here to say this -the being successful part. also get good grades to get in the habit of doing work. All your job later in life is going to basically be handing in things on a dead line.
Nov 8 2012 11:26PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,500
fuck me im on on ambien and cant say what i want on paper right now. what i meant to say was once you get a real job you'er going to have to hand things to your boss in at a dead line kind of like papers in college. i cant word what i want to say right now but you get it.
Nov 8 2012 11:29PM
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dompuch
Posts: 1446 - Karma: 1,167
EXTREMELY
Nov 8 2012 11:32PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
I don't know if it's causation or correlation. I mean if you are working hard in school and seeing it pay off you will probably work hard outside of school and get a good job by working hard.
Nov 8 2012 11:40PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
There is a big difference between an A and a B in terms of GPA. I have argued an A- from my B+ all because it really matters for your GPA. Although, I've blown my GPA this year at my uni.
Nov 8 2012 11:42PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Depends. In carreer fields that everyone and there brother have a degree in, or you want to get into a top notch grad school, grades are extremely important.

In fields that require a technical degree, great grades will get you a job quicker, but a 3.2 will also get you a job pretty damn quick.

And once you get that job, good grades dont mean shit. you have to be better than the next guy regardless of grades.

I busted my ass to get very good grades, but the biggest benefit i got was qualifying for, getting, and keeping big scholarships. Not a large factor in my hiring.

take all this sith a grain of salt, the absolute lowest GPA acceptable is a 3.1, but a 3.5 is good enough for the vast anmount of employers to bring you in for atleast an HR interview. from there its about how well you interview with HR, and eventually your future bosses.
Nov 8 2012 11:46PM
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Guck
Posts: 528 - Karma: 221
Yeah, I understand that. I was just wondering if possible employers ask you for your college transcript and how important of a factor your grades are in being considered for the position.
Nov 9 2012 11:22AM
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AT-AT
Posts: 3281 - Karma: 3,256
I know in engineering your GPA doesn't mean that much. Its all about that piece of paper at the end. Not saying that a 3.5 wont get you a job faster than a 2.5, but both will get you into the profession.
Nov 9 2012 11:23AM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
I'm going to have to disagree, yea its important for a MBA (which are a dime a dozen now and unless you go to a top tear school any way, don't mean a thing, same for a MA not as strict with a top tear though), but its all about WHO YOU KNOW and HOW YOUR CONDUCT YOUR SELF, and EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE.   see how i cap'ed that and repeated it for added importance.

many jobs you need to put your gpa if your applying  and so on, but its all about how you conduct your self.  If you have a few years of experience and killed it at youre last job, and know youre shit, confident, and can carry a conversation with management that's much more important what number you got on a paper in college.

Also, people have the wrong perception on an MBA,  I'm currently debating weather to get an MBA or MA in finance/accounting/ or quantitative analytical modeling.  Like i said a MBA from the university of phoenix online densest mean shit its just paper, everyone I've spoken to says until its a top tier or right below school it doesn't mean much.  Also most of the better programs want at least 4-5 years of experience as well as management experience.  So you're not looking at an appropriate MBA until your 27-31. At that point you will have experience, if you have a good GMAT score and go talk to admissions and kill an interview, I bet they will take you over a person with no experience, a  4.0, and who cant carry a conversation.

MA is good because it should your have better understanding knowledge of the subject you work in.  However if you're planing on getting an MBA its an additional 2 years of schooling to deal with?  Thats my predicament.  Id be right around 26 working full time and taking part time MA classes.  For the next 3 year it would really help my job and possible carier.  But then I could be out of school and if i wanted my MBA have to start in another year right away? if you catch my drift.

Back to grades, know what you're doing, understand the subjects, work hard, network (as corny as it sounds), Get experience even if you have to work an unpaid internship, present your self well (basically self-branding) and you will be ok regardless of grades.
Nov 9 2012 11:35AM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
College grades are pointless unless you want to go to more schooling after undergrad. You obviously have to pass and if the courses are related to your hopeful career then you should pay attention and try to do well. It would only help you later on. I'd say you dont wanna skate by with a 2.0 but you also dont need a 4.0. I dont know of any employeer who asks what your graduating GPA was. They just want to make sure you have that piece of paper.

On the contrary if you do get a higher than a 3.5 then I would toss that on your resume. Otherwise dont.
Nov 9 2012 11:38AM
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jeR.
Posts: 1325 - Karma: 58
good grades will never hurt you. its all about what you are looking to get out of your undegrad experience - its hard, getting good grades is an incredible challenge. if you are looking for a more balanced undergrad experienced, in terms of extra-curriculars, skiing, partying, and and straight chilling, then your grades may be slightly lower but you will look back on your experience more positively. in terms of employment, I'm a junior at Bowdoin College and worked a landscaping job after freshman year so my grades didnt matter. after sophmore year I got a research position on a NASA project, and let me tell you - my grades mattered completely. for science majors, when gov't organizations are looking to give you funding they go by the numbers and GPA is integral. but like I said its all about balance. I have a 3.38 which is on the low end of being 'good enough' for grad schools and research in my field of choice (Oceanography). and while I think I am capable of doing better, I am happy with my grades, and still manage to blaze up all the time and ski 3 days a week. while my peers with 3.8s and 4.0s look better on paper, they literally have no fun/ balance to their lives. you get out of your college experience what you put in. grades are always important, but remember the hangovers get a lot worse once you push 30 so live now!
Nov 9 2012 11:44AM
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doitbig
Posts: 4818 - Karma: 315
I would say very important for getting that first real job (the rule of thumb a few years ago was if you had less then a 3.2, you shouldn't list it on your resume). after you have a few years of experience in a related field, the impact of a nice GPA drops dramatically. obviously post secondary educations will have requirements for GPA to be considered.
Nov 9 2012 11:44AM
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stizzle
Posts: 371 - Karma: 623
I graduated spring 2010 with a BS in engineering. Every company I interviewed with asked for a copy of my transcript but the job market sucked at that point so that may have been a factor. A lot of larger companies have cutoff GPAs that they wont even look at you if your GPA isn't high enough. As said in posts above, Internships and Co-ops help a ton. I do some recruiting for my company at college career fairs and our cutoff GPA is 3.2 for your core classes but if you have good experience from internships and other things we will still look at you. We'd rather have someone with experience and a 2.8 than someone with nothing and a 4.0
Nov 9 2012 12:26PM
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majora
Posts: 860 - Karma: 157
Bad outlook marcalisha professors like you better if ou get good grades not to mention if you try harder to get better grades in assignments when it comes time to study for finals you won't need to cram as much because you'll already know the material a lot better
Nov 9 2012 12:35PM
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yuck
Posts: 8384 - Karma: 2,090
sorta depends... im in mech engg and as long as i maintain over a 60 average, I stay off academic probation and im good. if my average is below 60 for two consecutive semesters, i get kicked out :/ im not planning on doing any post-grad shit though so thats all that matters

my dad is an engineer too, he graduated in 82 and has never been asked for his grades / transcript / GPA since he graduated
Nov 9 2012 1:03PM
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hot.pocket
Posts: 4197 - Karma: 10,366
Basically this, it depends on what major you're in and if you're looking to do any more schooling after you graduate.
Nov 9 2012 2:53PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
It really depends on what field you want to go into and whether you plan on going to graduate school. I'd say that only a small group of employers actually ask for full transcripts. Much more important to many job managers is work experience and persona. Will you be a good fit for the company? Is more important a question than did you get an A in intro to World History your freshman year.
Nov 9 2012 4:52PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
Don't matter as much as the college u go to
Nov 9 2012 5:10PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
truly depends on what you want to do after school. getting good grades can never hurt you, and they just open more doors for you down the road
Nov 9 2012 5:39PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I have generally never been let down by working hard for what I want. If you have good grades, you know your shit and that knowledge will generally benefit you in making an impression in a job search for starters.
Nov 9 2012 5:42PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
knowledge and GPA are two different things. I have worked with some extremely book smart people that have no idea how to apply their paper skills to the real world.
Nov 9 2012 5:47PM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,279
If you're looking to go into grad school, having like a 3.5 or higher definitely is a necessity. Otherwise fuck it ha, I graduated with a like 3.0 over all and like a 3.2 or something in my major. It makes a difference too if you're on a scholarship or grant or something too. If you go bellow like 2.0 you go on probation and you could get kicked out if you don't bring it up your next semester.
Nov 9 2012 5:49PM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
wow there are some pretty lax schools out there. I needed a 2.5 overall to graduate.
Nov 9 2012 5:51PM
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Spinoza
Posts: 12763 - Karma: 3,844
i almost always have final essays in place of final exams. i dont need to know anything besides the stuff im writing on.
my first 3 years were for learning content. this year is for the degree and fuck everything else
Nov 9 2012 5:52PM
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klayer_9
Posts: 2037 - Karma: 188
Why bother with college if your not going to try and get good grades?

Nov 9 2012 5:53PM
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TheQuailman
Posts: 7381 - Karma: 144

Of course it matters.

When you apply for jobs you submit a resume.  At this point, your resume is the only thing these companies have to compare you against other candidates.  The only important things on your resume are GPA, work experience, extra-curricular activities, and skills.  If you are smart and networked like you should have (starting freshman year), then you will be given extra consideration.

Almost all job postings have a minimum GPA.  You NEED to make the minimum GPA and anything above that will help put you above other candidates.  You can not imagine how competitive the job market is, and having a GPA advantage is necessary for first round interviews.

A lot of companies often recruit by school so therefore your GPA is compared to your classmates, not other schools.  This means you're school name is only important in getting the company to look at your resume and that you better have a good GPA relative to your classmates.

GPA is not helpful after getting a first round interview.  To get a first round interview you need to meet the minimum requirements.  For interviews, they will compare candidates based on their knowledge and how they come across in the interview.  Work experience, leadership positions, knowledge from classes, etc will come up in an interview and will put you above other candidates but your GPA number pretty much does not matter at this point.

Most importantly, if you can get a summer internship after your junior year, then you have a great chance at being hired at that company for full time.  When applying for these summer internships, companies will only see your GPA from freshman and sophomore year.  After you get the internship and then the job you can slack off hardcore since you don't need your GPA to get a job anymore.

So bust your ass and take easy classes freshman and sophomore year to boost your GPA as high as possible and then after you lock down an internship, you can slack off and take your harder classes junior and senior year.

You also need to start networking and acquiring leadership positions.

PM me if you have any questions.

Nov 9 2012 5:59PM
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eheath
Posts: 61107 - Karma: 118,279
I feel like this really only applies to business jobs
Nov 9 2012 6:01PM
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Sean...M
Posts: 2450 - Karma: 14
What company you interning for? I'm getting my masters in accountancy right now as well
Nov 9 2012 6:10PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7408 - Karma: 11,040
I know for a fact in some general requirement classes, you need a grade better than a 2.0 to get credit for it. So if thats not an incentive, I dont know what is. Who wants to have to take a class twice.
Nov 9 2012 6:53PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,861
if you're in business, medical, architecture, or graduate school, grades matter.

if you're an engineer, liberal arts, natural resources, your diploma matters much more.
Nov 9 2012 6:57PM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
wow, I didn't know we had so many master accountants in here. I picked up my masters in accounting a few years ago and I'll tell you what my experience has been. Grades absolutely positively beyond a shadow of a doubt matter. Most major corporations have a minimum GPA requirement. 3.25 seems pretty common from my experience, so that is a bare minimum if you ever want to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Also, it not only shows how smart you are, but how hard you're willing to work. People don't just get 4.0 GPAs without busting their ass, and employers know that. It's kind of like foreshadowing how hard you'll work if they gave you the job. If you think for one second that a 3.3 will get you an interview as quickly as a 4.0, you're kidding yourself. I finished grad school with a 3.93 (got two fucking A-) and I've never had a problem getting an interview somewhere....as in literally every company i have submitted my resume to has offered me an interview.
Nov 9 2012 7:09PM
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Guck
Posts: 528 - Karma: 221
I figured my major would be a key factor. I'm in Mechanical Engineering by the way.
Nov 9 2012 7:52PM
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babysteeze84
Posts: 720 - Karma: 285
This.
Nov 9 2012 7:57PM
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Ye_ol_wild_Koala
Posts: 270 - Karma: 121
Ill put it this way, get a 3.5 and do something for your resume and have a good personality and your golden. 3.5 = 50% B's, and 50% A's. Get A's in the easy classes and do your best in the hard ones.Click for larger image
Nov 9 2012 8:03PM
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papermache
Posts: 1096 - Karma: 616
Alot of people have already given quite a bit of feedback but do to the importance of your question i thought id weigh in. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get good grades. YES you will be asked by the best employers for your GPA. outside activities/extracurricular activities/leadership experience comes in second, but unless you get above 3.0 you wont even be considered for an interview by the many employers. Dont sell yourself short just for a little extra fun. Chances are you wont work for those firms anyway, BUT your're gonna atleast want the option to try

in short you dont need a 4.0 but you should be shooting for no lower than a 3.0.
Nov 9 2012 8:07PM
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montageskier
Posts: 4725 - Karma: 126
If you are getting a job and not going to grad school your grades DO NOT mean shit.... It is all about experience and if you have a degree.
Nov 9 2012 8:21PM
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Parrish
Posts: 8695 - Karma: 1,007
This isn't always true because most GPA's are weighted on credit hours. My B in my 4 credit Physics class was worth a ton more then my A in my shitty 1 credit bullshit class.


Honestly the main change gradingwise for me was god damn -/+s. Those will fuck up your GPA or really help you if you need to reach a certain point. Since a B- at least at my school is worth a 2.7 compared to a 3.0 for a B and a 3.3 for a B+ the little things especially in high credit classes can do huge things on your GPA.
Nov 9 2012 8:21PM
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Ye_ol_wild_Koala
Posts: 270 - Karma: 121
my undergrad didnt have 1 credit classes, 2 or 4 each, but you meet 3+ hours a week, hence credit hour.
Nov 9 2012 8:35PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,469
Your school has +/-? The fuck I've never heard of a college having them
Nov 9 2012 8:42PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
most colleges do. you apparently went to a fucking hippy school.
Nov 9 2012 8:45PM
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