My Fellow College Students with Low GPA's

[elanarchist]

Ok, unfortunately 50% of students will have to be in the lower half of of their class, which is a group I fall into. Do any of you who fall into the same category ever feel like the future offers little hope? I feel like society has already counted us out. For example:

Internships:
Every single one (well, at least the ones that pay) has a GPA minimum requirement. Sometimes its stated and out in the open, sometimes its not. However, chances are extremely good that if you have below a 3.2 then you're out of luck. The same rules apply for those applying to full-time positions.

Graduate school:
3.0 GPA? Oh, sorry, better enjoy Podunk U. Even a great score on something like the GRE won't really help here.

Law school:
We're sorry, but even though you worked yourself to death for your 3.1, there's just too many brilliant students above you for us to let you in.

The top 50% have no problems - they can go to whatever grad school they want, land a good job, etc. What about the other 50%? What happens to us?

I dunno, maybe it's just me and others don't share my feelings about this. I came from being valedictorian in high school to working day and night just to compete at a top 15 university, yet, all I have to show for it is a lousy GPA and what I feel are bleak future prospects. My college doesn't help much either, being relatively diligent about preventing the evils of grade inflation (mean graduating GPA's are between 3.2-3.3), unlike *cough* Harvard *cough*. Perhaps I am being overly pestimestic or downright whiny - I'd love to hear your opinions.

 

[Mr N8]

So, you did horrible in college, and you want the world to hand you everything, now? Things don't work that way.

 

[imported_Ziggy]

Start your own business.

 

[minendo]

Internships:
Every single one (well, at least the ones that pay) has a GPA minimum requirement. Sometimes its stated and out in the open, sometimes its not. However, chances are extremely good that if you have below a 3.2 then you're out of luck. The same rules apply for those applying to full-time positions.

Not true.

Graduate school:
3.0 GPA? Oh, sorry, better enjoy Podunk U. Even a great score on something like the GRE won't really help here.

3.0 or above is usually recommended, but not necessary on a case to case basis.

 

[shuan24]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
So, you did horrible in college, and you want the world to hand you everything, now? Things don't work that way.

Ouch...Pwned.

 

[Ryan]

I've got a 3.0 GPA right now, and I'm fine with it. I got a 75% paid scholarship from my 3.2GPA in high school, so I really don't care to go any higher. As long as I graduate, I'll have that damned diploma and GPA won't mean sh!t

 

[bradruth]

I'm sitting at a 3.5 right now, down from the 3.8 I was at the end of last year. If this trend continues...eeeeeeeyyyyyy!

 

[ed21x]

for graduate schools- research, work experience, test scores can mean much more than your GPA.

And in general, work experience >>*

 

[TheBDB]

Originally posted by: MogulMonster
So, you did horrible in college, and you want the world to hand you everything, now? Things don't work that way.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: elanarchist
Ok, unfortunately 50% of students will have to be in the lower half of of their class, which is a group I fall into. Do any of you who fall into the same category ever feel like the future offers little hope? I feel like society has already counted us out. For example:

Internships:
Every single one (well, at least the ones that pay) has a GPA minimum requirement. Sometimes its stated and out in the open, sometimes its not. However, chances are extremely good that if you have below a 3.2 then you're out of luck. The same rules apply for those applying to full-time positions.

Graduate school:
3.0 GPA? Oh, sorry, better enjoy Podunk U. Even a great score on something like the GRE won't really help here.

Law school:
We're sorry, but even though you worked yourself to death for your 3.1, there's just too many brilliant students above you for us to let you in.

The top 50% have no problems - they can go to whatever grad school they want, land a good job, etc. What about the other 50%? What happens to us?

I dunno, maybe it's just me and others don't share my feelings about this. I came from being valedictorian in high school to working day and night just to compete at a top 15 university, yet, all I have to show for it is a lousy GPA and what I feel are bleak future prospects. My college doesn't help much either, being relatively diligent about preventing the evils of grade inflation (mean graduating GPA's are between 3.2-3.3), unlike *cough* Harvard *cough*. Perhaps I am being overly pestimestic or downright whiny - I'd love to hear your opinions.

What college do you go to? If you go to a 'good' (decently well ranked) school, then you wouldn't be in that bad shape really. I know lots of people that had around a 3.0 GPA that went to graduate schools like Columbia, got jobs, etc. What was your major? But then again, the average GPA for these majors was probably below 3.0.

While it's true that the GRE is crap because you basically have to do alright on it, if you have an upward swing in your GPA, it'll help out a lot. If you have any research experience, then that would help out a LOT.

Law school can be balanced out with a good LSAT score.

As for the Harvard remark - what do you expect? A large portion of these people are among the elite of the nation. I guess they'll have to earn their MS or PhD while in undergrad to lower the average GPA.

 

[Doggiedog]

Credentials are what get your foot in the door but your performance afterwards is what decides how well you do.

If you keep knocking on enough doors, one will open up.

 

[DaWhim]

only got 3.0gpa now...
I want 3.5+

 

[Darien]

3.01 here

physics at around 2.8; japanese at 3.7 or so...

...looks like i'm going to grad school in linguistics or something

 

[Ness]

Unfortunately, college isn't for everyone.

If you are doing bad in school, then it means one of two things.

You either fall in the category of people that save the money, not go and try to work your way up in a jobthat you already posses the skills to do, or you fall into the category of people who bitch and moan because college doesn't just hand you your education like high school does. You MUST earn it.

Trust me, I've learned the hard way. I've decided that I don't wan to be either of those two types, so I decided that if I was going to spend the money on school, I might as well make it a good investment.

 

[tec699]

I'm a special education major and my GPA is at a 3.1 and that's with working 40 hours. I'm very happy with my GPA but would like to get in the 3.2 range before I graduate.

 

[edmicman]

haha i remember wishing i had even a 3.0.....heh, the last 2 years or so of undergrad kicked my ass. but its just like high school...GPAs and grades mean nothing in the real world. if you can get some experience, or learn on your own and find a break, you'll be set. in 20 years, is anyone really gonna care what your grades were at all??

 

[DanTMWTMP]

job experiences >>>>>>>>>>>> anything

 

[Mr N8]

If you are rich, or qualify for grants, go to ITT Tech, pay $31k, and get a 3.5 or better just for showing up.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: ness1469
Unfortunately, college isn't for everyone.

If you are doing bad in school, then it means one of two things.

You either fall in the category of people that save the money, not go and try to work your way up in a jobthat you already posses the skills to do, or you fall into the category of people who bitch and moan because college doesn't just hand you your education like high school does. You MUST earn it.

Trust me, I've learned the hard way. I've decided that I don't wan to be either of those two types, so I decided that if I was going to spend the money on school, I might as well make it a good investment.

Exactly what do you consider as doing bad in school?

 

[Queasy]

I blew my GPA to smithereens my first year and a half of college because I tried too fast to get into a major that I later realized I wasn't interested in. I spent the rest of my career trying to get my overall GPA up. Fortunately, my GPA for classes that I later majored in was 3.2 plus.

Despite having a <3.0 GPA average I was able to get two internships my last two years. Graduate schools will look at actual work experience over your college GPA if you've been working for 4+ years.

 

[kranky]

Excuse me if I'm misreading your post, but I get the impression you are a bit too focused on "good schools" and not focused enough on the real world. You mention "top 15 university" and that you might have to go to Podunk U grad school.

If you feel penalized for going to a top school that is stingy with grades, wouldn't it make sense to go to Podunk U and excel? I'm not saying that's the right thing to do, but it would seem to fit your logic.

In short, I think you're being overly pessimistic. Have you been rejected by grad schools and law schools, or are you just anticipating you would be?

 

[TommyVercetti]

You know who this thread is inviting right? He is gonna come in and start bragging about his classes, his great relationship with profs and recruiters and how bright his future is, and that he is going to be buying a new car now all because of that.

 

[HamSupLo]

For those that say GPA's don't matter, don't be fooling yourselves. Sure you can land any internship, grad school, or job with a college degree, but the best choices are left to those with high GPA's. That's just how the real world perceives you. Unless of course, your daddy happens to be George Bush Sr.

 

[Ness]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: ness1469
Unfortunately, college isn't for everyone.

If you are doing bad in school, then it means one of two things.

You either fall in the category of people that save the money, not go and try to work your way up in a jobthat you already posses the skills to do, or you fall into the category of people who bitch and moan because college doesn't just hand you your education like high school does. You MUST earn it.

Trust me, I've learned the hard way. I've decided that I don't wan to be either of those two types, so I decided that if I was going to spend the money on school, I might as well make it a good investment.

Exactly what do you consider as doing bad in school?

Struggling to keep a 2.0, taking stupid "filler" or "breeze" classes just to boost your GPA, constantly failing key courses that deal directly with your major. If you are used to seeing D's and F's on your report card, save yourself the trouble and quit, or grab your balls, study, and do your work.

 

[Ranger X]

You people that say GPA doesn't matter are delusional. I fall into the OP's category and I'm VERY fortunate that I landed an internship position and now work full-time for the same company. I have worked with the people in HR and I have gone recruiting with them. I have spoken to HR managers from different companies and GPAs do matter.

The only way anyone can judge you from a resume is GPA. It's simple as that. Some companies throw out resumes with GPAs below a 3.0 (some 3.2). Since it's no longer a job seeker's market, many companies have raised their requirements from a 3.0 to a 3.2. I have seen some companies seeking 3.5+ ONLY. Many students coming out of college come out with little or no working experience in their field of study. GPA is important in that regards because as you know, the hiring managers spend less than a minute on each resume.

Those with high GPAs that cannot find jobs end up in grad school. The ones with low GPAs that cannot find a job are left, stranded, with no real direction in life. I've had friends that graduated in 2002 that are still jobless.