To those of you who have graduated from college...

[Baseballa]

How much does your GPA really matter?

I am a 2nd year Civil Engineering major at UT with a pretty decent (3.6) GPA and with the stresses of finals coming up, I am looking to those experienced ones out there. Do people look at the GPA, or just to see that you completed the degree? Also, is the answer the same if graduate school is potentially in the future?

I figure other students out there have similar concerns, so if ya'll want, feel free to post other questions here and hopefully they will get answered.

[Rizzy]

I have a question also:

If you have an average-below average semester, is it possible to offset it the next semester or will you be screwed in the long run?

[dntrwl]

I have a question also:

If you have an average-below average semester, is it possible to offset it the next semester or will you be screwed in the long run?
Simple math, just add it up for four years. Get 2 B's and the rest all A's in 4 years and you get a 3.9 etc...

[kaleidosky]

if engineering grad school is in the future, keep the GPA up. it's pretty important.

if med school or something is inthe future, the GPA should keep going higher and higher

if you're gonna work.. get an internship or co-op in multiple summers/semesters. Work experience will compensate for a lower GPA (and will usually mean more). And after you get your first job out of school, the GPA will be very low in importance..and likely won't matter at all. So for that first job, keep it decent...but again, experience is a bigger factor!

(Of course, the GPA can be a HUGE deal in getting interviews in the first place...both for internships/co-ops as well as jobs. You'll certainly get your share of interviews if your GPA is 3.0 or higher...but for the more sought-after jobs with recruiters that come on campus, many of them will give you "Primary" or "Alternate" status depending on your GPA. So you'll want to make the 3.5 cutoff or whatever it might be)



average-below avg semester can easily be offset. Especially if you only have 1..no big deal at all.

[Blake]

you should change the title to "engineering majors".

i was a business major and about half the companies I interviewed with had GPA requirements (usually a 3.0 or 3.5). The other half never asked.

[OrangeCounty,CA]

I graduated this past June and have been job searching ever since. From my experience I would say that GPA is really important when it comes to getting interviews. But when you go in for the interview, it is all based on what you say and how you can talk about what is on your resume. So having good grades will help you land interviews over other students with lower GPAs.

BTW, I am an engineering major.

[the futants]

In the workforce, the GPA isn't going to matter much.
In the case of grad school, it will matter.

Good luck.
Study hard.
Drink beer.

[yaoluv]

alot of good big engineering companies make u have a 3.5 to interview with them

most other companies make you have a 3.0

of course having internships is more important, but to get an interview for an internship you need to have a high gpa too.

if i could do it over again I would be sure to take alot of easy bs classes to boost my gpa. I didnt really care about my gpa at all ( thought it didn't matter ), ended up with a 3.1, found a job, but there are companies I would rather have worked for but they wouldnt talk to me cause I didn;t have a 3.5

[BrieflySpeaking]

college? sale dope

[University Blue]

A high GPA is important for graduate / medical / law school and job interviews with top companies.


What if you're not pursuing a graduate / medical / law degree and have a low GPA...understandable because you are attending the # 1 party school in the nation...then you will have to work hard the first few years to build up your resume.


Either way, you will pay your dues -- whether in school or in the workplace. Sometimes, both.

[A_3PO]

When interviewing for your first job or applying to grad school, your GPA is important. Once you get a job and start working, your GPA is irrelevant the rest of your career.

[WWR]

The police force asked about my GPA. They're strict who they hire and have many applicants with a small number of available spots. I don't think it was a major player but a 3.5 looks better than a 2.0. Any jack off can get a 2.0 in college.

[Cohen]

* As many have said, w/ grad school it's critical.

* For first jobs, requirements vary by field. Sounds like engineering firms may be tougher than others wrt GPA... no surprise there.

* When you're ready to interview, a professional resume is a prerequisite but an outstanding cover letter can instantly lift you over 90% of the (entry-level) field. (Of course if you already have any relevant experience, leverage off of it)
With advanced positions, the impressive cover letter will become a prerequisite and your successful work experience and strong references will play a larger role distinguishing you from others.

[lost_elephant]

As a Finance major in school, I had no problems getting interviews with investment and insurance firms with my 3.01 cumulative and 3.54 over the last 60 hours.

Since I've entered the workforce, I have become interested in pursuing law. I now find that I am at a disadvantage, because those that I am competing against have stronger GPAs. I'll have to do really well this Saturday on the LSAT just to have a chance of getting into a school outside of the 1st tier.

I guess the silver lining in having a low GPA for the first couple years is that I can BS about how I matured and overcame some obstacles in my Personal Statement. You don't have that luxury so much since your GPA isn't too shabby right now.

Just remember that the competition you will face will be tough. You will have to have a GPA at least as competitive as your engineering peers. For grad school, you're looking at an even more concentrated group of engineering students to compete with. Basically, you will be competing against the best and most ambitious of the group. Keep your nose to the grindstone and don't let up. Keep striving to improve your grades. It will do nothing but help your chances no matter what you pursue.

[Refman]

I have a question also:

If you have an average-below average semester, is it possible to offset it the next semester or will you be screwed in the long run?
I did it. I had way too much fun my freshman year...and the 1.4 GPA to prove it. After that, I turned the screws and buckled down. I still had fun, but I graduated with a 3.2, and got into law school.

[weslinder]

If you're in Texas and graduating soon, your GPA won't matter much. The job market for engineers is incredible and your GPA only matters for your first job.

[Poloshirtbandit]

My current job asked for a transcript (I had a 2.5 GPA) but I'm not sure if he actually read it. Of the jobs I applied to, only a handful asked for GPA.

[Sam18]

I have a pretty decent 4.2 gpa, you guyz think I can get a job?

[DieHard Rocket]

I think as long as you aren't trying to get into a higher level of school, anything 3.0 or higher is fine. Obviously a 4.0 stand out more than a 3.2, but when it comes down to it I don't think a 4.0 means that you can walk in wherever you want and have a job. It comes down to experience and how you come off in interviews.

It also totally depends on what field you are in too.

[Baseballa]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Looks like I will be hunkering down and studying extra hard for these finals coming up in a few weeks.

Another question (more directed at Engineers): What is the best way to go about getting an internship? I'm looking for one for next summer in Austin or Houston (preferably Houston) and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get one... or am I already too late?

Thanks again!

[pouhe]

I have a pretty decent 4.2 gpa, you guyz think I can get a job?

What's your major, Spelling and Humility?

[Cohen]

What's your major, Spelling and Humility?


Apparently a 'Bachelors of High School'.

[rubytuesday]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Looks like I will be hunkering down and studying extra hard for these finals coming up in a few weeks.

Another question (more directed at Engineers): What is the best way to go about getting an internship? I'm looking for one for next summer in Austin or Houston (preferably Houston) and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get one... or am I already too late?

Thanks again!

i did ME at UT and graduated <gulp> 6 years ago but i used ECAC up the wazoo for jobs. they are really great and helpful so i'd use them to your advantage. start thinking about what field or industry you want to get into. as someone else said, the market is great now for engineers so i wouldn't be as worried about it and you have a great GPA already. i know my company didn't hire a single person after may 2002 through may 2005 (i got in march 02) and now we can't get enough people.

study hard and party hard! that's what i did at UT and it was the best 4.5 years of my life. buckle down during the dead days and pace yourself so you don't get burned out since you probably have at least 4, maybe 5 finals.

good luck!!

[Air Langhi]

If you have a good GPA you can make 80-90K coming off a bachelors degree in Engineering from UT. I know a lot of people will say GPA does not matter, but at least shows you are serious at something.

[pradaxpimp]

For me, some of my job offers have been from an equation with the gpa playing a factor.

For a lot of other places, my starting base pay has been based off of crap. Like everyone gets 50k regardless.

[LegendZ3]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Looks like I will be hunkering down and studying extra hard for these finals coming up in a few weeks.

Another question (more directed at Engineers): What is the best way to go about getting an internship? I'm looking for one for next summer in Austin or Houston (preferably Houston) and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get one... or am I already too late?

Thanks again!

It's not too late. Job fairs held by Universities usually are the best place to find a internship. Also goto the website of the company you are interested in and check if they are hiring interns right now.

[JayZ750]

i will copy everyone else. GPA matters both for grad. school and for your job in any professional career. For your first job, for sure, thereafter, it can be a requirement, but usually not.

Someone else said in this thread, but don't push yourself into taking hundreds of super hard classes. An employer won't care nearly that much that you pushed yourself...they'll be more impressed with a really high GPA that covers all of the prerequisite classes and some higher up classes towards your major, obviously.

[texanskan]

When does GPA matter? A-your first job out and of course if you have good contacts even less

[danny317]

i was an electrical engineering major at UT. i took business foundations classes to boost my gpa. graduated and decided engineering is not for me...

do the best you can in your undergrad major but keep your options open. just bc you graduate w/ a bs in civil doesnt mean you HAVE to become a civil engineer...

dont stress, study ahead of time, work hard, study ahead of time, and do your best.

did i mention that you should study ahead of time?

[baller4life315]

I've been graduated for about a year now and it's all about who you know. Who puts in a good word for you, if you were referred to the company by any present employees and things of that nature.

GPA is obviously important if you plan on attending graduate school. If you plan on getting a job it's mostly just about who you know combined with your prior experience.

[EssTooKayTD]

college? sale dope

Obviously you chose the latter. Apparently, you like to offer your dope at a discounted rate as well. Go get 'em tiger.

[EssTooKayTD]

I have a pretty decent 4.2 gpa, you guyz think I can get a job?

That's pretty good...I didn't know GPA's had extra credit to allow for over 4.0.

[EssTooKayTD]

Silly me, forgot to give my answer.

Depends on if you plan to go grad school or not. I can't speak on grad school, so I'll say what I know. My GPA sucked. It is one thing employers will ask about it. As someone said, it's a great way to get interviews or lose them. Assuming you can still get the interviews, just impress them and perform. Ever since my first job, my GPA hasn't come up.

[Huricane]

Depends on the industry, and where you are in your career.

I am not an engineer, so I can not speak for your industry, but I will say this:

The better your GPA, the easier it will be to get jobs interviews, and interviews with good companies (or companies you want to work for).

You will also get more job offers, with better salary, as companies will consider you will be a better candidate.

A good GPA will say the following:
1.) You are able to prioritize (very important for management positions where meeting hard/firm deadlines are critical).
2.) You are intelligent and have an aptitude to quickly learn and apply new technologies and processes. Almost everyone will tell you that you will learn almost everything you need to do your job, on the job. In other words, you are coachable, and trainable.
3.) You have a good work ethic and are reliable. To a company, a good GPA = quality work. A poor GPA = sloppy work. A slacker who either partied too much in college, or did not study enough.

A good GPA will have the biggest impact in getting internships, and landing your first professional job. After that, experience plays an important part, but is not to say it is no longer important. I see job posting that read like:
1.) 7 to 10 years experience,
2.) Bachlors degree from a top tier university with 3.5 or better GPA
(Masters or Phd preferred)
3.) High SAT scores

Even for positions that require several years of experience, some companies still want to look at your GPA. It tells a lot about a person.

[Rashmon]

I have a pretty decent 4.2 gpa, you guyz think I can get a job?

Jack in the Box is hiring.

[rocketsjudoka]

I agree with the other posters that GPA really matters if you are pursuing another degree after your Bachelors other than that I think as long as you have 3.0 it shouldn't be too big of a problem. I think more than GPA it matters where you got your degree from. I mean if you got a 4.0 from BFE U that will count for less than a 3.0 from an Ivy.

Still I'm one of those wierdos who believe in education for education sake and encourage you to keep your GPA up whether you are going to Grad school or not.

GOOD LUCK!

[rockbox]

I agree with the other posters that GPA really matters if you are pursuing another degree after your Bachelors other than that I think as long as you have 3.0 it shouldn't be too big of a problem. I think more than GPA it matters where you got your degree from. I mean if you got a 4.0 from BFE U that will count for less than a 3.0 from an Ivy.

Still I'm one of those wierdos who believe in education for education sake and encourage you to keep your GPA up whether you are going to Grad school or not.

GOOD LUCK!

That depends. Many grad schools such as medical school only care about GPA. But in the real world, most people don't even put their GPA on their resume.

[juicystream]

GPA isn't that big of a deal. Keep your GPA over a 3.0, and make it through grad school if you want. You should have no problem getting a job then, and once you get experience no one will care what your GPA was.

[Manny Ramirez]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Looks like I will be hunkering down and studying extra hard for these finals coming up in a few weeks.

Another question (more directed at Engineers): What is the best way to go about getting an internship? I'm looking for one for next summer in Austin or Houston (preferably Houston) and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get one... or am I already too late?

Thanks again!

I would check with the CE department at UT to see if you can take a co-op program for the summer only - that way you can get experience with the internship and get credit for a class as well. I know that most engineering schools have co-op programs but I am not sure if they offer them in the summer like they do in the fall and spring.

[Supermac34]

I found that internships and work experience were worth much more than GPA. In most of my interviews coming out of college, GPA wasn't even brought up, but we would usually spend 80% of the interview talking about my internship experience.

[professorjay]

I have a pretty decent 4.2 gpa, you guyz think I can get a job?

This is a resume audit waiting to happen.