<p>My cousin is in the Merchant Marine academy and is looking to apply to graduate school. Every application he's seen thus states that he has to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for them to even consider him. </p>
<p>After talking to my mom and discussing my current GPA as an Econ major with minor in Spanish (2.84) she shared a similar view. I've been told countless times that in order for me to have a job in the private sector, if I decided to leave the Navy or Marine Corps after my 5 year commitment, I would have to have above a 3.0.</p>
<p>Discussing this topic with my roommates and other kids in my company always ends in a heated debate of one person arguing, "that's not true at all...companies will pick us (academy grads) up in a heartbeat," and the others taking the other side.</p>
<p>If anyone can offer any personal experience regarding this issue it would be greatly appreciated by many midshipman. Furthermore, I think it would clear up the common misconception that we're such a "hot commodity" on the market if it's in-fact true. </p>
<p>GPA means a lot more applying to graduate school than it does applying for a job. Said another way, your <3.0 does not matter all that much to an employer given that you’ll be 5 years out of school. Its that experience you’ll be highlighting much more than your academy education. When interviewing 3-5 year folks all I was ever concerned about was; what has this guy/gal done that can help me? Will he/she fit in with my team? Does he/she know how to work toward a goal. I’m sure you’ll do very well on all of these measures. </p>
<p>I can’t comment on if academy grads are considered “hot commodities” but my advice is: excel as an officer and worry about your civilian career when the time comes - which is not now.</p>
<p>I agree with osdad. While your gpa isnt that important for a civilian job, it is important for grad school. Do your best because it will affect your service selection choice and your transcript will also follow you around if you apply for other things in the Navy as well such as grad school opportunities or lateral transfers.</p>
<p>Regarding your second point where USNA grads are hot commodities - being a USNA grad myself and currently still active duty, be careful about thinking you’re the greatest. A majority of my classmates have gotten our or are getting out, and none that I know of have had a problem getting employed. However, this is due to their military experience, not because they have an Academy ring. I’ve known just as many competent ROTC/OCS officers as USNA grads. A lot of the USNA guys have overinflated egos until they get it stomped out of them in the fleet.</p>
<p>At times in my career I have interviewed candidates to work under me. GPA is not one of the more important criteria for hiring, and in fact if it is not shown in the resume I don’t even ask for it. These were admittedly not entry level jobs, so I was more focused on demonstrated results in prior jobs, and whether the candidate could “play well in the sandbox with the other kids”.</p>
<p>Incidentally, there was a magazine publication in approx. March of this year that undoubtedly graced the waiting room tables at every recruiting and ROTC office in the country – which went into detail about how great a demand there is in American business for Junior Officers leaving the military (whether from ROTC, Service Academy, OCS, wherever). It gave the impression that being a JO from any branch of service is as desirable as having an MBA.</p>