<p>I'm wondering if its worth killing myself to get a 3.5+ instead of just settling for a 3.2/3.3 in terms of job placement. I believe 3.2 is the cutoff for the really top companies correct? If you have research, internships, and projects on your resume, will the top companies (ie GE, Exxon, Eli Lilley, Lockhead) be likely to pass you over if you have a 3.3? How much of an advantage is it to have a 3.5+? Thanks.</p>
<p>I currently have a 3.1 GPA and I’ll be happy as long as it stays above 3.0. I have more than enough EC’s to compensate though ;)</p>
<p>Id like to hear what some other people have to say about this as well. However, it seems to me that a 3.5+ is really for people who plan to go to grad school, not so much to find a good job. From what I have seen it looks like you can get one of the best jobs just by having above a 3.0, internship or co-op experience, and some ecs. Obviously a 3.5+ is always going to help, but I dont necessarily think that its worth killing yourself to get unless you want to get into a top grad school.</p>
<p>hmm, what crack are you smoking? it is likely that your resume would be tossed in the trash with a sub-3.5 for M/B/B or BBs, and they are still considered top jobs in engineering</p>
<p>Bearcats</p>
<p>Not everyone thinks that banks are the best jobs, in fact, I would ask you to look at the OP. He specifically stated GE, Lockheed, Eli Lily, etc. These jobs are accessible with a sub 3.5 GPA. Banking/consulting are about the only two things that I know of where GPA is vitally important - and not everyone wants to do those things all Im saying is that it really isnt worth killing yourself over.</p>
<p>From my personal experience (both from being a 4.0 college student and later one who was in a position to hire kids out of college in IT positions)… the higher your GPA, the more likely people will take notice. It shows you are serious and apply yourself, and have the capacity to learn new things. Sometimes jobs in real life differ quite a bit from college experiences. Your GPA is a reflection of your attitude as well as your aptitude.</p>
<p>Of course, there are lots of great jobs to be had for people with 3.0 (or lower) GPAs. However, you have the possibility of someone taking notice who may have not have otherwise given you a second look. And for first jobs out of school, when two candidates for a job are very similar, a GPA of 3.0 vs a GPA of 3.8 can be the deciding factor. And if you’re the one on the lower side, you had better have some other experiences or skills to compensate for a lower GPA.</p>
<p>To answer the thread of the question, I really feel that a GPA becomes irrelevant after you’ve been in the work force for a couple of years… It won’t matter at all after you’re hired, and if you’re looking at changing jobs, it’s your skills and experiences of your previous job(s) that make the difference.</p>
<p>I’m just saying…it’s not completely pointless</p>
<p>“I really feel that a GPA becomes irrelevant after you’ve been in the work force for a couple of years”</p>
<p>Again, this depends on the industry. My friend’s dad who’s a math professor was looking to switch into algo trading type of stuff. DE Shaw not only asked for his GPA, but also his SATs…for a 50 year old professor LOL</p>
<p>^That’s insane. </p>
<p>I agree with apmom. I haven’t been turned down for a job because of my gpa (which is below a 3.0) since about 2 years out, at least that I know of. Also, I’m in a nationally ranked full-time evening MBA program, and they didn’t care about my gpa either, though my GMAT score helped.</p>
<p>I have worked for Fortune 100 companies on really interesting problems and projects. I have, however, nitched myself into biotech and am very comfortable here. The knowledge and experience I have gained the past 10 years is definitely not reflective of my undergrad gpa; something which I am embarrassed of. Not every company cares what your gpa is, and all things being equal they may not even use the gpa as a final determinant. Personally, I think you should do your best and live without regrets. Get the higher gpa now, because you can never go back and fix it. And, if they want an even higher gpa for some reason, at least you know you gave it your best shot.</p>
<p>Yeah… I guess I’ll try to keep it close to a 3.5. I just met the most awesome girl ever though so if my GPA slips to a 3.3 because I’m spending time with her… so be it.</p>
<p>Once you’re employed in any kind of engineering position your employment record and experience when seeking a new position are all that matters. But note: People who paid a fortune for “that cool school” rear window decal will always and loudly disagree. (Because if they don’t, they would look silly.)</p>
<p>Yeah I understand that part, I’m just thinking for getting entry level jobs at the really prestigious companies like the ones I listed above. I’ll have some good research and other work experience though, so hopefully a 3.3 will be enough if I start to slip a little.</p>
<p>Yeah, a 3.3 isn’t going to disqualify you from many job. I will say this though, some companies (mostly government I think) will put you on a different pay grade if you have over a 3.5 starting out.</p>
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<p>3.3 it is then.</p>
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<p>Usually it goes the other way - settling down into a long term commitment tends to raise grades. </p>
<p>As for the original question, I think the others are mostly on target. There’s a big cut-off for most companies at 3.0 then a smaller one for some companies at 3.5. But once you’ve made the cutoff, it your application becomes more than a GPA.</p>
<p>For example, if I received two resumes, one with a 3.4 and one with a 3.6, I would have interviewed the 3.6 because we had a cutoff at 3.5. On the other hand, if I received one with a 3.5 and one with a 3.9, GPA isn’t a primary factor. I’d look at work experience, leadership roles in college, etc. All else being equal, the 3.9 has an advantage, but I have yet to find a case where all else was equal.</p>
<p>About 3 years after college, your GPA should drop off the resume, and all that would remain is if you graduated with English or Latin honors (which may or may not be granted based on GPA).</p>
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<p>They were likely trying to estimate IQ. That’s very rare, especially for a 30 year old SAT score. These days, most employers just ask you to take an IQ test or some other aptitude exam. But again, that’s primarily used in upper management roles (along with personality tests) and rare for recent graduates.</p>
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<p>Really? Why?</p>
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Depends. For us civil engineers, that would be after you get your P.E. So in CA, that’d be after 2 years of qualifying engineering work experience.</p>
<p>Your GPA becomes irrelevant when you die.</p>
<p>Is the GPA you guys are referring to the overall college GPA or upper-division engineering GPA? I know they only consider upper-division courses for graduating with honors</p>
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<p>Some people stop partying and drinking as much, some people just realize there’s a reason to be successful (supporting a family, etc), some people just grow up. </p>
<p>Eitherway, I’ve almost always seen GPA go up when someone gets into a serious relationship.</p>
<p>Intrigued by the response that some jobs put higher gpa into a different pay grade.</p>
<p>Are you saying that if you graduate with a higher GPA, you will earn more for the same position than the person with a lower GPA, or will you be Job Level II as opposed to Job Level I, so therefore, get higher pay?</p>
<p>Great incentive for kids to get better grades in college, if GPA does determine pay rate.</p>