<p>What is the typical/average/acceptable GPA at end of Engineering undergraduate freshman year? My son who finished high school with a 4.54 GPA now has a GPA of 2.75 - I realize GPAs tend to be lower in Engineering schools but 2.75 seems VERY low to me!</p>
<p>2.75 seems slightly below average in my opinion.
General consensus for an acceptable/good GPA is around a 3.0 to 3.2 at Cornell.</p>
<p>Maybe your son had poor time management since he’s a freshmen, or he spent too much time drinking/partying. I didn’t party at all during first semester and my GPA was 3.8, but during second semester, my GPA dropped down to 3.2 because I was a bit too invested in the party scene.</p>
<p>Freshman year, engineers take a lot of weed-out classes which often curve to a B- average. I’d say that the average GPA is probably around 2.8 coming out of freshman year. By the time graduation rolls around, that figure probably improves to the 3.0-3.2 range.</p>
<p>I would agree. Plus, when you S gets into his major, he will be more focused and that will improve. By the way, remember that even though your S was at the top of his class in high school, he is now in classes with people who were all in the tops of their classes. many probably had stronger academic opportunities. It’s Cornell engineering…one of the strongest programs in the country. It attracts some of the best high school students.</p>
<p>I would be hesitant to call 3.0 to 3.2 a good GPA, even in engineering.</p>
<p>IMO in CoE, the general consensus is…
3.25-3.45 is acceptable.
3.45-3.65 is good.
3.65-3.85 is great.
3.85+ means you are one of the best.</p>
<p>Think about it this way.
In all of the intro engineering math classes, the median is usually a B (3.0).
For other classes, B and B+ are typical medians. A few have A-. Even fewer have B-.
So if you are exactly 50%-tile in all of your classes, you should have a 3.1-3.2 -ish GPA.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think being in the 50%-tile at Cornell is good or even acceptable, (though, some would disagree depending on your personal standards)</p>
<p>I don’t know exactly the good, great, excellent GPA’s, but I heard that an Engineering graduate got into a big name investment bank with a 3.2 GPA. Recruiters read many resumes and they know.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, just support him with all of your heart!</p>
<p>The kid is in college. It’s way past the point at which you should be worrying about his grades. Let him handle it.</p>
<p>@OMGItsJustin
The parents aren’t paying 60k/year for their child to get wasted every weekend and bomb every one of his exams. It’s the parents’ money, so they should still have a say.</p>