<p>Because my freshman year was horrible. I'm not exaggerating. It was horrible. The worst I've ever done academically. And it's going to probably take the next 2 years before I get it satisfactorily in a decent place. But of course I want an internship next year, and the next, so will my GPA stop me from ever getting any experience?</p>
<p>There will be a high probability in internship, else how would they determine if you are a successful candidate since you have nothing else to base it on (unless you have relevant summer positions of course).</p>
<p>So I’m pretty much screwed seeing as I’ll probably only have a 2.5 or so by next SUMMER, and I should be applying before then. Gah…</p>
<p>Yes, they will ask. On the bright side, most employers know that a bad Freshman year does not mean a bad student or employee. Bust hindparts the next few years and you should be fine.</p>
<p>What’s most common is that they will use resumes to select interview candidates, and after the candidate accepts they will want a transcript to confirm that the applicant was honest on his transcript. On the other hand some places will want a transcript with the applicant’s resume.</p>
<p>Most on-campus interviewers will request a minimum GPA (3.2 would be typical) just to set up an interview. Your best bet is to find small companies that don’t care so much or the open job fair type events. </p>
<p>Also, do really, really well in at least one course so you can get an excellent recommendation from a professor, then point to that to deflect the attention away from your general mediocre performance.</p>
<p>Do they care about overall GPA or your major specific GPA more. Ironically, my engineering GPA is/will be 3.0+.</p>
<p>I just underestimated my introductory courses and paid a steep price… I have no doubt in my mind I could and should have an overall 3.0+ right now.</p>
<p>In most cases, YES! For the first job, a good GPA is like your ‘entry ticket’. However, one can mitigate it, if the leadership profile and professional acumen is demonstrated through extra-curricular activities. Whether it is right or wrong, GPA is etched in your resume unless you have an alternative story to tell!</p>
<p>The prestigious companies and government agencies will definitely ask. Usually they want students with at least a 3.0, sometimes a 3.2. Make up for your problems by having a bunch of ECs.</p>
<p>Applied for a software engineer position at a defense sub-contractor specializing in wireless communications. They did not care about my GPA; they mostly cared whether my security clearance was active.</p>
<p>Sigh, this is depressing. I keep running realistic calculations over and over and I’ll barely miss or have a 3.0 by my senior year. </p>
<p>As for EC’s, I didn’t do anything besides join a strategic gamer club (starcraft) in which our team got flown out to Florida for the playoff finals (it’s a collegiate league) but i wasn’t able to attend.</p>
<p>I would join soccer, but the people in the club…are not my type. I guess I’ll hunt for some stuff to do…going to be an even longer 2 years…</p>
<p>My statics professor is a recruiter for Conoco Phillips; he says he won’t even talk to people if they have a sub 3.0-3.2 gpa… but more importantly, you better work up on your social skills; be prepared for a gauntlet of interviews</p>
<p>Just remember - bust hindparts the next few years and you WILL get some offers even if your GPA is not as high as you want. A freshman year with a 2.00 GPA followed by three years of 3.60 gives you a total of ~3.20, and you will be able to put things on your resume like “GPA last two years 3.60” that will get you some respect. One bad year can and will hurt you, but it will only sink you if you let it.</p>
<p>Write major GPA somewhere on your resume. I know some places that have a firm cutoff will give you some wiggle room if your major GPA is above the cutoff. I would still include your regular GPA though; they’ll know its bad if you don’t include it.</p>
<p>Also, employers (for internships at least), just want your GPA on the resume. They typically won’t look at your transcript unless they decide to hire you (as mentioned earlier).</p>