<p>Is it ok if I only put my major GPA on my resume? The reason is that switched majors after my 3rd semester and I did poorly in my first major, which caused my overall GPA to be below a 3.0.</p>
<p>Also, if the minimum GPA for an internship is 3.0, would I still be able to apply?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I know some people who just put their latest semester on their transcript. It may not be the best option but if you need that gpa boost, sometimes you got to do what you got to do.</p>
<p>If you are applying to jobs through your school’s career services, look for guidance from them. Each college has different requirements on GPA listing on your resume - for example, at mine, if you put your major GPA, you must state explicitly that it is a major GPA and you are advised to put the number of courses contributing to it. If you fail to comply with school regulations, they can prohibit you from using their career network. </p>
<p>If you are looking for a rule of thumb, you should use your cumulative GPA unless it is particularly low, in which case your major GPA is okay. With that said, you shouldn’t use a major GPA unless you have more than four courses contributing to it, and you should never try to pass off your major GPA as a cumulative GPA - it is very easy to figure out you are lying!</p>
<p>It is better not to get a job because you are honest than to get it and then lose it because you are dishonest.</p>
<p>"It is better not to get a job because you are honest than to get it and then lose it because you are dishonest. "</p>
<p>Spoken like someone not in the business world. Do whatever makes you look better, just don’t lie. </p>
<p>@Godfatherbob How exactly is what I said spoken like someone not in the business world? I am curious.</p>
<p>“Do whatever makes you look better, just don’t lie.” How is that at all different from what I said?</p>
<p>The purpose of the resume is to get you the interview. Don’t lie, but frame your qualifications in the best way possible.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I’ve been advised not to include your GPA on your resume unless it’s a 4.0, simply because anything less points out to employers that it’s not a 4.0.</p>
<p>I interview candidates & make hiring decisions at my company. I want to see ALL the grades. And I want to hire people who can “suck it up” and really apply themselves to all tasks, not just the tasks they like to do.</p>
<p>If u are also providing your transcript, there’s no need to put GPA on your CV.</p>
<p>I’ve reviewed resumes and interviewed candidates for tons of positions and while I agree with the approach of presenting information in the most favorable light while being honest I think withholding information often backfires … and withholding the overall GPA is one of these cases IMO. If I saw a resume that said “GPA Major = 3.6” and no mention of the overall GPA it bothers me for at least a couple reasons. </p>
<p>First, I believe they are purposely withholding a sub-par overall GPA … and the catch is I am likely to think it might be a lot worse than it actually is. If your overall GPA is a 3.0 (never mind a 3.3+) is it worth having me thinking just how bad the GPA might be instead of just coming out with it?</p>
<p>Second, I do not like they are purposely withholding the GPA and I believe it reflects poorly on them as an applicant. To me they are ducking part of the main point of including GPA information … so now I wondering as an employee when proving me information will they twist it to their advantage or will they provide complete information so I can make an informed decision … do you want me thinking this while reading your resume?</p>
<p>If your reality is … Overall GPA = 3.0 and Major GPA = 3.7 … come out with. Any company or interviewer that cares about GPAs is going to ask about is so IMO withholding it can only raise issues beyond the GPA itself. The real solution is to have a solid, honest, positive response to the inevitable question about the details … “I was pretty immature when I started college and did not focus on my school work enough and only had a 2.5 GPA after me sophomore year … however, after growing up and finding my major, which I LOVE, I have a 3.7 GPA over the last two years. I believe my references will reinforce the last two years reflect my true academic performance”</p>
<p>One last comment. When I was hiring junior analysts (typically 22-25 years old) I would receive 15-20 resumes from HR for each job … and they told me they typically were screening out 50+ resumes including tossing any resumes missing required information (e.g, if a GPA was requested and only a major GPA was given they would have tossed the resume). In a world with tons of qualified applicants don’t do anything to raise doubts or to get yourself eliminated because of an attempt to finesse the situation. </p>
<p>PS - the overall GPA = 3.0, major GPA = 3.7 was not random example … those are my GPAs as an undergrad. OK, I did finesse this a bit … 2.98 and 3.66 were my GPAs and I rounded up … but I included both and had to explain the 3.0. Ultimately, I managed to get excellent jobs and into grad school at a top engineering school and a top B-school with that lousy overall GPA … it was what it was and I included it and took the situation on head on … and for me this approach worked as well as I could hope for.</p>