<p>I'm a freshman in college, and my grades aren't the best. My prediction is that by the end of the semester (for my core classes, I'm an engineering major) I'll have a B in physics and math (maybe a C in one in the worst case), an A in chemistry, and As in my other classes. I know they aren't that bad, but I was just wondering, how/why, and how much, do college grades matter if you aren't going to grad school? I have heard that even if you are going to grad school, many of them omit first semester grades. Is this true?</p>
<p>Aren’t that bad? That’s over a 3.0… that’s pretty damn good dude. </p>
<p>Overall, they matter a bit for getting internships (I say as long as your GPA is higher than the campus average you’re fine) and maybe for a first job, but beyond that it doesn’t matter at all.</p>
<p>^^ Poster is correct. A GPA over 3.0 is fine – and especially good for an engineering major (who tend to have lower GPAs). Once you get used to the work load and adjust to college life, things should get easier and you’ll probably be able to do better in future classes, so don’t stress out about it.</p>
<p>One important caveat though:*make sure that you are getting the core concepts in math and physics *. If not, get tutoring right away or talk to the professor/TA. Since you will have to take additional math and physics classes, it is very important that you fully understand the basic building blocks now, or you will be in serious doo-doo in the future.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>It depends really…on your major and interests after college. </p>
<p>Since you are going to be an engineer and your grades are fairly decent, despite your frustration with them, I wouldn’t worry too much. You won’t have a hard time getting a job after college. Engineers are in demand and most companies just want to see that you have a college degree. They realize that engineering is a difficult major - a lower gpa is completely understandable. At many technical and engineering schools, the average actually is a C lol - people are happy with a C! Especially when the average is usually in the 40s or so lol…</p>
<p>If you are interested in getting a MBA, JED, or especially MD, keep your grades up though you will probably still get some leeway with engineering. But they still want good grades.</p>
<p>If you are interested at all in going to a grad school, you will need good grades. If you are looking to get hired right out of undergrad, then I wouldn’t worry so much.</p>
<p>oh I didn’t see the part where he said he’s an engineer</p>
<p>Dude, if I’m not mistaken the average GPA for an engineer at most unis is like a 2.7 or 2.8. It’s a very difficult major. I’m guessing you’re mostly doing gen eds this semester but either way this semester should be a nice boost to your GPA.</p>
<p>Professional / graduate programs DO care about GPA, as Sky Pilot said.</p>
<p>If you’re getting B’s and maybe a C in the core classes that actually matter for engineering then this may be signs of a problem ahead. Engineering at taught in college is pretty much 4 years of applied calculus. The problem-solving approach you need to solve problems in physics is pretty much what you’ll be using the next 4 years. As already pointed out, if you don’t think you are completely comfortable with the math and physics (and the potential for a C is a good indicator you shouldn’t be) then you need to work with your instructors, TAs, etc. to get a better handle on these.</p>
<p>Engineering grad schools and future engineering employers are going to pay more attention to your GPA in classes related to engineering than in other classes you take such as History, Psychology, etc.</p>
<p>Unless you are going to law school, med school, or a popular pHD program major (like psychology) - your grades don’t matter terribly much as long as they are in the general 3.0-3.5 range (or lower if you are in engineering). After that, a 3.9 or 4.0 might be momentarily impressive but doesn’t matter that much to employers - they are more concerned about what you can do for them.</p>
<p>I have a question, if the OP doesn’t mind me asking in here.</p>
<p>How much do grades matter in respect to the Business field of jobs (financial advisor, investment banking analyst, financial analyst, commercial banker,etc)?</p>
<p>I’ve been told grades are important for these types of jobs and right now, I can tell by the end of this semester I’m going to have like 3 Bs (+ or _) and probably one A-. I plan to really kick butt the nest 7 semesters. But how important is grades in relation to the business field? how about graduate school for business?</p>
<p>I’ve noticed my weaker areas are the humanities while my stronger are the math and sciences.</p>
<p>^ Grades are probably pretty relevant — but your finance knowledge and internships are probably doubly so.</p>
<p>Just start following the Wall Street Journal and try hard to get an internship before you graduate.</p>