<p>I put an "inflated" version of my GPA on my resume for internships. I say "inflated" because it included only the classes within my major (as in labeled my major), even though my field involves many classes from other fields, especially as prereqs and electives. I haven't gotten an offer yet, but I have had quite a few interviews and believe I did quite well on them. Now I am panicking about the background check if I get a position, because I naively did not know this occur. My overall GPA (3.1) and my major GPA (3.8) is a huge difference. Can they bust me on lying...or being a bit deceitful? I know "technically" I didn't lie, but still....HUGE difference. Nowhere on my transcript says my major GPA; I just calculated it myself.</p>
<p>If they ask about it, then tell them. If not, then let it go. Rounding up a 3.47 to a 3.5 is probably acceptable as far as inflating goes (I round to the 100th place on my resume), but 0.7 is kind of deceitful but it doesn’t seem to be completely baseless.</p>
<p>If they do a background check and they don’t match up, they will most likely ask you about it rather than completely disregarding you right away. On mine, I skewed my GPA to only take into account my GPA after freshman year because I messed up that year, but I made a note of it next to my GPA on my resume. If they ask, I can say so.</p>
<p>All you had to do was put “Major GPA: 3.8” and it would have been perfectly acceptable. A lot of people do that, from what I have seen.</p>
<p>In my organization you would not get the job after we saw the transcript or did the check. This happens all the time and is lying. Had you put ‘major’ GPA we would have asked for overall before deciding whether to interview. There’s a huge difference between a 3.1 and a 3.8 to most employers. Since we don’t even interview those with a 3.1, you would have wasted our time. I suggest you call or email those you interviewed with and explain to hopefully salvage some of the opportunities.</p>
<p>Hmm…thanks everyone. Also, just a note, I did label it as major GPA, but in my mind, it still feels misleading, because my major requires classes from outside my department. Any other input would be appreciated!</p>
<p>so if you took 5 classes, 4 of which were for your major in let’s say finance. And your finance major required 3 finance classes and 1 math class…</p>
<p>You wrote…
Major GPA: <em>the GPA of the 3 finance classes</em></p>
<p>Is that what you mean?</p>
<p>To the above: yes, that would be a simplified version of it.</p>
<p>i think if you stated that the 3.8 was your major gpa and left out overall gpa you’re not lying and the recruiter knew that when he/she offered you an interview. if they want to they will just call you and ask for your overall…i think you did the right thing.</p>