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Recruiter’s Advice: Lying About GPA on Your Resume

It can be tempting to lie about your GPA on a resume, but it’s always better to tell the truth or leave your GPA off your resume entirely.

8 months ago   •   5 min read

Having worked hard to complete your degree, it's understandable to want to present your qualifications in the best light. But outside of university, is your GPA really that relevant? And if you didn't receive a 4.0, is it ok to exaggerate your score and tell a little white lie?

In short, No. You should never lie about your GPA on your resume. Instead, if your GPA is less than 3.0 or you have enough relevant experience, you should leave your GPA off your resume and focus on other relevant skills.

In this article, we'll discuss when to include or exclude your GPA from your resume, how to handle a low GPA honestly and efficiently, and why lying about your GPA is never a good idea.

Avoid lying about your GPA on your resume; instead, concentrate on showcasing your relevant experience and transferable skills. For a thorough evaluation, upload your resume to the tool below . It will provide suggestions on how to enhance the representation of your strengths.

Should you include your GPA on your resume?

It's a good idea to include your GPA on your resume if:

• You're applying for an entry-level position
• You're a recent graduate with limited experience
• The application specifically requests it

Consider leaving your GPA off your resume and focus on hard skills and relevant experience instead if you

• Have enough relevant work experience
• Are a mid to high-level candidate
• Have a GPA lower than 3.0

Make sure to tailor your resume to each application by including relevant keywords and hard skills. Use our Targeted Resume tool to identify any skills or keywords missing from your resume and receive personalized feedback on areas that can be improved.

Do employers actually consider GPA when hiring?

For entry-level candidates with limited experience, recruiters do consider your GPA when reviewing your resume. For positions that require a degree, recruiters often look for candidates with specific scores, and if you leave your GPA off your resume, a recruiter might assume you received a low score and reject your application.

The more work experience you have, the less relevant your GPA becomes. For positions that require 2 or more years of experience, or if you graduated from university over 10 years ago, including your GPA is optional, as recruiters are more interested in your recent work history than your university achievements.

Is GPA relevant for international applications?

GPA is a term mainly used in America, and other countries have different grading systems. For example, in the UK, degree certificates are classified into four categories: First-class Honors (equivalent to a 4.0 GPA), 2:1 Upper second class (equivalent to a 3.3 - 3.7 GPA), 2:2 Lower second class (equivalent to 2.7 to 3.0) and a third class (equivalent to 2.0 to 2.7 GPA).

For international applications, consider including your GPA alongside the domestic equivalent to make it easier for an international recruiter to understand the relevance of your qualification.

Can you lie about your GPA on your resume?

A little positive promotion is acceptable on your resume, but lying about facts is not. While not all companies check your GPA during the hiring process, it's easy for recruiters to check if they request a transcript from your university. It's, therefore, essential to present your GPA truthfully. Even an exaggeration of 0.1 can hurt your professional credibility if discovered.

Is lying about your GPA on your resume illegal?

While lying on your resume is not technically illegal (unless applying for a state or federal position), including false information will harm your professional reputation and discourage an employer from hiring you. Harmful lies can include lying about employment dates, claiming qualifications you don't have, or exaggerating your responsibilities beyond the bounds of your actual skills.

How to present your GPA on your resume

If you are including your GPA on your resume, write your score next to your degree in your Education section, as shown in the example below:

Recent graduates or entry-level candidates

For recent graduates or those applying for entry-level positions , your education will likely be your most recent experience and is very relevant to your resume. Include your resume GPA next to your degree, either at the top of your resume or after your work experience.

Mid to senior-level professionals

For mid-level candidates (with 2+ years of experience) and senior-level candidates (with 10+ years of experience), your GPA is not so relevant to recruiters as they are far more interested in your practical work experience and more recent accomplishments. At this stage in your career, it's better to omit your GPA from your resume and focus on more relevant expertise.

Students with incomplete degrees

If you are mid-way through your degree, you can include an "Expected GPA." This will be an average of your GPA over the last few years, generally rounded up. For example, if your previous two year's GPAs were 3.25 and 3.70, you can state your expected GPA as 3.6.

If you didn’t complete your degree , you can include it on your resume as "incomplete" and exclude your GPA. You can also list the first year of an undergraduate or bachelor's degree as a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), and if you completed two years of a bachelor's degree, as a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE).

How to handle a low GPA on your resume

If you received a lower GPA than you would have liked, you can choose to include it or not, but note that if you omit your GPA, a recruiter might assume you have a lower grade than you do.

If your GPA is 3.0 or below, consider leaving it off your resume and focusing instead on transferable skills , relevant projects , and other qualifications. Highlight both professional and personal projects you completed during your course and relevant coursework to incorporate competitive keywords and hard skills.

Make sure to read the job application thoroughly, as you might have a GPA that meets the requirements, even if it's not a 4.0. For example, if they ask for candidates with a GPA above 2.5 and you have a 2.7, then you should definitely include your grade on your resume.

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Deciding When to Include GPA on Your Resume

When you’re trying to land a new role, you need to use everything in your arsenal to do so. Your grade point average (GPA) is the average score you got across all of your tests and courses. So, should you include this number when you are writing your resume?

In the following guide, we will take a look at the instances when you need to include your GPA on your resume, when you shouldn’t, and how you can get it right with examples. 

Should I put my GPA on my resume?

First up, let’s deal with the most burning question here: Should you put your GPA On your resume? There is not one clear-cut answer. Deciding whether to list your score depends on a range of factors. So, let’s outline the times you should and shouldn’t list your GPA. 

When you should include your GPA

You’ve just graduated. If you are a recent graduate and you lack real-world work experience, it may be worth including your GPA on your resume. 

You have a high GPA. Let’s say your GPA is more than 3.5. Congrats! This score shows that you are a cut above the rest, and so you might want to include it on your resume.

The employer requests it. In some cases, employers will request that candidates include their GPA in their application. If the job advert specifies that you should include this information, you need to do so. There is a reason they want to see it.

When to leave your GPA out 

You have an honors title. If you graduated with an honors title, the hiring manager will immediately be able to see your educational prowess. You don’t need to include your GPA on your resume as it will add little to it and take up space. 

You have a low GPA. Are you worried about your GPA dragging you down? If your score is low, you might want to leave it off your resume completely. As we will discuss later, there are plenty of ways to prove your worth without it. 

You graduated some years ago. If you graduated five years ago, there’s no need to include your GPA on your resume. In fact, doing so may look like a bizarre move. At this point, you should be focusing on your work experience instead. 

Do employers care about your GPA?

For larger and well-known companies like Ford and General Motors, GPA can be a very important factor for establishing baseline criteria for employment. Other large firms use similar hiring criteria, and for similar reasons. 

Many of these firms actively recruit on college campuses across the United States, and need a way to quickly differentiate between different groups of applicants. For that reason, your grade point average offers a useful metric to accomplish that goal.

So, some employers do care about your GPA and may reject candidates below a certain threshold. These tend to be large companies with steep competition for entry-level jobs.

Do employers do a background check to verify your GPA?

An employment background check doesn't typically involve your academic transcripts, but a hiring manager may ask you to provide that information. This happens in some exceptionally competitive entry-level positions.

If a company has hundreds of graduates applying for the same position, then a GPA on your resume may be important to the employer or hiring manager. 

In this case, there is a good chance they could ask you for a copy of your transcript to verify your GPA. You should keep this in mind when deciding whether to include your GPA on your resume. If you choose to do so, you need to make sure that it’s 100% accurate.

How to format your GPA on your resume

By this point, you should have decided whether to list your GPA on your resume. But do you know how to do itt? It should come as no surprise that this score belongs in your education section. However, if you have never included it before, you need to get the format right.

As a general rule, you should list this score next to your degree — make sure that it is as close as possible on the page. The hiring manager should immediately be able to see what the GPA correlates with when they glance at your resume. 

The format you use will depend on the style of your resume. If you don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some ways to put your GPA on your resume: 

GPA on resume example 1

Bachelor of Science, Engineering (GPA 3.68)

Boston College, 2022

GPA on resume example 2

Bachelor of Science, Boston College, 2022

Major: Engineering | GPA 3.68

GPA on resume example 3

Bachelor of Science, Engineering | GPA 3.68

Should you lie about your GPA?

No. Lying is bad. We know this. Moving on.

Lying about your GPA on your resume can have some serious consequences. You may think that the worst-case scenario is that you don't get the job offer or called in for an interview. In fact, the worst-case scenarios are if you do get the job.

Let’s take a quick look at the facts. Here is what can happen if you do get the job after lying about your GPA.

Scenario 1: You get hired and the company later decides to verify your GPA. Not only will you get fired, but you may also have ruined future opportunities. What happens if your next employer asks why you left your last job ? Or if they can contact a reference at your previous job? Put simply, it’s not worth taking the chance on this one. 

Scenario 2: You get hired and after some time, the company decides to promote you to a higher-level position. They may look to verify your education and GPA. When they catch you in the lie, you're now jobless with a longer work history. It will look even worse for you if your next employer can't contact anyone from your last company.

What are the chances of getting caught lying about a GPA?

This is impossible to measure. But that doesn’t mean that you should lie about your GPA on your resume. Do people get caught? Yes. Is it likely? No.Is it worth it? Also no.

Not only do you risk losing your job if you do get caught lying, but you also risk some serious damage to your future. There have been numerous cases of well-known executives getting fired because they lied about their GPA or degree.

One famous case involved the CEO of Yahoo who got caught years later lying on his resume about a degree which he never had. The results were not good. While you're probably not applying for a CEO role out of school, you never know where you'll end up. Getting caught in a lie years later can have lasting repercussions for the rest of your career.

What to do if you have a low GPA: tips and advice

Keep in mind that you don't actually have to include your GPA on your resume. This is really surprising for some recent graduates. Unless the job application specifically asks for your GPA, you can leave it off. That way, you don’t have to account for why you have a low one.

Got loads of industry experience? You don't need to include your GPA if you have an adequate work history and aren't fresh out of school. That’s because your GPA doesn't say much about you as an applicant. Try to quantify your value for a job in other ways. Here are some other things you may choose to focus on: 

Education. While you may not want to specifically go into detail about your GPA, you can highlight other elements of your education. For example, you may want to delve into any special projects you completed, internships, or coursework. 

Work experience. Have you worked in the industry for a matter of years? Did you complete a relevant placement before applying for this specific role? Use the experience that you have to bolster your existing application now. 

Skills. Your skill set is the beating heart of your application. Sure, you might ot have gained a super high GPA when you were in college. But what have you done since then? Focus on the skills that you have picked up since graduating instead. 

Achievements. Are there any achievements that will make you stand out from the crowd? Have you done something out of the ordinary? If the answer is yes, this may be your USP. You can draw attention to these achievements on your next resume .

As we have covered, there are times when you should include your GPA on your resume and times when you don’t need to. The first step is deciding which category you fall into. Once you’ve done that, use our advice to help you create an interview-winning resume now. 

Looking to get ahead? At ZipJob, we have the resume writing resources that you need to get started. Choose one of our expert packages and get started now.

Recommended reading: 

How to List Education on Your Resume (+Examples)

Writing Your Work Experience: Samples & How to Guide

10 Vital Skills to Put on Your Resume & Stand Out (Expert Advice)

Ken Chase, Freelance Writer

During Ken's two decades as a freelance writer, he has covered everything from banking and fintech to business management and the entertainment industry. His true passion, however, has always been focused on helping others achieve their career goals with timely job search and interview advice or the occasional resume consultation. When he's not working, Ken can usually be found adventuring with family and friends or playing fetch with his demanding German Shepherd. Read more resume advice from Ken on  ZipJob’s blog .

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How To Tell If A Candidate Is Being Dishonest On Their Resume

Ashley Blonquist

Table of Contents

Click a chapter to scroll directly to it.

Lying On Resumes: How Many People Actually Do It?

How to tell if a candidate is dishonest on their resume, build a team you can trust with employment verifications from goodhire.

• Related Articles

Candidates lying on resumes can cost employers time and money—yet by some estimates, up to 85% of job hunters have lied on a resume. Read this article to find out how often job candidates lie, what they’re most likely to lie about, and how you can spot falsehoods on a resume. We’ll also look at what employment verifications are, and why they’re often used during the background check process.

Resumes and job applications can only reveal so much about any given candidate. As a result, it can be challenging for hiring managers and recruiters to make well-informed decisions based on those details alone, like who you should move forward with and who should be disqualified. Something that makes this even more challenging? Candidates lying on their resumes.

No matter how big or small the lie, it can be costly for employers for many reasons, including:

• The time it takes to interview and vet candidates during the hiring process
• Additional time and training required because the employee lacks the necessary skills and experience to perform their job
• Inefficiencies in their job role and responsibilities
• Time and money spent on the termination process
• Time and money spent on the re-hiring process

According to CareerBuilder, 75% of hiring managers have caught lying on a resume. However, it’s still crucial for them to be on their toes and know exactly what they should be looking for. That’s why GoodHire is sharing how often candidates lie, what they lie about, and how employment history checks can help prevent hiring dishonest candidates.

Just how many people lie on their resumes? It might be more than you think. Companies have found that anywhere from one-third to 85% of candidates lie on their resumes or during the hiring process. A ResumeLab survey asked over 1,000 Americans whether they know someone who has lied on their resume, and an astounding 93% said yes.

The most common lies on resumes? Job experience, job duties, and work skills. The same survey revealed that candidates lie or “stretch the truth” for several other reasons, like covering a gap in employment , not being qualified enough, and wanting a higher salary.

Are candidates lying about their degree on a resume? Are they lying about employment dates on a resume? Perhaps they’re lying about GPA on a resume? When it comes to more specific details that are most often lied about, candidates revealed they were dishonest about:

• Skills they have (like using Excel or speaking a foreign language)
• How long they worked in a previous job (to cover an unemployment gap or to leave out another employer altogether)
• Listing a degree they didn’t earn or lying about the university they attended

When lies are spotted by recruiters, it often leads to candidates not receiving an interview request or being disqualified from the running. In some cases, lies are revealed after someone is hired. As a result, employees face more severe consequences like being reprimanded or dismissed for lying on a resume.

Their Employment History Can’t Be Verified

One of the quickest and most efficient ways to determine if a candidate is lying about their job history is through a GoodHire employment verification. With employment verification checks , you can confirm details about a person’s current and previous job titles, start dates, and end dates. This is one of the easiest ways to spot inconsistencies on someone’s resume and can help spot any potential red flags.

For example, if employment dates don’t match and are way off, they may be concealing a gap in employment. If their job titles don’t match, they may be inflating their roles and responsibilities. As a result, they may not be qualified for the job they’re applying for or have the relevant work experience needed. When reviewing Employer Verification results, minor inconsistencies in dates or titles may occur due to issues with employer record keeping or third-party systems, so it’s important to keep this in mind and address the issue with the candidate.

Their Resume Doesn’t Match Their Job Application

Job candidates often use the same resume when applying for jobs—one that’s separate from the actual job application. That’s because many job applications will require candidates to reiterate their work experience and job history despite listing it on their resume. If a candidate doesn’t pay close attention, they may unintentionally reveal inconsistencies in their previous job experience.

To mitigate this, hiring managers should always compare a candidate’s job application to their resume and cover letter to ensure all job dates, titles, and experiences align. Again, details like start and end dates, job titles, and responsibilities should match their resume and application. If anything is drastically different or missing from any of these various formats, it could be considered a red flag.

Their Job Details & Skills Are Vague

No matter the length of the resume , type of job experience, or number of positions a candidate has held , they should be able to provide clear and detailed summaries of their roles, responsibilities, and duties. In other words: Do they talk about their experience and skills or talk around them?

For example, if a candidate uses vague or unclear phrases and words, it could be a sign they had little-to-no involvement in their listed role or roles. On the other hand, if they overuse ‘buzzwords’ or cliche phrases, it may help embellish their resume a little bit without further explaining their experience or skills.

They Don’t Pass Additional Background Checks

In addition to Employment Verification, other types of background checks can be beneficial in revealing dishonest candidates (and verifying honest ones!). Using a professional background screener can help cut down on the time you have to spend verifying a candidate’s information and can help protect your company from liability claims.

In addition to Employment Verifications, GoodHire offers several different types of background checks to help employers verify candidate information, including: 

• Education Verification : As mentioned earlier, studies show that candidates often lie about their education and/or degrees they’ve earned.
• Reference Checks : Conduct in-depth interviews with candidates’ listed references to get additional insight into their work experience and work ethic.
• Criminal Background Check : Perform county, state, national, and federal criminal checks on employees to help ensure a safe and secure work environment.

To hire qualified, trustworthy employees and best protect your company, use Employment Verifications from GoodHire. Verifications not only help to streamline the entire hiring process, but they also help to confirm that your candidate has the work experience they claim to have on their resume. With Employment Verifications, GoodHire helps you:

• Confirm previous employers listed on each candidate’s resume
• Verify candidates’ job titles and employment dates
• Remain compliant with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (and any additional federal and state fair-hiring laws applicable to your business)

Ready to make the best-informed decisions about job candidates? Verify their job history with GoodHire’s Employment Verifications.

Conduct Employment Verifications With GoodHire

The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. We advise you to consult your own counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.

About the Author

Ashley Blonquist is a former news journalist. She writes about GoodHire’s employment screening services and how employers use them to make informed hiring decisions.

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Can You Lie About Your GPA On Resume?

Before presenting an offer of employment to a prospective employee, many companies do a comprehensive background check on them. As a result, lying about your GPA on your resume is a terrible idea in almost all cases.

Unless you have recently graduated from college with a good grade point average, there’s no need to put it on your resume. You risk having an offer withdrawn by the company if you overestimate or lie about your GPA.

As we delve into the implications of lying about your GPA on your resume, we also recommend checking out ZipRecruiter. Is Zip Recruiter legit? The answer has been tackled in our detailed review , which could potentially serve as a game-changer in your job hunt.

Individuals with more than 5-10 years of work experience may highlight specific aspects of their work history and achievements in their application. That way, they’ll be able to show that they’re serious about quality and have a proven track record.

Why You Should Not Lie About GPA on Resume

It’s important not to lie about your GPA while applying to a university since that’s one place where grades are regarded extremely seriously. Competition for fellowships and residencies is just as fierce.

When applying for a job, if your GPA isn’t as high as you’d want – it’s simple, just don’t include it on your CV unless the potential employer asks for it. This way, you won’t have to lie and therefore risk the inevitable consequences.

It’s acceptable to bring your GPA in an interview if you feel like it. However, don’t bother too much about the minute details. Your ambitions and past work experience might help you get the job you want, more than your past grades.

To be on the safe side, experienced professionals (those with five or more years of experience) should mention their grade point average over 3.0 GPA on their resume .

Can Employers Check My GPA

Yes, they can! Even though lying on your resume is always a risk, you must weigh against the long-term benefits of doing so. Fake resumes might have a negative influence on your chances of getting hired elsewhere if an employer learns that you sent one. Consider the consequences of exaggerating your GPA on your resume before doing so.

If you overstate or mislead them about your grade point average, you risk having an offer revoked by the firm. Or worse, contact your school’s career services division and let other potential companies hear about it too. They may only get in touch with you to ask for an explanation, and you won’t know for sure until they do.

So instead of living with the pressure, you should be truthful about it.

How to Put GPA on Resume

A GPA of more than 3.5 is generally considered acceptable on a resume, but there is no hard and fast rule on how and whether to include it. You can check our previous articles if you need further help on how to include GPA correctly .

If the GPA is over 3.5 on a 4.0 scale – it should appear on a resume, but only if the candidate just graduated from the program.

To put it another way, new graduates generally lack the professional experience essential to show their triumphs, work ethic, and personal drive. So companies are left to presume a person’s professional success based on their academic accomplishments.

How to Round Up GPA On Resume

Whether you decide to incorporate it, you may question yourself if you can ‘improve’ your GPA. However, you should proceed with care when rounding the result to the nearest whole number.

Your grade point average can be ‘tweaked’ by rounding it up to the nearest hundredth. The most accurate technique to round whole numbers is to use a single decimal point. However, a potential employer may decide to evaluate your academic credentials, so you should avoid rounding your grades whenever possible.

Check our other articles where we have one about how to round GPA up precisely and not lie about GPA on resume for internship or potential work.

Final Verdict

Many job candidates try to exaggerate their GPAs to stand out from the crowd. But every lie incurs a debt to the truth, that is, at one point paid, and there are long-term consequences if you are detected lying, even years later.

Instead of lying on your resume, use a professional resume template to emphasize your skills and knowledge. If you can show that you’ll be a valuable part of the team, your GPA isn’t as important as your ability to learn on the job.

If you need help with increasing your resume, read this article .

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Should I Put My GPA on My Resume? [Examples of When You Should/Shouldn’t]

What’s the rule for putting your GPA on your resume? Should you? Shouldn’t you? 

If a hiring manager is scanning through resumes and sees a 2.0 GPA versus a 4.0 GPA, will they choose to interview the candidate with the higher GPA over the one with the lower GPA?

It should go without saying that if you’ve been out of school for more than about five years you don’t need to include your GPA. But if you’re fresh out of college, you’re probably being told by career services to include it. 

So what’s what? Yes or no? 

Well, the answer, unfortunately, is that it depends, but more often than not you don’t need to include it. 

As a talent acquisition specialist at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), I review hundreds of resumes each week. I also spent a decade working as the director of career services at a local university. I’ll use my experience in the industry to help you understand which scenarios require you to add your GPA to your resume and which do not. 

In this article, I’ll take you through some specific scenarios where you may or may not want to include your GPA. 

When you finish reading, you’ll be ready to pull up your resume and make adjustments as needed. 

You Shouldn’t Include Your GPA on Your Resume If…

You’ve been out of school for more than three to five years. 

Let’s just start by getting this one out of the way. Listen, no one cares that your GPA was 4.0 in 1997. Employers care far more about your job experience than the fact that you graduated with honors two decades ago (though kudos to you for that 4.0!). The longer you’re out of college, the less and less it matters what your GPA was. 

GPAs have more influence on a hiring manager's decision for graduates right out of college without much industry experience.  But as graduates gain more industry experience, GPA is not as influential in a hiring manager’s decision.  

Professional certifications and industry knowledge will generally have more impact on a hiring manager’s decision when a graduate has more experience. (So if you’re reading this 10 years out of college, make sure you go get some certifications relevant to your job.)

You have a ton of work experience. 

Employers want to know you can do the job they’re hiring for. You might have a 3.8 GPA or higher, but if you don’t have the skills to do the job, your stellar GPA won’t get you very far. 

If you have work experience, it’s not needed. If the job you’re applying for requires education details, that information can be submitted on the employment application, so leave it off of the resume.   

Employers want to know you can problem-solve and thrive in their work environment. They measure this by examining your work experience and talking to your references. Work experience and good references go a lot farther than your GPA ever will. 

Related: How many job references do you need?

Your GPA is under 3.5.

Don’t leave a number to define who you are. Yes, a 4.0 is impressive. 3.8 is good, too. A 3.5 is pretty decent. 

But if you’re a hiring manager reviewing resumes, does the person with a 4.0 look more qualified for the position? Not necessarily. Experience, personality, knowledge and skills are all major factors to help determine a candidate’s fit for the job.

You can box yourself in by including your GPA, especially if it’s under 3.5. If you have a 2.0 (a C average), you can make yourself look bad. And if it’s low, don’t lie about it. Just don’t include it.

Grades can be extremely subjective and dependent on a person’s experience at the time they attended college. Some people go to college and treat it like a party because that’s where they are in their life. Then they mature and take their profession very seriously. Should their GPA be held against them? No. 

Then, you must consider students that worked full-time while attending college or had to take care of their families. College students can’t always prioritize only their grades while in school. Add to that test anxiety or someone who isn’t book smart and you could have a job candidate that’s very smart but just didn’t do well in school. Just because your GPA isn’t a 4.0, doesn’t mean you aren’t smart or that you don’t deserve an incredible job in your field.

The employer doesn’t ask for it. 

If the employer isn’t asking for it, you don’t need to include it. GPAs can be verbally communicated to your prospective employer during a phone screening or interview if they really want to know what it is. 

If you’re especially proud of your degree and GPA, you can try to slip it into conversation during your interview.

Oftentimes, though, the only one who looks in-depth at your application and resume and sees your GPA is the recruiter. Chances are, the hiring manager will skip right past the education section because they care more about your job experience.

You Should Include Your GPA on Your Resume If…

You don’t have any job experience. 

Again, employers are looking for candidates who can do the job they’re hiring for. If you don’t have any previous job experience or internships that speak to this, you can include your GPA on your resume.

This situation typically applies to job candidates who’re fresh out of college or they’re applying while they’re in college. 

In this situation, you could also consider adding any academic accomplishments you may have. For instance, if you’re applying to be an editorial assistant, recruiters will look favorably on you if they see you volunteered at the campus bookstore and acted as the editor for the English department’s literary journal. 

It’s relevant to the position. 

Whether you include your GPA on your resume might be dependent on the type of position you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying to be a research assistant or a teacher, or you’re working in academia, you may need to have a certain GPA to qualify. It could be a requirement for the position. Make sure you include your GPA on your resume in that case.  

It’s a 4.0 or higher. 

If you’ve got it, flaunt it! You definitely do not need to include your GPA on your resume, but you might be especially proud of it. If that’s the case, go ahead and add it on there. It won’t hurt you. 

Craft the Perfect Resume

Whether or not to include your GPA on your resume depends on several factors. Generally, if you have been out of school for more than three to five years, it’s not necessary to include your GPA on your resume. Employers are more interested in your work experience and skills rather than your academic performance from years ago. Additionally, if you have a substantial amount of work experience, your GPA becomes less relevant, as employers prioritize your ability to perform the job over your grades.

Furthermore, if your GPA is below 3.5, it may be better to omit it from your resume. Grades can be subjective and may not accurately reflect your abilities or potential as a candidate. Including a low GPA could potentially box you in and overshadow other strengths you bring to the table.

On the other hand, there are situations where including your GPA can be beneficial. If you lack job experience or are a recent college graduate, including your GPA can demonstrate your academic achievements and potential. Additionally, certain positions or industries may require a specific GPA for qualification, in which case including it becomes necessary.

Ultimately, it's important to consider the specific circumstances and requirements of the job you are applying for. If you’re still not sure what to do, talk to your company recruiter and ask their advice. You can also talk to career services at your college, though most of the time they will recommend you include it.

Remember, your resume should showcase your relevant skills, experience and achievements that make you the best fit for the job.

Check out this article for eight components of a great resume.

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Written by Shannon Templin

As a talent acquisition specialist — a position he's held since 2016 — Shannon works, alongside colleagues, to connect job candidates with their best-fit position within ATS. In his role, Shannon enjoys assisting each new candidate toward their career goals and does everything in his power to set each candidate up for long-term professional success.

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GPA on Resume: How To Include, When To List, Where To List, Examples & More

Including your GPA on your resume can significantly impact your job application, especially if you're a recent graduate or targeting specific industries.

This guide explores when and how to list your GPA, providing tailored advice for various scenarios. Whether you have a high GPA or a lower one, we cover strategies to present your academic achievements effectively.

We delve into specifics, such as highlighting a 4.0 GPA, listing major-specific GPAs, and when to omit GPA altogether. The content also includes examples and tips for formatting your GPA, ensuring it aligns with your overall professional profile. Additionally, we discuss the importance of contextualizing your GPA with other academic and professional experiences.

This comprehensive guide also addresses special cases, such as presenting GPAs for transferred students and handling low GPAs.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively showcase your academic strengths and mitigate any potential drawbacks, helping you create a compelling and balanced resume.

• When to Include GPA on Your Resume

Including your GPA on your resume can be a strategic decision that depends on various factors, such as your recentness of graduation, level of professional experience, and the industry you are targeting. Here’s a detailed breakdown of when and how to include your GPA.

1. GPA on Resume for Recent Graduates

Gpa on resume for high gpa (3.5 and above).

If you are a recent graduate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, it is generally a good idea to include it on your resume. A high GPA can be a strong selling point, showcasing your dedication, intelligence, and ability to excel academically. This can be particularly valuable in competitive job markets or industries where academic performance is highly regarded. Highlighting your GPA can help set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your potential to employers.

GPA on Resume for Low or Average GPA

For those with a lower or average GPA, including it on your resume may not always be advantageous. If your GPA is below 3.0, it might be better to omit it and instead focus on other strengths, such as relevant coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your skills and achievements. If you choose to include a lower GPA, be prepared to address it in interviews and pivot the discussion toward your practical experience and other accomplishments.

2. GPA on Resume for Experienced Professionals

Transition from gpa to work experience.

As you gain more professional experience, the importance of your GPA diminishes. Typically, after three to five years in the workforce, your practical experience and accomplishments should take precedence over academic achievements. At this stage, it’s more beneficial to focus on your career progression, key projects, and the skills you’ve developed on the job. If your GPA was particularly high or relevant to the job you're applying for, you might still mention it, but it should not be the focal point.

Special Cases (Academic Positions, Specialized Fields)

In certain fields, such as academia, research, or specialized industries like law or finance, your academic background may remain relevant longer. In these cases, including your GPA, along with other academic achievements, publications, or certifications, can be important. These details help demonstrate your ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence in your field.

3. GPA on Resume - Industry-Specific Considerations

Fields where gpa is critical (e.g., finance, engineering).

In industries such as finance, engineering, or consulting, where analytical and technical skills are highly valued, a strong GPA can be a critical component of your resume. Employers in these fields often use GPA as a screening tool to identify candidates with strong quantitative and problem-solving skills. If your GPA is 3.5 or above, it is usually beneficial to include it to enhance your candidacy.

Fields Where GPA is Less Relevant

In creative fields like marketing, communications, or the arts, GPA may be less critical than your portfolio, experience, and creative skills. Employers in these industries are typically more interested in your work experience, creative projects, and the unique perspective you can bring to their team. In such cases, focusing on your achievements, skills, and relevant experiences will be more impactful than highlighting your GPA.

• How to List GPA on Your Resume

Including your GPA on your resume can provide a quick snapshot of your academic performance, but it's crucial to present it in the most effective way. Here's how to list your GPA to enhance your resume's appeal.

Placement on the Resume

Education section.

The most common and appropriate place to list your GPA is within the Education section of your resume. This section typically includes your degree, the name of your institution, graduation date, and any honors or awards received. When listing your GPA, it’s best to place it immediately after your degree and school name.

Example of GPA on Education Section

This placement makes it easy for employers to find and evaluate your academic qualifications quickly.

Certifications and Accomplishments

If you have relevant certifications or notable accomplishments, these can also be highlighted in the Education section or in a separate "Certifications and Accomplishments" section. If your GPA is particularly high and you have received honors or awards (such as Dean's List, magna cum laude), you can list these alongside your GPA to provide a more comprehensive picture of your academic success

Example of Certifications and Accomplishments on Resume

This approach not only showcases your GPA but also emphasizes your broader academic achievements and dedication, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

• Formatting Your GPA on Resume

Presenting your GPA effectively on your resume involves choosing the right format and ensuring accuracy. Here are key considerations for formatting your GPA.

Including Major GPA vs. Cumulative GPA

When listing your GPA, you can choose between your major GPA (GPA within your specific field of study) and your cumulative GPA (overall GPA including all courses). If your major GPA is significantly higher than your cumulative GPA, and it is relevant to the job you're applying for, consider listing the major GPA to highlight your strengths in that particular area. For example:

This distinction can be particularly useful for technical or specialized positions where expertise in a specific subject area is valued.

Converting GPA to Different Scales

If your GPA is on a different scale than the standard 4.0 scale used in the U.S., you may need to convert it to a 4.0 scale to make it easily understandable for employers. To convert a GPA from a different scale, you can use the following formula:

Converted GPA = (Your GPA / Max GPA on your scale) * 4.0

For instance, if your GPA is on a 5.0 scale, and you scored a 4.5, your converted GPA would be:

Converted GPA = (4.5 / 5.0) * 4.0 = 3.6

Always clarify the scale used if not converting:

Rounding GPA: Dos and Don'ts

When rounding your GPA, it's crucial to be accurate and honest. Only round your GPA to the nearest hundredth (two decimal places) if it improves clarity. For example, if your GPA is 3.784, you can round it to 3.78. Avoid rounding up to the next significant figure, as this can be misleading and may be considered dishonest by potential employers.

Accuracy and transparency are key; employers may verify your GPA, and any discrepancies can harm your credibility.

• Examples of GPA on Resume

Including your GPA on your resume can be done in various ways, depending on your academic achievements and the relevance of your GPA to the job you're applying for. Here are some examples:

High GPA Example

If you have a high GPA (typically 3.5 or above), it can be a strong indicator of your academic performance and dedication. This is especially important for recent graduates applying for competitive positions.

This format highlights the GPA clearly and places it in the Education section, making it easy for employers to find and evaluate.

Major GPA Example

When your major GPA is significantly higher than your cumulative GPA, and it is relevant to the job, showcasing your major GPA can emphasize your strengths in specific areas.

This approach is particularly useful for fields where specialized knowledge is crucial, as it draws attention to your expertise in your major.

Without GPA Example

If your GPA is not particularly high or if you have substantial work experience that outweighs your academic achievements, you may choose to omit your GPA altogether. Instead, focus on relevant coursework, honors, or other academic accomplishments.

This format allows you to highlight relevant academic experiences without drawing attention to a lower GPA. It also shifts the focus to your practical skills and honors, which may be more relevant to the job you're seeking.

Transfer Student GPA Example

If you transferred schools and have multiple GPAs, it's essential to clarify your academic history. You can list both GPAs or combine them into a single cumulative GPA, depending on what presents you in the best light.

Example of Transfer Student GPA Example

This approach ensures transparency and provides a complete view of your academic performance across different institutions.

Honors and Awards with GPA Example

If you have received honors or awards, mentioning these alongside your GPA can highlight your academic achievements and dedication.

Example of Honors and Awards with GPA Example

This example showcases not only your GPA but also additional accolades, giving a fuller picture of your academic success and contributions.

• How to List 4.0 GPA on Resume

A 4.0 GPA represents perfect academic achievement, making it a standout feature on your resume. Highlighting a 4.0 GPA can demonstrate your dedication, consistency, and mastery of the coursework. It's particularly valuable if you're a recent graduate or applying for positions in competitive industries.

• Emphasize Honors: Mention any honors or awards received, such as "Summa Cum Laude" or "Dean's List."
• Include Relevant Coursework: Highlight advanced or specialized courses that align with the job you're applying for.
• Avoid Overemphasis: Balance the GPA with other sections like skills, experience, and projects.
• How to List 3.8 GPA on Resume

A 3.8 GPA indicates strong academic performance and is impressive across most disciplines. This GPA is high enough to include prominently on your resume, especially for roles in fields that value academic excellence.

• Showcase Relevant Skills: Tie your GPA to specific skills or projects completed during your studies.
• Highlight Major GPA: If your major GPA is higher, consider listing it alongside or instead of your overall GPA.
• Include Extracurriculars: Mention any relevant extracurricular activities or leadership roles.
• How to List 3.5 GPA on Resume

A 3.5 GPA is considered good and can be particularly valuable for recent graduates. It's a solid indicator of your academic capabilities and can be highlighted to show your consistency and competence.

• Contextualize Your GPA: Pair your GPA with significant academic projects or papers.
• Emphasize Practical Experience: Balance your academic achievements with internships, part-time jobs, or relevant coursework.
• Consider Rounding Up: If your GPA is slightly below 3.5, consider rounding to one decimal place (e.g., 3.48 to 3.5) if it accurately represents your achievement.
• How to List 3.2 GPA on Resume

A 3.2 GPA is above average and can still be highlighted, especially if accompanied by strong work experience or extracurricular achievements. It shows a consistent academic effort and capability.

• Focus on Strengths: If your GPA isn't your strongest asset, emphasize other academic or professional strengths.
• Include Relevant Courses: Highlight courses that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for.
• Mention Improvement: If your GPA improved significantly during your studies, consider noting this trend.
• How to List 3.0 GPA on Resume

A 3.0 GPA is considered average and may not always need to be highlighted unless specifically requested by the employer. Focus on other strengths and skills that align with the job role.

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Use your work experience and internships to showcase your skills.
• Include Academic Projects: Highlight significant projects or papers that demonstrate your expertise and dedication.
• Be Honest and Accurate: Always present your GPA honestly and consider leaving it off if it doesn't strengthen your application.
• How to List 2.8 GPA on Resume

A 2.8 GPA is below average, and including it on your resume should be considered carefully. Focus on other strengths and experiences that can compensate for a lower GPA.

• Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasize internships, freelance work, or any hands-on projects that showcase your skills.
• Focus on Achievements: Include any awards or recognitions that demonstrate your capabilities outside of GPA.
• Address in Cover Letter: If necessary, explain the context of your GPA in your cover letter, focusing on how you've grown and what you've learned from your experiences.
• How to List 2.5 GPA on Resume

A 2.5 GPA is considered below average, and it's often advisable to omit it from your resume unless specifically requested. If included, balance it with strong work experience or other achievements.

• Emphasize Skills and Experience: Highlight your practical skills and any relevant job experience that aligns with the position you're applying for.
• Include Professional Development: Mention any additional training, certifications, or courses that demonstrate your commitment to professional growth.
• Showcase Transferable Skills: Focus on skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that you've developed through your experiences.
• How to List 2.0 GPA on Resume

A 2.0 GPA is quite low, and it's generally best to leave it off your resume unless the job application specifically requires it. Instead, focus on other qualifications and strengths.

• Highlight Professional Experience: Concentrate on any relevant work experience, internships, or volunteer work that showcases your skills and dedication.
• Focus on Strengths: Emphasize strong points like projects, leadership roles, or specific skills that are relevant to the job.
• Consider Additional Explanations: If your GPA was affected by specific circumstances, consider briefly addressing it in your cover letter, focusing on your growth and the positive steps you've taken since.
• How to List Below 2.0 GPA on Resume

Including a GPA below 2.0 is generally not advisable unless specifically requested by an employer. In such cases, you should accompany it with strong examples of your skills and work experience.

• Avoid Emphasizing GPA: Focus on highlighting your strengths in other areas, such as work experience, skills, and achievements.
• Address Directly if Needed: If asked about your GPA, be honest and use it as an opportunity to discuss what you've learned and how you've improved since then.
• Focus on Future Potential: Highlight your enthusiasm for learning and growing in your field, demonstrating how you've gained valuable skills through experience.
• When to Avoid Listing GPA on Your Resume

1. Low GPA Considerations

• Below 3.0 GPA : A GPA under 3.0 may not reflect favorably on your academic record.
• Alternative Focus : Emphasize relevant coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities instead.
• Highlight Skills and Projects : Showcase specific skills or projects that demonstrate your qualifications for the job.

2. Significant Work Experience

• Over Five Years of Experience : For experienced professionals, GPA becomes less relevant.
• Emphasize Professional Accomplishments : Focus on work history, leadership roles, and significant achievements.
• Skills Over Academic Scores : Highlight the skills and competencies developed through your career.

Industry Preferences

• Creative and Practical Fields : Industries like marketing, design, or the arts may prioritize practical experience over academic performance.
• Showcase Portfolio and Projects : Use your resume to highlight portfolio pieces, creative projects, and relevant skills.
• Less Emphasis on GPA : In these industries, GPA is often not a primary consideration.

3. When GPA is Not Required

• Job Posting Does Not Request GPA : If not specified, leaving GPA off can keep the focus on your most relevant qualifications.
• Highlight Practical Skills : Use the resume space to detail your practical skills, experiences, and contributions.
• Maintain Targeted Relevance : Ensure that your resume remains focused and relevant to the job you're applying for, emphasizing aspects that demonstrate your fit for the role.

Madison Norton

VP Marketing & Resume Expert

Madison is the VP Marketing and General Manager at VisualCV . He's a seasoned marketing leader, resume writing and career marketing expert and now helping people grow their own career marketing strategies to build a career they love.

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Select Your Language:

I lied about my gpa

<p>Hi, so I know this is terrible, but I lied about my gpa on my resume. I have a Superday coming up next week and I just want to know what are the chances of me getting caught if I get an offer. The posting for this position didn’t specify a minimum GPA requirement FYI.</p>

<p>I’ve done a little research and this is what I found out:</p>

<ol> <li>If its for a FT position, don’t lie because they will always ask for official transcripts to make sure you graduated so you will most likely get caught.</li> <li>For Summer Analysts its usually unofficial transcript or nothing</li> <li>Schools are not allowed to disclose GPA as part of a background check, they use a “student enrollment verification” process that shows the semesters you attended, how many credits you took each semester, and what your major is</li> </ol>

<p>Acoording to this I don’t think I will get caught. I know it was a terrible thing to do. Also, I bumped up my GPA by .4 but after this semester I should actually be at the GPA I listed. So if they check after the internship starts I should be good either way.</p>

<p>Any comments?</p>

<p>Why would you lie?</p>

<p>Why are you confessing to CC?</p>

<p>If your research is right, you’re lucky. But I personally would never lie, especially because they send transcripts. Either way, if there’s no minimum GPA requirement… Why bother? It’s unnecessary stress for you.</p>

<p>If you don’t get caught, and GPA is a factor, it’ll be a shame because a more adequate candidate who has worked their butt off in classes to get that GPA will be shafted. Keep in mind that you may feel guilt for a very long time. I’m not trying to rip on you or be extra harsh, just honest.</p>

<p>Most firms want transcripts…they can rescind offers…never lie.</p>

<p>bumping it up in .4 is actually a lot. mine is currently 3.59 and bumping it up in 4 is pretty much me saying i have a 3.99!!</p>

<p>Oh boy… get ready to feel stressed out a lot thinking about this thing. Leaving things to chance is always risky.</p>

<p>classic, this guys so f’d haha</p>

<p>They might not catch you. But…</p>

<p>if they do catch you, they will fire you immediately, and you won’t be able to list them on your resume - your summer will have been wasted, and you will need to think up of an excuse as to why you didn’t do anything over that summer. (And trust me, telling future employers you did nothing over that summer is better than telling them about the job you got fired from, because they will probably call and ask about you). Oh, and good luck getting a job from the firm in the future. And hope they don’t tell other firms.</p>

<p>HR will probably do some checking after the internship starts… If you think you can get a decent opportunity elsewhere now, you should rescind your application.</p>

<p>[Yahoo</a> CEO Scott Thompson out after resume scandal - May. 13, 2012](<a href=“ http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/13/technology/yahoo-ceo-out/index.htm]Yahoo ”> Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson out after resume scandal - May. 13, 2012 )</p>

<p>Not as bad as what you did, but you certainly don’t want to end up like this man.</p>

Received Job Offer: Background Check Question -- honest mistake with GPA

Hi everyone. I recently got my first post-undergrad FT offer from a consulting firm. The issue is, when I submitted my application I was new to job searching and listed my double major GPA (3.7 -- which I calculated myself because college doesn't) instead of cumulative (3.44) under the impression that this was common practice. It was my mistaken understanding that unless gpa is specified as cumulative/overall, a double major gpa could be listed as “GPA #.#” on resume and job application. I didn't realize I had to specify this was my double major GPA. This is a novice misunderstanding on my part and now I am very worried they will request a transcript, notice this, and rescind the offer. There wasn't a GPA minimum for this job, but should I take initiative and say something? Or just hope they don't ask for the transcript and if they do, submit it?

Many thanks for your advice! 

Congrats for the offer!

No worries at all, they won´t check GPAs at this detail. 

They would double check the school and major, but that is about it. In the unlikely case they find discrepancies, they will reach you first, and there you can explain. 

However, for consulting, totally irrelevant. 

Best regards, 

There is an official background check performed by an agency. Normally, they don't check your GPA, just the papers. So if you reported incorrect number to them - don't worry. 

Your GPA might be checked by HR once you send her your scans. If you reported the wrong number to her - just send her an e-mail. 

Are they doing a background check? If so, I recommend you take a pro-active approach. They will almost certainly check your GPA. Flag it as you having put a preminilary calculation prior to being informed of the true GPA.

If they are not doing a background check I wouldn't say anything.

Regardless, please learn from this experience...be honest! It's easy to simply put "Expected GPA" and then you wouldn't have to worry after the fact!

Hi Ian! Thanks for your answer. The thing is, I put my double major gpa thinking it was an acceptable practice. Can I tell them that? I’m not sure if I can say it was a preliminary calculation since I graduated in May.

They also are doing a background check. But I don’t know if they’ll ask for a transcript.

This is not a great situation, as the discrepancy is quite substantial.

I agree with Ian that if you expect a background check it makes sense to send the information proactively, explaining you used the Major GPA and wanted for full transparency show them also the total GPA.

If you don’t expect a background check, I don’t see the need to communicate additional information unless asked.

Best, Francesco

The thing is that the transcript will likely be asked. So my advice is to be transparent with them, because lying would not get you anywhere. And considering the fact that you are worried so much, this could help.

I am not sure about the outcomes, though, so be prepared for any.

Hi Gaurav, thanks for your answer! To clarify, are you saying I should point out the discrepancy if they request my transcript? I'm planning on explaining this honest mistake whether I take initiative or if they come to me about it. Thanks again!

I'd better go with the second variant, but it's still up to you

My suggestion is to be transparent with the company, especially if they'll conduct a background check.

If that was an honest mistake, they'll understand. Try to communicate that properly and to the right person.

Hope this helps.

You should be fine and wont be penalised for this. Provide the transcripts and if they ask during the checks just explain like you have done in the question you posted. Apologise for the error.  No need to do anything proactively at this stage.

I hope you have learnt a lesson. In future avoid any such irregularities. Your integrity, reputation and personal brand will play a BIG part in your success in Consulting. Hold yourself to the highest standards please. Its easy to get carried away and stretch the facts here and there but if you get caught out, the damage can be severe. 

Hope all goes well and good luck in the new job. And congrats btw :).

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I have never heard of quoted GPAs for purposes of employment selection being some subset of a cumulative GPA. I have seen and participated in many cases of CV reviews of undergrads at 2 firms, and while this was several years ago, I never came across this distinction once. So, on the slim chance it is noted, it would almost certainly come off as a deception.

That said, the chance that your stated GPA will be compared to your documented GPA does not appear to be great. I have less visibility into the background check process, but from my limited experiences when internal HR teams were conducting their document checks (distinct from an external background check), they weren't checking for comparisons; rather, they were checking that minimum hurdles had been scaled. For example, if the role called for undergrads from Princeton University with GPAs of 3.25 of better, graduated in the last 12 months, et cetera, et cetera; then if you reported 3.77 (but actually had 3.44), reported graduation in May (but really graduated in June), and so on, you would have scaled the minimum hurdles and despite the discrepancies, would be fine. I'm torn on what to advise you to do and the wide dispersion in the previous comments (not something that occurs frequently on this forum which should tell you something) should underline how murky this is:

+ On the on hand, keeping silent feels best if you believe this is merely a credentials check and not a fact-finding mission. Was a minimum GPA specified when you applied? Is it above your cumulative GPA? + On the other hand, though, if this is an application check (where information you have submitted, say, on an online form) where checked, any recruiter would find the sizeable discrepancy rather difficult to explain. Yes, in such a case, proactive disclosure (as someone - or a few people, actually - have mentioned), but you would really need to have an airtight explanation (I'm personally not swayed by the one you claim) AND a credible composure to make it work. Perhaps you need to find out what checks are being expected and proceed from there. Once can only hope that the required GPA is below your final cumulative because if it is not, it could cause rather sticky situations in the future.

If GPA is not a requirement for the job I don't see any issue with either communicate this or not to them. However, if you expect them to do a background check I would be proactive in communicating.

Make sure you have all the proof and paper trail that can explain why you did the mistake.

I think they are unlikely to catch this, but if they do they will comfront you with the information they have - and your explanation seems to be reasonable, so I believe you are fine.

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Lied about my GPA, got an internship offer and accepted it, and now they have requested an official transcript from my university. Am I screwed?

Hey everyone, so this past year I have been grinding to find an internship for this summer and was having a really hard time with my subpar GPA. Im a damn good programmer and have been doing it for a long time, but I am not good at school. I do well in all my CS classes and have a high CS GPA, but my institutional GPA is not great as I struggled with depression heavily my freshman and sophomore year and ended up failing an art class and getting Cs in speech and english and physics and things like that. So my GPA is shit.

At the start of the spring semester I decided that I am competent enough to do a good job somewhere and that I could be a productive member of a team so I bumped my GPA a little on my resume. I went to the job fair, got an interview, killed the interview, and got an offer from said company to do an internship. I accepted the offer about a week ago, and now they have requested an official transcript from my university along with various other information.... I did not expect this.

I know this was a bad thing to do, I just figured that everyone was probably lying about somethings on their resume and that I was just putting myself at a disadvantage if I wasn't. Should I just not send my transcript and effectively quit the job or send it in and hope that no one notices or no one cares? Its a huge company so it seems like it may be possible for it to just go unnoticed as I already accepted. Can anyone outline the likely repercussions of what I have gotten myself into?

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Lied about my GPA to get a summer analyst position but came to my senses.

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Basically how the title says I lied about my GPA.

Not going to be a bitch about it and I know I’ll get hate I don’t care. I made a mistake. 

My GPA was 3.5 but got tanked to a 3.2 just before application season. I decided not to update my CV and lied. I have no doubts in my ability to do the job, I literally got 3 yes’s on two super days for two different positions within the firm even being told by HR I was the strongest candidate. ( They got my graduation date wrong so screwed me out of one group but offered me the chance to interview in another) 

I was on top of the world. Dude I just fucking aced two different interviews like a boss from a semi target these Ivy Nerds can’t mess with me. Then I got my contract,  it says one of the conditions is that they check if everything matches my CV. I accept anyway because who cares if I get caught? Wrong.

The guilt builds up inside me and literally begins to eat me up on the inside. I literally start to have dreams about what would happen if I get caught. So I think out scenarios 

I wing it and I don’t get caught. I get the experience and don’t come back FT .

I wing it and get caught. I get blacklisted from this bank and anytime I try apply and they get a reference they say the reasoning. Basically making it impossible for me to work in IB . 

I come clean and they let me work anyway, highly doubt lol.

I come clean and get blacklisted anyway.

These were not ideal to me at all so I came up with the great idea to withdraw lol but I had already signed the contract. I lied about unforeseen circumstances that prevented me coming to fulfill my work. Lucky me they liked me so much that they are willing to shortlist me next year as long as I do a masters. 

So I’m going to be another 50k in debt for a post grad course but I do believe I’ll pass the interview. Guess the moral of the story is don’t lie about your GPA. Anyone thinking about it don’t even if you get away with it like me the guilt will eat you alive and imposter syndrome is already bad enough in IB . 

I’m left with no experience this summer which sucks but I deserve it. I’m going to bust my ass in college next year so I don’t have to go through this again.

Now off to remove “income summer analyst …” off my LinkedIn lol 

Hey bud, everyone makes mistakes. Great self awareness. Good luck next year.

Thanks man 

Question for those who know more — what happens if an applicant genuinely just forgot to update their resume? Would they get their offer rescinded if there was a discrepancy, even if say the resume was sent in either before grades were formalized in the system or pretty early on into the semester (didn’t update)?

Not updating a resume would not be a particularly compelling excuse. IB SAs are expected to have some level of attention to detail and not checking your GPA is a pretty fucking big deal. Would be an instant ding or rescind.

If there is a true overlap in terms of application deadline and grade submission deadline (e.g., application due 4/30 and grades due 5/31), it's a grey area. There are several ways that this breaks against the candidate, but there is at least a rationale that it was true at the time (and could be substantiated on background check). If firms ask for a GPA update and candidate lies on that, then instant rescind/blacklist.

This is such an HR answer lmfao. Very few people in the industry actually care about your GPA or SAT score (unless it is abysmally low or stunningly high). If someone crushes the interviews and looks like they are going to be good at the job, finding out you didnt update your resume isnt going to change my mind.

Guilt is for pussies. Own your lies and live up to them.

Tbh if it tanked *right before* applications, you could have just said that your grades weren’t updated into the system until after you submitted. 

You clearly have never seen Suits

dont think its very likely they ask transcripts for SA , depends on the bank though.

Do you know which banks ask for transcripts? Like specifically EBs

They will not ask for a transcript. I have had one job ever ask for a transcript. I sent my grad school transcript. 

Know a kid at my bank who fudged his GPA for an SA stint. Helped him go from a future in audit to a full time offer in banking. Don’t do audit.

Well you've made your bed, now to weasel out of it

I would call their bluffs on the transcript verification.

Regardless, good luck

Fake it until you make it with one small caveat. I believe in honesty, but if you come forward and tell me the truth, my team likes you and I’m confident that you can do the job, I don’t care what your GPA looks like. Regardless, self-awareness is a lost quality and I’m glad that you can be introspective about your situation. You’ll be just fine, keep pushing.

pov: your hr and know you can’t check so you make this thread to scare other applicants

Companies restate their earnings all the time and nobody bats an eye... I would have reached out to the firm and explained that your listed cumulative included final grades which hadn't been finalized yet and your official cumulative was skewed lower by the time your official grades were declared.

Horrible decision on the OP's part. My first job out of college was at a BB and the HR asked for my resume and didn't even care about grades. Just speaking from my experience, the OP should've just moved forward with it. Not saying you should lie, but honestly, most people don't give a crap about small stuff like 0.3 difference in gpa.

Not point risking it. Dude if anyone knows a way to cheat and games systems it’s me. The contract had a waiver allowing them to contact my university. The third party background check group also has this right that I needed to sign. They would check for any changes between my CV and actual grade. As a VP above said most likely this is a auto ding.   

The guilt was annoying I felt like it could be over any second. Can’t work like that.

You’re an idiot. You created problems out of thin air. Realistically if they would have seen your GPA drop you just explain you got bad grades. Boom, done. You went out of you way to screw yourself.

Did you try just telling them that you "made a mistake" and that your GPA was actually x instead of y before withdrawing? Not saying at all btw that this would be a viable option or an easy out by any means but just trying to understand the dynamics of how you approached your withdrawal. 

Assuming the worst could've happened, good for you for coming clean and yes it's better to do this than to have the bank find out that you lied as demonstrated by their second chance for next year. Had they found out, you may have been blacklisted and denied any opportunity to get into the industry but now you've cleared the path to hit the reset button and start with a clean slate as if none of this ever took place. I probably wouldn't bank on going back to this firm though despite what they've told you, but you're clearly of the caliber to land offers so focus on recruiting into other places.

Withdrawal to them had nothing to do with my grades. Family issues so mortal illness of a parent something along those lines. They seemed very empathetic so I don’t know. HR especially seemed to be pulling for me but I guess what you say is true also.   

i don’t doubt my ability to work at other shops. Even if they’ve lied.

Yeah but even those excuses don't explain what they'd perceive to be a lie. Since you brought up family and stuff they probably wanted to come across as nice and not wanting to rock the boat... but I don't think that you'll be high up on the list for recruiting there if everything you're saying is true.

Don't worry though -  you did the right thing and you can recruit again to any other firm.

This honestly sounds weird. No one would ask for your transcript and most banks would be fine by this GPA drop imo. Why tf would you withdraw without even trying?!

Did you read my post? Because I still have a shot next year. Best case v worst case. Best case I try again next year worst case I never work in IB again. 

I don’t think this is true. Why tf a bank would take revenge on you for a 0.3 GPA difference?

There are plenty of banks l don’t think HR is going to talk to each of them for 0.3 GPA difference lol.

Also at my uni we have actually 2 different GPAs one calculated for each single course (micro, macro) and another one calculated within entire courses ( economy =micro+macro) and because they have different credits the two are different.

You could have explained it like this

This is dumb.  Op all you had to do if asked is say your resume was correct, but was outdated with new grades that came in (this is true).  Its like .3 different.....

Theres a chance they rescind sure, but also a strong strong chance they don't care(and strong chance they don't even ask....)

Instead you gave yourself a 0% chance by withdrawing (and lying about why you withdrew) and you have a 100% chance of paying 50k for grad school.

Youre stupid 

Yes, I lied about my GPA for the majority of my internship interviews.The post have no arguments against the that they are scoring their best success . .

Wall Street is filled with liars. Take the internship, update your resume if you have to (I doubt it will be flagged), and own up to it if it gets flagged. And don’t lie. Learn to spot the lies around you. You will witness a vast number of shameless lies of great significance and of no significance. Keep track of the ones that affect you and steer clear of the worst lying liars — if you can.

If you can't run with a lie, IB might not be for you to begin with. I can't imagine what a CIM would look like if lying wasn't a thing. 

Nobody gives a shit about fuck when it comes to your GPA and I feel bad you even put yourself through that mental blender. I hope you have a few beers to commemorate your work of god though.

Never realised GPA is such a big deal in the US!

In London IBs all they care about is a 2.1 minimum (which equates to 60% or appox. 3.2 GPA).  An applicant having a 1st or a distinction hardly makes a difference. I personally know of several candidates who recruited for SA positions with a low 2.2 - with a standard line on CV "expected 2.1".  (Well they did have to work their a** off in the final year to meet the 2.1 conditional offer).

3.2 vs 3.5 is not that big a gap tbh and I personally feel you would have been okay with it. Worst instance, it would have been labelled as an oversight and not a blatant lie IMO.

In London, they use third parties like HireRight? How can they get a SA stint with a 2.2 when it would flag on a background check.

Because universities in general do not comment on grades - all they confirm is XYZ is a student at the university on xxx degree program, that's all

Plus several UK unis have a higher weighting towards the final year (c 60%/70% of the whole degree is not uncommon) - so students manage to pull up grades by grinding in the final year.

Also, in recent years some BB banks have even dropped the 2.1 requirement (GS, Barclays come to mind) - so all you need is literally a pass.

This guy didn't hear about the community adjusted EBITDA .

Clearly not an MD material...

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