Which GPA's to put on resume. Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I realize this may not be directly related to employment, but I want to use the anonymous feature because I'm revealing my GPA's/transfer status. Also, it is related to employment in that my resume is used to gain employment.

So, I transferred from a mid-to-low Tier 1 to UCLA/Vandy/UT. My old GPA was a bit above 3.5. I just got grades back and I now have just below a 3.2 at my new school. Luckily my new school doesn't rank, so I don't have to worry about putting that on. I'm thinking I should just put the new GPA on and leave the 1L GPA off. Any advice? What would you do? Why?

[Interested Observer]

So I realize this may not be directly related to employment, but I want to use the anonymous feature because I'm revealing my GPA's/transfer status. Also, it is related to employment in that my resume is used to gain employment.

So, I transferred from a mid-to-low Tier 1 to UCLA/Vandy/UT. My old GPA was a bit above 3.5. I just got grades back and I now have just below a 3.2 at my new school. Luckily my new school doesn't rank, so I don't have to worry about putting that on. I'm thinking I should just put the new GPA on and leave the 1L GPA off. Any advice? What would you do? Why?

I just want to tag this post b/c I'm in a similar situation (although I haven't received all my grades -- still waiting on one more). If I do well in my last class, I'll have above a 3.4 so I figure I'd put it on my resume (my new school also doesn't rank) and include my 1L GPA with that rank from my old school. I'd keep the 1L GPA with rank next to the old school's name because presumably you did very well anyway. I'm not sure when we're allowed to drop the old school from our resume, though.

Another thing to consider is that there may already be a policy about this at your school. I've heard a general rule of thumb is to include anything above a 3.0, but I'm not terribly sure about that.

[Anonymous User]

So I realize this may not be directly related to employment, but I want to use the anonymous feature because I'm revealing my GPA's/transfer status. Also, it is related to employment in that my resume is used to gain employment.

So, I transferred from a mid-to-low Tier 1 to UCLA/Vandy/UT. My old GPA was a bit above 3.5. I just got grades back and I now have just below a 3.2 at my new school. Luckily my new school doesn't rank, so I don't have to worry about putting that on. I'm thinking I should just put the new GPA on and leave the 1L GPA off. Any advice? What would you do? Why?

I too am in a very similar situation, except I transferred from a mid-T2 to UCLA/Vandy/UT.

I was just outside of the top 10% at my old school, with about a 3.5. I ended up with a 3.7 this semester, and I decided to put both GPAs on my resume.

I'm not sure what the consensus is on exactly when you can take the transfer school off your resume, but I would think you would keep it on there until you graduate???

[Anonymous User]

I just want to tag this post b/c I'm in a similar situation (although I haven't received all my grades -- still waiting on one more). If I do well in my last class, I'll have above a 3.4 so I figure I'd put it on my resume (my new school also doesn't rank) and include my 1L GPA with that rank from my old school. I'd keep the 1L GPA with rank next to the old school's name because presumably you did very well anyway. I'm not sure when we're allowed to drop the old school from our resume, though.

Another thing to consider is that there may already be a policy about this at your school. I've heard a general rule of thumb is to include anything above a 3.0, but I'm not terribly sure about that.

See my problem is that the GPA drop is pretty big. If it was a 3.5 to a 3.4, I'd probably put both on. But I don't want potential employers thinking: "welll this guy did well at a this other school, but now that he's at vandy he couldn't quite cut it." I just feel like the 3.5+ to 3.19 is too big of a drop. Maybe I'm being paranoid or thinking wrong about this.

[Anonymous User]

I too am in a very similar situation, except I transferred from a mid-T2 to UCLA/Vandy/UT.

I was just outside of the top 10% at my old school, with about a 3.5. I ended up with a 3.7 this semester, and I decided to put both GPAs on my resume.

I'm not sure what the consensus is on exactly when you can take the transfer school off your resume, but I would think you would keep it on there until you graduate???

No offense, but why did you post this? I was asking for advice on what I should do about having a LOWER GPA at my new school. Thanks for tooting your own horn.

And yes, you have to keep your old school on at least until you graduate. Though allegedly there are some that advocate you must leave it on even longer.

[Interested Observer]

I just want to tag this post b/c I'm in a similar situation (although I haven't received all my grades -- still waiting on one more). If I do well in my last class, I'll have above a 3.4 so I figure I'd put it on my resume (my new school also doesn't rank) and include my 1L GPA with that rank from my old school. I'd keep the 1L GPA with rank next to the old school's name because presumably you did very well anyway. I'm not sure when we're allowed to drop the old school from our resume, though.

Another thing to consider is that there may already be a policy about this at your school. I've heard a general rule of thumb is to include anything above a 3.0, but I'm not terribly sure about that.

See my problem is that the GPA drop is pretty big. If it was a 3.5 to a 3.4, I'd probably put both on. But I don't want potential employers thinking: "welll this guy did well at a this other school, but now that he's at vandy he couldn't quite cut it." I just feel like the 3.5+ to 3.19 is too big of a drop. Maybe I'm being paranoid or thinking wrong about this.

Hmm, maybe it should be based on the job you're applying to? First, make sure what the school policy is regarding GPA (whether to put it or not). Second, depending on the job you're applying for, you may or may not need to include it. If the job lists a GPA preference, then you might want to include it; but, if it doesn't, then maybe it'd be OK to leave it off.

I wouldn't be too worried about putting a 3.2 GPA from a school like Vandy. In this case, if you feel too self-conscious and think it may come across poorly, drop your old school GPA but include the rank and other honors? [I don't know if this breaks any rule though.] That way, employers won't really see a drop in GPA.

I totally get what you're saying, and I didn't mean to sound like I have a 3.4 -- I need to get an A on the grade I'm waiting for to get it above a 3.4. Otherwise, I'm looking at something in between 3.2 -- 3.3. I think I'm just going to include both GPAs even if I get a 3.2.

What types of jobs are you looking at right now for the summer?

[Anonymous User]

I too am in a very similar situation, except I transferred from a mid-T2 to UCLA/Vandy/UT.

I was just outside of the top 10% at my old school, with about a 3.5. I ended up with a 3.7 this semester, and I decided to put both GPAs on my resume.

I'm not sure what the consensus is on exactly when you can take the transfer school off your resume, but I would think you would keep it on there until you graduate???

No offense, but why did you post this? I was asking for advice on what I should do about having a LOWER GPA at my new school. Thanks for tooting your own horn.

And yes, you have to keep your old school on at least until you graduate. Though allegedly there are some that advocate you must leave it on even longer.

Just thought I'd update about the "leaving your old school on" issue. Talked to my career services counselor today and she said that if you want you can absolutely take your old school off after you get grades at the new school.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a transfer too and was wondering the same thing about whether I should put my old school on my resume. The employers will still see the transcript from the old school, right?

[vamedic03]

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[Interested Observer]

For transfers -> doesn't the fact that you were able to transfer to a much better school speak for itself? I think all legal employers know that you must have done exceptionally well to transfer to a better school

Even if my new school says it's okay for me to take off the old school, I'll probably keep it on until I graduate. That way there are no "surprises" for employers this summer. (But, I guess you can use this argument ad infinitum to keep it on forever.)