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Include only Class Rank on Resume, Leave off GPA- OK?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:01 am
by Anonymous User
I just squeaked into the top third in my class, so I was wondering if I could include class rank only, and leave off my GPA for OCI apps. Is this kosher?

Re: Include only Class Rank on Resume, Leave off GPA- OK?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:11 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I just squeaked into the top third in my class, so I was wondering if I could include class rank only, and leave off my GPA for OCI apps. Is this kosher?
I was thinking about doing the same thing (since I juuuust broke into the top 10% of my class). But I don't think thats the best idea. Leaving the GPA off, when all your classmates put it on, will draw even more attention to it.

But like you, I wanted to draw attention to the rank, rather than the objective GPA figure. So what I did was something like this:

Rank/GPA: Top 10%/ 3.xx

This way, the first thing they see is the ranking, and their opinion is colored by the ranking figure before they even look at the GPA figure (if they even glance over at the GPA). My section had a very odd curve so my objective GPA is quite a bit lower than other people who are also top 10% from other sections. So employers were surprised that my GPA was actually top 10%. Thats why I want to color their opinion by having the rank first. That takes attention away from the GPA figure, without leaving it off entirely. Plus, this format saves you a line on your resume since you aren't putting GPA and rank on separate lines.

Re: Include only Class Rank on Resume, Leave off GPA- OK?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 10:14 am
by Anonymous User
Good advice, think Ill follow that as well. Thanks

Re: Include only Class Rank on Resume, Leave off GPA- OK?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:10 pm
by existenz
Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I just squeaked into the top third in my class, so I was wondering if I could include class rank only, and leave off my GPA for OCI apps. Is this kosher?
I was thinking about doing the same thing (since I juuuust broke into the top 10% of my class). But I don't think thats the best idea. Leaving the GPA off, when all your classmates put it on, will draw even more attention to it.

But like you, I wanted to draw attention to the rank, rather than the objective GPA figure. So what I did was something like this:

Rank/GPA: Top 10%/ 3.xx

This way, the first thing they see is the ranking, and their opinion is colored by the ranking figure before they even look at the GPA figure (if they even glance over at the GPA). My section had a very odd curve so my objective GPA is quite a bit lower than other people who are also top 10% from other sections. So employers were surprised that my GPA was actually top 10%. Thats why I want to color their opinion by having the rank first. That takes attention away from the GPA figure, without leaving it off entirely. Plus, this format saves you a line on your resume since you aren't putting GPA and rank on separate lines.
Top 10% in your section doesn't equal top 10% in your class, especially if your GPA is "quite a bit lower" than top 10% in other sections. Make sure you are damn sure about this ranking before putting it on your resume.

Re: Include only Class Rank on Resume, Leave off GPA- OK?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:12 pm
by The Valkyrie
if class rank or gpa are not requested, dont include them. i think its fine to include class rank but not gpa, as the gpa's significance varies by school.