[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I am a transfer student at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce. I have accepted an internship offer with a Big Four firm, and an upcoming drop in GPA is worrying me. It is quite possible that I could be getting something in the 2.8-3.2 range this semester (but hopefully higher).

To provide context, McIntire is the #2 undergraduate business school in the country according to Bloomberg Businessweek. The average GPA for business students in my current semester is a 3.3, and for transfers students it is typically lower. It is simply a very challenging school made up of bright people

The transfer acceptance rate to the school was 12%, and the average incoming transfer GPA was a 3.8. My cumulative GPA in my last two years was a 3.8, and I had a 3.97 average this past year while taking 37 credit hours in two semesters at my former school.

Despite the school, and despite good performance at my previous school, I am really worried about my grades. I want a final offer after my internship.

What do you guys think? I feel like being average or even slightly below average at a top school wouldn’t be terrible. At the same time its seems like “3.0” spells disaster.

Could someone please give me a “target gpa” that I need to be making here at McIntire. I’m working really hard, but I’m losing sleep over this.

Thank you.

[AGI]

Hi cjsoccer3,

I think you are over worrying ..

First of all, congregation on your transfer to McIntire. I would say you are very smart person academically.

Yes, your GPA does get you into a big firm. No, your GPA is not going to determine if you will get a permanent offer in the Big Four.

Let me tell you this: As long as you stay in good academic status, you will be fine. And in terms of good academic status, I basically mean, as long as you are not failing your class, you will be totally fine. Your school should have some sort of graduation GPA requirement. As long as you have that, and plenty of other things to talk, you will be okay.

The only thing that determine if you will get a permanent offer in the job is “if you physically perform the job”. We got to admit the fact that even if you have a 4.0 GPA but you can't work, we aren't going to hire you. I would also like to remind you this fact: your future BOSS is going to be someone at least 30 or 40 years old. They might be from your school or might not be from your school. Nevertheless, they have finished school 20 years ago and they are already outdated in school. They are not going to track you down on your GPA. They don't even know what you are taking and they probably don't remember a thing in your major. All they care is “Can this person finish what I assigned them so I can have something to tell my boss when it's the deadline.”

Having a slightly low GPA doesn't brother anyone. You might be questioned about your slightly low GPA compare to other candidate (usually in your interview, or by HR people), but as long as you have some reasons to blame on (such as working too much, or too many internships), you will be okay.

(The GPA only matters when you are in school. Once you get your degree, no one cares anymore.)

I would say from all the auditors I have meet from the big four, a good GPA only gets them into the door. What gets them into a higher position is other elements.

NY - CPA

New York - NYC
Passed CPA Exam (11/2014)
In search for a position in NYC that will fulfills the license requirement.

[Anonymous]

Thank you yellowsugar! Anyone out there with a different opinion? Bump.

[Herbieherb]

I'd say a 3.2 is safe.

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

from what ive seen on this forum gpa doesnt mean that much as long as it is above a 3. There have been countless posts on this forum that say “i have a 4.0 gpa and tons of experience but i cant land a internship/job”. thats because most firms care more about whether you would fit in with their culture. having a drop in gpa may actually be a blessing in disguise if humbles you a little bit

[Anonymous]

bump.

[Anonymous]

bump 🙂

[Anonymous]

Why are you bumping this. This situation is not atypical. It is insanely typical. It is the definition of “overthinking, overworried, insecure student” in the dictionary. I just looked it up. It had a link to this thread.

Your gpa is fine. You have an internship. Work hard, get to know people, let your enthusiasm for the work shine through. Try to get some good grades and don't forget to date, drink, and dance.

And stop bumping this thread.

If you're still losing sleep over it, here's your target gpa – 4.0 Try to get that and see what happens.

[Author]

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