Are College Grades Important (skills, degrees, medical school, best)

[tumbleweed118]

I am curious what other's opinions are on this. I have worked very hard to keep a high gpa in my current school, only to have my professors question my motives. Just about everyone of my professors have told me that I am working too hard in my classes because my grades will not matter when applying for a job. They claim that the only thing that matters is whether or not I have the degree the employer is searching for. Surely this is not the case, is it?

I could certainly use the extra time for other things, rather than putting forth the effort to get an A in all my classes. Like so many others, I am a non-traditional student supporting a family, working, and going to school. If I do not need the A, I certainly do not need to prove to myself that I can get the grade. Do any of you have valid opinions on this? Thanks.

[jobaba]

It all depends on what you want to do with your degree.

If you are just going to stop with your BA/BS, then grades are not that important. Some employers will ask, some won't. Especially in your situation as a non-traditional student, it's probably not as important.

However, if you plan to move on to additional degrees, it is very important.

BTW, which professor would ever say you are working too hard in their class? Their almost mocking their own role as post-secondary educators. What school do you go to?

[tumbleweed118]

Originally Posted by jobaba

It all depends on what you want to do with your degree.

If you are just going to stop with your BA/BS, then grades are not that important. Some employers will ask, some won't. Especially in your situation as a non-traditional student, it's probably not as important.

However, if you plan to move on to additional degrees, it is very important.

BTW, which professor would ever say you are working too hard in their class? Their almost mocking their own role as post-secondary educators. What school do you go to?

My plans are to become a CRNA and work towards my PhD. I do not believe that in today's economy and job market that a BA/BS will hold much weight when looking for a job. However, that is just my opinion. As far as professors telling me I am working too hard, I was shocked the first time I heard that, now it has become commonplace. I certainly do not understand that statement.

[phylogeny]

Well, some employers DO look at your grades. It's not as important as applying to grad school (where A's can make or break an application), but employers will red flag a very bad GPA.

I did all my interviews on campus and quite a few placed a GPA minimal at above 3.0, 3.2, or 3.5. The top firms of some professions are more strict and require excellent academic records. Others may have a low ball cut off (3.0-3.2).

I think employers consider it a rough estimate of your work ethic, your grasp of the skills taught to you, and your general ability to learn.

I think, as you go further from college, your GPA means less. However, after working a couple of years, I successfully interviewed at another firm in a lateral move, and they were very specific about asking for my GPA. It didn't have to be a 4.0, but I think they were expecting somewhere in the area of 3.5. My friend, who did not get the job, was asked by the interviewer why his GPA was so low (~3.0 range). However, both of us were only a couple of years out of college, so our coursework held more significance to employers.

I don't think it's necessary to maintain a 4.0. You should definitely relax a bit if this is affecting your life. That said, I would point out if you have any plans to do grad school, it is in your best interest to maintain a decent GPA (>3.5). I ended up attending medical school after deciding against it in college. I'm sure plenty of people end up doing things they didn't anticipate as a college grad, so a good GPA keeps options open.

Just remember that a bad GPA may hurt you, whereas a good GPA can only help.

[NJBest]

What school do you go to that a professor would even question you for doing your best? IF you can achieve a high GPA, certainly do so. You NEVER know when you'll have to pull out that transcript.

Plus, if you're getting a 3.8 or whatever for your BA/BS from a lower tier school.... you can ride that into a tier 1 school for grad school and break into the high-income club.

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by tumbleweed118

My plans are to become a CRNA and work towards my PhD. I do not believe that in today's economy and job market that a BA/BS will hold much weight when looking for a job. However, that is just my opinion. As far as professors telling me I am working too hard, I was shocked the first time I heard that, now it has become commonplace. I certainly do not understand that statement.

Hmm. That's an interesting path to say the least.

[HappyTexan]

GPA is important to some degree. I work for a big corporation that takes in college students in co-op and intern positions. They look at GPA and don't even consider any applications lower than 3.0.

[NinaN]

I think your GPA is a very important factor in landing that first job out of college (or all the recruiters wouldn't ask). And that first job is your stepping stone to future positions, so yes, even then it's important because your next step from a higher point is much better than from a lower point.

[tumbleweed118]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your replies. I really appreciate it.

[sware2cod]

For IT jobs, they specify the degree required (usually BS Comp Science). GPA is not mentioned. You either have the degree or you don't.