Does College GPA really matter in the real world?

Question

I am told I am intellegent ALL the time however, my GPA in the past 2 years has gone downhill. I have a 2.55 (approx) I feel like such a failure sometimes. What is worse is when there are dingbat girls that can't tell the difference between a country and a continent who possibly have a higher GPA than me. YOU PEOPLE OUT IN THE REAL WORLD LET ME KNOW DOES GPA REALLY MATTER????Am I overstressing? Should I just enjoy the journey?

ok so let me expand here... THanks for the motivation so far. no I do NOT party all the time. I just had personal circumstances that ruined a semester for me. Prior to this I was an all A & B student. It's been difficult getting it all together again. THANKS for everyones responses...(even the smart bum one that made me laugh)

Answer 1

YES, it does.

I recently applied for an upper level position and I was asked to provide my college transcripts.

I asked if a copies of my degrees were sufficient...they said they wanted official transcripts, from EVERY college I attended!

So, don't slack off in the beginning either!

Answer 2

It does and it doesn't. When you first get your degree, a potential employer will ask about your GPA in an interview simply because that is one of the few indicators of what kind of employee you likely will be. Unless you are also a member of MENSA and other brainiac organizations, that first employer isn't going to put much stock into this "I'm intelligent, but college was such a drag" routine (so you might want to really excell at some easy courses to pump up that GPA!). After you have been out in the real world a bit and move on to other positions, GPA's are practically a thing of the past. Then the focus will be on your references, your intelligent answers to interview questions, your work achievements (promotions, etc.), and so on.

Answer 3

No, GPA does not matter in the real world. Anyone who tells you that it does, does not have true real world experience. David Letterman, the talk show host, has a scholarship at Ball State (where he graduated college) that is awarded to two students who have a GPA of 2.0, because that is what his GPA was. OK, now I could give you more examples, real examples of GPA not mattering in the real world, you have a bigger issue to handle here.

The big issue for you is that you feel like a failure. That's not good, and easily correctable. First of all, classroom education might be most cost effective, but it isn't the best educational experience for everyone. I highly recommend you get the best private tutors you can in your troubled areas of study. Even if its a matter of having them help you figure out how to study, what to study that is fine. Also, taking exams is another part. You can have a tutor help you learn how to take exams and do essays.

Yes, a GPA in the real world isn't important, but the fact it is an area you feel you are lacking, you should work on it for your own self image. People who have high GPAs are not smart, they have just figured out a study system to crack the code, sort of speak to get higher grades. You don't need to have a 4.0 GPA, but I bet you would feel much better about yourself if you were somewhere in the 3.xx area.

Answer 4

Well Exxpert dude---to give you an extremely targeted answer here --- yes and no---First off--in the competitive world that you will enter upon graduation there are some jobs that you could be applying for that the degree itself is the start point in your application's acceptance prospects--with these particular jobs the people charged with filling the billets will go to fine points of variation between applicants to make their decision--here GPA can play a key role------most of the time though--for most job openings the degree is the thing and the delving into the GPA is very seldom bothered with-------------------One point here though--you ARE stressing out of turn on your focus solely on GPA as a comparitive point between yourself and others and a simple step back and re--review will tune you in ---you know that other students around you are in pursuit of a wide spectrum of degree plans and these studies range literally from the sublime to the ridiculous----some courses of study are walk thrus while others are damn tuff even for the brightest among us---so--if you are involved in say microbiology and this other person is involved in day care management----you may be brilliant and knocking down 2.5 and the other individual --somewhat average--taking home 3.8's---so comparing these is assanine---like the apples and oranges thing----but within the study plan those figures become significant to compare the capabilities of the student.....Hopefully some of this renews your hopes and helps to encourage you to move on toward that sheepskin------Best of Luck to You------hang in and you're gonna do jes fine

Answer 5

GPA matters most in getting that first job, which is your problem.
You don't get hired or paid based on intelligence, but based on your performance or what you can do for the employer. Like how much money you can help them make or what you can produce. In the real world intelligence doesn't matter much and performance does. In school performance is measured by grades. Why would an employer hire a person like you who obviously doesn't put his best effort into the task at hand. No one wants an employee who puts in a C+ effort. Even if they are a genius it doesn't help the employer.

Answer 6

College GPA can make a difference, however it is not everything. As long as you are doing your very best, then just enjoy the ride. If you are not doing your best, then you are cheating yourself. Buck up and do better. If you are doing your best, but are having trouble understanding your subjects talk to a counselor or get a tutor.

Good luck.

Answer 7

It depends on what your goals are. If you are planning to further your education, then definitely college GPA counts as far as getting into advanced degree programs. Otherwise, I don't think it's quite as important--you can show a lot through your attitudes and abilities.

Everyone can find a niche for themself.

Answer 8

Your GPA is important, when companies come to your college looking to recruit you as a future employee. Students with the highest GPA's are recruited for the most desirable, highest paying positions.

Answer 9

No they don't ask you that on your interviews. They want you to be a normal human being who can think and handle details. Being too perfectionist can ruin things in the workplace too as these people criticize others and backbite to the extent that the overall morale is down the toilet.

Answer 10

They may think that if your GPA was low...you were not completing your work at school or not focused. Maybe that you must have been a partier......were you???? Sooner or later, you'll find a job that will give you a chance to prove how good you really are.
Good luck