Do college grades matter in the long run?

Answer 1

Depends entirely on what line of work for which you're aiming, but generally, no. If you pass and graduate, that's what matters. Most employers who require a college degree do not ask for your transcripts.

By the way -- I had average grades in undergrad and got accepted to a rather well known, prestigious graduate program without a problem. Granted -- there was over a 15 year lapse between undergrad and applying for graduate school.

HELLO PEOPLE?? EVERY person around me is walking proof that employers do not look at your college transcripts. Sorry to burst your bubble. I've been successfully, gainfully employed for over 15 years in many capacities and have NEVER had someone ask for my GPA or my grades.

Answer 2

Yes and no. It really depends on where you are headed after college. If you want to continue on to graduate school, you will need your grades to get to the next level. Certain fields, like teaching and medicine, for example, want their applicants to have good grades.

Many employers, however, who are looking for college graduates, will verify that you received your diploma but will never ask for transcripts. They want to see that you did the work necessary to make it to the end. That said, any time that the work force gets competitive in any field, the employer has to have some way to narrow down the list of applicants. Often they start with college degrees (sometimes advanced degrees), but they can also choose to use grade point average as a way to narrow the field if they want.

In short. Get the best grades you possibly can, and then don't worry too much.

Answer 3

In the long run, no. If you die when you're 80, noone is going to cite your college grades when they read your eulogy.
In the short-term (which will get you on track for your long-term goals) then yes, they matter
They are only a step in your path, and how solid you make that step depends a lot on where you want it to take you

Answer 4

It depends on how long run. They matter in a first job or when trying to get into grad school. They don't much matter after that.

Answer 5

If you mean long run as in years after getting out of school the no, but they mean a lot when you're first getting out there. Employers look at them the most, one because chances are you don't have a lot of experience and two b/c your GPA is the best predictor of your work performance other than past jobs.

Answer 6

I don't think they matter in general. I believe the grades just help YOU to measure how well you know the material presented in the class or shall I say the grade helps you to measure how well you paid attention to the INSTRUCTOR.

I remember graduating from college and my initial job interviewers did ask me about my OVERALL GPA. They didn't ask me about the grades specifically. But it may depend on the course of study you've chosen. A degree in Biology is a lot different than a degree in basket weaving!

Answer 7

For graduate schools and very competitive employers. Depending on the field you are going into; it varies.

But if your career need not apply to the above, then it doesn't matter.

Answer 8

They do if you want to go to grad school. And when you start looking for jobs, considering the fact that you're young and probably dont have much work experience, a good gpa will help you to be taken seriously.

Answer 9

If you plan to ever go to graduate school they will.

They will also matter on your first career job out of school, unless you are already working in your industry full time while going to college.

Other then those two huge factors they don't matter.

Answer 10

yeah if you want to go to a grad school or enter a professional school, like law, med, etc.

if not.......not really. just get a lot of 'skills' and experience. especially related to finance, business, or computers. i have friends that make 3 times more than me....that didnt do well in school (or even go to college at all) and i graduated from a good school as a biochem major.