Dear CRCers:Â Â
I'm kind of freaking out because I'm probably going to get a C in one of my classes this semester, and I already have a C from last year. I'm worried about my low GPA; how should I begin thinking of explaining this to my family, on my resume, and when I go look for jobs?Â
Signed, C-ing Failure
While a C or 2 in high school might have kept you out of the running for admission to Brown, now that you're here, the relationship between your transcript and being competitive for many jobs, professional and graduate schools is very different.
In their request for a resume, many employers do not require or necessarily expect to see a self-calculated GPA on it, and they probably would find more intriguing a list of "relevant coursework" pertaining to the job opening. As for your applications for advanced degrees, you'll need to submit your official transcript, and some professions like law school do go by a more quantitative calculation for admissions (e.g., raw scores such as grades and LSAT results); however, we know of recent alums who have been admitted to prestigious medical schools with a C or two in their premed classes, and of many who took the opportunity in their personal statements to address some low grades (e.g., the transition to college being bumpy, a change in decision on what to study, what they learned about themselves, etc.).
It goes without saying that Brown is a tough school, and a great many in the world of work hold it in high esteem. Instead of focusing on achieving a perfect GPA (and feeling like "a failure" if you don't have one), channel your thoughts towards reflecting on what knowledge and skills you're learning, and what matters to you in terms of your values and how you wish to use your education after college. As you apply for work and schools for advanced degrees, you'll be a strong candidate if you are able to authentically convey what you're curious about, what motivates you, and where you see yourself going. (As alum Caitie Whelan '97.5 wrote, "You are more than your credentials.") Also, keep finding those alumni and/or mentors who will tell you that in their experience, anything less than perfect grades didn't mean they were doomed.
And finally: It's the 7th inning, or the beginning of the 4th quarter, and a lot can happen between now and the end of the semester. Don't assume you're destined to stay at C-level in this class. Consider speaking with the professor about what you can do moving forward.