It’s not that uncommon for college and/or high school graduates to want to bump up their GPA scores. Because let’s face it, it can reflect your capabilities and demonstrates what you can achieve and where you are best at.
If you’re thinking of rounding up your GPA, do it! However, be cautious. There are rules that you should follow to avoid discrepancies.
Here are some general rules when it comes to GPA conversion:
- You can round your GPA to the nearest tenth.
It’s acceptable; for example, 3.48 can also be considered as 3.5. But rounding to the whole number is a no-go. Let’s say you have a score of 2.81. That does not mean you can round it up to 3.
- Double-Checking.
They received your application and checked it. It may seem like a courtesy, but some agents double-check the records of their candidates to make sure. They might question the change and, worst-case scenario, they might develop skepticism towards you.
- Do not post a 4.0 if you haven’t earned it.
You cannot just convert a 3.96 to a 4.0. Achieving a 4.0 is a massive accomplishment. Additionally, resume experts wouldn’t suggest doing this.
- GPA to letter grade is not advised.
Rounding your GPA is acceptable, depending on the circumstances. However, converting your GPA to a letter grade is ill-advised. It’s a huge difference in scores and might become an issue of deception.
Alternatives
Rounding up your GPA poses difficulty and risks such as misrepresentation, misunderstanding, and misinterpretation between you and the company. You don’t want that. Instead, try these alternate options to make your application form more edgy but still reliable.
- Consult an expert or our GPA calculator.
Rounding up may not be the best idea, but we can give you nice tips. For example, why not list down the GPA of your major instead of your overall score?
- Do not focus solely on your GPA.
You can write down a list of your accomplishments and skills to make your application more appealing.
- If your GPA is less than 3.0, don’t list it anymore.
Since job recruiters are mostly looking for individuals with an above 3.0, you should not disclose your GPA, as it could hurt your chances at landing a good job.