How to hide a low GPA on a job application
Job seekers with low grades worry that mentioning a past degree will lead to automatic disqualification by 3.0 GPA minimum filters. Leaving the GPA off or omitting the degree entirely lets applicants bypass initial screening blocks, though some find that past grades stop mattering completely over time.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Leaving the GPA off the resume entirely
- 2Taking individual online classes to meet CPA education requirements instead of getting a second bachelor's
- 3Listing both degrees on the resume without showing the GPA
- 4Retaking classes or dropping low grades
- 5Studying harder to bring up future semester grades
- 6Working toward the CPA certification
- 7Applying broadly to firms that do not enforce strict minimums
- 8Pulling up the major GPA ASAP
- 9Padding the resume with relevant internships or software certifications like QuickBooks or Excel
- 10Joining school clubs and trying to secure leadership positions earlier
- 11Listing only the major GPA or university-specific GPA instead of the cumulative GPA
- 12Keeping short-term jobs on the resume to show employment stability instead of lying about the duration
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“i graduated from a private college with a bachelors in economics but my GPA was extremely low (2.2 gpa).”source ↗
“I graduated with a 2.something, I honestly don't remember because it hasn't mattered in the slightest.”source ↗
“My first year at CC was really bad for my academics because I had to manage to be in class but also support my parents & sibling financially.”source ↗
“I was working full time and couldn’t do my best causing my GPA to be low.”source ↗
“I don’t know what my chaces are, and I don’t know if my GPA will be the only thing they look at.”source ↗
“I really want to get into one of the Big 4 or big accounting firms but I just feel pretty behind and don't think my chances are good.”source ↗
“I have a culmulative gpa of 3.6 (across multiple insitutions since I co-ed at a CC during high school), but my major gpa is complete buns at a 2.7.”source ↗
“I just feel behind since there's so many other people doing much better than me.”source ↗
“Hey, so I'm unsure what to do for my resume, currently a senior. My cumulative GPA is a 3.1 which was mainly tanked from finding my ass in my early 20s.”source ↗
“Could I just list my institution gpa and major gpa while leaving out cumulative?”source ↗
“I've been leaving it off my resume entirely but think that might be harming my chances.”source ↗
“Would it look bad if I only worked there for a couple of months?”source ↗
“Feel demoralized going to all these firms, and going to apply and seeing 3.0 minimum.”source ↗
“Would employers / recruiters know if I made I rounded it up to a year instead of a couple months”source ↗
“i know if i mention my first degree i’ll be automatically disqualified 😕”source ↗
Where this came up
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