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.
Found another way around this?
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- 1Leaving the GPA off the resume entirely3 people mentionedDid this help you?
- 2Taking individual online classes to meet CPA education requirements instead of getting a second bachelor'sDid this help you?
- 3Listing both degrees on the resume without showing the GPADid this help you?
- 4Retaking classes or dropping low gradesDid this help you?
- 5Studying harder to bring up future semester gradesDid this help you?
- 6Working toward the CPA certificationDid this help you?
- 7Applying broadly to firms that do not enforce strict minimumsDid this help you?
- 8Pulling up the major GPA ASAPDid this help you?
- 9Padding the resume with relevant internships or software certifications like QuickBooks or ExcelDid this help you?
- 10Joining school clubs and trying to secure leadership positions earlierDid this help you?
- 11Listing only the major GPA or university-specific GPA instead of the cumulative GPADid this help you?
- 12Keeping short-term jobs on the resume to show employment stability instead of lying about the durationDid this help you?
- 13Retaking classes for grade replacement to boost GPADid this help you?
- 14Pursuing the CPA exam or passing parts of it to offset a low GPADid this help you?
- 15Leveraging personal networks or family connections for interviewsDid this help you?
- 16Targeting government positions where GPA matters less over timeDid this help you?
- 17Gaining practical software experience through independent training programsDid this help you?
- 18Sharing only the accounting-specific major GPA if it is higherDid this help you?
- 19Putting in extra work to network and make connectionsDid this help you?
- 20Following the rule of thumb to include the GPA if it is 3.0 or higherDid this help you?
- 21Pursuing a master's degree to get another chance at landing an internship or job offerDid this help you?
- 22Leaving low grades off the resumeDid this help you?
- 23Focusing on extracurricular activities, volunteering, and student organizations such as VITADid this help you?
- 24Gaining practical work experience and internships early to shift employer focus away from academic transcriptsDid this help you?
- 25Focusing heavily on classes to raise the GPADid this help you?
- 26Targeting smaller firms with lower hiring standardsDid this help you?
- 27Obtaining additional credentials like the VITA certification, accounting certificates, or CPA eligibilityDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, 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 ↗
“I haven't applied to any internships/jobs out of fear since I failed all my upper division accounting courses and my resume is empty, aside from an unpaid internship and some tax volunteering.”source ↗
“I just finished my BS in Accounting and my overall GPA is 3.37 and I'm not sure how to handle it. Should I list it or leave it off?”source ↗
“I also don't have an accounting internship yet.”source ↗
“I’m in my final year of an accounting bachelor’s with a pretty low gpa with no experience and an awful transcript.”source ↗
“Would I be able to get any job at all after graduation or is my degree just going to be a useless piece of paper?”source ↗
“I’ve seen a lot of people time discussing how they can’t find work after graduating and they have way better stats than me.”source ↗
“Given that my GPA is relatively low (2.75 but slowly going up, unsure if I will reach 3.0 by the spring) could that outweigh my academic lag?”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 ↗
“I transferred schools and my last gpa at my old college was a 3.0, should i still add it on my resume or will it scare employers away”source ↗
“My GPA is relatively low (2.75, had a bad first year) but has been increasing.”source ↗
“In applications after that, would my prior experience outweigh my low GPA if it fails to increase?”source ↗
“internship is the only thing that actually got me in the door, nobody ever asked about my gpa once i had real experience on there”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
People with this problem also raised
- 4Overall GPA vs major GPA on resume
- 4How to get an accounting internship with a low GPA
- 2Should I keep old roles on my resume?
- 2Can I get fired if my employer finds out about my writing hobby?
- 3Can I use a job title I wasn't officially given?
- 6How to file incorporation paperwork without using your home address