Listing 2.96 GPA as 3.0

Question

Hjort, any harm from listing my 2.96 GPA as 3.0 on the application? I'll still attach the transcript, of course, just worried about the application not begin considered with that low a GPA.

Graduated with a computer engineering degree, 740 GMAT. I'm hoping for Columbia, hope I got a shot :-D

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hjort · Answer

If the GPA was actually 2.96 and there is room for all of the digits why not just report it as 2.96?

Regardless of one's motivation for rounding up, I see little point in rounding up since the difference between 2.96 and 3.00 is minute. 

PS I'm glad to see that Columbia is in your portfolio.

MBAorBUST · Answer

The quantitative difference might be minute, but the psychological one is considerable, I think. To make it even more interesting, the GPA of my core courses is 3.0. 

I think rounding up to 3.0 might hurt more than help.

and yeah, not sure why Columbia isn't on more people's lists.

Hjort · Answer

I agree that rounding up is a bad idea in this context. It might be more comforting for you to apply with a 3.0 rather than a 2.96 but it will probably make little difference to the admissions officers. 

Regardless of your intentions, rounding up risks alienating admissions staff who might view this as ethically questionable behavior. I see little benefit and completely avoidable risk.

coffeeloverfreak · Answer

Sorry to hijack a thread, but I have a related question.

My GPA is on a scale of 4.3 (my ugrad university had A+s). When I convert my GPA to a scale of 4.0 by changing all A+s to As, it works out to a 3.96. 

Some applications only leave one decimal point... but I'm hesitant to round up to a 4.0, because that implies a perfect score, which I didn't have. Then again, with the A+s, my GPA was well over 4.0.

I know a few decimal points won't make much of a difference, but I don't want to mis-represent anything. Obviously where I have the space I'll give my actual GPA on a scale of 4.3... but where asked for it on a 4.0 scale and with only one decimal place, should I round up to 4.0 or down to 3.9?

Hjort · Answer

That's a reasonable question with a subtle difference. Is your official GPA on the transcript greater than 4.0?

Hjort

coffeeloverfreak · Answer

Yes it is, but that's on a scale of 4.3.

MBAorBUST · Answer

Please, I wish I had that problem.. Just list your 3.9 and be happy :lol:

They'll see your transcript anyway.. Imagine if this thread was titled Should I list 3.96 as a 4.0 ? People would laugh! because it doesn't make any difference.. Hjort, play Devil's advocate with me and tell me why so many people leave Columbia off their list of schools to apply to?

Hjort · Answer

coffeelover, 

As a general rule, I would not make any conversions of GPA unless explicitly told to do so by the MBA program. If you have any doubts, contact the MBA program and ask (MBAorBUST has a point- they might start laughing but on the plus side you can brighten the day of the admissions staff with your question).

MBAorBUST- Great question regarding why people do not include Columbia. I plan to address it on the Columbia thread.

Listing 2.96 GPA as 3.0

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