Professors and universities have always emphasized the importance of a high GPA for those who wish to attend graduate school. Top graduate schools particularly require an excellent GPA, like the 3.8 for Harvard Medical School, 3.9 for Yale Law, and 3.6 for Stanford Business, according to U.S. News and World Report. Although it depends on the program and university, most graduate programs look at students whose GPA is above 3.5.

Erin Bangerter, a junior from Laie, Hawaii, has always known the importance of maintaining a high GPA for the physical therapy graduate school she is hoping to attend. “That is how they determine who to accept,” Bangerter said.

On the other hand, there are those students who wish to head straight into the workforce after graduating with their bachelor’s degree. Michelle Snyder, a junior from Provo, Utah, said she is only interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree. “I know that it is important to have a degree, but that is all I am interested in at this point,” Snyder said.

Snyder said she has never had an employer ask about her GPA, nor has she ever put it on her résumé . She feels that employers tend to value the degree and your experience more than your GPA.

However, times may be changing. Joshua Allen, a professor in the English Department and the internship coordinator for the English Department, recently returned from the New York Internship Expedition and found that employers do find a student’s GPA important. At Hachette, a publishing company based in New York City, their human resource director told students they didn’t consider applicants if their GPA was not on their résumé, Allen said.

“They assume a student’s GPA is too low if it is not on there,” Allen said. “That experience shows the importance of maintaining a high GPA.”

Of the 70 percent of hiring managers interviewed for the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ “Job Outlook 2005” survey, the majority said they use 3.0 as their cutoff.

This may cause concern for some students. However, according to www.careerbuilder.com, hiring managers look for more than just a GPA.

Of those surveyed, 23 percent look for relevant experience, 21 percent look for a good fit within the company culture, 19 percent look at educational background, 12 percent look for enthusiasm and 8 percent look for candidates that offer up ideas and asks good questions.

Bruce Kusch, a professor in the Business Management Department, said the importance of GPA will vary with each company. Some employers automatically eliminate candidates who are below a certain GPA level while others are not as concerned about it. However, for recent graduates, it could be more important. “Candidates interviewing for entry-level positions can expect a prospective employer to be interested in their GPA,” Kusch said.  

A student’s GPA many not be the most important factor, but it could be the deciphering factor between two applicants, said Laura Morsch, the career adviser for www.CBcampus.com.