What are my chances with a 2.2 GPA here in college?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

I have such a low GPA because at first, I wanted to be an Accounting major. For this major, I took Accounting 1 (which I hated and D’ed in) and because I took Calculus 1 (which I failed twice but only count as one F because its one subject). However, I have changed my mind about this and officially declared a major in Women’s Gender Studies, and I am doing well in it (A’s and B’s).

I cannot retake D’s at my school, but I am going to retake Calculus because I feel as if I can pass it. As of now, in the summer, I am self-studying and reviewing Calculus and Pre-Calculus material so hopefully I can get at least a C this third time.

I do NOT have a strong job history. I have only worked in a nursing home in high school, for about a year and a half, and that was through a school youth employment program I was qualified for, somehow. Its NOT that I do not care about getting a job. I’ve applied to others, but with no luck/calls back after interviews. Also, I am attending this Bloomberg LP career event, here in NYC next week because as I said, I care about myself and wish to succeed.

Also, I’ve C’ed a few core classes that everyone has to take.

I do not totally know what I want to do with myself yet after college, but I know that I want to go to the CUNY Graduate Center for grad school (I’m a CUNY student myself right now; Hunter College) and that I ideally would like to work in a big place, in a big organization, as my advisor for my major mentioned.

This GPA was just above a solid 2.0, after Fall 2014 and right before Spring 2015. I was on Academic Probation during the Fall 2014 semester from the Accounting and Calculus incidents, but I have gotten my GPA up from a 2.0 to a 2.2 and hope to climb higher and keep it up.

I will be a junior this coming fall semester.

How much hope is there for me, job and life success wise, honestly? What should I do for myself, aside from self-studying to pass Calc this time, as of now?

How about in general? How much hope is there for students who have been on Academic Probation like I have, generally speaking?

2

You need to go to the tutors for your major and get your GPA up as high as possible. Then take everything one step at a time.

3

You can ultimately do well enough, but you will have to work harder than the average student. Be ready for your achievements to take you longer and be somewhat less impressive than those of many other people. In spite of that, you can have achievements that are important.

4

I know what I’m about to say is going to sound negative but I truly mean in it in a beneficial manner. You really need to consider whether it’s in your best interest to continue paying for this degree. I only say this because its a low employable degree and you’ll end up with a low GPA (though if you work your ass off you could potentially end up with a 3.1). I mean the best thing going for you is that you go to a pretty well named college though it’s not really known for women studies.

Also, I would really advise volunteering at girl youth centers, women activist organizations, etc. Really anything that is going to be relevant to your field because like jjwinkle said, you will have to demonstrate a lot more to stand out against other students with betters GPAs.

5

It may be that Hunter College is an unusually difficult school. This college says about its students that “their level of academic achievement is extremely high. Many go on to top professional and graduate programs, winning Fulbright scholarships, Mellon fellowships, National Institutes of Health grants, and other distinguished honors.” That could be the problem.

Perhaps there are specific programs within it, like Women’s Gender Studies, that are much easier than whatever programs there emboldened the statements above. You’ve been getting A’s and B’s in Women’s Gender Studies, and you’ve gotten some general courses out of the way, so perhaps there isn’t a problem going forward.

I strongly advocate your continuing to pursue a degree, even if the major is not really a job-getting major, because hitting the job market without a degree is worse.

The rationale for your doing a calculus course again is unclear. You may want to prove to yourself & others that you can succeed at it. There are ways of doing that that don’t involve risking your GPA. However, what I recommend is that you let calculus go now and focus on what you need to do with your current major.

6

Like aunt bea said you really need to get your GPA up. At least at my University, majors like womens studies are considered very easy majors. There is not a lot of job potential coming from majors like those and to compensate I really think you need a high GPA. Calculus 1 should not be a hard class and I can’t see it being a class anyone could possibly fail twice unless you made no effort in studying. I know what I am saying may seem harsh, but if you want your degree to be worth anything, you need to keep your grades up and change the way you are studying.

7

Higher GPA = why I’m re-taking Calculus (which, the first time, I had a huge class and a terrible professor for honestly & the second time I did a bit better, but still didn’t pass; I was in the 40’s the first time, much closer to passing the second time). I failed a second because I could have studied a bit more and I didn’t understand some concepts. It IS a hard class for me and I’m totally able to see the jump from precalc to calc 1!

Also, another question for you guys: Is putting only my major GPA on my resume acceptable for most jobs?

8

A few things, some of which are probably obvious to you:

  1. You need to bring your grades up. Self studying Calc I is a good idea. Find your school's tutoring center, and stay ahead of the material-- get there at the first hint of trouble.
  2. Reconsider the idea of going straight to grad school. Consider entering the job force right from college. For starters, you may end up with a job that will pay for some or all of that grad school. (There are employers that will-- like Starbucks, believe it or not.) But if you're struggling academically, why go straight to grad school??
  3. Start to find things that will eventually separate you from the pack. You're majoring in Women's Studies-- why?? What is it about that major that drew you in? What do you see yourself doing with that major? In an ideal world, who would hire you as the right candidate, given that major? Let's see what your career focus is.
  4. You say that you've interviewed, without callbacks. OK, so you have something concrete to work on: your interview skills. Don't kid yourself: interviewing well is absolutely a skill, something that can be practiced. Everything, from what you wear to that first smile and firm handshake, to the thank you letter you send afterwards, all contribute to the impression you make. Right now-- today!!-- start research and practice. Ensure that you make the most of the Bloomberg event if it hasn't yet happened. (And if it has, then start looking, hard, for a job.)

If your GPA won’t get you the jobs, then you need a job history and an interview persona that will.