Attach my transcript or not?

Hi there, 

If you're not proud of your GPA results then I wouldn't volunteer them. Just don't attach them if they're not required. 

Then in your application documents (e.g., CV), make sure that you put yourself in the best light while being honest. So if the overall GPA is not great but you had a distinctive performance in specific courses, I'd rather mention those than the GPA (e.g., Top 5% of class in Financial Modelling). 

Recruiters spend only a few seconds on the CV and they basically have a few boxes that they mentally tick. They are looking for people who were at the top of their field wherever they were and you have to make sure you reflect your experience in the best light. 

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for a lot of users, thus I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• It is generally a good idea to be transparent and honest in your job application, including about your academic record. Attaching your full transcript to your application for a consulting firm like BCG can give the recruiting team a more complete picture of your academic background and achievements.
• While your GPA may not be as high as you would like, your improved performance in your last two years of university suggests that you have been able to improve and learn from any challenges you may have faced earlier in your academic career. Emphasizing this improvement in your cover letter and highlighting any relevant coursework or projects you completed during this time can help demonstrate your potential as a candidate.
• Ultimately, the decision to attach your full transcript to your application is up to you. If you do decide to attach it, make sure to explain any discrepancies or weaknesses in your academic record in your cover letter. This can help the hiring team understand the context and see the full picture of your qualifications and achievements.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on what to do in your specific situation, please feel free to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Q: My question is should I attach my full transcript or not?

If it is not compulsory to attach, I would not do so in your case.

You cannot add the 3.7 only without the 3.1, as this would be misleading. I would recommend to avoid to indicate the GPA overall, unless requested during the application.

You can compensate for a low GPA with a referral. You can find more on that below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Best,

Francesco

If you don't have a high GPA, I advise you to secure your interview through a referral instead of submitting an online application. Therefore, try to focus on networking to land the interview.
Having said that, If you get further along in the application process, you may need to submit a 'certified official' and unopened copy from your academic institution.

Your GPA is not 3.7, but 3.1.
I don't see the point of attaching your transcript.
The fact that at the end of your course of study you had better marks does not change the fact that your overall scores were below average.
Besides, just to adjust your expectations, also 3.7 is below average GPA for BCG standards.

Please don't put 3.7 on your resume. That is called lying.

I'm sorry, but your GPA is 3.1. If you want to put 3.1 (Last 2 years 3.7), have at it, but if you put 3.7 as your overall GPA you are putting yourself at very high risk of being rejected outright.

When applying you do not need to attach a transcript unless they ask.

When applying straight out of university, your GPA is a key evaluation criterion. Everyone with a great GPA will be happy to put it on their CV and parade it around. On the flipside, if you leave it off, it raises the question of whether you want to hide something - plus you would make HR have to take an additional step of following up with you to inquire about your GPA - which is already a bad start.

If your official transcript says 3.1 on it, then that is considered your overall GPA. Trying to whitewash here will catch up with you sooner rather than later. Provide your transcripts upon request only but be honest about your GPA all along.

However, I would highlight the upward trajectory that you have demonstrated in academia with your most recent years being significantly stronger. 

Hi there,

If not mandatory I would not add the transcript, however, you should definitely put the GPA on your resume (the real one, not the one over the last two years…).

Usually, once you get the offer, you need to send all your documents as proof and they would figure out the real GPA. No need to run into trouble because of that.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

Don't mislead the firm, this will backfire. My advice is this:

• Submit the results from the last two years only as an attachment and let the documents speak for themselves
• Don't mention your GPA on your resume and certainly don't claim a 3.7 when it's actually a 3.1

Hope this helps a bit! Best of luck!

Moritz

I don't see any advantage in doing so. You should report your overall GPA on your resume, but you can add your most recent one as well and try to highlight it.

Hello,

Here are my thoughts:

1) I don't think you should fabricate the numbers i.e. only considering the last two years. If they ask you for proof, you won't have it. 

2) Instead of putting in the wrong numbers, just avoid putting it at all. If they need it, they will bring it up!

If you need any further help with your application to BCG, feel free to reach out to me directly!

All the best!

Rushabh