Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

International Credentials CV

Hi all,

The grading system from my undergrad university is not on a 4.0 scale. However, in order to apply for my graduate studies, I did get a report from WES (World Education Service) certifying that my CGPA translates to a 4.0/4.0 (which coincides with what my current university considers as a 4.0 based on their international grade equivalencies). Given that I’m applying to offices in the U.S/Canada, should I include my GPA on a 4.0 scale or its original one?

Thx

10
1.9k
16
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
on Oct 25, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Congrats on your GPA, it is quite impressive. If you have proof the conversion is 4.0, you can definitely use that scale as part of the application.

Best,

Francesco

Udayan
Coach
on Oct 24, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hu,

Feel free to use it - its just as good an indicator

Udayan

Clara
Coach
on Oct 26, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I had to convert them myself and never had any issue. 

In any case, best would be to put the two

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Mehdi
Coach
on Oct 26, 2020
BCG | Received offers from all MBB & Tier 1Firms | Supporting you secure your top tier consulting offer

Hi there,

I think you should put both of them and on the 4.0 GPA mention that it's the equivalence that was given by WES.

I hope this helps!

Mehdi

Ken
Coach
on Oct 24, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It's hard to say without knowing your specific circumstances (e.g., which degree from which undergrad school in which country) but my usual suggestion is to include the actual grade but include your ranking relative to peers (e.g., top 15% of the class, etc.) which I find more telling than 4.0 GPA. At MBBs, recruiting teams are used to being able to convert grades from different geographies and your grad school will matter more either way. 

Ian
Coach
on Oct 24, 2020
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Yes you can use it! However, just clarify that it's a WES translation.

Robert
Coach
on Oct 24, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

In principle it doesn't matter, as long as the grading scale is clear to the recruiter. That's the main point here, be explicit and don't assume it will be interpreted correctly otherwise..

Hope this helps - if so, please give it a thumbs-up with the upvote button below!

Robert

Deleted user
on Oct 25, 2020

If you need to fill a webform that refers to a 4.0 scale, use 4.0. If you have more space (e.g. a text field), provide the original score and the context.

6
Deleted
Coach
on Oct 26, 2020
(Current) Associate Director - EY Strategy and Transactions | 10+ yrs' industry exp. transitioned to Consulting |Australia #1 MBA

Hello,

Definitely list both, your original GPA and the converted one. If you're extended an offer or sometimes even with an initial application (depending on the firm), you have to provide proof of your transcript. 

Achieving a GPA of 4.0 is surreal. In the American system, it basically means straight As on literally every subject. I'd strongly advise to double check this conversion, but if this is actually your case, then a huge congratulations! You will be a prime candidate for many (majority) firms. 

Gaurav
Coach
on Nov 30, 2020
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hello there,

that's a great GPA, congratulations!
Include it on a 4.0 scale with clarifying (if there is space) so that there won't be any misunderstanding, as some Canadian universities use a GPA out of 9.0.

Cheers,
GB

Similar Questions
Consulting
CV as one pager - leave out high school?
on Jun 06, 2024
Global
10
2.7k
Top answer by
Ex-McKinsey |5y consulting experience | Specialization in Psychology | Proven holistic mentor
52
10 Answers
2.7k Views
+7
Consulting
Bain Application
on Aug 23, 2024
Global
5
1.5k
Top answer by
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
34
5 Answers
1.5k Views
+2
Consulting
BCG Application status
on Nov 26, 2024
Global
5
4.2k
Top answer by
Achal
Coach
How to Break Into MBB 101: Mastering the Interview (Ex-McKinsey EM with 5+ years of consulting interviewing experience)
132
5 Answers
4.2k Views
+2
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.