Omitting a second master's degree in resume/application?

Question

Hello,

I need this board's advice regarding my old master's degree.

I received a bachelor's degree with a near perfect GPA and then a Master in Finance degree with a ver low one (somewhat below 3.0) because I studied full-time during my master's studies. Doing so was possible in the country where I'm from, yet this put a limit on the grades that I could get.

Since that time, I've had ca. 7 years of work experience. Recently, I've moved to the US for my MBA studies in one of top programs, and I'm planning to go to management consulting after graduation. I don't know how to address that old master's degree though. Can I omit it in my resume/application forms? I guess it adds zero value now. It's my second master's because I'm doing an MBA now. The grades were low, and there are no gaps on my resume because I worked full-time during those studies.

However, I listed this degree on my applications before (e.g. for a US visa). Also, I guess that employers do screening/background checks on newly admitted employees so I'm not sure how they degree is going to be treated if it pops up. Also, I'm not sure whether omitting that degree in the resume is acceptable or whether it means that I'm misrepresenting myself.

Clearly, I can explain those low grades or list a degree without a GPA, but I'm unsure what is the right thing to do here.

Your advice would be highly appreciated!

Thank you!

I'm not sure how to

Answer 1

Hi there,

My advice would be to list it but omit the GPA! As such, you'll have to also omit the Bachelor's GPA, but, given it's your lowest/first degree of 3 it has little weight regardless.

Answer 2

Leave it in. Its worth showing off. Omit GPA if you like.

Answer 3

I would include but exclude your GPA. It will be odd if there's a blank in your resume which will be the larger concern.

Answer 4

Hey there,

Agree with Ian here. I would definitely put it on the resume since it is a worthwhile achievement regardless of the grades and you can leave out the GPA.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 5

No one cares about the GPA at this point given you are at a top MBA program. No need to worry about it

Udayan

Answer 6

Hello!

Honestly I wouldn´t omit anything, at least to justify what you have been doing with your life in that time.

I have seen multiple questions lately in the Q&A regarding doing masters, which one to choose, MBA vs. MiM, which schools to choose (both in US and Europe).

I joined McK after finishing my master in Architecture (totally not related field of study, and still), and I am doing an MBA in MIT atm.

Furthermore, I have been a professor in the Master in Management from Instituto de Empresa, in Madrid (MiM in IE Business School).

Happy to talk about this, and also happy to guide you with MBA applications, something that I have been doing lately.

Feel free to PM! Cheers,

Clara