[Anonymous]

Pretty much this semester I had plan to do great but that completely back fired on me. I planned to get my GPA to a 3.2 but not gonna happen no more. Its below a 3.0 (I think) and I am extremely depressed at the moment, I still have 2 semesters left.

Amway, I have an appointment with a PWC recruiter in the end of the month. Met her in a panel and found her on linkedin. Spoke to her and she is willing to speak to me on her own time (in person).

My first question is should I still meet her?

How can I take advantage of this meeting, if I choose to go? Like what should I ask? I honestly did not think it through. Please give me your advice.

How do I deal with this low GPA?

I am the type of student who does not perform well in exams but know my stuff.

My proof of this statement is provided below.

I interned for VITA under IRS and got promoted to site manager because I performed well as a tax preparer.

If I don;t get in, what do I do then?

I will enough credits after the 2 semesters to sit for CPA.

Thank You

[naz2k57]

I doubt that. I am also in the same problem.

[Mayo]

2.8 GPA overall undergrad. Big 4 audit.

It can be done with tons of hard work, little bit of luck, and someone championing for you.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

I was working with a 2.5 GPA in BBA – Management, and a 3.8 GPA in MS – Accounting. I was offered internships at one of the Big 4, accepted a summer internship at a national top 10 public firm, and finally accepted full-time at a top 50 accounting firm. In every interview, my undergrad GPA was a discussion. They'd ask me about it, and I'd tell them “I was young, and stupid. I didn't see a good opportunity when I had one, and have learned so as to never repeat that mistake again. I am fortunate to have been provided with a second chance to get a Masters and have completely stepped up to the plate.” May sound cocky, but this last part always got them to back off of my undergrad GPA. I'd ask them, “Are you interviewing young and foolish 18-year old Tim, or developed and driven 26-year old Tim?”

Lesson of this story, you can't change your past, and you can't hide your weaknesses. It is your job to sell yourself in these interviews, so convince them that you learned from your mistakes.

Side note, don't cancel the meeting with the recruiter. The accounting world is a small world. Everybody knows everybody.

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[Anonymous]

Hello @cpamaster99, Sounds like you are a personable person if a recruiter is willing to see you on “her on time” and you were promoted to site manager with your VITA experience. Focus on the positives and perhaps even right (cross-out and put in write..just kidding) out some scenarios about your experience. (Also you might wish to proof-read any written correspondence.)

Why do you want to work for a Big 4 vs. other firms or industry? Have a good answer about your aspirations.

Know that networking is the key to closure of a job opportunity, and you are on the right track.

As far as test taking, it is hard to say why you didn't do as well as you “knew” in multiple classes…Perhaps emphasize the Accounting GPA and take out the non-major stuff and you may be above 3.0 GPA…Find out from the recruiter if there is a grade-point cut-off and see if she can help you with a work-around to that issue.

Set some goals for each interview as to what you want to accomplish to move to the next step…and simply ask if there is a next step? Ask for the opportunity to be a part of the firm and have a good pitch as to why PWC in particular. Ask the recruiter, if you were in my shoes what would you do to get more exposure to everyone in the firm and see what she says.

All the best to you and congratulations for gaining an interview with a recruiter. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hello @cpamaster99, Sounds like you are a personable person if a recruiter is willing to see you on “her on time” and you were promoted to site manager with your VITA experience. Focus on the positives and perhaps even right (cross-out and put in write..just kidding) out some scenarios about your experience. (Also you might wish to proof-read any written correspondence.)

Why do you want to work for a Big 4 vs. other firms or industry? Have a good answer about your aspirations.

Know that networking is the key to closure of a job opportunity, and you are on the right track.

As far as test taking, it is hard to say why you didn't do as well as you “knew” in multiple classes…Perhaps emphasize the Accounting GPA and take out the non-major stuff and you may be above 3.0 GPA…Find out from the recruiter if there is a grade-point cut-off and see if she can help you with a work-around to that issue.

Set some goals for each interview as to what you want to accomplish to move to the next step…and simply ask if there is a next step? Ask for the opportunity to be a part of the firm and have a good pitch as to why PWC in particular. Ask the recruiter, if you were in my shoes what would you do to get more exposure to everyone in the firm and see what she says.

All the best to you and congratulations for gaining an interview with a recruiter. Good luck!

[I just love this]

I had a 3.6 and I'm starting at a Big4 soon. I'm amazed at the couple of people here that say they got into Big 4 with low GPAs. Until this forum I have not heard of anyone with < 3.3 getting into the Big 4. You guys must have amazing experience and soft skills!

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[Mayo]

@I just love this,

Yah, I think we're pretty rare birds. I basically transferred schools and got nearly all A's in the rest of my undergrad and my grad courses. I was also heavily involved in as much campus/accunting activities as I could be.

Even so, had to get a bit lucky in the end. Haha, definitely don't recommend that route.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

@I just love this,

Yah, I think we're pretty rare birds. I basically transferred schools and got nearly all A's in the rest of my undergrad and my grad courses. I was also heavily involved in as much campus/accunting activities as I could be.

Even so, had to get a bit lucky in the end. Haha, definitely don't recommend that route.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Zaq]

I had a 2.8 GPA and got an offer to work with the Big 4. Turned it down.

I apparently made a huge impression on one of the recruiters during both a seminar at my college, and a open lunch-in. Ran into the same guy and girl twice. Both times I approached them and mingled. Talked about college life, Big 4 life, music, sports, etc. Pretty casual stuff. Each time I handed them my resume as well and also told them up front that I had a rough freshman year due to a full-time job I had to help pay for school.

Anyway, one of the recruiters actually e-mailed me and encouraged me to apply for a specific entry level position. From what I've seen, if you've got great communication skills and you seem reliable and competent, Big 4 love you. It's really all about making connections and relationships.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[kcrc]

NBAD hit the nail on the head:

“Also, as NYC mentioned, me and other classmates got a strong feeling that yes, they wanted out-going, jock-type people and those involved in frats/sororities that were very personable and well-rounded. I was none of these but I'm glad none of the big 4 worked out.”

I wouldn't worry too much about an entry level job which is the only thing a GPA will get you. A better long term investment would be six-pack abs. You'll be fourteen times likelier to get the job and you'll earn twice as much. Get in shape, get some white strips and network your butt off.

[wannabeCPA123]

I got in with a low GPA (3.57). I didn't get any attention from the Big 4 until I started networking my but off and attending ALL the events and and ALL the job fairs. I did work full time during my years school (both undergrad and the post-under grad accounting program)

I am older too (30), which is a big disadvantage. I don't really know how I got in. I think I interviewed well. I am very weathered though, meaning I have worked very hard for must of my life in Blue collar jobs, Retail and Fast Food. I have never had a professional job in my entire life. Maybe they felt sorry for me or something.

Now that I start in nearly 30 days. I feel really scared. i feel like I am not going to fit in because I am from such a low class upbringing (grew up poor), then I am too old I feel, and I doubt that I am smart enough to do the tasks required of me. I don't know what I am going to do, but I think a nightmare is ahead of me. I am sure I have the stamina to hang with all these 23 year olds, but do I have the smarts to hang with all these whizkids? I don't know. I can just work my butt off and that's all I can do.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[laserglare]

^ 3.57 is not low… lol

So many of you are saying that any GPA below a 3.3 makes it extremely difficult to land a big 4 job. I was curious, what if my undergrad GPA is 2.9, i majored in a science degree, but my pure accounting gpa with 28 units is 4.0, (only bad thing is that i took all of these classes at a community college). will i have a chance at a big 4 position

[Mayo]

@Laser, my thoughts exactly.

Below a 3.0 is low IMO.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[thegrinch]

Yep – quite a few people in my middle-market city got into one particular Big 4 with “low” GPA's (less than 3.4). They got in because they were friends with one of the managers and/or one of the recruiters (the manager and recruiter for this city don't keep a “formal” distance in this city – they become friends with the students at the universities for which they are recruiting). So lesson learned: make friends with the recruiter and/or a key manager-level person. Or just be related to one of the directors, as a girl with a 3.0 GPA was able to do. It's true what they say about it being who you know that matters.

Disclaimer: I am at this said company, and I can proudly say I got in through my own merits and zero friendship or family connections.

[Author]

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