An observation on college majors & grades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

My Dd is proudest of her b- in chemistry ap that she took after leaving sped courses , she worked hard and she was only American in a classroom filled with Asians at Langley.

Not sure why you had to say the last part. Most of those Asian kids are as American as your daughter. I mean, seriously, do you think they are “true” Americans??

PP with the low-GPA daughter is one reason for the term “ugly American.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP thank you for posting. There are some crabby patties here tonight. I agree with your point about more constructive majors, and how they’re likely better in the end, even if one could have gotten a 4.0 in basket weaving.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

Just curious, but why do you think these are worthless? I know people with both degrees that have gotten good jobs. They're not comparable to sociology or ______ studies at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

Just curious, but why do you think these are worthless? I know people with both degrees that have gotten good jobs. They're not comparable to sociology or ______ studies at all.

That's why I put scare quotes around "useless". People making this a "difficult/useful" STEM vs."easy/useless" humanities pissing match are missing out on this important distinction. Some humanities fields are very hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

Just curious, but why do you think these are worthless? I know people with both degrees that have gotten good jobs. They're not comparable to sociology or ______ studies at all.

That's why I put scare quotes around "useless". People making this a "difficult/useful" STEM vs."easy/useless" humanities pissing match are missing out on this important distinction. Some humanities fields are very hard.

Mathematical logic developed by Russell and white head is the basis of modern computer science. After computer became more practical, it became a separate major from philosophy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

Just curious, but why do you think these are worthless? I know people with both degrees that have gotten good jobs. They're not comparable to sociology or ______ studies at all.

That's why I put scare quotes around "useless". People making this a "difficult/useful" STEM vs."easy/useless" humanities pissing match are missing out on this important distinction. Some humanities fields are very hard.

Mathematical logic developed by Russell and white head is the basis of modern computer science. After computer became more practical, it became a separate major from philosophy

Philosophy had birthed a lot of fields, and will likely birth more. But philosophy majors continue to outscore CS majors:

http://dailynous.com/value-of-philosophy/charts-and-graphs/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter earned a 2.5 the first two years of colleges & a 3.3 the second two years to end up with a GPA around 2.90 when graduating. She started off as a Chemistry major, really struggled, switched to being an Economics major, and still only did okay and had really work hard for her grades. Fast forward two years since graduating, and she has a relatively well paying job as a financial analyst. She got shut out from elite firms because of her GPA (and probably some grad schools too), but one thing she recently told us is how how happy she is with majoring in Econ. A lot of her friends with great GPAs (3.7-3.9) that studied interesting topics such as Sociology and English are struggling now professionally post-grad. Many are underemployed or working jobs that only require associates degrees. As a parent, especially of a daughter, I would suggest now that sometimes classes that are difficult are worthwhile in the long run, and that earning the highest grades possible shouldn't be the goal. Just my unsolicited two cents as parents have kids going off to school soon.

A great GPA in a worthless major means nada if you can't write for s*** and can't hack a decent GRE/GMAT/LSAT score.

Tough majors are tough for a reason; they're marketable! Every year the list of highest paying majors is STEM. Every slacker is looking for a shortcut, so if you're paying tuition, demand your kid works their ass off in a tough major.

You can get a sociology or ___ studies degree from a local public library. Total waste of time and money at university unless your kid is an idle rich trust funder.

What about a degree in Mesopotamian philology? Arguably "useless" but you can't learn it at the public library.

What about cognitively demanding fields like philosophy and linguistics, which are also "useless"?

It's easy to beat up on sociology and ______ studies, but not all "useless" fields are easy.

Actually studied this in college as part of my major. There were not many of us, but we all ended up with careers in finance except one, who became a professor. Some took an in between diversion to State or the Agency.

[Anonymous]

I'm a college professor. Don't forget that a 2.9 GPA is a really high B minus--and not a bad place to be for many, many reasons. Sure, there are certain opportunities that open up with a GPA in the (very) high 3s, but there are plenty of pathways to success after graduation. I advise students with profiles from 4.0 down to borderline academic probation, so I've seen a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way kids like op’s daughter can handle grad school.

Well, she won't get in with that transcript so that ends the conversation about that option

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a college professor. Don't forget that a 2.9 GPA is a really high B minus--and not a bad place to be for many, many reasons. Sure, there are certain opportunities that open up with a GPA in the (very) high 3s, but there are plenty of pathways to success after graduation. I advise students with profiles from 4.0 down to borderline academic probation, so I've seen a lot.

You don't advise anyone trying to get into law school, do you? Because a 3.7 is baseline for a good law school. And then there is the LSAT.

[Anonymous]

"You don't advise anyone trying to get into law school, do you? Because a 3.7 is baseline for a good law school. And then there is the LSAT."

Maybe, but I think law is one of those things where "good" is useless.

If you can't do "great", you might as well attend "fair".

My best friend used his "good" LSAT score to get lots of merit aid from a "fair" law school.

Did you even know there was such a thing? He had no interest in "clerking" or being a highly pressured associate.

His "fair" school got him past the bar on the first attempt and then he was a small town prosecutor for a few years while he got his own law office off the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No way kids like op’s daughter can handle grad school.

You have a paragraph about Op’s Daughter and have no idea what she can and cannot handle.
And, she is not applying to grad school.

We know her grades. She is not advancing from where she is in academia. Does that make you feel better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was your daughter, OP, but instead of Econ I had a 2.9 in engineering. Years later, I have a great career, and even a Masters degree with a 3.9 gpa
There are only a very small handful of careers/paths where gpa matters all that much, despite what dcum will crow on about. And some majors are always in demand, even with less than perfect grades.

Which careers?