Natwerk Designs

FERPA & GPA on resume?

The Federal Education Right To Privacy Act (FERPA) says that for detailed information (age, GPA, student loan info, student housing info, etc.) to be released about a student, written authorization must be on file at the university from the student. I will be applying for internships this fall and my GPA is quite low. I am great at what I do (interior design). I'm creative, crafty, have a good eye, know a lot about textiles, art, and appliances, and I'm good with people. However, my GPA is so low because my first year of college I was a nursing major and it was just not my calling in life. To make matters worse, my best friend committed suicide about 5 weeks before I left for college and I didn't want to be there and I didn't care about anything. I regret that now (4 years later). My GPA does not reflect my aptitudes, interests, qualification, skills, or desire to be a good interior designer. I want a chance and I don't want people to just throw my resume in the garbage b/c my GPA isn't the greatest (2.5 =/...). So, can I leave my GPA out? Is it absolutely necessary? And I know lying is wrong... but my past is none of their business. They don't need to know I was in counseling and using anti-depressants for almost my entire first year of college. I have moved on and gotten A's, B's, and a few C's in all my classes since then. Do they have any legal way of finding out my GPA from my university??? Because I'm under the impression that they cannot because of FERPA. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. You never place your GPA on your resume. The only thing I've ever seen close to that was mentioning the honors ranking you received.