how much is one's GPA a reflection of intelligence or knowledge of a subject? i got turned down for a job today because i have a 3.42 GPA, and they wanted someone with a 3.5 or higher. what would change if my GPA was .08 higher? i have worked my ass off in my lab, managed 3 projects - including training RA's, have helped with data collection on how many other research projects, done data analysis, tutored people, presented my research how many times...taken 16-18 credits a semester - EVERY SEMESTER (except when i needed to get away and ran off to europe for a semester) - AND worked at least 12 hours a week to pay the rent, not to buy clothes and beer. i practically live in the psych building, but because i got a D in algebra freshman year, i'm less qualified for a job? i bet there are tons of people with fabulous GPA's who have no research experience, does that make them more qualified? smarter than me? because they know how to take exams or kiss ass? because they went to a high school that actually prepared them for college? maybe it does. maybe i should have spent more time memorizing facts, sucking up/whining to profs, and worrying about my GPA than actually being active and involved in my field.