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Questions about GPA in the Reserve DCO process

camden76

New Member
So as you can read my question I have a question regarding GPA.

So I am currently applying for a position within Intel but I am concerned about my 3.0 GPA. My recruiter does not seem too concerned since my both my undergrad and graduate degrees are in a STEM field (Cybersecurity). Additionally, I work in industry as a Cybersecurity Engineer for a aerospace/defense company.

I already how competitive it is for this particular community. Anyways, how much focus is placed upon GPA in these selection boards. I know the strategy is to look at the person holistically but, it just seems like everyone and their dog is crazy about GPA.

I am just curious if anyone was in my similar situation and was selected.

Regardless, I will still press on (no harm in trying!). But thank you for your input and comments.
 

Rudy.30

Well-Known Member
So as you can read my question I have a question regarding GPA.

So I am currently applying for a position within Intel but I am concerned about my 3.0 GPA. My recruiter does not seem too concerned since my both my undergrad and graduate degrees are in a STEM field (Cybersecurity). Additionally, I work in industry as a Cybersecurity Engineer for a aerospace/defense company.

I already how competitive it is for this particular community. Anyways, how much focus is placed upon GPA in these selection boards. I know the strategy is to look at the person holistically but, it just seems like everyone and their dog is crazy about GPA.

I am just curious if anyone was in my similar situation and was selected.

Regardless, I will still press on (no harm in trying!). But thank you for your input and comments.

I do not know the Intel world but the one recommendation I would give you is to focus on what you can control. You can't go back and change your GPA's. My Undergrad GPA was a 3.0 which I would consider low, and my Grad GPA was a 3.4 which is average. Don't waste your energy on things you can't go back and change. Spend time on things you can control like your resume, motivational statement, LOR's, and Interviews.

Also go back and look at people who have got in before you and compare stats. There is a lot of information on here that you can find if you search long enough. I have been a member of this forum for almost 2 years and never had to ask a question because it has already been answered somewhere.

Best of luck!
 

bubblehead

Registered Member
Contributor
Did you read the program authorizations which talk about this?

A 3.0 in an engineering from a good engineering school, IMHO, trumps, the 4.0 PolySci degree.
 

exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
In the DCO world GPA is less of an issue as they look at work experience in the field you are applying to, the general rule more or less was that they wanted to see 10 years of work experience in the field that you are applying to.
 
D

Deleted member 67144 scul

Guest
the general rule more or less was that they wanted to see 10 years of work experience in the field that you are applying to.

So OP is not dissuaded, I'll state there are many exceptions to the rule. I am one of them, even with a hard, written requirement for work experience I failed to meet.
However, IP/CW may consider 10+ years more heavily given they don't select very many and it's more competitive. But I have a feeling once the ODS shift gets into full swing, there will be fewer applicants across the board, including IWC.

Also worth noting it's a lot different for doctors and nurses and the like. I've met a few reserve nurses in their mid 20s fresh out of nursing school.
 

bubblehead

Registered Member
Contributor
...I have a feeling once the ODS shift gets into full swing, there will be fewer applicants across the board, including IWC.
I feel the same way you do. I project a sizable decrease in accessions which may lead to a decrease in standards to meet accession goals.

Also worth noting it's a lot different for doctors and nurses and the like. I've met a few reserve nurses in their mid 20s fresh out of nursing school.
There is high turn over in the Medical Corps, specifically, with doctors. Nurses, no so much. Not many doctors are willing or able to shut down their medical practice while they go mobilize, so, they resign.

For nurses, there is a line a mile long of nurses wanting/waiting to get commissioned. For doctors, we are hurting for doctors. But they get commissioned and then learn about the mobilization picture (I guess no one tells them) and then they bounce. It's rare to find senior officers who are doctors. I have an O5 surgeon in my VTU unit but he is a rarity who came from active duty.
 
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exNavyOffRec

Well-Known Member
So OP is not dissuaded, I'll state there are many exceptions to the rule. I am one of them, even with a hard, written requirement for work experience I failed to meet.
However, IP/CW may consider 10+ years more heavily given they don't select very many and it's more competitive. But I have a feeling once the ODS shift gets into full swing, there will be fewer applicants across the board, including IWC.

Also worth noting it's a lot different for doctors and nurses and the like. I've met a few reserve nurses in their mid 20s fresh out of nursing school.

medical is a different animal, they will adjust rank based on experience so they can take in people just out of school.
 

camden76

New Member
I appreciate all of your comments. I will definitely continue forward. Whether I am competitive is up to the board to decide. I figured if I was not competitive when I was pre-screened I figured my recruiter would of told me by now and I would of moved on.

Overall, I'm glad to hear there is variation and the selection is not always so rigid.
 
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