The Inherent Flaw in the Grade Non-Disclosure Argument
Lisa Rutherford, MBA1
Issue date: 10/29/01 Section: Opinions
I have been utterly baffled by the strong opinions about letting our classmates disclose their class ranks to recruiters. I have always assumed that the purpose of a resume was to present a clear picture to potential employers in service of finding a good match. In light of this attitude, I really have no problem with a classmate disclosing his or her class rank to employers. But the recent fervor over the subject has caused me to reflect, and I actually think that the policy of non-disclosure is inherently unfair.
Non-disclosure means that classmates who came to the GSB with a competitive advantage will leave here with that same advantage. For students with fewer years of relevant work experience, their grades could be their only chance to equalize their status in competing for jobs.
My husband entered his MBA program directly out of his undergraduate degree program. How many companies coming to campus would have interviewed him had he not been allowed to disclose his class rank and GPA? We know the answer because during his first year internship search he didn't get a single on-campus interview. The next year, GPA in hand, everyone wanted to interview the school's top student.
Here at the GSB, we are no different. We have classmates who want to switch fields. We have brilliant kids just out of undergrad. How are they supposed to compete against their experienced classmates, not to mention the rest of the MBAs out there?
The need to allow for this type of level playing field is only heightened by our complacency regarding the inclusion of club activities and leadership positions on our resumes. With grade non-disclosure, recruiters must assume an equal academic performance. Therefore, students who are more active in the student community will unfairly benefit from grade non-disclosure by virtue of the fact that recruiters see their list.
Now, some of my classmates argue that involvement in the student community is so valuable that it should be afforded additional weight by recruiters. I happen to agree and thus am actively involved in several groups. However, I am not the recruiter. And for me to make that decision for the corporation is self-serving and presumptuous.
Non-disclosure means that classmates who came to the GSB with a competitive advantage will leave here with that same advantage. For students with fewer years of relevant work experience, their grades could be their only chance to equalize their status in competing for jobs.
My husband entered his MBA program directly out of his undergraduate degree program. How many companies coming to campus would have interviewed him had he not been allowed to disclose his class rank and GPA? We know the answer because during his first year internship search he didn't get a single on-campus interview. The next year, GPA in hand, everyone wanted to interview the school's top student.
Here at the GSB, we are no different. We have classmates who want to switch fields. We have brilliant kids just out of undergrad. How are they supposed to compete against their experienced classmates, not to mention the rest of the MBAs out there?
The need to allow for this type of level playing field is only heightened by our complacency regarding the inclusion of club activities and leadership positions on our resumes. With grade non-disclosure, recruiters must assume an equal academic performance. Therefore, students who are more active in the student community will unfairly benefit from grade non-disclosure by virtue of the fact that recruiters see their list.
Now, some of my classmates argue that involvement in the student community is so valuable that it should be afforded additional weight by recruiters. I happen to agree and thus am actively involved in several groups. However, I am not the recruiter. And for me to make that decision for the corporation is self-serving and presumptuous.