I’m starting a new series today: #AccessibilityFridayFail
On Fridays, I will post what I consider to be the biggest accessibility fail I have seen that week.
This week’s entry comes from my job search, where I applied for a job that had the fields for GPAs that were mandatory.
Mandatory GPA requirements can be a significant barrier to success, disproportionately affecting people who are BIPOC, Womxn, disabled, or from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. For many, maintaining a high GPA isn’t just about academic ability—it’s about juggling multiple responsibilities. People from marginalized communities often have to work to support their families, care for children or siblings, or manage their disabilities while attending school. These extra burdens make it significantly harder for these underrepresented to achieve high GPAs, which don’t account for the unequal playing field many face. Think about it from this perspective: do you want the person who had everything handed to them, never faced adversity, focused 100 % on their studies, and got a 4.0? Or do you want someone who worked 30 hours a week while attending school and got a 3.3? Guess who likely has better time management and problem-solving skills? I’m the one who had the 3.3 in undergrad.
I divorced and worked 30 hours a week in law school while also working on the law review in an executive role while raising a 7 and 4-year-old (GPA: 3.25). I had four surgeries and two life-changing diagnoses while doing my MBA (3.4). My GPA in no way whatsoever reflects what I am capable of. If you are asking for ten years of experience, why does your GPA matter?
And here’s the kicker: I can’t remember the last time an employer verified my GPA. This means candidates who choose to be dishonest can put in whatever answer they think will get them the job without consequence. In contrast, honest candidates who struggled under far more challenging circumstances are punished for being truthful. It’s time to rethink mandatory GPA requirements and recognize the real-life barriers many students experience beyond their grades.
It’s time this outdated question got tossed into the garbage, and beyond time it stopped being mandatory.
Alt: Screenshot of segment of job application containing the following fields, all mandatory
What’s your citizenship/employment eligibility?
1. U. S Citizen/Permanent Resident
2. Non-citizen allowed to work for current employment
3. Non-citizen seeking work authorization
4. Others
What’s your level of education completed?
1. College-Doctorate
College or University
1. University of San Francisco
GPA (blank)
Desired Salary (blank)
Early Start date (blank)