The Art Of Finesse: Why You Don’t Need A Perfect GPA To Succeed

I do not have a 4.0 GPA. My GPA isn’t even 4.0-lite.

I may not – okay, definitely will not – graduate magna cum laude this spring. But my sub-4.0 GPA isn’t because I am lazy or academically inadequate; I was cursed (or blessed) with having lots of passions that lay outside the realm of academia. I have achieved many other things in college, things that I’m prouder of than any certificate denoting academic excellence. Things that I find more important than straight A’s: I have worked hard, formed strong and lasting relationships with my peers and professors, become the president of the Johns Hopkins Black Student Union, made a positive impact in the Baltimore community, and, I think, prepared myself well for post-grad life.

Not everyone can get a 4.0. Some students didn’t come from high schools that prepared them for the rigor of college, while others might have to work 15-plus hours a week outside of school to afford tuition. Others deal with physical and mental illnesses that hinder their ability to get to every class, and then there are those who get so deeply absorbed in extracurricular research projects or community service initiatives that they simply opt to put that they regard with the same or greater importance than their assignments.

As I reflect on achievement and preparedness, I keep coming back to the idea of practicing “finesse.” It’s a word not adequately summed up by the dictionary definition: “Skill and cleverness that is shown in the way someone deals with a problem or a situation.” Finesse is, even in the face of failure, finding what you’re good at and using it to forge your own path. It’s a knack for picking yourself back up at a moment’s notice. It’s going off-script and taking risks.

Studying up on and practicing finesse has been one of the most important parts of my college career, and I believe it’ll continue to create opportunities outside of the classroom too. Below, a handy guide.

1. Earn an ‘A’ for effort.

I have fallen victim to the mid-semester slump multiple times, but I never let myself sink. Yes, grades are based on achievement, but many professors also factor in effort and improvement. I’ve saved grades countless times by meeting with a professor, being honest about my challenges, and showing consistent effort by attending office hours and TA sessions. This won’t change whether a geometric proof works out, but professors will, in my experience, acknowledge your blood, sweat, and tears in the more subjective aspects of determining a final grade. Don’t underestimate the value of being thoughtful and proactive.

2. Seek out and surround yourself with people who have your back.

My college experience hasn’t been as cutthroat as people make it out to be – but it’s not exactly four years of perfect collaboration either. Few people will actively try and make you fail, but similarly few will actively try and make you succeed either. You have to seek out friends, colleagues, and lab partners who will tell you about that awesome internship. You should also try and help them succeed, too.

3. Get to know your professors.

Get to know your professors outside of the classroom. Connecting with even one professor on a personal level gives you someone to call on for advice. Those whom I’ve built relationships with have written me stellar individualized recommendations and connected me with alumni and organizations that match my interests. Plus, when you don’t get the grade you’re hoping for, these adults can combat the damaging you-need-a-3.9-or-you’re-a-failure vibe that often comes from other students. They know – and can remind you of – what really matters.

4. Market yourself beyond your experience level.

We’ve all been caught in the conundrum of a job that asks for more experience when you need a job or specific position to gain that experience. Your first reaction may be to accept defeat. Don’t do it. You may likely already even have way more going for you than you realize, and once you learn to market yourself, many of those intimidating job requirements won’t seem so out of reach. Let’s say the only job you’ve held is as a babysitter. Did you devise a system for communicating with the parents regularly? Did you react to a sticky situation in a calm and resourceful manner? Did you earn a raise? While your résumé should be an accurate reflection of what you’ve done, go ahead and be confident when it comes to messaging your soft-skills. They are incredibly important and informative if you frame them well.

5. Make people want to help you.

When you have the skills but aren’t landing the job, you know it’s time to tap into your networks. Email alumni, professors, and advisors – anyone who knows you and might be willing to help. People truly want to see students – especially students of color – succeed. The Black Alumni Network at JHU has been pivotal to helping me discover and take advantage of opportunities. At the organization's events, I make a point to vocalize my goals, in part because I’ve found that even when someone doesn’t know of the perfect available job, he or she is often able to guide me toward a path that will bring me a little bit closer to achieving my dreams.

6. Find the good in rejection.

Maybe you applied to 20 internships this week and got rejected from every single one. That feels terrible. But there’s still hope. While I can’t magically promise you those employers will reconsider, I can speak to the value of accepting rejection with grace. After my application for a grant to do research in South Africa last summer was rejected (I lost out to someone with more experience), I was devastated. I lined up another opportunity, but I got a call four weeks later – the original recipient had declined, and the interviewer thought of me first because he remembered my follow-up email. In it, I had expressed my continued interest and asked how I might better prepare myself to apply again in the future. I ended up receiving the grant and having an incredible experience in South Africa. Even when the verdict doesn’t change, though, a crushing rejection can actually turn out to be the first step toward landing a different opportunity. Be kind, courteous, and genuinely grateful for every shot you get.

I came to college to grow and get a great education. And, in a world where the expectations of what society defines as success can feel awfully constraining, I’m glad to have reclaimed that definition for myself. “Finessing” is about living based on your priorities, and as I think about the skills and experiences (both professional and social) I’ve focused my college experience around, I’m proud – high honors tassels on my grad cap or not.

Images by Tracy Gao