GPA 2.25, Can I be a FBI Special Agent???

[bender]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and I have an aspiration to be a FBI Special Agent. I've got a few questions and hope that someone can kindly help me:

I have a BA in Econ. with a pathetic GPA of 2.25 from a college in the South (party too much). I'm also in the Reserve with a good military record, with the contract ending about a year from now. I speak Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese Chinese (native fluency) and have no history of drug use or criminal record.

1) Do I stand a chance of being hired, with that kind of GPA? Would my language skills somehow help out or offset it?

2) I plan on applying to local police departments, would being a policeman already be a big help in my being selected?( Assuming I do well and pass all the tests) My point is would I even be considered?

Any comment would be appreciated! Thanks!

Bender

[danah]

i don't know the if the fbi has gpa req's. i am pretty sure the dea has a 2.95 gpa req for their positions.

remember, you can always get your masters to build your resume. i would assume the fbi prefers for their employees to have masters anyways.

note: i am not a federal LE brainiac. so what i said may be off a little bit.

thats all i can help you really. sorry

[GMan26]

When I spoke to a FBI recruiter she explained to me that if you are to get your Masters that would help a lot. I just got mine and it was pretty tough because I am working full time. My company paid for it but you have to maintain a B average. Took almost 4yrs to get it *ugh* but I finally did it.

They like an accounting degree and if you speak a foreign language that is a plus also (Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Russian were ones she mentioned) so this will help you as I know they are looking for people who speak Chinese. The GPA they will look at. So... not sure how they determine how that comes into play.


Good luck!

[superc]

A brochure I just checked for FBI Interns requires a GPA of 3.0 or better. Now that is for interns. It is possible the standards for Agent might be different.

[Group9]

You might have to do get some more work experience, but any foreign language capability is a huge plus with the FBI. A low GPA is not an automatic disqualifier. I had a very close friend who got into the FBI with a 2.6 GPA undergrad, a 2.4 GPA law school and three years law enforcement work experience. Their requirements do change from time to time as their needs change.

The background check knocks out more people than grades. I would contact a recruiter. You might be more competitive than you think.

[Billy Reynolds]

I don't think being a police officer would help you any more than not. As far as your gpa well you passed didn't you you have a degree thats what counts. Here in Dallas it is common for police cadets to enter the academy to work for Dallas but before after they finish instead of going to Dallas the end up air marshall's of the FBI or secret service but by far the most important is that you get a honorable discharge to go along with that sheepskin. good luck :D

[Billy Reynolds]

had a few typos there guess thats what i get for not proof reading ment to say after the academy and air marshalls or the fbi

[JudgeDredd]

You can apply to the FBI under a few different paths.
1: a juris doctorate
2: an accounting degree
3: a foriegn langue fluency (you must take a test with this one)
4: a degree in computer science
5: a conferred four year degree in any field plus 3 years full time work experience.
Talk to your local recruiter.

[EXCOP2000]

See if your former college offers "Distance Learning/Correspondence courses". I needed a 2.5 GPA to get into the program to become a certified teacher and had a 2.44. So I took some Corespn. courses and raised my GPA. I ended up getting a 3.8 on all the courses (75hrs) that I took after my 2.5. Even if you already have the degree, the school should figure in any undergrad course you take into you GPA from that institution. I applied to the FBI with a 2.44 and they let me take the exams and everything. I even had a recruiter call me and see if I wanted to interview when I was a city cop. This was around 1999 so maybe they were needing people bad, but if you can speak Chinese I think you would have a huge advantage. Good luck.

[superc]

See if your former college offers "Distance Learning/Correspondence courses". I needed a 2.5 GPA to get into the program to become a certified teacher and had a 2.44. So I took some Corespn. courses and raised my GPA. I ended up getting a 3.8 on all the courses (75hrs) that I took after my 2.5. Even if you already have the degree, the school should figure in any undergrad course you take into you GPA from that institution. I applied to the FBI with a 2.44 and they let me take the exams and everything. I even had a recruiter call me and see if I wanted to interview when I was a city cop. This was around 1999 so maybe they were needing people bad, but if you can speak Chinese I think you would have a huge advantage. Good luck.

This might be a good year for a freshman to sign up for language courses in Korean, Chinese or one of the more obscure asian languages or dialects with a goal being applying to one of the alphabet agencies in 4 years.