CORE GPA
AND
30-SECOND INTERVIEW
Calculating Your Core GPA
Why Core GPA is Important


While most universities and scholarship programs look
at your whole GPA, some are using only the core GPA
to consider students for admissions and scholarships.
For example:
UNM Admissions requires a 2.5 core GPA
 UNM Bridge Scholarship requires a 3.0 core GPA and a 23
on the ACT (new this fall)
 NCAA looks at GPA based on core requirements and ACT
score to determine is a student is eligible to play sports in
college

What is a Core GPA


A GPA calculated solely on certain courses (not
electives)
For example UNM Core/academic GPA includes:
Math
 English
 Science
 Social Studies
 Foreign Language


That’s it!!!
No Band, ROTC, Ceramics,
Art, DECA, Choir, etc.
Only core academic courses!
Let’s do two examples with your current semester GPA
Regular GPA
 Core GPA

Take out a piece of paper




Write the following headings across the top of your paper:
Class Grade Grade Points
Credits
Grade Points Earned
List all of the classes you are taking this semester on your paper along the
left side under the Class heading
Next to each class write down the grade you think you have in the class
(A, B, C, D or F) under the Grade heading
Next to the grade write the grade points for that grade under the Grade
Points heading
A=4

B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0
Write .5 next to each class under the Credits heading (remember we are
only figuring out your GPA for this semester’s classes
~See next slide for example~
Example:
Class
Algebra I
Biology
English 9
NM History
Spanish I
Band
Art
Grade
Grade Points
Credits
B
C
A
C
B
A
A
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
Grade Points
Earned
Multiply the Grade Points by the
Credits and write the answer in the
Grade Points Earned Column
~See next slide for example~
Example:
Class
Algebra I
Biology
English 9
NM History
Spanish I
Band
Art
Grade
B
C
A
C
B
A
A
Grade Points
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Credits
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
Grade Points
Earned
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.5
1
2
1
1.5
2
2


Add up the Credits for all classes and
write the total at the bottom of the
Credits column
Add up all the Grade Points write the
total at the bottom of the Grade Points
Earned column
~See next slide for example~
Example:
Algebra I
Biology
English 9
NM History
Spanish I
Band
Art
Total
Grade
B
C
A
C
B
A
A
Grade Points
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Credits
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
3.5
Grade Points
Earned
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.5
1
2
1
1.5
2
2
11
Divide the Grade Points Earned by the
Credits to get your current semester
GPA
11/3.5 = 3.14
Core GPA


Now let’s figure out your Core/academic GPA
Circle the Credits and Grade Points Earned for
only your English, Math, Science, Social Studies
and Foreign Language classes
~See next slide for example~
Example:
Algebra I
Biology
English 9
NM History
Spanish I
Band
Art
Total
Core Total
Grade
B
C
A
C
B
A
A
Grade Points
3
2
4
2
3
4
4
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Credits
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
3.5
2.5
Grade Points
Earned
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
1.5
1
2
1
1.5
2
2
11
7
Divide the Grade Points Earned by the
Credits to get your current semester
Core academic GPA
7/2.5 = 2.80
30-SECOND INTERVIEW
What is a 30-Second Interview?
A 30-second interview is a mini-speech
(30 seconds) that succinctly tells people:
 Who
you are
 What you do
 What you can do for them
Why Do You Need One?



Think of your daily life and the people you meet
What if you were looking for a job or internship and
someone you met had a job opening and asked you to
tell them about yourself…
What if you met a College Recruiter for your dream
college…
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

Would it be good enough to make a great first
impression so they would hire you, invite you to a formal
interview or remember you when they saw your
application?
Components of an 30-Second Interview
Who are you?
 What do you do best?
 How have you made an impact?
 What sets you apart from the
competition?
 What are you seeking?

Let’s Create Your Interview


Turn your paper over and write “30-Second Interview”
on the back
Write the following on your paper leaving enough
room to write a few sentences below each
 Who
am I?
 What do I do best?
 How have I made an impact?
 What sets me apart from the competition?
 What am I seeking?
Write One Thing About Yourself for Each Question
Who am I?
 Name
 Where you go to school
What sets me apart from the
competition?
 Strengths
 Accomplishments
What do I do best?
 Your interests
 Your GPA (if it’s good)
 Your passions
What are you seeking?
 Why are you a good fit
for the job or college
How have I made an impact?
 Volunteer or relevant
work experience
 Community service
Put it all together



Spend a few minutes combining these
items into a short speech
Once everyone has a short speech
written break into pairs and share your
speech with your partner
Switch and share your speech with
another person
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
 Be concise
 Be assertive and confident
 Rehearse, rehearse,
rehearse
 Be honest
 Make your response
relevant to the job,
internship or college
 Be specific and use
examples
Don’t
 Ramble
 Be arrogant
 Sound rehearsed or
scripted
 Use jargon
Example
My name is Ima Bear. I am a graduating senior from La
Cueva High School. I am looking for an internship in a law
firm this summer. I have had a strong interest in the law
since taking a law course in high school. I have maintained
a 3.8 GPA while also participating in several extra
curricular activities including the Speech and Debate club.
If your firm offers internships, I would appreciate an
introduction to the people in charge of that program.
Alternatively, I would appreciate the opportunity to give
you a call and/or meet with you in person to discuss your
career path and how I might find opportunities within the
legal profession.
Next Steps




Practice! Out loud, on camera, or with a friend or
mentor.
Network! Use your commercial every chance you
get--not just for formal interviews.
Homework! Research potential employers and
colleges and package yourself to meet their needs.
Keep it current! Continually update your 30-second
interview