85%. That was the number drilled into our heads.
A LinkedIn post by Sammy Tourani, . Post 75 of 90, newest first.
85%. That was the number drilled into our heads.
What a waste...
For the last 4 years, if you wanted to get into Software or Computer Engineering at McMaster, you needed an 11/12 GPA: an 85% average. No exceptions.
So we worked. Brutally hard.
They took away our calculators, removed our formula sheets, made the exams harder, rewrote the curriculum...we still kept up.
All-nighters. Sacrificed weekends. Cut corners on friendships and health.
All to be above 90%, just to feel “safe.”
And this year?
7.8/12.
That’s barely over 70%.
Why so low this year?
Almost Everyone Failed. Lesser Demand. Who knows...
It’s hard to put into words how demoralizing that is.
They told us marks were everything.
That getting to the top was the only way to matter.
That doors only opened if you had the highest GPA.
They lied:
My grades never got me the job.
Never got me the opportunities.
Never did a thing for me.
My ability to connect with people did.
MY projects did.
MY mindset did.
MY skills did.
Not once in any of my interviews did I say “I’m an A+ student.” Because that’s the last thing I identify with.
I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished and who I’ve become, but I can’t lie...it still stings knowing how unnecessary the suffering was.
To everyone who’s still grinding for a number: don’t do it.
Just remember...you’re worth way more than your GPA.
#EngineeringLife #RealTalk #McMasterUniversity #StudentMentalHealth
Photos in this post:
- Line chart titled 12 Scale GPA Cutoff, showing the computer and software engineering cutoffs from 2020 to 2025, with both dropping sharply in 2025.
- Screenshot of Sammy's McMaster grades for the 2025 winter term.
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