This research addresses issues generated by the pioneering work of Becker, Geer, and Hughes done in 1959 on the grade point average (GPA) perspective and surveys done 30 years later that further documented the perspective. An interview schedule was designed to have undergraduate students explore, in writing, a number of issues related to the perspective. There were three major findings from this study. Contrary to the Becker et. al. findings, the authors found that the perspective is fostered prior to college by parents and grade school teachers and family processes. Second, the strength of the perspective was further documented by students who gave five major reasons for maintaining the perspective. Third, the perspective translated into a set of practices that involve sacrificing health, personal relationship, hobbies, and other interests. Finally, the examination of the influence and power of the perspective seemed to allow students to move from being acted upon (passive) to becoming active (subjects).