If grades didn't translate into real life consequences then it would be fine to use them as merely measurements. But they do affect real life, some companies as

If grades didn't translate into real life consequences then it would be fine to use them as merely measurements. But they do affect real life, some companies ask for GPA scores, which colleges attended open doors, even car insurance companies give discounts for good GPA. I had an uncle once joke about "Friends are temporary but GPA is forever" and as I've aged I've found it to be true in a "that's not funny" kind of way.