Magna Cum Laude Vs. Summa Cum Laude GPA

• GPA. Institutions often set a minimum GPA requirement for cum laude honors, and some programs may differentiate between overall GPA and program-specific GPA.

  While GPA requirements are straightforward, many schools have additional criteria beyond this.

• Class rank. Class ranking is another common criterion for Latin honors, accounting for variations in grading standards across programs and academic years. This ranks students relative to their peers.

  Schools typically express this as the top X% or top X percentile of students. For example, a school may award summa cum laude to the top 95th percentile, meaning you need to outperform 95% of your classmates. Often, this also requires a specific GPA to ensure that only high-achieving students receive honors.

• Additional coursework. Some programs may require more than excellent GPA and class rank. They may expect summa cum laude candidates to engage in higher-level studies, research, or complete a thesis/dissertation.

• Faculty recommendations. Although less common, some programs may require endorsements from faculty members, showcasing not only academic excellence but also the student’s character, passion, and commitment to their field.

It’s essential to note that academic or disciplinary infractions can disqualify you from receiving Latin honors, even with perfect grades.

These regulations vary by institution, but most consider behavioral issues in the awarding of honors.

Who Can Earn a Cum Laude Designation?

Latin honors are primarily awarded to undergraduate students at colleges and universities. Each of the three honors signifies high academic achievement based on GPA, but there are no universal standards dictating the criteria for each category.

• Can high school students earn it? While primarily a collegiate designation, some high schools are beginning to adopt the Latin honors system to recognize high-achieving students, although this is not widespread. In high schools, honors are often awarded through the valedictorian and salutatorian titles.

  Schools are allowed to use both systems concurrently.

• Which countries have it? Latin honors are predominantly utilized in the United States, although they are also found in countries like Canada, Israel, and the Philippines. This system originated at Harvard University in 1869.

  Other countries have their own methods for recognizing academic excellence; for instance, the UK uses a numerical grading system instead.

Special Considerations

Why strive for these distinctions? They can significantly enhance your resume’s education section and your applications for advanced degree programs.

While not the sole determining factor in your job search or graduate school applications, they can influence your prospects and may contribute to long-term financial benefits.

• Honors convocation. Many schools honor students with a special ceremony called an honors convocation, which occurs around the same time as graduation, celebrating high-achieving students.

• Graduation attire. Students typically wear caps and gowns during graduation, and honors cords may be awarded to signify academic achievements. Certificates or other symbols of recognition may also be presented.

• Perception of value. While many view Latin honors as prestigious, some argue that emphasizing GPA can lead students to take easier courses rather than challenging themselves academically. This critique suggests room for reevaluation of the honors system, though significant changes are unlikely soon.

• Post-graduation implications. The impact of honors on salary is generally more pronounced within the first few years after graduation, particularly for those from prestigious institutions.

Additional Academic Honors

Latin honors are just one form of recognition. Many colleges offer additional awards and distinctions that can enhance your resume:

• Honors student. Various schools have distinct honors programs, allowing students to enroll in honors-specific classes or elevate regular classes with advanced workloads. Graduating as an honors student demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence.

• Chancellor’s scholars. This award is typically granted to incoming college students based on leadership, character, and academic achievement and can be a valuable addition to your resume.

• Dean’s list. The Dean’s List recognizes students who achieve a specific GPA over a semester. Generally, the requirement aligns with cum laude standards (around 3.5 GPA). It’s advisable to include this only if you consistently maintained the position throughout your academic tenure.

• Valedictorian/salutatorian. Usually a high school accolade, the valedictorian is awarded to the top student based on GPA and other criteria, while the salutatorian is awarded to the second-highest achiever.

• Academic distinction. This varies by institution, typically awarded for achieving specific letter grades over a designated number of credits.

• AP Scholar. This award recognizes high school students who score 3 or higher on multiple AP exams and can enhance your resume early in your career.

• Departmental awards. Many academic departments offer specific honors for outstanding achievements, including the highest GPA or excellence in senior projects.

Tips for Including magna cum laude or summa cum laude on Your Resume

• Italicize the phrases. Always italicize Latin terms when used in English, so write them as magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

• Lowercase the phrases. These phrases should remain in lowercase, even when listed as a resume item.

• Keep them as standalone items. Avoid stating “Graduated magna cum laude.”

• Positioning on your resume. Ideally, include these honors directly beneath or next to your degree. It’s also acceptable to list them in a separate section dedicated to honors and awards.

  Consider mentioning them in your resume summary statement.

• Remove them after a few years. While Latin honors are particularly relevant early in your career, as you gain work experience, they become less critical. After securing a couple of jobs, consider omitting them to focus on more recent work accomplishments.

Magna Cum Laude vs. Summa Cum Laude GPA FAQ

1. What is higher, summa or magna?

   Summa cum laude is higher than magna cum laude. By definition, summa cum laude means “highest honor,” while magna cum laude means “great honor.” In terms of GPA, magna cum laude usually corresponds to a range of 3.7 to 3.9, while summa cum laude is awarded for GPAs of 4.0 or higher. Thus, summa cum laude consistently represents a higher level of achievement.

2. What GPA do you need for magna cum laude?

   To graduate magna cum laude, you typically need a GPA between 3.7 and 3.9. Achieving this honor generally requires mostly A’s with only a couple of exceptions. This makes it more accessible than summa cum laude, but if you’re consistently earning A’s, it may be worthwhile to strategize your course load to elevate your GPA just enough for the highest honors.

3. What do you call it when you earn all A’s in college?

   Students who achieve all A’s usually qualify for the summa cum laude distinction. This honor is reserved for the very top students, with only the top 1-5% typically receiving it. Achieving a straight-A record often requires significant dedication and may involve sacrifices in other areas of life.

4. Is valedictorian status based on class rank?

   Yes, the valedictorian title is determined by class rank, which is influenced by GPA. This title is awarded to the top student, based on GPA and other factors, including participation in advanced programs. In cases of ties, additional factors may be considered, and the second-highest achiever is awarded the title of salutatorian.

5. What comes after valedictorian?

   The salutatorian title follows the valedictorian. Typically, the second-highest achiever earns this title. In cases of a tie, there may be co-salutatorians. The determination of these titles often involves close scoring, making additional factors essential in the decision-making process.

6. Is the valedictorian title based on all four years?

   Yes, the valedictorian title is based on performance over all four years. This is typically calculated using the weighted GPA across all years. High achievements in earlier years can impact the overall rank, even if performance declines later. Courses taken, including honors and AP classes, also influence the weighted GPA.

References

1. University of Notre Dame – Latin Honors

2. GPA Calculator – What is a Cum Laude GPA?

Author

Kristin Kizer

Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.