Graduating with honors is a significant achievement, recognizing academic excellence during your university career. For undergraduate students, these honors are often designated using Latin terms, with cum laude being a notable distinction. This article explains what cum laude and other Latin honors mean, and what it takes to earn them.
At many universities, including the University of Connecticut (UConn), graduating seniors are eligible for Latin honors – cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude – which are noted on diplomas and academic transcripts. These honors are awarded based on a combination of a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) and their class rank within their school or college. To be considered, students must have completed a minimum number of graded credits at the university; at UConn, this is 54 calculable credits.
Here’s a breakdown of the general criteria for each honor:
- Cum laude: Requires a minimum 3.0 total GPA and a class rank in the 75th percentile or above within their school or college. This signifies “with praise” or “with honor”, indicating commendable academic performance.
- Magna cum laude: Demands a higher standard, requiring at least a 3.4 total GPA and a class rank in the 85th percentile or higher in their school or college. Meaning “with great praise,” this honor recognizes exceptional academic achievement.
- Summa cum laude: The highest honor, summa cum laude, meaning “with highest praise,” is reserved for students who achieve at least a 3.7 total GPA and rank in the 95th percentile or above within their school or college. This designation celebrates truly outstanding academic distinction.
It’s important to understand that these are general guidelines. The specific GPA and class rank cut-offs for each honor level can vary each year and are determined separately for each school or college within the university. The determination for graduation honors awarded at the conclusion of summer sessions or the fall semester is based on the GPA cut-off points from the preceding spring semester. This ensures consistent application of standards within each academic year.
To illustrate how these cut-offs can differ, consider the примере cutoff values for May 2024 graduates at UConn:
| School | Summa Cum Laude | Magna Cum Laude | Cum Laude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 3.961 | 3.88 | 3.794 |
| CAHNR | 3.944 | 3.845 | 3.763 |
| CLAS | 3.981 | 3.908 | 3.817 |
| Continuing Studies | 3.7 | 3.496 | 3.287 |
| Education | 3.973 | 3.941 | 3.903 |
| Engineering | 3.974 | 3.907 | 3.827 |
| Fine Arts | 3.979 | 3.92 | 3.845 |
| Nursing | 3.992 | 3.933 | 3.889 |
| Pharmacy | 3.982 | 3.92 | 3.787 |
| Ratcliffe Hicks | 3.902 | 3.646 | 3.497 |
| Social Work | 3.982 | 3.972 | 3.944 |
As you can see from this table, the actual GPA required for each Latin honor varies across different schools. For instance, in May 2024, a Business school student needed a GPA of 3.794 to achieve cum laude, while a student in the School of Social Work needed a much higher GPA of 3.944 for the same honor. These differences reflect the academic profiles and grading distributions within each school or college.
For students aiming for graduation honors, it is essential to understand that the minimum GPA cut-offs provided are not fixed. They are indicators, not guarantees. The actual cut-off points for any given college or school in any specific year are determined based on the academic performance of the graduating class.
For those interested in historical trends or needing data from previous terms, UConn provides access to cutoff values for previous terms in an Excel spreadsheet. This resource can be valuable for understanding how cut-off points have fluctuated over time.
Further detailed information regarding graduation honors can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog. Consulting this catalog will provide a comprehensive understanding of all academic regulations pertaining to graduation and honors.
In conclusion, achieving Latin honors like cum laude is a testament to hard work and academic dedication throughout your university journey. While general GPA and class rank criteria exist, the specific cut-offs are dynamic and school-dependent. By striving for academic excellence and staying informed about the standards within your specific school or college, you can position yourself to graduate with the distinction you deserve.
