Cum Laude
Candlefocus EditorIn order to be eligible for and receive Cum Laude, educational institutions have rigorous standards and criteria that must be met. Generally, students are expected to have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) or achieved a certain performance level that is substantially higher than the minimum standard. The GPA requirement varies widely among institutions, ranging anywhere from the top 33% to the top 10-20%, with different institutions using their own criteria. For example, some institutions require a GPA of 3.5 or 4.0 while others require as high as 3.75 or even 3.8.
In addition to meeting the GPA requirement, many institutions also consider things such as completion of a demanding curriculum, sophistication and depth of research, and other factors when making their determinations for awarding Latin honors. Academic achievement is always taken into account for the Cum Laude honor and the GPA required for consideration is usually the same for any academic program.
Students cannot apply for or campaign for Latin honors and must purely rely on their previous performance in order to be considered for this recognition. Being named Cum Laude is a great achievement and is usually noted on the student's academic transcript. It also comes with honors and recognition at the time of graduation and/or commencement ceremonies.
For students, Cum Laude is a prestigious and desirable recognition of their academic performance and achievement in their chosen field of study. It is an honor that will be valid beyond the realm of academia. Having displayed such a high level of intellectual aptitude, Cum Laude students will often find themselves highly sought after by employers and in their graduate or professional studies.