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At the university I'll be attending, everyone in the honors program who graduates with a 3.9 GPA or higher graduates summa cum laude.

Is this the case in other universities? I was just under the impression, that these cum laude type of labels were only given to one person in the graduating class.

By Laceyski08 (Laceyski08) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 08:06 am: Edit

Hi,
In general, I have no idea. But I can tell you for Bryn Mawr "the degree is awarded summa cum laude to the 10 students with the highest grade point average in the class, providing they are 3.80 or higher".

By Ellemenope (Ellemenope) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 10:48 am: Edit

At my college, summa, magna and plain ole cum laude were determined by percentages: top 3% summa, etc. I can't remember what the % were for each designation.

By Bluealien01 (Bluealien01) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 10:57 am: Edit

I am guessing it varies by college, but some allow more than one person to have the same title.

By Hautbois (Hautbois) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 11:37 am: Edit

At my S's school the three Latin honors are different for each major; his major happens to be somewhat high and he won't get anything, while his housemates' both will (different majors). Such is life.

At my D's school one has to apply if the GPA qualifies. Then the school determines if it will be awarded.

By Shennie (Shennie) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 12:31 pm: Edit

Where I went to college back in the dark ages, it was determined by GPA - 3.8 was summa cum laude, 3.5 was magna cum laude, and I don't remember the cutoff for cum laude.

By Rhonda63 (Rhonda63) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 12:35 pm: Edit

cum laude labels are usually given to multiple people. i think percent cutoffs are becoming more common, but some schools still have gpa cutoffs.

By Giants (Giants) on Monday, April 19, 2004 - 01:03 pm: Edit

At Emory it's a 3.5+ and a thesis that is worthy of being published.

By Acennace (Acennace) on Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - 09:56 am: Edit

In IWU:
GPA 3.9+ for summa cum laude
GPA 3.7+ for magna cum laude
GPA 3.5+ for cum laude

By Michael1104 (Michael1104) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 09:43 pm: Edit

at my school top 1% summa, next 4% magna, and next 8% sum laude