What Is Cum Laude?
Let me explain cum laude directly: it's a Latin term that translates to 'with honor,' 'with praise,' or 'with distinction.' In the U.S., many colleges and universities award it to students who demonstrate academic excellence. You should know it's one of three designations: cum laude for distinction, magna cum laude for great distinction, and summa cum laude for the greatest distinction.
What Cum Laude Means
Cum laude indicates a solid level of academic achievement that sets you apart. If you're aiming higher, magna cum laude means 'with great honor' or 'with high praise,' and summa cum laude is the top tier, meaning 'with highest honor.' Each school sets its own rules for these, so check your institution's guidelines. When you earn one, it's recognized at graduation and printed on your diploma. As a fast fact, you might get to wear a special sash or tassel during the ceremony.
Criteria for Cum Laude
To earn cum laude, you typically need a high GPA, strong class ranking, a set number of credits, and possibly other achievements. Some schools set it at a GPA of 3.5 or above, with higher for magna and summa. It's based on your final GPA alone in many cases. Others award it to a top percentage of the class, making it competitive. At places like Ivy Leagues, a great GPA isn't enough—you might need standout papers, publications, or faculty recommendations.
Differences Between Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude
Cum laude is your baseline for distinction, but magna cum laude steps it up to 'with great praise,' and summa cum laude is 'with highest praise.' These are decided by GPA, ranking, or extra merits, and it varies by school.
An Example of Cum Laude
Take the University of Pennsylvania: you need a 3.4 GPA for cum laude. At New York University, it's given to the next 15% of the prior class, and some departments have unique systems. This shows how awards differ across institutions.
Is It Hard to Earn Cum Laude?
Yes, it demands an above-average GPA and consistent effort to outpace your peers. It takes real dedication and time.
The Bottom Line
Cum laude marks honorable excellence in your studies, based on GPA or other metrics. If you're job hunting, list it on your resume to show your academic strength.
Key Takeaways
- Criteria for honors vary by institution.
- Cum laude means with distinction or honor.
- Magna cum laude means with great distinction.
- Summa cum laude means with the greatest distinction.
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