Summa cum laude is a Latin phrase that means “with highest honor,” and it is used in academic settings to honor students who have a track record of outstanding performance. The award is almost always based on grades and academic performance, but it may also take into account extracurricular activities and overall well-being. Latin honors used to be limited to undergraduate university students, but the tradition has since spread to a variety of schools at various levels. The manner in which the honor is bestowed and what it entails differ from one location to the next, but it is always highly regarded.
Honored Persons’ Hierarchy
Latin honors are usually divided into three categories, each representing a different level of achievement. The first and most basic distinction is cum laude, which means “with honor,” followed magna cum laude, which means “with great honor.” Both are regarded as prestigious and honorable, but neither comes close to the “summa” distinction in terms of value or rarity. In most cases, the highest honor distinction is reserved for those who are truly unrivaled in their academic pursuits. These students are usually at the top of their classes when they graduate.
Awarding Period
Latin honors are traditionally given at the end of a student’s studies, usually at graduation. Students can be distinguished in this way based on their overall good work. It is usually not enough to do well in one class or during one academic term or year to qualify. In almost all cases, success must be sustained over time.
Graduates who have received the summa cum laude honor are usually recognized during the graduation ceremony and are often given special ribbons, sashes, or cords to distinguish themselves from their classmates. The distinction is printed next to graduates’ names in the program and, in most cases, also appears on the diploma and all formal transcripts.
Who is eligible to participate?
Latin honors are most common at the undergraduate level, especially in North America and Europe, but they can be used at any academic institution that wants to use them. Latin honors, for example, may be available in middle and high schools, as well as some graduate programs. Because there are no hard and fast rules about who is and isn’t eligible, the award can mean slightly different things in different places. It is always prestigious, but there is no universal rule about what it means, and in most cases, there is no formula for earning it.
Prerequisites
The summa cum laude award, like all Latin honors, is usually determined a student’s grade point average; recipients typically have near-perfect academic records. However, schools may impose additional requirements, such as participation in extracurricular activities or community service. To demonstrate their worthiness, some programs may require eligible students to write an honors thesis or participate in an advanced seminar or series of honors courses. Professorial and peer nominations may also be required.
Students who want to learn more about Latin honors within a specific school structure should contact a knowledgeable representative early in their academic careers. Academic counselors and department heads are usually the best people to help students understand exactly what is expected of them and how they can best position themselves to be considered.
Consequences After Graduation
Being able to say “summa cum laude” means more than just bragging rights. Latin honors are usually part of a student’s permanent record, allowing him or her to stand out from the crowd on job applications, graduate school admissions, and scholarship and other award competitions. Having “summa” status often indicates not only superior academic ability, but also superior organizational skills and the ability to balance work and life. Having this distinction can help applicants stand out and help them advance in their careers or further education.