Magna cum Laude vs. Summa cum Laude
Used across the globe, these terms are used as academic recognitions, but despite what many might think, they are not the same. Nowadays, students from all over the world can use different tools such as CompTIA CS0-003: Practice Test Dumps Questions to boost their academic performance and get closer to cum Laude results.
If you’re wondering what the highest cum Laude is, keep reading.
Keep on reading if you want to find out:
Differences between Magna cum Laude and Summa cum Laude
Chances are you have previously heard the terms: Summa cum Laude, Magna cum Laude, and cum Laude.
These terms are, in fact, collectively considered Latin honors and are used to denote several degrees of high intellectual achievement. Colleges, universities, and even some high schools, in different countries, including the United States, award these distinctions.
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But how is it that someone is granted a Magna cum Laude? Or Summa cum Laude? Well, there’s a lot more to it than it seems. First, one has to consider these awards have a specific hierarchy.
In American academia, these distinctions are normally set as follows:
Summa cum Laude is the ultimate award (correlated to the word “summit”) and it is given to a select group of college graduates each year. In terms of status, Cum Laude would be the last one as it follows Magna cum Laude.
Magna cum Laude: What Is It?
Usually, Magna cum Laude is translated as “with great distinction” when given to an academic after an intellectual achievement.
The Magna cum Laude precedes cum Laude, which is Latin for “with distinction”. This recognition might be given to a pupil who has achieved high marks or has accomplished some sort of academic goal, without it being the best. The awarded achievement is highly recognized, yet not seen as the ultimate accomplishment.
Summa cum Laude: What Is It?
Achieving Summa cum Laude, one may say, is as if you were to reach the highest mountain’s peak. This is “the highest distinction”, therefore whoever receives this recognition has accomplished something that sets them apart from other schools.
This distinction among others’ performance makes the student deserving of the highest award.
The Summa cum Laude, contrary to the Magna cum Laude, is granted to those whose grades are within the highest proportion of their department or school.
In fact, the English term “laudatory” is derived from the Latin word “laude”, which can also mean “honor” or “praise”.
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Magna cum Laude Vs Summa cum Laude: How Do Colleges Choose?
Both the Magna cum Laude and the Summa cum Laude are very prestigious distinctions, however, there are no specific rules associated with their granting nationwide.
Universities across the US, for example, are able to set their own standards for the recognition of either the Magna cum Laude and the Summa cum Laude.
For example, let’s take a look at what the University of Pennsylvania has to say about these distinctions.
Students at this institution must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.8 to graduate Summa cum Laude, 3.6 to graduate Magna cum Laude, and 3.4 to graduate cum Laude.
The standards are set at 3.9, 3.7, and 3.5 by the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio State University.
Quite frequently within a single university, various colleges or schools may have varying requirements. Consider, for example, the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan, as their students should have a GPA of at least 3.75 to be eligible for Summa cum Laude, whereas those from the Law School must have a 4.0 to obtain the same distinction.
For other institutions, Latin honors are based on a student’s class rank rather than utilizing GPA.
A great example of this approach New York University awards Summa cum Laude honors to the top 5% of its undergraduate class.
On the other hand, Magna cum Laude recognition is given to the next 10%, and cum Laude to the following 15%. This sums up to 30% of its graduates.
For the majority of institutions both the Summa cum Laude and the Magna cum Laude are prestigious distinctions granted only to a few, yet the recognition does not seem to have a direct impact on wages.
Initially, Summa cum Laude, Magna cum Laude and cum Laude were expected to benefit their holders with better salary opportunities in the job market. Yet, this phenomenon quickly vanished and as of today, there are no real advantages of receiving Summa and Magna cum Laude besides the academic recognition.
The Latin honorifics Summa cum Laude and Magna cum Laude, both denoting various levels of exceptional intellectual achievement, hold a special place in the academic community and serve as a constant reminder of the future potential that today’s students hold in their hands.
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