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Graduation Honors
Distinction
Degrees with distinction are awarded on the basis of rank in class. Students who have completed at least 58 credits in residence, at least 45 of which are "graded" (A+ to D-), and rank in the top 3% of their class are recommended for a degree "with Highest Distinction." Those students who rank in the top 10% of their class but not in the top 3% are recommended for a degree "with High Distinction." Those students who rank in the top 25% of their class but not in the top 10% are recommended for a degree "with Distinction." A notation is made on the diploma and the transcript. The GPA ranges for the distinction notations are determined each May, based on the cumulative GPAs of LSA graduates of the May degree period. Those same numbers are used for the August and December degree periods of that calendar year.
Historical Distinction LevelsDegrees with distinction are awarded on the basis of rank in class. The GPA range for distinction is determined on the cumulative GPAs of the LSA May graduating class and is subject to change every year based on the GPAs of the May class.
May, August, and December 2012 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.940 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.837 - 3.939
Distinction: 3.688 - 3.836
May, August, and December 2011 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.924 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.837 - 3.923
Distinction: 3.682 - 3.836
May, August, and December 2010 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.928 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.825 - 3.927
Distinction: 3.670 - 3.824
May, August and December 2009 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.927 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.809 - 3.926
Distinction: 3.644 - 3.808
May, August and December 2008 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.917 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.819 - 3.916
Distinction: 3.664 - 3.818
May, August and December 2007 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.930 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.821 - 3.929
Distinction: 3.649 - 3.820
May, August and December 2006 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.925 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.819 - 3.924
Distinction: 3.671 - 3.818
May, August, and December 2005 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.917 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.794 - 3.916
Distinction: 3.621 - 3.793
May, August, and December 2004 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.920 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.782 - 3.919
Distinction: 3.593 - 3.781
May, August, and December 2003 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.908 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.768 - 3.907
Distinction: 3.584 - 3.767
May, August, and December 2002 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.907 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.771 - 3.906
Distinction: 3.598 - 3.770
May, August, and December 2001 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.908 - 4.000
High Distinction: 3.775 - 3.907
Distinction: 3.574 - 3.774
May, August, and December 2000 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.889 to 4.000
High Distinction: 3.755 to 3.888
Distinction: 3.551 to 3.754
May, August, and December 1999 graduates:
Highest Distinction: 3.907 to 4.000
High Distinction: 3.778 to 3.906
Distinction: 3.582 to 3.777
Highest Honors/High Honors/Honors
Students who have completed at least 58 credits in residence and have demonstrated high academic achievement and capacity for independent work in a departmental Honors major program may be recommended for a degree "with Highest Honors," "with High Honors," or "with Honors" in the major. Capacity for independent work must be demonstrated in part by superior performance in an Honors program or some achievement of equivalent character. A minimum overall grade point average of 3.4 is required. A notation is made on the diploma and the transcript.
