Cum Laude on Your Resume: Showcase Academic Honors Effectively

Key Takeaways

• Including academic honors like cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude can be beneficial in certain situations but not always necessary.
• There are specific guidelines for formatting Latin honors on your resume.
• Minova's AI Resume Builder offers features to assist you in creating and formatting your academic achievements section.

In a competitive job market, showcasing your strengths is crucial. If you have a strong academic record, you might consider including your graduation honors on your resume. Distinctions like cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude can be presented in specific ways. However, in some cases, it might not be relevant. This guide explains academic honors, whether to include them, and how to effectively list cum laude in your resume's education section.

Academic honors recognize a student's academic excellence. These can include Dean's List or honor roll recognition. "Latin honors" are awarded to graduating students based on their GPA. There are three levels of Latin honors, each denoted by a Latin term.

Cum laude signifies graduating "with honors." A qualifying GPA is required, with specific criteria varying by institution. For instance, at the University of Connecticut, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is needed for cum laude, while the University of Tennessee Knoxville requires a 3.5.

Magna cum laude represents graduating "with high honors," a distinction above cum laude. GPA requirements are higher, such as 3.4 or 3.7, depending on the school.

Summa cum laude is the highest Latin honor, meaning "with highest praise." GPA requirements are the most stringent, potentially ranging from 3.7 or 3.9 to a perfect 4.0.

These honors can highlight your academic achievements. However, consider whether including them is appropriate for your resume.

Graduating with Latin honors is significant, but its relevance to your job search depends. Generally, experienced job seekers might omit these distinctions. However, there are situations where listing cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude is advantageous:

• Recent Graduate: If you're a recent graduate entering the workforce, including Latin honors showcases your work ethic and academic achievements.
• Graduate School Application: When applying to graduate school, Latin honors demonstrate your dedication to academic pursuits.
• Limited Work Experience: If you lack extensive work history, highlighting academic achievements can compensate.
• Education-Focused Jobs: For positions in academia or related fields, academic honors are highly relevant. They can also differentiate you in fields like law, finance, or management.

If none of these apply, including academic honors might waste valuable resume space. While they indicate academic excellence, employers often prioritize work experience and skills.

Summa cum laude is particularly impressive and can set you apart. Magna cum laude can also offer a competitive edge. Whether to include cum laude depends on the school's criteria and your GPA. Generally, only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or higher, even if it meets your school's cum laude standard.

If you include cum laude, the Education section is the most appropriate place. It provides context to your studies and showcases your achievements. Alternatively, create a separate "Awards and Honors" section if you have numerous distinctions. A good guideline is to have at least three awards to justify a separate section. Ensure it doesn't overshadow your Experience section.

Academic honors vary, including President's List, Dean's List, honor roll, school awards, and Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude). Summa cum laude is typically the highest honor, followed by magna cum laude ("with high honors") and cum laude ("with honor").

President's List and Dean's List are grade-based, with President's List being more prestigious (typically all A's). Honor roll is more lenient, followed by field-specific school awards. The general ranking is:

1. Summa cum laude
2. Magna cum laude
3. Cum laude
4. President’s list
5. Dean’s list
6. Honor roll
7. School awards

Listing honors in order of importance is crucial.

Summa cum laude, often awarded to students with top GPAs, can be listed directly under your degree in the Education section. If you have multiple honors, an Awards section is suitable. Follow the Chicago Manual of Style's recommendation to use lowercase italics (summa cum laude) for Latin terms.

Example:

University of Miami Bachelor of Arts in English, summa cum laude, GPA: 3.9/4.0

Magna cum laude, the second-highest Latin honor, is listed similarly. Place it in the Education section or an Awards section. Use lowercase italics (magna cum laude).

Example:

Indiana University Bachelor of Science in Psychology, magna cum laude, GPA: 3.8/4.0

For other honors like President's List or Dean's List, prioritize the most prestigious and list others in descending order. The general order is:

• President's List: Typically requires a 4.0 GPA.
• Dean's List: Recognizes students with A's and B's, often a 3.5 GPA or higher.
• Honor Roll: More lenient GPA requirements, often a minimum of 3.0.
• School Awards: Field-specific recognitions.

Place these in the Education section if you have a few or in an Awards section if you have several.

Example:

University of Michigan Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, cum laude

• President's List: Fall 2022, Spring 2023
• Dean's List: Fall 2021
• Honor Roll, Business Excellence Award

If you have only one or two academic honors, include them in the Education section. For three or more, consider an "Awards and Honors" section.

List academic honors in order of importance, with the most important at the top. Latin honors are typically written in lowercase and italics, following the Chicago Manual of Style's guidelines for foreign words.

Adding Latin honors to your resume is straightforward, but formatting rules apply. Structure can vary, such as including the honor on the same line as your degree or on a separate line.

The following examples show how to list honors:

Option #1:

Education [Degree], [Graduation Year] [School] Honors: summa cum laude [(GPA)]

Example:

Education Bachelor of Science in Engineering, 2018 Columbia University Honors: summa cum laude (3.9)

Option #2:

Education [Degree], summa cum laude [School]

Example:

Education Bachelor of Science in Engineering, summa cum laude Columbia University

Option #3:

Education [School] [Degree], summa cum laude

Example:

Education Columbia University Bachelor of Science in Engineering, summa cum laude

Listing academic honors should enhance your resume. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Wasting Space: Keep your resume concise and relevant. If honors make it too long, consider removing them.
• Irrelevance: If you're several years out of school or the honors aren't relevant to the job, omit them.
• Incorrect Format: Use lowercase and italics for Latin honors.
• • Cum laude below 3.5 GPA:* Generally, only include the GPA if it's 3.5 or above.

Your academic honors have a place on your resume, especially if you're a recent graduate or seeking a role in academia. Minova's AI Resume Builder can help you add these honors without manual formatting. You can easily tailor your resume by including or excluding the section as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cum laude an achievement?

Yes, cum laude is an academic achievement signifying graduation with honors, with specific GPA requirements varying by institution. It's generally recommended to include it if the minimum GPA is at least 3.5. If your GPA is below this threshold, consider omitting it.

Does adding cum laude make a difference on a resume?

In some cases, including cum laude can distinguish you from other candidates, particularly for recent graduates or those in academia. However, for experienced professionals in other fields, it may not have a significant impact.

Is it okay to put honors on a resume?

Yes, you can include academic awards on your resume if you're a recent graduate or applying for positions in academia, law, finance, or education. Summa cum laude, indicating graduation with the highest honors, is particularly impactful.