Can someone explain the academic distinction of cum laude?

I'm curious about what 'cum laude' means when it comes to graduation honors. Is it specifically related to college or can it apply to high school too? What are the typical requirements to graduate with this status, and how is it perceived by colleges during the admissions process? Any clarity on what it takes to achieve this would be really helpful!

"Cum laude" is a Latin term that translates to "with honors." It's a recognition of academic achievement used in education systems globally. Universities and colleges commonly use the honor system, but some high schools do as well! The terms used can vary across institutions, but there are typically three levels:

1. "Cum laude": This is usually the first level of Latin honors and often requires students to be in the top 25%-30% of their class.

2. "Magna cum laude": This title often corresponds to being in the top 10%-15% of one’s class.

3. "Summa cum laude": This is the highest level of Latin honors, often reserved for those in the top 1%-5% of their class.

The specific requirements for graduating with cum laude distinction can vary widely based on the institution. Some schools may judge purely on GPA, where others might take elements such as the rigor of your classes or contributions to the educational community into account.

As for college admissions, admissions committees do notice these distinctions, they can be a positive addition to your application. However, it's not necessarily going to dramatically affect your chances. Admissions officers take into account all aspects of your application: coursework, essays, extracurricular activities, and standardized test scores (if the school isn't test-blind or test-optional). So, while cum laude status can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, it's just one factor among many that colleges will consider.

I hope that helps to clarify what cum laude means and its significance in both high school and college settings!