I've been hearing a lot about 'graduating with honors'. Does anyone know what GPA you need to hit in high school to be considered for honors? Is it the same for every school, or does it vary? I'm hoping to achieve this by the time I graduate, but not even sure where the bar is set.
The criteria for graduating with honors can indeed vary from one high school to another. However, a common system many schools adopt is designating 'Cum Laude' for GPAs typically around 3.5 to 3.7, 'Magna Cum Laude' for GPAs from about 3.8 to 3.9, and 'Summa Cum Laude' for those hitting 4.0 or above. But this is just a general guideline. Some schools also factor in the rigor of your courses, so a student taking more challenging classes like AP or IB might have a different threshold. To get the most accurate information, check your school's handbook or website, or better yet, have a chat with your school counselor – they'll know the specific honors criteria for your school. It's fantastic that you're aiming high and setting goals for yourself. Keep up the great work and make sure to keep an open line of communication with your counselor to monitor your progress towards achieving this honor. Best of luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.