What does it mean to graduate with honors, and how is it different from cum laude?

I've heard about graduating with honors and being recognized as cum laude, but I'm not entirely sure what these titles entail. Are they the same thing or are there different levels of achievement associated with them? Also, what criteria do students typically need to meet to earn these distinctions? I'm looking to make a plan to achieve this recognition, but I first want to make sure I understand what it takes.

Graduating with honors and graduating cum laude are both forms of academic distinctions awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement during their time in school.

However, they are not precisely the same thing. "Graduating with honors" is a general term used to acknowledge superior academic performance. The exact requirements for graduating with honors vary by institution, but typically this distinction is granted to students who maintain a high GPA, often in the top percentage of their class, throughout their course of study.

"Cum laude," on the other hand, is a specific tier within the honors distinction. It's Latin for "with honors." There are typically three tiers of honors that are often granted at graduation: cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. Each tier represents a higher level of academic achievement.

1. Cum laude: This is the first level of graduation honors, typically given to students with a GPA within the top 15-20% of their class, but this can greatly depend on institutional policies.

2. Magna cum laude: The second level of honors, typically awarded to graduates with a GPA within the top 5-10%.

3. Summa cum laude: The highest honor, often awarded to students within the top 1-5% of their class.

Again, the actual GPA required for these honors can vary by institution, and some schools may not rank students at all.

To achieve these distinctions, it helps to focus consistently on your academic performance from the beginning of your studies, rather than trying to play "catch up" in later semesters. It could also be helpful to seek additional academic opportunities, such as honors classes or independent studies, that could further demonstrate your commitment to high academic achievement. Discuss your goals with academic counselors or advisers who can guide you through your institution's specific requirements for graduation with honors.

I hope this clarifies the differences between these terms and gives you a better sense of what it takes to graduate with such recognition.