<p>Does anyone know the criteria for the cum laude society?</p>
<p>Go on the Web site--it describes the specific criteria, or at least it did several years ago.</p>
<p>I tried that - I couldn't find any specifics.</p>
<p>"Annual elections are limited to 20% of the Senior Class and new chapter applicants are judged, along with other criteria, on whether in most years 20% would be eligible. This is not to suggest that each chapter does in fact elect 20%, but rather that close to the number are eligible as true scholars."</p>
<p>At my children's school, the really top or favored kids are inducted in spring of junior year in time for membership to appear on college apps in the fall. Other members get in in spring of senior year and get to have gold tassels on their graduation caps. There is not a GPA requirement per se.</p>
<p>My high school accepts the top 10% of Juniors and top 20% of seniors. It is judged almost completely based on GPA, although other factors are considered.</p>
<p>our school doesn't rank so how do they find the top 10 or 20%?</p>
<p>Oh...but they do. They just don't show you ;)</p>
<p>Within the society guidelines, it's up to each school to determine how to choose members. My son's high school did not base it strictly on gpa -- every department was asked to meet and nominate a certain number of juniors and a certain number of seniors who stood out in that department's classes. Students had to be nominated by at least two departments to get chosen. (I liked this method, as it rewarded students who were engaged and really stood out in some areas but didn't necessarily have the highest overall gpa.)</p>
<p>Parents of kids who were not chosen got upset that it conferred an unfair advantage in the college application process, since the school did not otherwise rank. Now, the school, only designates seniors.</p>
<p>However your school does it, the guidance counselor can explain it in the recommendation.</p>
<p>If you have pretty high GPA your automatically in I think.</p>