<p>I've noticed that UT-Dallas' Dean's List is constructed by taking the top 10% of students (based on GPA) in a given semester. Most schools seem to have an arbitrary number, say 3.25, 3.5 or even 3.75 that is used to determine who makes the list.</p>
<p>I have never made the Dean's List (hoping this semester is the first)...but certainly would have made it quite a few times at other schools based on a set GPA requirement. </p>
<p>Which method is better...a benchmark GPA number or a "competition" against other students in your school of study?</p>
<p>Personally I like the 3.5 benchmark...possibly 3.75...those are high marks and should be recognized in some way. That's like being in high school...receiving an "A" average and not being on the honor roll. Of course this isn't high school, so one may throw that out of the proverbial window. I will say that UT-Dallas' method is more stringent and that being on our Dean's List is more of an accomplishment.</p>
<p>i think it is more stringent. I am in BBS, and in my freshman year, I got one A-, and that was enough to not get me into the dean’s list. Pretty much need a 4.0 each semester for BBS</p>
<p>I guess it makes sense. Even with that top 10% requirement and everyone receiving 3.9 to 4.0’s…the list for SOM is fairly long…I can only imagine how many Dean’s Lister’s we’d have if the number was set at 3.5 or 3.75. I’m curious as to each university’s line of thinking when they establish their policy. Is it based more on the school’s own desire to make certain awards difficult to achieve…or is it based more on an evaluation of the student population etc.?</p>
<p>bigreddawgie, how difficult do you think it is to get a 4.0 in BBS freshmen year? What exactly is Dean’s List?</p>
<p>dean’s list is a list of students that was in the top 10% of each school for the semester. it shows up on your transcript</p>
<p>it’s not too difficult to get a 4.0 freshmen year. i didnt get it because of my cv gov class.</p>