<p>I’m hoping someone can answer this…from the BU website, it looks as though cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude designation will no longer be based on a fixed cumulative GPA as of the 7th semester. It seems that for the 2007 grads, the top 5% will be summa cum, top 10% magna and top 15% cum laude in each school. DS has a 3.52 cumulative GPA which would have been cum laude designation in the past, but this year it seems that will depend on how well the rest of the seniors in the music department do compared to him. Anyone have any info?</p>
<p>As of last year (despite what the website may say), all schools adopted the 5/10/15% rule. Your designation will depend on your GPA as of the Fall (unless you move up, in which case they will update your designation). You won't know your status until the March or so.</p>
<p>thumper, Does this new method make it harder or easier to get the various cum laude designations? Are they giving averages for a GPA span that they predict will be in the 5, 10, 15% range. Ryanbis, any info on how it shook out last year in terms of averages?</p>
<p>Actually, I think it's the "granddaddy of all curves". Honors graduation designation will be based on how you do relative to the others in your college or department. DS's 3.52 GPA would have been in the cum laude range in past years. This year it will all depend on how this looks relative to the other seniors in the music department. Doesn't matter...it's still a fine GPA. However, I do think there should be a set standard for honors designations...not a relative one. But that is my humble opinion. I also hate course where the grades are curved. Again...I think there should be a standard set...and folks should work to achieve that. Just my humble opinion.</p>