Summa and Magna CUM laude

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
1

<p>Hey everyone,
I would like to ask about the gpa calculation for these degrees of distinction.
I am a normal transfer student with a goal to obtain a summa cum laude in this lifetime.
Hopefully, I will be able to do so without enrolling in easy courses which I prefer not to mention due to different talents, areas of interest and/or major - but I think you know of a few already for yourself. </p>

<p>There are three basic requirements for transfer students to obtain these distinctions:
1. Take at least 40 credits at FSU.
2. Have all required average on all works at FSU (FSU GPA).
3. Have all required average on all works attempted (Overall GPA). </p>

<p>My question is if I were to have different FSU GPA and Overall GPA, which one will they pick? if I were to get 3.88 FSU, but 3.92 Overall or vice versa. What would happen usually? By common sense, I would think they will pick the lowest one possible - just because they can. Let me know of your opinion on this one!</p>

2

<p>Distinction at graduation is based on OVERALL GPA, but your transfer credit can only bring DOWN your FSU GPA and cannot be used to raise it. So in essence, BOTH FSU and OVERALL must meet criteria. </p>

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3

<p>Thank you. Just to clarify some points. Do you mean transfer credits can only bring DOWN Overall GPA instead of FSU GPA? It would make so much more sense if it worked like that.
Transfer credits have both positive and negative affects towards overall GPA. Negatively, it can only pull down your overall GPA - pretty much a one-way street. Positively, which can be seen negatively as well, you have at least 40 more credits to take to determine your FSU and Overall GPA. The lower the number of classes to take means the more important each class builds towards your FSU and Overall GPA. In this case, since you only have at least 40 classes to build up your FSU GPA, it is very hard to pull up even an A-. Am I getting this right? Correct me if I am wrong.
Now, D.E students holding an A.A. degree with perfect A’s are heavily handicapped if this is how it works.</p>

4

<p>Basically, your FSU GPA must meet criteria and your overall GPA cannot be less than the criteria. So both need to meet criteria. If you FSU GPA is under criteria your transfer credits cannot be used to pull it up or meet criteria. So actually, your transfer GPA can not really help you, rather it can only hurt you. If you meet the criteria with your FSU GPA, then your transfer credit must also. If your FSU GPA does not meet criteria, then a 4.0 earned during DE does not matter. So there is no unfair advantage, actually.</p>

5

<p>Oh okay, everything is cleared up now. Thank you for your time!</p>

6

<p>Here is a reference for you: [Florida</a> State University Registrar](<a href=“FSU Registrar | Error 404 page not found”>FSU Registrar | Error 404 page not found)</p>