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Adviser Information File

Undergraduate Policies and Procedures

High Scholarship Recognition

CONTENTS

Quarterly Dean's List
Annual Dean's List
Baccalaureate honors
Medals
    Freshman Medal
    Sophomore Medal
    Junior Medal
    President's Medal
Pass-fail

		The following forms of recognition are awarded to first-baccalaureate degree, matriculated students in residence at the UW. Undergraduate students in all colleges of the University are eligible. Note that courses taken S/NS or CR/NC do NOT count as graded credits toward the requirements of each honor.


Quarterly Dean's List		A high scholarship notation is made on the transcript of each undergraduate student who attains a quarterly GPA of at least 3.50 for 12 UW graded credits. "Dean's List" is entered on official and unofficial UW transcripts. A list of the students on the current quarter's Dean's List at each UW campus is available online.


Annual Dean's List		The following undergraduates receive yearly high scholarship recognition: Undergraduates who have attended three quarters of the academic year (summer through spring) and who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher in at least 12 graded credits in each of the three quarters. Undergraduates who have attended the University for four quarters of the school year (summer through spring), with a 3.50 or higher GPA in 12 or more graded credits in each of three quarters, and a 3.50 or higher GPA in 10 or more graded credits in the fourth quarter. Such students are recognized by the notation "Annual Dean's List" on official and unofficial UW transcripts following the last quarter's grades for the year, and by a certificate of recognition from the dean of the student's home school or college.


Baccalaureate Honors		Baccalaureate honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) are awarded only to recipients of a first bachelor's degree. Cum laude means "with praise," magna cum laude means "with great praise," and summa cum laude means "with highest praise." These honors are earned by students who have completed at least 90 residence credits at the UW campus granting the degree. At least 60 of the 90 credits must be graded credits (see Pass/fail, below). Credits earned by distance learning, advanced placement (AP) credit, other types of extension credit, credits from other UW campuses, and transfer credit are not counted toward the 90 credit total. All graduates earning baccalaureate honors are given a gold honor cord to wear in the Commencement ceremony. For students graduating in spring quarter, the honors listed in the commencement program, as well as honor cord distribution, are based upon a student's cumulative GPA as of the winter quarter, since spring grades are not available for this determination. Spring classes are ultimately included in the credit totals and GPA calculations for honors posted to the student's final record. Each October the University's Faculty Council on Academic Standards determines the grade-point requirement for each baccalaureate honor in each college of the University for students graduating in the current academic year. The top 0.5% of graduating students in each college are awarded summa cum laude, the next 3% are awarded magna cum laude, and the next 6.5% are awarded cum laude. For an archive of current and past minimum GPAs for each honor (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude), see Baccalaureate Honor GPA Requirements.


Medals		Selection of medalists is based primarily on GPA, but the rigor and quality of the student's program are also considered. Freshman Medal The Freshman Medal is awarded to the sophomore having the highest scholastic standing for the first year of his/her coursework. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 36 graded credits in residence at UW-Seattle. The notation "Freshman Medalist" is made on the transcript. Sophomore Medal The Sophomore Medal is awarded to the junior having the highest scholastic standing for the first two years of his/her coursework. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at UW-Seattle. The notation "Sophomore Medalist" is made on the transcript. Junior Medal The Junior Medal is awarded to the senior having the highest scholastic standing for the first three years of his/her coursework. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 40 credits in residence at UW-Seattle. The notation "Junior Medalist" is made on the transcript. President's Medal The President's Medal, which is conferred at Commencement, recognizes the graduating senior who has the most distinguished academic record. In addition to the criteria used for the other medals, candidates for this award submit letters and the committee discusses the candidates with their home departments. Only students who have earned at least 90 credits in residence at UW-Seattle may be considered. The notation "President's Medalist" is made on the transcript, under the name of the degree awarded.


Pass-fail		Note that the honors described above are based on graded credits. Courses taken S/NS, and courses offered CR/NC, do not count as graded credits and will not be included in the credit totals necessary to qualify for honors.