Cum Laude on a Resume: How to List Latin Honors Effectively
Earning Latin honors represents significant academic achievement—recognition that you excelled beyond the requirements and demonstrated exceptional commitment to your studies. Whether you graduated cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude, you’ve earned a distinction that can strengthen your resume and set you apart from other candidates.
But how do you present this achievement effectively? Where does it go on your resume? Should you include your GPA alongside Latin honors? And how long after graduation should you continue listing these distinctions?
This comprehensive guide answers all your questions about incorporating Latin honors into your resume, helping you showcase your academic achievements in ways that enhance your professional candidacy.
Understanding Latin Honors
Before discussing how to list Latin honors, let’s ensure clarity about what these distinctions mean and how they’re awarded.
The Three Levels of Latin Honors
Cum Laude (pronounced koom LOW-day) means “with honor” or “with praise.” This is the first tier of Latin honors, typically awarded to students who graduate with GPAs in approximately the top 25-30% of their class, though specific requirements vary by institution.
Magna Cum Laude (MAHG-nah koom LOW-day) means “with great honor” or “with great praise.” This second tier recognizes stronger academic performance, typically requiring GPAs in approximately the top 10-15% of graduating students.
Summa Cum Laude (SOO-mah koom LOW-day) means “with highest honor” or “with highest praise.” This top distinction is reserved for the most exceptional academic performers, typically the top 1-5% of graduates.
How Latin Honors Are Determined
Different institutions use different systems to award Latin honors:
Fixed GPA thresholds: Some schools set specific GPA requirements (e.g., cum laude requires 3.5 GPA, magna cum laude requires 3.7, summa cum laude requires 3.9).
Class percentile cutoffs: Other institutions award honors based on where students fall within their graduating class, ensuring consistent percentages receive each level regardless of grade distribution.
Combined systems: Some schools use both GPA minimums and relative standing.
Departmental honors: Some schools award honors within specific colleges or departments, which may have different standards than university-wide honors.
Why Latin Honors Matter to Employers
Latin honors communicate several positive attributes to potential employers:
Academic excellence: You performed significantly above average in your studies.
Dedication: Earning honors requires consistent effort over multiple years, not just one good semester.
Intellectual capability: Strong academic performance suggests cognitive abilities that transfer to professional settings.
Work ethic: Achieving honors while managing other responsibilities demonstrates effective time management and prioritization.
For entry-level positions and early-career professionals, these signals can differentiate candidates who otherwise lack extensive work experience to demonstrate their capabilities.
Where to Place Latin Honors on Your Resume
The placement of your Latin honors depends on your resume structure and career stage, but the education section is the standard location.
Standard Education Section Placement
The most common and recommended approach places Latin honors within your education entry, immediately after your degree information.
Format example:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Graduated: May 2023Or with GPA included:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in English, Cum Laude
Boston University, Boston, MA | May 2024
GPA: 3.68/4.0Alternative Placement Options
Same line as degree:
B.S. in Computer Science, Summa Cum Laude | Stanford University | 2023Separate line below degree:
Master of Business Administration
Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA | 2022
Graduated Magna Cum LaudeWithin honors/achievements subsection:
EDUCATION
B.A. in Political Science
Georgetown University, Washington, DC | May 2023
Honors & Awards:
• Magna Cum Laude graduate
• Dean's List (all semesters)
• Political Science Award for Outstanding AchievementPosition on the Resume Page
Where your education section—and thus your Latin honors—appears depends on your experience level:
Recent graduates (0-3 years post-graduation): Place education and honors prominently, typically after your summary and before or immediately after experience.
Early career (3-7 years post-graduation): Education typically moves below work experience, with honors still included but less prominent.
Experienced professionals (7+ years): Education section moves toward the end of the resume, and Latin honors may become optional.
Formatting Latin Honors Correctly
Proper formatting ensures your Latin honors look professional and are easily recognized.
Capitalization Conventions
Both capitalization approaches are acceptable in professional contexts:
Option 1 - Capitalized: Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude Option 2 - Lowercase: magna cum laude, cum laude, summa cum laude
Capitalization is more common in American resumes and appears more prominent visually. Choose one style and apply it consistently throughout your resume.
Italics Usage
Some style guides recommend italicizing Latin phrases:
- Cum Laude
- Magna Cum Laude
- Summa Cum Laude
This is optional but adds a polished touch that emphasizes the formal nature of these distinctions. If you italicize, do so consistently for all Latin honors on your resume.
Common Formatting Examples
Formal style:
Bachelor of Science in Finance, *Magna Cum Laude*
New York University, Stern School of Business
Graduated May 2023 | GPA: 3.82/4.0Streamlined style:
B.A., Psychology, Cum Laude | UCLA | 2024 | 3.65 GPADetailed style:
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Charlottesville, VA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Summa Cum Laude
May 2023 | GPA: 3.95/4.0
• Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
• Dean's List (8 semesters)
• Undergraduate Research FellowshipIncluding GPA Alongside Latin Honors
A common question: if you’re listing Latin honors, do you also need to include your GPA?
Arguments for Including GPA
Provides context: Different schools have different honor thresholds. A GPA clarifies exactly how strong your academic performance was.
Demonstrates specificity: Precise numbers add credibility and show you’re not vague about your achievements.
Required by some employers: Certain companies, particularly in consulting, finance, and competitive graduate programs, expect GPA disclosure.
Arguments Against Including GPA
Redundancy: Latin honors already indicate strong academic performance. Adding GPA may seem repetitive.
Space conservation: On a tight one-page resume, every line matters. If honors communicate the message, GPA may be unnecessary.
Imperfect GPA: If your GPA is at the lower end of an honors category (e.g., cum laude with a 3.51 when the cutoff was 3.5), listing the GPA might actually diminish the impression.
Recommendation
Include GPA if:
- You’re a recent graduate (within 2-3 years)
- Your GPA is notably high (3.7+)
- You’re targeting competitive employers who expect it
- Your GPA significantly exceeds the honors threshold
Consider omitting GPA if:
- You’re more than 5 years post-graduation
- Your GPA barely met the honors threshold
- You have substantial work experience that speaks for itself
- The employer/industry doesn’t emphasize academic metrics
When in doubt, including both honors and GPA is generally safe and provides complete information.
When to Include Latin Honors
Latin honors aren’t always appropriate to include. Consider these factors when deciding.
Factors Favoring Inclusion
Recency: Recent graduates should almost always include Latin honors. This is likely one of your strongest credentials at this career stage.
Relevance: For positions valuing academic achievement (teaching, research, academic administration, competitive firms), honors remain relevant longer.
Distinction: Higher honors (magna and summa cum laude) warrant longer inclusion than basic cum laude.
Space availability: If your resume has room and honors strengthen your candidacy, include them.
Factors Favoring Removal
Career stage: After 10+ years of professional experience, academic honors become less relevant than your professional track record.
Resume length: If you’re struggling to fit more important content on your resume, dated academic honors may be expendable.
Irrelevance to role: For positions where academic achievement matters little, space is better used elsewhere.
Professional achievements: Once you have significant professional accomplishments, those speak louder than academic distinctions.
Timeline Guidelines
0-3 years post-graduation: Definitely include 3-7 years post-graduation: Include if space allows and relevant 7-10 years post-graduation: Consider removing unless highly distinguished or relevant 10+ years post-graduation: Generally remove, except for exceptional achievements or academic/research roles
Handling Multiple Degrees with Different Honor Levels
What if you have multiple degrees with varying academic distinction?
Both Degrees Have Honors
List both honors with their respective degrees:
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration, With Distinction
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management | 2023
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Magna Cum Laude
University of Michigan | 2019Note: Some graduate programs use “with distinction” or “with honors” rather than Latin designations. Use whatever terminology your institution awards.
Only One Degree Has Honors
List the honors with the relevant degree; no need to draw attention to their absence from other degrees:
EDUCATION
M.S. in Data Science
Columbia University | 2024
B.A. in Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude
Williams College | 2021 | GPA: 3.97/4.0Undergraduate Honors with Advanced Degree
If you have an advanced degree, your undergraduate honors become less prominent but can still be included:
EDUCATION
J.D., Yale Law School | 2023
• Editor, Yale Law Journal
B.A. in Political Science, Cum Laude
Duke University | 2020Latin Honors and International Education
If you received your education outside the United States, you may have different systems for recognizing academic achievement.
Common International Equivalents
United Kingdom:
- First-class honours (roughly equivalent to summa/magna cum laude)
- Upper second-class honours (2:1) (roughly equivalent to cum laude)
- Lower second-class honours (2:2)
Australia:
- First Class Honours
- Second Class Honours (Division 1 and 2)
European systems: Many European universities use different grading scales and honor systems that don’t directly translate to Latin honors.
Presenting International Distinctions
Use the terminology your institution actually awarded, with brief explanation if helpful:
Bachelor of Commerce, First Class Honours
University of Melbourne, Australia | 2022
(Equivalent to Summa Cum Laude)Or simply list the actual distinction without translation—informed employers will recognize international academic achievements.
Other Academic Honors to Consider
Latin honors aren’t the only academic achievements worth including. Consider these related distinctions.
Dean’s List
Dean’s List recognition demonstrates consistent academic excellence across semesters:
Dean's List: Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022 (all eligible semesters)Or simply: “Dean’s List (4 semesters)“
Honor Societies
Membership in academic honor societies adds prestige:
- Phi Beta Kappa (liberal arts and sciences)
- Beta Gamma Sigma (business)
- Tau Beta Pi (engineering)
- Sigma Xi (scientific research)
List these alongside or near your Latin honors:
B.A. in Biology, Magna Cum Laude
Cornell University | 2023
Phi Beta Kappa | Dean's List (all semesters)Departmental Honors
Many universities offer departmental honors for concentrated study:
B.S. in Economics with Departmental Honors, Cum Laude
Princeton University | 2024Scholarships and Awards
Merit-based scholarships and academic awards complement honors:
B.A. in English, Summa Cum Laude
University of Chicago | 2023
• National Merit Scholar
• Departmental Award for Outstanding Achievement in WritingIndustry Considerations
Different industries place varying emphasis on academic achievements.
Industries Where Latin Honors Matter More
Consulting: Top consulting firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) heavily weigh academic credentials for entry-level hiring.
Investment Banking and Finance: Prestige finance firms consider academic performance important, especially from target schools.
Law: Academic achievement matters for legal hiring, particularly for competitive clerkships and firm positions.
Academia and Research: Academic credentials remain relevant throughout careers in education and research.
Graduate Programs: Applications to competitive graduate programs benefit from undergraduate honors.
Industries Where Latin Honors Matter Less
Creative Fields: Portfolio and work samples often matter more than academic credentials.
Technology Startups: Skills and project experience may outweigh academic distinctions.
Trades and Technical Fields: Certifications and hands-on experience typically matter more.
Sales: Performance metrics and relationship skills often supersede academic background.
Experienced Professional Roles: After significant career establishment, professional achievements dominate.
Targeting Your Approach
Research your target employers and industry norms. If academic credentials are heavily weighted in your field, feature your Latin honors prominently. If they’re less relevant, include them but don’t sacrifice space needed for more applicable qualifications.
When building your professional profile, platforms like 0portfolio.com allow you to showcase work samples and projects alongside academic achievements, presenting a complete picture of your qualifications.
Common Questions About Latin Honors on Resumes
Can I list honors if my school doesn’t officially award them?
Only list honors you officially received. If your school doesn’t award Latin honors, you can still highlight GPA, Dean’s List, or other academic achievements.
What if I received honors at a less prestigious school?
Honors are worth listing regardless of school prestige. They demonstrate academic excellence within your educational context, which employers understand.
Should I explain what cum laude means?
Generally, no. Latin honors are widely recognized in professional contexts. Adding explanations takes space and may come across as unnecessary.
Can I round up my GPA?
Be honest about your GPA. If you round at all, round to two decimal places following standard mathematical rounding rules (3.84 rounds to 3.8, not 3.9).
What if I have honors from a community college transfer?
You can note honors from community college, particularly if you completed an associate’s degree. However, as you gain more advanced credentials and experience, associate-level honors typically drop from your resume.
Should I list honors if I graduated a long time ago?
The longer ago you graduated, the less relevant academic honors become. Focus on professional achievements instead after roughly a decade of career experience.
What if I barely qualified for honors?
If you received the honors designation, you earned it. There’s no need to specify whether you were at the top or bottom of an honors category.
Sample Resume Education Sections
Here are several examples showing Latin honors in context.
Recent Graduate Example
EDUCATION
DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, NC
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Magna Cum Laude
May 2024 | GPA: 3.85/4.0
• Dean's List (all semesters)
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
• Undergraduate Research: Machine Learning Applications in HealthcareEarly Career Professional Example
EDUCATION
B.A. in Marketing, Cum Laude | University of Southern California | 2021
GPA: 3.72/4.0 | Marketing Excellence AwardGraduate Degree with Undergraduate Honors Example
EDUCATION
M.B.A., Finance Concentration | University of Chicago Booth School of Business | 2024
B.S. in Economics, Summa Cum Laude | Northwestern University | 2020Experienced Professional Example
EDUCATION
M.S. in Electrical Engineering | MIT | 2014
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude | Georgia Tech | 2012(Note: Less detail is needed as professional experience becomes the focus)
Multiple Achievements Example
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude
May 2023 | GPA: 3.96/4.0
Honors & Awards:
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Dean's List (8 semesters)
• Psychology Department Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research
• Benjamin Franklin ScholarConclusion
Latin honors represent genuine academic achievement that deserves recognition on your resume—especially early in your career when professional experience is limited. By placing honors appropriately in your education section, formatting them professionally, and including relevant supporting details like GPA and related distinctions, you create a complete picture of your academic excellence.
Remember that the relevance of Latin honors diminishes over time as professional achievements accumulate. In the early years post-graduation, feature these distinctions prominently. As your career progresses, let professional accomplishments take center stage while academic honors fade into supporting credentials.
Ultimately, your Latin honors tell employers something important: you’ve demonstrated the dedication, intellectual capability, and work ethic to excel in demanding environments. Present this achievement thoughtfully, and let it contribute to the overall narrative of your professional value.
