Saturday, May 01, 2004

Latin Honors

Sorry--this deserves its own post.

As I read the program this morning at CBU's graduation, I noticed the qualifications for Latin Honors in the program. I assumed that the standards for these were universal; however, at least at CBU, this is not the case.

At APU, these are the standards:
3.7--Cum Laude
3.8--Magna Cum Laude
3.9--Summa Cum Laude

At CBU, these are the standards:
3.5--Cum Laude
3.7--Magna Cum Laude
3.9--Summa Cum Laude

Now, this poses some concerns in my mind.

First of all, why are they different?

I just keep thinking that it seems "unfair" for someone to have to work harder for their honors than another. I mean, for example: a potential employer looks at your diploma from APU, and sees no latin honors...but a competing applicant from CBU has graduated Cum Laude, and even though the standards are lower, they will be seen as being a hard-worker, more intelligent, etc., even though they had the same GPA as someone at APU.

I don't know if that makes sense, because I am having a hard time verbalizing my thoughts. It just kinda doesn't set well with me, knowing that I have to work harder for my Latin Honors (if I even get them!) than someone else at another school...

I don't know...it just bothers me. What are the standards at other schools? I'd be interested to know.

Sorry for the rant--just wanted to get some other views!