College and University Honors

• The Dean’s List
• Graduating with College Honors
• Phi Beta Kappa

The Dean’s List

Each quarter a Dean’s List is compiled of students in Weinberg College whose grade-point average during the previous quarter was 3.70 or above based on no fewer than three courses taken for a regular letter grade. The students’ parents receive notification that the work of the previous quarter was completed with "Distinction." Inclusion on the Dean’s List is not noted on the permanent record.

Graduating with College Honors (Latin Honors)

Beginning in August 2010, students whose cumulative GPAs are in the top five percent of their Weinberg College graduating class will graduate "summa cum laude"; those in the next eight percent will graduate "magna cum laude"; and those in the next twelve percent will graduate "cum laude." These percentages may be shifted slightly up or down at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs to take into account ties for a given rank.

Cut-offs for Latin Honors are recalculated once each year based on GPAs of June graduates. These cut-offs then apply to students graduating through March of the subsequent year.

Phi Beta Kappa

Each spring, the Northwestern chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a secret liberal arts honorary society, elects juniors and seniors in Weinberg College to that society. Phi Beta Kappa members are identified in the commencement program. Criteria for election include GPA, the selection of courses, other academic activities, and instructors' recommendations. Students cannot apply to Phi Beta Kappa, and the details of election criteria and procedures are not made public.

Graduating with Honors in Your Major