What Is the Dean's List? | BestColleges (2024)

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Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...

Updated on March 21, 2023

By

Danika MillerRead Full Bio

Writer & Editor

Danika Miller is a senior writer at BestColleges and Accredited Schools Online. Her writing has also appeared in Grad School Hub, Best Value Schools, Affordable Colleges Online, and Her Campus. Her financial expertise has been featured in The Simple ...

Updated on March 21, 2023

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  • A top percentage of students who finish the term with a high GPA earn a spot on the dean's list.
  • The dean's list is for full-time undergrads, but eligibility will vary by school.
  • Having the award on your transcript will appeal to grad school admissions and employers.
  • Universities also offer academic awards like the president's list and chancellor's list.

Earning a spot on the dean's list at your college is one the highest levels of recognition for scholarly achievement. Every term, the highest-ranked students based on GPA receive this award.

Each institution has slightly different qualifications for the dean's list, as well as different frequencies. Some schools issue a dean's list quarterly, while others may only release a list annually. Making the dean's list is a significant accomplishment that students should be proud of and can display on their resumes.

What Is the Dean's List?

The dean's list is a scholarly award for students who demonstrate academic excellence. The award is based on GPA, though specific qualifications for making the dean's list will vary by university and can change each semester.

The dean's list is a comparative award at many universities, awarded to the top percentage of students rather than everyone who earns a certain GPA. During a particularly competitive semester, where many students earn high grades, the GPA you need to qualify for the award may be higher.

The dean's list gets released each semester or quarter after final grades have been posted. Some schools also have an annual dean's list that combines your GPA for the entire year.

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How to Make the Dean's List

Dean's list requirements will vary by school and can change each award cycle. The award is given to a top percentile of students, like the top 10% or 25%. The exact dean's list GPA requirements will depend on each particular pool of students, but is usually at least a 3.5 GPA.

To be eligible, you'll also need to be a full-time student taking a minimum number of credits (often around 12 credits). Some schools, particularly community colleges, will include part-time students in the dean's list.

Classes graded with pass/fail or S/U don't count toward the GPA calculation. Additionally, you will lose eligibility for the award if you have any incompletes, no shows, or late grades — even if you earned the qualifying GPA.

Sometimes the qualifications will be different depending on your degree program. For example, at the University of Connecticut you need a 3.88 GPA if you're in engineering, but a 4.0 GPA if you're in the social work program.

How Can Making the Dean's List Benefit You?

Earning a spot on the dean's list offers the same benefits that any prestigious recognition of academic excellence does: personal achievement and a gold star on your resume.

Making the dean's list is an excellent way to commemorate your hard work during the semester and have evidence that you were academically ranked in the top percentage of students at the university.

Having the award on your transcript could impress graduate schools. The dean's list recognition can also be great to add to your professional resume, website, or LinkedIn profile. Employers may recognize the award and value the dedication, focus, and hard work it takes to make the dean's list.

What Other Academic Awards Can You Earn in College?

The dean's list isn't the only award college students can win for academic performance. Other common awards that universally distinguish academic excellence include the honors list, the president's list, and the chancellor's list. The availability of these awards and the qualifications for making each list will vary by university.

  • The Honors List

    The honors list is similar to the dean's list but with a lower GPA qualification. For example, a school might award students with a GPA between 3.7 and 4.0 a spot on the dean's list while students with a GPA between 3.3 and 3.6 would make the honors list.

  • The President's List

    The president's list is an award for undergraduates who achieve a 4.0 GPA. Unlike the dean's list, part-time students are eligible for the president's list. The award is issued each semester.

  • The Chancellor's List

    The chancellor's list is less common, but at universities that have this award, it will rank higher than the dean's list. Students who earn a 3.8 or higher may earn the chancellor's list award, while students who earn a 3.5 or higher may get on the dean's list.

We recommend reaching out to an academic advisor or checking your school's website for varying award cycles and specific eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dean's List

Can graduate students make the dean's list?

No, only undergraduate students can make the dean's list. Some universities have an additional graduate dean's list for graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence.

Do online students qualify for the dean's list?

Yes, online students are eligible for the dean's list at most universities. Online students will still have to meet the same qualifications regarding GPA and credit load.

Do you have to apply to be considered for the dean's list?

No, universities automatically compile the list and distribute awards. The dean's list is based on student GPAs once final grades for the term have been submitted.

When is the dean's list announced?

The dean's list is usually announced after all grades have been finalized and posted for the semester or quarter. You should then receive a certificate and letter emailed to your student account notifying you of the award. Some universities hold ceremonies or small events for those who make the dean's list.

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What Is the Dean's List? | BestColleges (2024)

FAQs

What Is the Dean's List? | BestColleges? ›

Deans' List. The Dean's List, published at the end of each semester, contains the names of students who have earned a GPA between 3.5—3.99*. To be eligible, students must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits of letter-graded (A, B, C, D, F) coursework; pass/no credit coursework is not included.

What GPA is a dean's list? ›

Deans' List. The Dean's List, published at the end of each semester, contains the names of students who have earned a GPA between 3.5—3.99*. To be eligible, students must have completed a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits of letter-graded (A, B, C, D, F) coursework; pass/no credit coursework is not included.

Is the Dean's List a big deal? ›

The dean's list is a big deal because it means you got very good grades in a particular term. This would be good for you even if your college didn't publicly acknowledge your performance, because it might impress future hiring managers and improve your chances of getting into graduate school.

What does it mean if you are on the Dean's List? ›

The dean's list is a list of undergraduate students recognized for outstanding academic achievement in a given semester, quarter, or year.

What are the benefits of being on the Dean's List? ›

Benefits of making the Dean's List
  • Academic recognition. ...
  • Boosting your academic record. ...
  • Opportunities for financial aid. ...
  • Personal achievement and motivation. ...
  • Career advantages.
Nov 2, 2023

Is it hard to get on the deans list? ›

The award is given to a top percentile of students, like the top 10% or 25%. The exact dean's list GPA requirements will depend on each particular pool of students, but is usually at least a 3.5 GPA. To be eligible, you'll also need to be a full-time student taking a minimum number of credits (often around 12 credits).

What's higher than Dean's list? ›

The President's List is usually higher than the Dean's List. At most schools, the Dean's List recognizes students who earn low As -- between 90% and 94% -- in their classes, while the President's List recognizes students who earn high As -- between 95% and 100%.

How rare is it to make the Dean's List? ›

Some schools confer this award to the top twenty percent of students, while others may give it to the top ten percent. GPA requirements may vary as well, ranging anywhere from 3.5-3.8. Your college or university will have your GPA on file and let you know whether you rank in the top percentage of students.

Can I put Dean's list on my resume? ›

You should always list the Dean's list in your resume education section because it's part of your educational history. Place the dean's list next to the GPA on your resume. This line belongs beneath the name, city, and state of your university, as well as your degree title and graduation year.

Is being on the dean's list an accomplishment? ›

That is certainly an amazing accomplishment! Since dean's list is one of the highest collegiate levels of academic achievement that a student can be recognized for, there is little doubt that this is an honor worth letting employers know about.

Why does it say dean's list on my transcript? ›

Undergraduate students showing outstanding academic achievement are recognized by term with the award of Dean's List or Dean's List with Distinction. The student's transcript will have a notation that they have received the award for that term.

What is a prestigious dean's list? ›

The Dean's List is a prestigious recognition for college students who excel academically. It's essentially an honor roll for those who achieve a very high GPA during a particular semester or academic year. However, unlike a simple GPA benchmark, it's often a comparative achievement.

Is Dean's list or President's list better? ›

The Dean's & President's Lists are ways for students to be recognized for academic achievement within a given semester. The Dean's List is a list of students that received A's and B's for the semester. The President's List is a list of students that received all A's for the semester.

What is the highest honor in college? ›

Summa cum laude, which means "with highest honor," is the highest academic award designated for students in the top 1-5% of a class or those with a GPA of 3.9-4.0. Like the magna cum laude honor, the requirements for summa cum laude may vary by institution and department.

What does it mean to make the honor roll? ›

An honor roll is a list of the names of people who are admired or respected for something they have done, such as doing very well in a sport or in school. [US] If you study hard, you can make the honor roll. French Translation of. 'honor roll'

What is the president list in college? ›

Each semester, SLCC recognizes high academic achievement by honoring students whose GPAs qualify them to make the President's List and Dean's List.

Is 1.75 a dean's Lister? ›

Outstanding scholastic achievement shall be recognized at the end of each semester through the publication of the Dean's List. To qualify, a student must: Carry no less than the regular curriculum load for his or her course. Must have a grade point average of at least 1.75.

What GPA gets you on the honor roll? ›

Typically, schools set a minimum GPA between 3.0 and 3.5 for honor roll, but some schools might have higher benchmarks, especially for distinctions like 'High Honor Roll' or 'Principal's List. ' Your school's handbook or counseling office should have the specific criteria listed.

What GPA is Magna Cume Laude? ›

magna cum laude (GPA of 3.7–3.89); or. summa cum laude (GPA of 3.9–4.0).

Is a 3.7 good in college? ›

It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A- average in your courses. A 3.7 GPA is considered to be a very good GPA and is often an indicator of strong academic performance.

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