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Edited By: What is the Dean's List?
Key takeaways:
- The dean’s list is one of the highest academic honors that you can receive in college.
- Making the dean’s list can result in more scholarships, especially full-ride ones.
- The dean’s list is often made public so anyone can see it.
If you’re planning to go to college, or you’ve just started in college, then you may have heard of the dean’s list. Being on the dean’s list can open up a world of opportunities, and this award is a prestigious honor. Many undergraduate students aren’t sure how to get on the dean’s list or what grades they need to achieve this.
There are many benefits to being on the dean’s list, but how do you get there? We’ve outlined the key things you need to know to make it onto the exclusive list for academic excellence.
Why should I try to be on the Dean’s List?
The dean’s list is an academic honor given to high-achieving students who meet specific criteria. Usually, students must have a certain GPA and take a minimum number of credit hours, usually 12 hours. However, the summer semester may have a lower credit hour requirement, such as six hours.
Making the dean’s list is not only an impressive feat, it’s also a potential stepping stone. For example, if you plan on applying to graduate school, being on the dean’s list could make acceptance easier.
You may also qualify for more financial aid, including merit scholarships, if you were on the dean’s list as an undergraduate. This is even more likely to be true if you were on the dean’s list for several semesters.
One great example of a scholarship that, while not specifically naming the dean's list as a requirement, is the Executive Women International Scholarship. This organization offers scholarships to exceptional students who also satisfy a number of other criteria. The dean's list is definitely one way to demonstrate academic excellence and will certainly increase your chances of winning.
In short, making the dean’s list could save you a lot of money. It can also help you stand out in the crowd, especially if you are in a competitive field. It is also something to include on your resume or application.
How to make the dean’s list
Some schools may have specific scholarships that only dean’s list recipients qualify for. They may require only one semester of being on the dean’s list, or some may require more. In general, maintaining a high GPA can open up eligibility for more scholarships.
Also, if you’re applying for scholarships while you’re in school - a good idea, by the way - you can mention being on the dean’s list as one of your accomplishments. Again, this can help you stand out from fellow students.
Schools will often publish the dean’s list publicly on their website, which you can share on your LinkedIn profile, so prospective employers can see it.
How to qualify for the dean’s list
Every school has its own requirements for making the dean’s list, with both a GPA and a credit hour requirement. These can vary widely. For example, New York University has a 3.7 GPA requirement, but the University of Michigan only has a 3.5 GPA requirement.
There may be some other unique requirements. At NYU, taking classes that are pass/fail will make you ineligible for the dean’s list. But, at the University of Michigan, pass/fail classes simply won’t count toward your GPA. You’ll still be eligible for the dean’s list.
Remember, to make the dean’s list, grades are usually determined by semester, not your overall GPA. For example, let’s say your GPA for the semester is 3.2, but your total average GPA is 3.5. You need a 3.30 to qualify for the dean’s list at your school. Even if your overall GPA is high enough, you won’t qualify based on your grades for the current semester.
Also, some schools have tiers within the dean’s list. For example, at Indiana University-Indianapolis, the dean’s list is divided into Highest Honors and High Honors. To qualify for the former, you must have a GPA of 3.70 or higher, while you can receive High Honors with a GPA between 3.30 and 3.69.
What if I don’t make the dean’s list?
Making or not making the dean’s list might seem like a big deal when you’re in school, but it’s not the be-all and end-all that students might think it is. Making the dean’s list doesn’t mean you’re destined for a high-paying job or fat stacks of cash. You still need other skills, including soft skills, to land a great job and move up in your career.
Once you have been awarded a few internships, not being on the dean’s list may not hurt you. And once you’ve been out of school for a couple of years, whether or not you made Dean’s List will become just a faint memory.
Frequently asked questions about the dean’s list
Most schools only use the dean’s list for undergraduate students, not graduate students. Graduate schools may have their own academic honors list. If you’re a graduate student, you may also use your class ranking if you’re trying to stand out for a job, internship or fellowship.
It can take a couple of weeks for professors to post final exam and project grades. Once those are posted, the school then compiles that information to determine the dean’s list. Results may be posted at the beginning of the next semester.
For most schools, making the dean’s list means hitting a minimum GPA and completing the standard number of credit hours. The list is most significant while you’re in school because you can win more scholarships.
Being on the dean’s list can be a huge source of pride for students and their families. It usually requires intense academic dedication. And if you're in a competitive field, like pre-med or pre-law, then being on the dean’s list can help you get accepted to your top choice school or even receive more scholarship funding.
For professions that care less about grades, like journalism, making the dean’s list may not be as impressive as what you do outside of the classroom. However, it can still catch the eye of a hiring manager.
If you're worried about making the dean’s list, talk to your advisor and see if it's important for your future plans.