Summa cum laude is a Latin term that means “with highest distinction.” It is an academic honor that recognizes students for their hard work and dedication to their education. Graduating with summa cum laude is an impressive achievement that can help make your education section stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. In this article, we’ll discuss how to list summa cum laude on a resume, with tips and an example.
Introduction
Listing summa cum laude on your resume is important because such honors show your work ethic and commitment to excellence, qualities employers are always looking for in candidates. Including summa cum laude on your resume can help make your resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. It can also help applicant tracking systems (ATS) pick up these keywords and move your application forward in the hiring process. While the experience section of your resume is often the section recruiters and hiring managers focus on the most, including an awards and honors section or adding your Latin honors in your education section can highlight your academic achievements as well. This is particularly important if you are a recent graduate with limited work experience.
When it comes to listing summa cum laude on your resume, there are two main options:
Option 1: List Summa Cum Laude in Your Education Section
If you want to include your summa cum laude distinction in your education section, you can write it out on the same line as your degree or on a separate line. Here’s an example:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Summa Cum Laude
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Graduated: May 2023
When writing out any summa cum laude designation, you should use lowercase letters and write in italics. You can also include other academic honors you received, such as magna cum laude or cum laude, on the same line.
Listing your Latin honors in your education section can highlight your academic achievements and help make your resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. This is particularly important if you are a recent graduate with limited work experience.
Option 2: Create a Separate Awards and Honors Section
If you want to include a separate awards and honors section in your resume, it is important to make sure you have more than one special distinction to list. Usually, a bullet list of about three to five distinctions is appropriate. Here’s an example:
Awards and Honors
- Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, May 2023
- Dean’s List, Fall 2022, Spring 2023
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Inducted May 2023
When creating a separate awards and honors section, you should use bullet points to make it easy to read. You can also include other academic honors you received, such as magna cum laude or cum laude, in the same section.
Conclusion
Listing summa cum laude on your resume is an impressive achievement that can help make your education section stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. When it comes to listing your Latin honors, you have two main options: including them in your education section or creating a separate awards and honors section. Either way, make sure you are using the proper formatting and highlighting your academic achievements.
FAQ
Q: How do I list summa cum laude on my resume?
A: You can list summa cum laude on your resume in your education section or in a separate awards and honors section. When writing out any summa cum laude designation, you should use lowercase letters and write in italics.
Q: What is summa cum laude?
A: Summa cum laude is a Latin term that means “with highest distinction.” It is an academic honor that recognizes students for their hard work and dedication to their education.
Q: What other Latin honors can I include on my resume?
A: Other Latin honors you can include on your resume include magna cum laude and cum laude. When writing out any Latin honors designation, you should use lowercase letters and write in italics.
