is getting summa cum laude that much different?

Hi all,

I am a graduating senior and my GPA is extremely close to getting summa cum laude. I go to a school w quarter system and just started a new quarter. In order for me to get my summa, I need to take an additional 5 unit course. The other classes are I'm taking are extremely difficult (for one class, I have 8 novels to read, 2 of which are 500 pages each) and taking an additional course can actually lower my GPA.

Assuming I get straight A's without that extra class, I will still have a GPA extremely close to 3.9. In the eyes of the ad com, how important is the Latin honor as opposed to the number itself?

As additional detail, I am econ major, acct minor, spanish minor.

Hope you are enjoying your night.

10 Comments
 

I'm in a very similar situation as well, actually.

I mean, at the end of the day, it's really not that important whether you have a 3.88 or a 3.90 for summa. However, if it's in your control to get summa, suck it up and just go for it.

Good luck.

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light." - DT
 

Purely personal. Considering it's 1 quarter and the summa stays on the diploma for a lifetime I'd probably suck it up.

 
CaliforniaAnalysti didn't even pick up my diploma

graduated from a state school, i can't care less about that degree

Ehhh, it's different with an engineering degree. You don't sneak out with low effort.
 

Latin honor or Not, that's an impressive GPA. I think you'll be OK as far as finding a job. It's mostly a matter of whether or not YOU want the honor.

"It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous. "
 

i would do it!

imagine that you are being introduced as a speaker at an industry conference 10 years from now. now imagine the host saying "Monkeyfest graduated summa cum laude from XYZ university with a degree in....". bang thats straight gangsta!

i'm only half-joking.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?
 

Dolorum eum suscipit molestiae commodi autem sapiente beatae. Modi voluptatem voluptatibus quas dolorem esse earum doloremque. Exercitationem et fugit minus ea eveniet ea hic. Cumque eaque quia aspernatur. Aliquid voluptatem soluta molestiae alias blanditiis saepe enim. Inventore quae recusandae perspiciatis fugiat molestiae.

Et omnis sed veritatis eius maxime laboriosam qui. Dolor accusamus doloribus eum rerum fugit et. Rerum culpa facilis labore ipsa ut. Rem possimus animi amet non.

Nemo voluptates repudiandae aperiam nobis omnis odio quia. Et excepturi eius nihil veniam sint placeat debitis.

Expedita in quasi qui laboriosam id itaque dolorem. Vitae et non et officiis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (77) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (71) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”