The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is excited to share the updated criteria for graduating with distinction. Whether you’re a first-year student just starting your academic journey or a senior preparing for graduation, this is an opportunity for you to aim high and achieve excellence.
The criteria will be based on GPA only, no longer percentile. This change will create more transparency and consistency for students no matter their college. The three levels of distinction are:
- With highest distinction: 3.95 GPA or above (3 stars)
- With high distinction: 3.85–3.94 GPA (2 stars)
- With distinction: 3.75–3.84 GPA (1 star)
To be eligible for consideration, degree candidates must complete the final 60 semester hours in residence as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa, and at least 45 graded semester hours must have been completed before the final semester or session of registration.
The grade-point average (GPA) used to determine distinction is cumulative GPA and overall cumulative GPA and includes all work undertaken before the beginning of the final semester or session.
For more information on distraction, visit this page on the commencement website.
If you are graduating this academic year, please be aware of these important dates and deadlines:
- Fall graduation
- Deadline to apply for graduation: Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
- CLAS Commencement: Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at 1 p.m.
- Spring graduation
- Deadline to apply for graduation: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
- CLAS Commencement: Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.