Graduation System for Outstanding Students
From August 25th of 2021, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) started to award the SKKU Summa Cum Laude to outstanding graduates. The purpose of this award is to motivate students for academic achievement and support students’ success. There are two types of graduation systems for excellent students, and the criteria are based on the upper percentage of the grade point average (GPA) in each department. The first type is the “SKKU Summa Cum Laude”, which is awarded to the top 5% students of their departments. The other is the “SKKU Magna Cum Laude”, which is awarded to the top 20% students. Based on all credits applied for all grades, a GPA is calculated on grades, including F grades. For departments with 10 graduates, only those with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are selected, but in some cases, subjects of the award would not be decided. Also, students who graduate before 2021 cannot be awarded. As for the benefits, both awards are presented with a certificate and academic record. Plus, a commemorative plaque is also awarded only to graduates who receive the SKKU Summa Cum Laude.
Was There a Special Graduation System in the Past?
In fact, SKKU did not have a special graduation system for students with excellent GPAs until 2021. Instead, there was a graduation system called the SKKU Masterpiece. Before the revision of Sam-Pum, a certification system that should be taken for graduation, higher standards than the normal Sam- Pum existed for the SKKU Masterpiece. There were standards to be awarded in all three categories: Insung (Personality), Gukje (International), and Changeui (Creativity). For instance, for the SKKU Masterpiece in the Insung category, graduates should do more than 100 hours of voluntary work, and in the Gukje category, students should participate in an exchange student program, write an international academic paper, or get a high score in a certification test for a foreign language. Like this, the SKKU Masterpiece certification had standards for external events or paper writing, but the SKKU Summa Cum Laude system is purely based on school grades, motivating students to take classes enthusiastically and improve their grades.
Precautions and Tips for SKKU Summa Cum Laude!
As mentioned earlier, an F grade is included when calculating GPAs, and the class rating is calculated based on the final ranking at the time of the graduation ceremony, not on the full annual semesters. If the name of the college or department is changed, it will be modified to the graduates of the changed department. Students who over-registered are also eligible for the award due to their double or triple majors, but transfer students, failed students, and students who got academic warnings or disciplinary dispositions are disqualified from the selection of the award. Kingos can check their current percentage position through Challenge Square after logging in SKKU website. Entering the Student Success Dashboard section in Challenge Square, Kingos can compare their own GPA with that of students in the top 10% to 40%. Through this way, Kingos will be able to predict how hard they need to study to get the SKKU Summa Cum Laude award.