summa cum laude
Sep 11th 2008, 7:17 am
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: summa cum laude
Here's a simplified way to calculate GPA:
Multiply the number of credit hours for the class by the grade that you received for the class.
So, let's assume your class was 3 credit hours, a grade would have the following points:
'A' = 4 points
'B' = 3 points
'C' = 2 points
'D' = 1 point
'F' = 0 points
So if you received an A for your 3 hour class, you multiply 4x3 = 12 points, if you got a B, multiply 3x3 = 9pts, a C would be 2x3=6pts, etc. Then add up all the points you received for all classes, and then add up the total credit hours you took to complete your degree.
Your GPA is then calculated by dividing your total grade points by the total credit hours. So if your total grade points were 400 and your total credit hours were 100, then your GPA would be 400/100 = 4.0
Don't know if this helps at all given that the grading scale in the UK is typically tougher in the UK. When I studied over there, and transferred my grades back to my US uni, my university considered a B an A, and a C a B.
Multiply the number of credit hours for the class by the grade that you received for the class.
So, let's assume your class was 3 credit hours, a grade would have the following points:
'A' = 4 points
'B' = 3 points
'C' = 2 points
'D' = 1 point
'F' = 0 points
So if you received an A for your 3 hour class, you multiply 4x3 = 12 points, if you got a B, multiply 3x3 = 9pts, a C would be 2x3=6pts, etc. Then add up all the points you received for all classes, and then add up the total credit hours you took to complete your degree.
Your GPA is then calculated by dividing your total grade points by the total credit hours. So if your total grade points were 400 and your total credit hours were 100, then your GPA would be 400/100 = 4.0
Don't know if this helps at all given that the grading scale in the UK is typically tougher in the UK. When I studied over there, and transferred my grades back to my US uni, my university considered a B an A, and a C a B.
I gave up trying to explain this to US employers long ago
Sep 11th 2008, 2:04 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: My Old KY Home!
Posts: 6,498
Re: summa cum laude
Totally agree with another poster about the grades thing though. If the OP is a new grad, it may have some bearing to do some type of US equivalency. However, if the OP has several years of practical, hands on experience, the grades a person got for their class shouldn't matter a hill of beans. IIRC, I wasn't asked what my GPA was, or what grades I received in certain classes, when I was looking for employment after finishing my engineering degree. About the only background check my employers do is checkto make sure I actually did get a degree from my uni.
I may have been asked what software I was exposed to, or concepts/techniques covered in my classes. This probably depends highly on the field in question though.
Sep 11th 2008, 3:45 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: summa cum laude
I've also found, when interviewing for jobs myself, that a UK degree is held in hgh esteem by the typical American - they seem to think all UK universities are similar to Oxbridge. It's a prejudice you can enjoy!
Sep 11th 2008, 11:13 pm
#21
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: summa cum laude
Which all goes a bit wonky when you've got some classes worth 20-40 credits...
Most of mine were 10 credit classes, a couple of 5 credit classes, major project was 40 credits in the final year whilst mini major projects were 20 credits in previous years.
No real point in doing a gpa conversion, just suddenly start to look stupid
Most of mine were 10 credit classes, a couple of 5 credit classes, major project was 40 credits in the final year whilst mini major projects were 20 credits in previous years.
No real point in doing a gpa conversion, just suddenly start to look stupid
Here's a simplified way to calculate GPA:
Multiply the number of credit hours for the class by the grade that you received for the class.
So, let's assume your class was 3 credit hours, a grade would have the following points:
'A' = 4 points
'B' = 3 points
'C' = 2 points
'D' = 1 point
'F' = 0 points
So if you received an A for your 3 hour class, you multiply 4x3 = 12 points, if you got a B, multiply 3x3 = 9pts, a C would be 2x3=6pts, etc. Then add up all the points you received for all classes, and then add up the total credit hours you took to complete your degree.
Your GPA is then calculated by dividing your total grade points by the total credit hours. So if your total grade points were 400 and your total credit hours were 100, then your GPA would be 400/100 = 4.0
Don't know if this helps at all given that the grading scale in the UK is typically tougher in the UK. When I studied over there, and transferred my grades back to my US uni, my university considered a B an A, and a C a B.
Multiply the number of credit hours for the class by the grade that you received for the class.
So, let's assume your class was 3 credit hours, a grade would have the following points:
'A' = 4 points
'B' = 3 points
'C' = 2 points
'D' = 1 point
'F' = 0 points
So if you received an A for your 3 hour class, you multiply 4x3 = 12 points, if you got a B, multiply 3x3 = 9pts, a C would be 2x3=6pts, etc. Then add up all the points you received for all classes, and then add up the total credit hours you took to complete your degree.
Your GPA is then calculated by dividing your total grade points by the total credit hours. So if your total grade points were 400 and your total credit hours were 100, then your GPA would be 400/100 = 4.0
Don't know if this helps at all given that the grading scale in the UK is typically tougher in the UK. When I studied over there, and transferred my grades back to my US uni, my university considered a B an A, and a C a B.
Sep 12th 2008, 1:59 am
#22
trout pout
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 248
Re: summa cum laude
Most people who have any time of latin honors go on to get Masters or PhD's so the point really becomes mute. At least that ismy experience when looking at resumes.
Oct 9th 2008, 6:13 pm
#23
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
Re: summa cum laude
I had my BA from Exeter converted to a GPA by the World Education Service (WES, www.wes.org) because I was thinking about doing an MBA in the US. I graduated with a first and my GPA came out as 3.83/4.00.
The WES does charge a fee, but it's a not-for-profit organization. I had to pay a small admin fee to Exeter Uni. It took a couple of weeks to get the results, as I remember....
The WES does charge a fee, but it's a not-for-profit organization. I had to pay a small admin fee to Exeter Uni. It took a couple of weeks to get the results, as I remember....
Oct 10th 2008, 4:51 am
#25
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: summa cum laude
Agree with Steerpike -- unless you're a new grad, leave the honours off the CV. They'll figure out for themselves that you're bright.
Oct 10th 2008, 3:53 pm
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: summa cum laude
My hunch is, US employers are less interested in formal qualifications and more interested in practical abilities, compared to UK employers. I've been in the software/IT field for years now and here, we hire many highly paid individuals who don't have degrees at all. For example, my current 'whiz' - an IT contractor who constantly refuses my requests to come on board as a full-time employee - commands a ridiculous hourly rate (he makes more than me!). The guy is in his 30s and taught himself all he knows. We also have quite a few software folks with 'BA' degrees.
I've also found, when interviewing for jobs myself, that a UK degree is held in hgh esteem by the typical American - they seem to think all UK universities are similar to Oxbridge. It's a prejudice you can enjoy!
I've also found, when interviewing for jobs myself, that a UK degree is held in hgh esteem by the typical American - they seem to think all UK universities are similar to Oxbridge. It's a prejudice you can enjoy!
Of course, there will be one or two exceptions - however, in tough times, you'll find plenty of people with the experience and the degree tick. Interesting you find it the other way round - in the UK, I think there is far far less emphasis on the degree, and you can get away without the tick.
