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Distinction Levels

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How distinction levels are set

Students earn academic distinction based on class rank at the time they earn their degree. 

  • The GPA ranges for distinction are set at the end of each May based on the cumulative GPAs of LSA’s graduating cohorts in that academic year. 
  • These ranges are then used for the graduating classes of that calendar year: May, August, and December. 

Who is eligible 

To be eligible for distinction, students must have completed at least 58 credits in courses at U-M. And at least 45 of those credits need to have been graded (not audited or pass/fail).

Distinction levels

Distinction levels are awarded as follows:

  • Distinction: for students in the top 25% of their class
  • High Distinction: for students in the top 10% of their class 
  • Highest Distinction: for students in the top of 3% of their class 

Who to contact