Making the dean’s list at your community college may earn you scholarships, recognition, and improved job prospects. Learn about how you can study your way onto the dean’s list.
Nearly every community college and university across the country includes a dean's list, a roster of students who have performed particularly well during the previous semester or school year. The dean's list has traditionally been a prestigious honor for which to strive during your years of higher education because it demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence and the ability to rise to the workload, however heavy it might become.
Whether you are just entering the hallowed halls of academia, or are currently working through your degree program, we have reasons to strive for the dean's list and tips to help you get there.
What is the Dean's List?
According to Wikipedia, the dean's list is "a category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year." The term is primarily used in North America, but some European institutions offer a dean's list as well.
Requirements for making the dean's list vary from institution to institution, but most mandate a specific number of course hours to be taken and a set GPA to be maintained during the term or school year.
Benefits of the Dean's List
The benefits of making the dean's list also vary from school to school, with some colleges even offering additional financial aid to students who make the dean's list and exhibit a financial need. According to The Personal Excellence Blog, other potential benefits of the dean's list include:
Personal Achievement – The dean's list is solid evidence that you worked hard and did your best during the academic year.
Invitation to Special Events – Some colleges, like the Community College of Allegheny County, offer receptions to celebrate the achievements of dean's list students.
Getting Your Name Recognized – Suddenly, your name is known to the Dean's Office of your college, as well as to the rest of the campus when it is published on the school website or in the campus newspaper.
Attractiveness to Prospective Employers – With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, any edge you can get over fellow applicants is a welcome one. The dean's list is one way to make your resume stand out from the crowd.
Prestige – Making the dean's list is synonymous to academic success and has traditionally been looked upon favorably by fellow students and faculty alike.
Requirements for the Dean's List
The dean's list is structured to be a lofty goal for students, with relatively strict requirements involved. If you are serious about getting your name on this prestigious roster, it is important to learn the specific requirements for your college's dean's list as soon as you sign up for your first semester of courses.
We have a few examples of the dean's list requirements at certain community colleges across the country to give you an idea of what you are striving for:
Johnston Community College in North Carolina requires students to take at least nine credit hours a semester and maintain a GPA of 3.5, with no grades lower than a "C."
Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana requires dean's list students to accumulate 12 or more credit hours, with six credit hours taken during the term in question. Students must also maintain a 3.5 GPA during that semester with no "D" or "F" grades issued.
Roane State Community College in Tennessee offers a dean's list to full-time students completing 12 or more credit hours in a semester and maintaining a GPA of 3.5-4.0 during the term.
Tips for Making the Dean's List
While the dean's list carries many potential benefits along with it, making that honorable roster isn't always easy. Students who are serious about achieving this goal should consider the following tips from CollegeScholarships.org:
Be Organized – Keep a detailed calendar of assignments and create an organizational system for coursework.
Find a Quiet Place to Study – Use a corner in your school library or your dorm room – wherever you can study easily without distraction.
·Attend all Classes – No sleeping in after a late night!
Implement the 15-Minute Review – Spend 15 minutes before class reviewing material from the previous session.
Limit Social Interactions – Remember that college is about getting an education first and foremost.
Study – Setting aside a set amount of time to study daily will prevent the need for last minute cramming and all-nighters to finish term papers.
The dean's list is an honor at most community colleges reserved for those committed to academic excellence. If you believe you are part of this crowd, begin formulating positive habits early in your college career that will keep you on top of your courses and on the dean’s list until you graduate.
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