I have ‘summa cum laude’ degrees. Does that count as an award?

The distinction ‘summa cum laude’ recognizes exceptional academic performance during one’s studies. It is typically granted automatically, based on criteria defined by the institution itself.

Because of this, in the context of the EB-1 it is generally not classified as an award in the sense the process values: competitive distinctions, granted by external entities, that demonstrate national or international recognition in your field.

This does not mean the achievement is irrelevant. It can be part of your academic record, but ideally it should be combined with stronger evidence of distinction, such as competitive prizes, publications, and peer recognition.

Since the framing of each achievement is assessed on a case-by-case basis, it is worth checking the updated criteria at USCIS and aligning with a specialist on which evidence carries the most weight in your profile.

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Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.