Tips for Adding the Dean’s List to Your Resume

Updated June 17, 20221.8k

Getting on the Dean’s List is a notable academic achievement. But should you add this specific achievement to your resume?

Dean’s List on a Resume

If you received Dean's List honors during your college experience, then you may be wondering whether it might be a helpful accolade that can make a hiring manager a little more interested in your resume. Here’s what you need to know about putting the Dean's List on a resume.

What Is the Dean's List?

The Dean's List is a specific award for students that showcases academic excellence. It is usually an award based on GPA, meaning that all students above a specific cumulative GPA may be able to get the Dean's List award, but the specific GPA requirement required for the Dean's List will vary from school to school and sometimes even semester to semester.

When to Add the Dean's List to Your Resume

There are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re thinking about adding your Dean's List achievements to your resume.

First of all, consider the number of semesters you actually received the Dean’s List achievement. Most of the time, you receive the Dean’s List award every semester, rather than receiving it as part of your overall graduation class, as you might with Latin honors. If you received the Dean’s List honor throughout your college career, then you’re more likely to see results when you note it on your resume.

Second, showcase Dean’s List awards next to other academic awards. For example, you can list it alongside common academic awards like Latin honors, which are also called cum laude awards. These awards are cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude and typically indicate that you graduated with not only a high GPA but also in a high percentile of your class. Some other school-specific awards, like a Student of the Year Award, might also be part of your college career.

Last, remember to put this information in the right place on your resume. You will usually want to list Dean’s List awards in your resume education section. Include it underneath your degree. If you have an Accomplishments section or a section with other certifications, then you may also consider adding Dean’s List awards here instead. You can also reference the Dean’s List in your cover letter, especially if you’re trying to emphasize your hard work and academic accomplishments.

Reasons You Might Want to Avoid Adding the Dean's List to Your Resume

There are good reasons to put the Dean's List on your resume, but there are also good reasons to avoid putting it on your resume. Here are a few considerations to think about.

First of all, if you only made Dean's List once or twice in college, it may actually raise more questions than it answers in a potential employer’s head during your job search. Instead of showcasing that you’re intelligent, the hiring manager may wonder what happened that resulted in you not getting on the Dean's List for more semesters.

Next, consider your professional experience you have. Recent graduates have very little work experience, so an accomplishment like the Dean's List can really bolster your resume. However, once you have about two or three years of experience, your education becomes less important. While you still can include academic honors, many people drop them by this point, and use the space to point out more recent professional achievements.

The last thing to think about is what else you’re including from your education. If you’re including other achievements, coursework, and even academic activities that are more relevant to the job you’re applying for, then mentioning the Dean's List might not be as necessary.

FAQ: Dean's List on a Resume

Should I include the Dean's List if I only made it a few semesters?

If you made the Dean's List for more than half of your semesters, then you can typically include it, especially if you don’t have very many other achievements to include on your resume. Just note that you made it for a certain number of semesters, like “Dean's List for five semesters.” However, if you made the Dean's List for less than half of your semesters, then it’s probably best to leave it off your resume.

Is the Dean's List helpful if I also have other academic achievements?

It can be helpful if you’re adding it to an accomplishments section that you’re using in lieu of a professional experience section. If you’re creating an accomplishments section, then you’re probably going to try and find as many different accomplishments as you can to include. In this case, it can definitely be helpful. However, if you just include accomplishments in your education section, then the Dean's List will usually be fairly low in priority.

Can I talk to a recruiter about my Dean's List achievements?

You can bring up the Dean's List if you’re still a recent graduate and a recruiter asks you about your resume achievements. Don’t bring up your educational achievements if it’s been more than a few years since you graduated, as those achievements will be less relevant compared to your professional experience.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.