Academic Distinction
Academic Distinction offers a pathway for students to personalize their academic journey by designing a cohesive, purpose-driven plan that integrates coursework and experiential learning around a self-defined area of focus: an industry, an issue, or an interdisciplinary theme. Students who complete an Academic Distinction receive formal recognition as an honor at graduation. However, the distinction does not appear on the student's permanent academic record or university transcript.
Academic Distinctions are application based; interested students should discuss with their four-year advisor first. Criteria include completing 9 credit units (3 of these 9 credits must be experiential, and only 3 credits apply retroactively) and maintaining a 3.7 grade point average for those 9 credits. Students may complete their experiential learning degree requirement (3 credits) through the Academic Distinction, and students may not count any credits toward a major or minor requirement.
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
The top 7% of the junior class and the top 10% of the senior class will be considered for membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, provided that the student's cumulative GPA is in the top 7% or top 10% of their respective graduating class. A student's cumulative GPA will include their coursework at Washington University as well as any coursework taken out of residence. The student must have completed a minimum of 30 units at Washington University to be eligible.
Dean's List
Dean's List honors are awarded to undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 14 graded units and achieved a semester grade point average of 3.6 or higher. No Incomplete or N grades may be outstanding as part of the student's semester record.
Honors Thesis
The Olin BSBA Honors Thesis challenges students to move beyond traditional coursework and apply critical thinking skills to an academic business thesis. The Honors Thesis is a two-semester sequence in which the student engages in research and analysis during the first semester. With successful progress, the student then writes, presents, and defends their research during the subsequent semester. Students must apply and be approved to participate in this experience. All applicants must be senior BSBA degree students in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above.
Latin Honors
Graduating seniors in the top 5% of the class, based on their overall university academic records, graduate summa cum laude. Seniors in the top 6% to 15% of the class graduate magna cum laude. These designations are recorded on the official university transcripts. All candidates for the BSBA degree in August, December, or May will be considered as one group for purposes of final honors. Honors are determined in May for all graduates.
Scholars in Business Program
The Scholars in Business program allows alumni, corporations, and friends of Olin Business School to provide scholarship funds to students of high academic promise who require financial support to attend the university. Students are considered for this award when they apply for financial aid in the fall of each year. Donors and students meet each other at an annual Scholars in Business event.