Valedictorian Selection Criteria

Valedictorian Selection Criteria

The title of valedictorian has long been used to designate an individual who has achieved the highest academic excellence. Each USU college must annually select only one valedictorian. The following procedures should assure an acceptable degree of commonality in the selection of valedictorians.

The major consideration for selection of a college valedictorian should be the level of academic performance. The grade point average (GPA) earned at Utah State University should be used as the primary basis for comparison of academic performance, but colleges must also attend to USU semester credits, may consider the overall GPA, and may choose to evaluate other evidence of academic excellence. The selection criteria for each college’s valedictorian include:

1. GPA earned at Utah State University (primary basis for selection)
2. Overall GPA (may also be considered)
3. Minimum of 60 semester credits for which letter grades were earned at Utah State University
4. Other evidence of academic excellence or achievement as determined by the dean

The following are examples of additional, secondary factors that could be considered by the dean in the selection of a college valedictorian:

1. Availability to participate in commencement activities
2. Amount and quality of transfer credit
3. Number of courses repeated
4. Number of courses taken under the “P-D-F” grading option
5. Number of credits earned by examination, as well as level of achievement on such credits (e.g., CLEP scores)
6. Number of correspondence and independent study courses
7. Breadth of educational experience
8. Completion of University Honors
9. Other college-relevant indicators of academic excellence or achievement