How to Become Valedictorian or Salutatorian

Picture it: you’re about to take the stage at your graduation. But you’re not there just to walk across the stage and receive your diploma—you’ve secured your spot at the top of your class, which has tasked you with delivering a poignant speech to your fellow classmates. As valedictorian or salutatorian, you are, in essence, the face of your graduating class—an early glimpse of what success looks like.

But this begs the question(s): how did the valedictorian and salutatorian achieve their titles? What does it take to earn either of these respectable rankings?

If you’re looking to fulfill such an accomplishment, read on for how to become valedictorian or salutatorian of your class.

What Is a Valedictorian and Salutatorian?

Merriam Webster defines valedictorian as: “the student usually having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at the commencement exercises.” And likewise for the salutatorian: “the student usually having the second highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the salutatory address at the commencement exercises.”

So, as you’ve likely gathered, the title of valedictorian vs. salutatorian is determined by who is the first and second-ranked in their class, respectively. This is typically based on the accumulated GPA over the course of their high school career.

Is it hard or difficult to become valedictorian?

The simple answer is yes. It will require a great deal of dedication to studying, writing quality papers, and acing projects. Typically, schools give this title to the student with the highest grade point average (GPA) in their class. Thus, valedictorians-to-be will always have their work cut out for them.

For some, though, ascending to the top spot may come easy—or easier than it would for most students. In short, academics can be a cakewalk for certain scholars. Perhaps their coursework and curriculum might not be challenging enough, or they’re just naturally gifted. However, whatever the case may be, they will still have to put in a persistent type of effort to maintain their top position. In addition to intelligence, this may also require them to work well with others (think group projects), consistently meet deadlines and be impeccably organized with their time and workload.

Is valedictorian based on GPA for all four years?

We will start by saying that not all schools have the same requirements to be valedictorian in high school. Plenty of factors may be considered, such as the weight of AP classes (versus regular classes) or scores on certain exams. Some other requirements for becoming valedictorian may include having the highest GPA in your graduating class (as accumulated over the course of your high school career), not exceeding the permitted number of absences for the academic year(s), and possibly being involved in extracurriculars (but this one is unlikely).

This also doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to reach and/or maintain a 4.0 GPA. But, of course, it would be ideal to aim for the highest GPA possible.

If you’re unsure how your school ranks its students, be sure to ask your guidance counselor(s) to clarify.

How hard is it to get salutatorian?

It may go without saying, but getting the title of salutatorian is just as much a challenge as earning the valedictorian title. Being that both students are at the top of their class, it’s likely that they are walking similar paths in terms of academic obstacles and the effort they put forth.

How are salutatorians chosen in high school?

Salutatorian requirements may look like that of a valedictorian, however, the salutatorian GPA will (obviously) be slightly lower. So, maybe they may take one less advanced course than the valedictorian, or perhaps they fall short in one class, whereas the valedictorian basically masters everything they take. (But allow us to emphasize that the number two spot is just as valuable and formidable as the first!)

How to Become Valedictorian of Your High School?

As previously touched on, reaching the status of valedictorian will almost never be easy. Even for the brightest students, the amount of studying and work they take on may be incredibly time-consuming and, at times, very stressful. But a student doesn’t have to be the smartest in their class, or even have to take every single advanced course available. Even if a student is “bad” at math, suffers from test anxiety, or struggles as ESL (English as a second language), there are plenty of resources (read on further to find out) to help them rise to the top of their class.

How can one become valedictorian their senior year?

Based on how a school determines who is valedictorian or salutatorian, you may be able to earn this title because of your senior year alone. Assuming you’re somehow making up for lost time or previously low grades, here are some suggestions for ascending amidst a time crunch.

Research over the summer
Perhaps you’ll be taking AP Calculus or Organic Chemistry in the fall but know little about either. You can take a trip to your local library to do some reading and research there, or, even better, you can sign up for an online course that will give you the visual representation or “lay of the land” of what to expect in your AP class months in advance. That way, you’ll be familiar with most of the material by the time your teacher discusses it at the start of the school year.
Find a study buddy or group
It can be lonely at the top, as they say—but it doesn’t have to be. While it may seem like your peers are your competition, they can also be helpful to you on your journey. Conquering schoolwork and studies might imply isolation of oneself. But you may find that recruiting a study buddy or joining a study group can fill the void within your social life—and even be kind of fun. Plus, if there’s a specific topic or class you’re facing difficulty with, calling upon another student who excels in that area might be enough to help you reach a deeper understanding.
Attend summer school
Maybe there’s a course you didn’t perform well enough in the first time. So, why not take it again over the summer? Sure, the idea of sacrificing your vacation might not be enticing. (After all, you deserve a break.) But retaking a single class to earn a higher grade could make all the difference in improving your class ranking.
Hire a private tutor
If you’re having difficulty grasping the content of a certain class on your own, it may be best to find a tutor. It’s important to find and choose a professional tutor that specializes in whatever you need help with. That way, you’ll have someone credible to consult.
Ask for extra credit
Looking for a last-ditch effort to raise your GPA? It never hurts to ask your teachers if there are any extra credit options available. While it may seem like extra credit means more tedious work on top of your already full workload, some might reward you just for attending a speaking panel, increasing your class participation, or assisting students who need help. So, extra credit can look like many different tasks, but it’ll always be worth it if you’re trying to become valedictorian or salutatorian. (Not to mention, your teachers will love the enthusiasm and initiative.)

How to Become a Valedictorian in College or University?

Now, we wanted to note that many universities don’t have a valedictorian or salutatorian. Given that many colleges and universities have separate schools, and each major requires different types of coursework (i.e., clinicals, residencies, or internships) it may not be fair—and would also be difficult—to weigh each student’s grades against one another. Thus, in lieu of valedictorian and salutatorian, colleges and universities usually recognize their students by honoring them with various awards such as the well-known Latin Honors (Summa Cum Laude, Magna cum Laude, etc.).

However, for those colleges and universities that do name a valedictorian, the top spot may be chosen by a committee. Said committee will consider your grades, sure, but they will also weigh in on your involvement with your school. So, much of the advice listed above for high school students could apply here, too. Therefore, if you haven’t already joined a slew of clubs (or started your own) or created your GPA gameplan, now is the time!

Conclusion

Becoming valedictorian or salutatorian is one of the highest honors one can achieve academically. But we’d be remiss to not say that the honor is competitive to attain. Due to this, there are students who will work just as long and as hard but still may fall short of reaching that elusive title of valedictorian or salutatorian. To become a valedictorian or salutatorian of your school, you have to understand what your school’s rules are regarding eligibility (to become a valedictorian or salutatorian) and develop an organized game plan to tackle your academic goals, going further than most to become a top student within you graduating class.

Also, we should point out that being valedictorian or salutatorian won’t guarantee you a spot at an elite college or university. Having top tier grades is certainly impressive, but other factors will influence whether you’re a good fit for a college or university. Were you involved in extracurriculars? Sports? Community Service? How did you score on the SAT and ACT? Did you attend a competitive (in terms of academic rigor/curriculum) private school or public school? This is all to say that colleges and universities will be looking for a well-rounded student.

Furthermore, if your goal in becoming valedictorian is to impress college or job recruiters, it would be wise to add more to your resume than just a 4.0 GPA.

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