When is Commencement?
Graduation exercises take place annually on the third Monday in May (May 21, 2012).

Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?
Degree candidates who have met all academic requirements, have no outstanding financial obligations, and have applied for graduation for May 2012 are eligible. August 2011 and December 2011 graduates are also encouraged to participate in the annual Commencement exercises.

What are the academic requirements to graduate?
Degree requirements are listed in the Bulletin and are reflected in the online Degree Audit.  Each degree candidate must review his/her Degree Audit, available in WIN, to determine if there are unmet graduation requirements.  If any requirements are listed as unmet, the degree candidate must reconcile these deficiencies in order to remain listed as a degree candidate.  Questions concerning unmet requirements can be addressed in the Office of the University Registrar, 110 Reynolda Hall.

Are May graduates required to participate in the graduation exercises?
Yes.  Undergraduates who wish to graduate in absentia must notify the Office of the University Registrar either by email () or in person (110 Reynolda Hall).  Postgraduates must obtain permission from their school’s dean.

If I won’t fulfill my graduation requirements until the summer, can I still participate in the graduation exercises with my class in May?
Provisions are in place to allow a student who qualifies to appeal to participate with his/her class.  Contact the Office of the University Registrar for details. August and December graduates are invited to participate the following May.

What if I already applied to graduate but found that I will not be able to complete the requirements?
Notify the Registrar’s Office immediately  by email () or in person (110 Reynolda Hall) and re-register for Graduation at a later date.

What are the first steps a student must take to graduate?

• Complete the undergraduate application for graduation.

• Review your Degree Audit on WIN to confirm that all degree requirements have been met.  If any requirements are unmet, degree candidates must contact the Office of the University Registrar immediately. Completion of this step before the start of the senior year will help resolve any discrepancies.

• Verify all information on WIN, including your full name, address and your home address. Check your Degee Audit  to verify that the academic requirements have been met.

• Check your wfu.edu email regularly for informational mailings from the Office of the University Registrar, the Registrar of your School, your department, and the Student Financial Services Office. Although you will receive frequent communications, it’s important that you read each and follow all directions.

• For more information, see the Checklist for Graduating Students.

Where do I order graduation announcements, cap & gown, class ring and diploma frame?
Students can place orders for these items at the Grad Fair in March at the College Bookstore.  Click here for more information.

Where should graduates and guests park during Commencement Weekend?
Click here for parking information.

Is there a rehearsal and where should students line up for Baccalaureate and Commencement?
There is no rehearsal for either ceremony. Students will line up in designated areas based on degree earned. Faculty Marshals and University staff will provide instructions. For Baccalaureate, students processing in cap and gown should meet at 10:30 a.m. BA students meet in front of the Deacon Shop and all other students meet in front of Wachovia. For Commencement, graduates should assemble in cap and gown no later than 8:00 a.m. according to degree group and at the direction of the Faculty Marshals.

What is the rain plan for Baccalaureate and Commencement?
Rain will not affect the Baccalaureate service, although in inclement weather, faculty and students will line up for the processional under covered areas as much as possible. Also, rain could prevent the simulcast on Hearn Plaza. The rain location for the Baccalaureate picnic is Reynolda Hall Cafeteria.
Click here for the Commencement Day rain plan.

How do I order The Howler and schedule student portraits?
Click here for more information.

How do I know if I am graduating with honors?
Current distinction levels based on grade point average are: cum laude 3.4, magna cum laude 3.6, summa cum laude 3.8.

At Baccalaureate or Commencement, may I wear regalia from a club or organization to the ceremony or decorate my cap?
No. Wake Forest University policy does not allow graduates to wear any adornment other than cap, gown and appropriate degree hood.

How do I contribute to the Senior Class Campaign?
Gifts to the Senior Class Campaign go to The Wake Forest Fund, which provides unrestricted annual support to the University, allowing your gift to be used where the need is greatest. If you are interested in contributing, call 336.758.5824 or click here.

Which events require tickets and are there limited quantities?
Ceremony and meal tickets are available online beginning March 1, 2012, and must all be ordered together using a single online registration form. Subsequent attempts to change an order will not be accepted by the online ticket registration system. Be certain the quantities are final before placing your order. At no time will a graduate be denied the maximum number of tickets. Click here for more ticket information.

Can graduates get more than the allotted number of tickets to Baccalaureate and Commencement?
Students needing additional tickets are free to ask classmates who do not need all their tickets to order the maximum and share their extras. Students need to make these arrangements themselves.

Do children who sit on someone’s lap need a ticket?
Yes.

What is appropriate dress for the weekend?
Family members and other guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for the weekend, taking the weather conditions into account. Most guests dress up (in what might be worn to a religious service, for example) for the Baccalaureate service and the Commencement exercises, but there is typically a wide range of attire for those ceremonies. Shoes appropriate for walking in grass are recommended. Graduates wear cap and gown for both ceremonies. The tassel is worn on the right side of the mortarboard until the student is awarded a degree. Mortarboards may not have objects or messages attached. Graduates, except those wearing hoods, are not permitted to wear any adornment other than the plain black robe. Male graduates should be aware that the collar of the robe is wide enough to reveal a shirt collar and tie.