Graduates
Congratulations graduates! This page includes important information regarding your participation and planning for Commencement Weekend. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Important dates and deadlines for 2024 graduating students
Tuesday, March 5: Cap and gown (regalia) rental website opens for orders
Wednesday, March 6: Application to graduate available in Axess
Friday, April 12 (5:00 p.m. PT): Application to graduate deadline
Applications received after this deadline will be assessed a $50 late fee
Tuesday, April 16 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. & Wednesday, April 17, 12:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m.: Grad Fair at the Stanford Bookstore
Wednesday, April 17 (8:59 p.m.): Student deadline to order rental regalia
(for pickup at Stanford Bookstore beginning June 3)
Monday, May 13: Deadline to order rental regalia to ship to home
(shipping fees apply)
Monday, June 3: Student rental regalia distribution begins at the Stanford Bookstore
Thursday, June 6: In-person open stock rental regalia available at the Stanford Bookstore
Friday, June 7, 2024 (5:00 p.m. PT): Late application to graduate deadline
No applications will be accepted after this date
Sunday, June 16: Rental regalia returns at the Stanford Bookstore
Get Graduation Gear from the Stanford Bookstore
Rental regalia, graduation gifts, announcements, and more are available to order online through the Stanford Bookstore.
Top 5 FAQs for Graduating Students
Am I eligible to participate in this year’s main Commencement ceremony?
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if:
- you have conferred a degree in Summer 2023, Autumn 2023, or Winter 2024
- you are expected to confer your degree in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024
- you are a coterm student who began your undergraduate degree program in Autumn 2020
I am still not sure if I am eligible. Is there a way for me to check?
Yes! Students may check their participation eligibility directly in Axess. In your "My Academics" drop-down menu, locate the "Univ. Commencement Eligibility" link. You'll be directed to a page that will indicate Eligible or Not Eligible, based on your student record. If you are listed as eligible, no further action is necessary. If you are listed as Ineligible but would still like to participate, you will need to request an exception. Complete the linked Commencement Participation Request form to request an exception to participate. Students who are listed as eligible should not complete this form. Instructions can be found on the Student Academic Services website.
Please note: This eligibility criteria only applies to the main Commencement ceremony. If you would like to participate in your school or department ceremony, please check with them directly for their eligibility criteria and any actions you may need to take to confirm participation in that ceremony, including walking across the stage and having your name called out or included in the program.
Am I eligible to participate in my department’s ceremony?
Each department has different eligibility requirements and processes for requesting an exception to participate. Please check directly with your department regarding eligibility for their ceremony.
Do I need tickets for my guests and how many guests can attend?
Most events during the weekend do not have tickets and generally there are no limits on the number of guests graduates can bring. There are exceptions and some events do require RSVP, such as Senior Dinner on the Quad, which is exclusively for graduating seniors. Some department ceremonies may require tickets or have restrictions on number of guests due to limited capacity of a venue. It is recommended to contact the departments directly for information about these events.
I missed the deadline to order regalia for pickup at the Bookstore. Can I still rent regalia?
Yes, you can still pre-order regalia to be shipped directly to you until May 13th, with shipping fees applying. After May 13th, in-person open-stock rental regalia will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Bookstore, starting on June 6th.
Info for Coterms
You are automatically eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony if you are a coterm student who began your undergraduate degree program in Autumn 2020.
Eligibility to participate in the university's Commencement ceremony is based on a student’s actual OR expected graduation term. Expected Graduation Terms are based on matriculation year (e.g. 4 years after matriculation for an undergraduate student). Undergraduate students and coterminal students who began their undergraduate program in Autumn 2020 have an Expected Graduation Term of Spring 2024 and therefore do not need to apply to graduate in order to be eligible to participate in the main Commencement ceremony.
Info for Alumni
If you were eligible to participate in last year's Commencement ceremony but were unable to attend and would like to participate in the ceremony this year, you may request an exception. Follow the instructions on the Student Academic Services website to check eligibility and submit a request to participate.
Commencement Weekend Do's
Dress comfortably. That includes shoes too. While there is generally no dress code requirement, most graduates opt to wear business casual attire under their robes (think slacks, dress shirt with or without a tie, blouse or skirt/dress) for Baccalaureate and Commencement and evening cocktail attire for Senior Dinner on the Quad. Remember that you will be standing in the lineup, walking quite far across various surfaces (gravel, pavement, grass) and sitting in the sun for extended periods of time, so make sure to wear clothing that is comfortable, not too warm, but will still look good in all of the photos you will take throughout the day (with and without your robe).
Travel light. Only bring what you need or leave valuables with family or friends. You will have to carry what you bring (as long as it meets the clear bag policy requirements) with you onto the field, plus you'll want to have an extra hand to pick up a program and bottle of water, so less is more.
Arrive early. Gates open early and graduates are expected to arrive at least an hour prior to the procession start time. Avoid long lines at the entry and arrive early. Make sure you give yourself enough time to find parking, walk to the venue, go through security, grab a program/water and get into the lineup. You'll also want to factor in time to take photos and catch up with family and friends. Avoid the stress of rushing and arrive early.
Follow instructions. Make sure to read the candidate instructions ahead of time. There will be different instructions for Advanced Degree graduates and Undergraduates, so pay close attention to the signs around the graduate lineup area, and to verbal instructions from Marshals and staff.
Make sure your phone is fully charged. Opportunities to charge will be few and far between, so you'll want to be sure to be fully charged before heading out the door so you can contact family and friends, take photos and get updates.