Information for Graduating Students

Provided below is a list of key tasks and corresponding deadlines for students who intend to graduate on June 16, 2023.

January 30 through February 6
All candidates for graduation will receive a Declaration of Intent to Graduate Survey via email on January 30 from the Registrar's Office. This online survey will be open for responses until February 6. If a student plans to graduate/participate in the Commencement ceremony on June 16 but does not receive the email survey on January 30, they should email the Registrar's Office at regis@caltech.edu as soon as possible.

February 27 through March 6
On February 27, all bachelor's candidates for graduation will be emailed an individualized form from the Registrar's Office. This online form requests required information for diplomas and the commencement program. Contact the Registrar's Office as soon as possible if you have not received the form via email.

March 20 through April 17
All graduating students who are participating in the June 16 Commencement ceremony must wear the appropriate Caltech bachelor's, master's, or doctoral regalia. Graduating students should order their regalia (caps and gowns, stoles, and house tassels) online. The online ordering site will be live from March 20 to April 17. Graduating students will receive an email reminder when the regalia ordering site goes live on March 20.

• At Grad Fair on April 12, graduating students can place online regalia orders and receive assistance from Caltech Store staff while placing their orders.
• After April 17, students will need to contact the Caltech Store directly by emailing citbook@caltech.edu to order regalia.
• Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pick up on June 6 (see below).
• Commencement gowns are made from recyclable material and can be dropped off at the Caltech Store after the ceremony for recycling. Please contact the Caltech Store for more information.

All Caltech graduating and separating students are expected to participate in an exit interview process with the Bursar's staff before Commencement or leaving the Institute.

Graduate students should submit their diploma name, thesis title, and marching information in REGIS > Graduate Degree Progress as soon as possible, preferably by April 30.

April 12 through May 19
Caltech welcomes families and friends of the class of 2023 to join the celebration of the Institute's newest graduates through special events like the President's Reception, the Graduate Studies Celebration Luncheon, and the Senior Graduation Banquet. These activities are open to graduating students and their friends and families but advance registration is required.Online reservations will be open April 12 through May 19 on the events schedule page.

Tuesday, June 6
Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pickup outside of the Caltech Store on June 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Career Advising and Experiential Learning (CAEL) will be on hand to learn about your post-graduation plans through a brief Next Steps Interview. Snacks, photo-opportunities, and a special gift will be provided.

Students unable to pick up regalia on June 6 can pick up their regalia directly from the CAEL office after June 8. The CAEL Office is located on the third floor of the Center for Student Services, Room 310.

Academic garb looks best when worn over dark shoes and dark lower garments. The collar of a white shirt or blouse nicely complements the academic robe.

Tassels are worn on the left at all times.

All candidates participating in commencement are expected to reach their specified marshaling area near Caltech Hall Library and check in, in cap and gown, no later than 8:45 a.m. on Friday morning. The commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Latecomers may not be included in the processional.

The event map denotes the specific marshaling locations for candidates by degree:

• BS Candidates: Section A (along the covered walk south of Parsons-Gates)
• MS and Engineer's Candidates: Section B (along the covered walk at the south end of the bridge across the reflecting pool):
• PhD Candidates: Section C (along the covered walk north of East Bridge, behind the M.S. and Engineer's candidates)

Staff will be present to coordinate the assembling of the academic procession.

During the check-in process, all candidates will receive:

• A pre-printed named card for the name readers. Candidates are expected to take their name card with them during the processional, and when they approach the platform during the awarding of degrees.
• A photo card for the professional photographers from GradImages photographing the event.

Aside from the name cards, candidates are prohibited from carrying anything with them during the processional. Purses, backpacks, or other personal items will not be permitted to be carried. These items must be checked in before the event and will be available for pick up after the event from the information booth.

Candidates will find a printed program and water bottle on their chairs.

The marching order will be:

1. Candidates for the BS degree
2. Candidates for the MS and Engineer's degrees
3. Candidates for the PhD degree
4. Faculty
5. Trustees and Speaker

Candidates will process in and sit with other students from their degree program; doctoral candidates will be further organized by division. All students will be lined up in alphabetical order.

Candidates for degrees will follow the marshal of their respective group to their seats on Beckman Mall. Candidates are to remain standing until the chairman of the Board of Trustees asks the audience to be seated at the beginning of the ceremony.

Download the complete ceremony instructions for graduating students:

• Bachelors 
• Masters
• PhD

Graduates should remain standing after the alma mater and during the recessional march of the faculty, trustees, and the speaker, until the recessional music stops.

There is no formal recessional for graduates.

GradImages, a commercial firm, will be at commencement to photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma. Individual and family portraits will be available at several locations and activities in advance of the ceremony (see the event schedule for details). Within five business days of the ceremony, proofs and order forms will be made available to graduates. In order to streamline the photograph ordering process, you are asked to provide your name and mailing address to GradImages in advance. By doing so in advance of Commencement, you will receive a 20% discount when registering online.

The Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed at commencement.caltech.edu, and a recording of the event will be available afterward online for those who are not able to attend the ceremony in-person.

Guests are not allowed to take pictures or videos in front of the stage or the graduate seating area. For health and safety reasons, guests will not be permitted to congregate near the stage platform for photos; guests must remain in their seats throughout the ceremony.