Information for Graduating Students

Provided below is a list of key tasks and corresponding deadlines for students who intend to graduate on June 14, 2024.

February 9 through February 16
All candidates for graduation should have received a Declaration of Intent to Graduate Survey via email on February 9 from the Registrar's Office. This online survey remained open for responses until February 16 and is now closed. If you plan to graduate/participate in the Commencement ceremony on June 14 but did not receive or complete the survey, please email the Registrar's Office at regis@caltech.edu as soon as possible and provide up to two parent/guardian email addresses.

February 28 through March 6
On February 28, 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 18 through April 19
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 18 to April 19. Graduating students will receive an email reminder when the regalia ordering site goes live on March 18.

• At Grad Fair on April 17, graduating students can place online regalia orders and receive assistance from Caltech Store staff while placing their orders.
• After April 19, 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 5 (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.

Candidates for graduation will be emailed an invitation to provide a recording of their name as it should be read during the Commencement ceremony. Undergraduate students will receive this email in April. Graduate students will receive this email in May. Specific deadlines will be provided in the email.

Graduate students should submit their diploma name, thesis title (PhD only), and marching information in REGIS > Graduate Degree Progress as soon as possible, preferably by April 1.

All graduating students are expected to participate in an exit process with the Bursar's Office staff before Commencement or before leaving the Institute. A Bursar Exit Letter will be available on May 13, 2024, and can be accessed by logging into access.caltech.edu and selecting My Student Documents > View Your Bursar Exit Letter. Follow the instructions to complete the process.

All diplomas will be held until the exit process is completed and any balance is paid in full. Complete the exit process by May 31, 2024.

Unable to view the My Student Documents link in access.caltech.edu on May 13 or have questions about the exit process? Email the Bursar's Office: BursarDocuments@caltech.edu

April 17 through May 22
Caltech welcomes families and friends of the class of 2024 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 are open through May 19 on the events schedule page.

Wednesday, June 5, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Pre-ordered regalia will be available for pickup outside of the Caltech Store on June 5. CALE will be on hand to distribute regalia and learn about your post-graduation plans. Snacks, photo-opportunities, and a special gift will be provided to all graduates (including those that didn't order regalia.)

Students unable to pick up their regalia and/or grad gift on June 5 can pick them up directly from CALE on June 6-12 during business hours. CALE is located on the third floor of the Center for Student Services, Room 310.

Any remaining regalia will be moved to the Caltech Store. Regalia can be picked up from the Caltech Store on June 13 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. On June 14, Commencement Day, the Caltech Store will have extended hours, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., to accommodate last minute pickup and other needs.

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.

The complete ceremony instructions for graduating students are available for download below:

• Bachelors 
• Masters
• PhD

PhD candidates, this animated gif demonstrates how to hold and present your hood as described in your ceremony instructions.

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.