Graduating Students

• Get your cap and gown! Regalia is mandatory for University Commencement. However, check with your individual schools that may have different requirements for their class day and graduation ceremonies.
  • 2025 Grad Fair dates will be announced soon. 

• Get your cap and gown! Regalia is mandatory for University Commencement. However, check with your individual schools that may have different requirements for their class day and graduation ceremonies.
  • 2025 Grad Fair dates will be announced soon.
• Verify your address!
  • Diplomas will only be sent when a "Diploma (DP) Address" is on file and may be updated on Student Services Online (SSOL) under "Degree Application Status". It is best to use an address that is valid for more than eight weeks after graduation. Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.
    • To update your diploma address, follow these steps:
      • Log in to SSOL
      • Go to "Degree Application Status"
      • Click "Update Diploma Address" and enter or update with an address that will be valid more than eight weeks after graduation.
  • For Barnard College graduates, use my.barnard.edu and submit your diploma address through the graduation application.
  • For Teachers College graduates, use my.tc.columbia.edu to update your diploma mailing address under Student Resources.
• Check your name for your diploma!
  • Check your name as it appears on Vergil, your full legal name will be printed on your diploma unless you inform the Registrar’s Office otherwise.
  • Please contact [email protected] if you require any of the following: 
    • If you would like to use your preferred/chosen name on Vergil to be printed only on your diploma and not changed system-wide.
    • If your name on Vergil does not display as you would like it presented on the diploma.
    • If you would like to abbreviate or remove your middle name from your record.
    • If you would like to include any diacritical or accent marks to your name, for diploma use only.
  • Fill out a Name Change Affidavit to make system-wide changes to your first or last name (transcript, diplomas, academic documents, etc.)

• Register to participate in the Baccalaureate Service. 
• Get your cap and gown! Regalia is mandatory for University Commencement. However, check with your individual schools that may have different requirements for their class day, graduation, or convocation ceremonies. All academic attire, including the cap and gown, is ordered through the Columbia University Bookstore.
• Students, and their guests, requiring accommodations during UC or school graduation ceremonies, including graduating students whose disabilities limit their ability to walk or negotiate stairs, should contact Disability Services at [email protected] by Thursday, May 1. 
• Verify your name and address for diploma delivery. Look above at the March 2025 section for more details. 

• Good luck with your final exams!
• Connect with the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) about the great benefits available to you after graduation.
• How should I prepare?

  • Don't leave home without it! Here's how you can prepare:

    • Ticket saved, loaded, and/or ready to scan.
    • Identification (e.g. CUID, license, passport, etc.)
    • Pre-filled, reusable water bottle.
    • Prepare for inclement weather.
    • Wear comfortable footwear, heels are not recommended.
    • Fully charged phone (and maybe even an external battery).
    • Pack light! Bags, backpacks, and purses larger than 5x7 inches are not permitted. All guests will be subject to bag check at entry.
    • Feeling sick? Stay home and tune in virtually.
      
      * It's important to remember what to bring, but also think about what not to bring. Balloons, sky lanterns, and other celebratory embellishments such as large placards, signs, or flags are not permitted at Commencement events. We hope to work together as a community to reduce waste, avoid potential tree entanglements, and provide an unobstructed and positive experience for all our graduates and guests. Prohibited items include: outside food or drinks; glass bottles; pets or animals (certified service animals are allowed); clothing deemed obscene or offensive; weapons of any kind, firearms, and knives; laser pointers; pepper spray/mace; lighters or matches; balloons, signs, posters, banners, flyers, or any items that could obstruct the view of guests and graduates; flags or flag posts; amplified sound items and noisemaking devices including cowbells and airhorns; and any item that may interfere with and/or distract graduation speakers, graduates, or guests.

If you haven’t already:

• Verify your name and address for diploma delivery. Look above at the March 2025 section for more details. 
• Update your information in the Alumni Directory for exclusive invitations, alumni benefits, and opportunities that you are now eligible for as a member of the Columbia Alumni Association.