Commencement

Yale College Commencement

For the most up to date Commencement information click the link provided below.

https://commencement.yale.edu/

University Events

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Class Day

University Commencement

Residential College Events

Senior Dinner

Senior Week activities held in the Residential College

Reception in the Residential College

Residential College Diploma Ceremony

Who is eligible to participate each year.

Students who complete degree requirements at the end of the spring term are awarded their degrees and their diplomas at Commencement at the conclusion of the spring term of that academic year. General Honors and Distinction in the Major are also awarded at that time.

Students who complete degree requirements at the end of a fall term are awarded their degrees and their diplomas at Commencement at the conclusion of the spring term of that academic year and are considered to be members of the class that graduates at that Commencement. General Honors and Distinction in the Major are also awarded at that time. If a student who completes degree requirements at the end of a fall term wishes to participate in the Commencement exercises held in the previous academic year, the student may do so with the permission of the residential college head and dean. Such might be the case, for example, for students who because of a leave of absence did not qualify for graduation with the class in Yale College with which they entered as a first-year. Such a student would not receive the degree or diploma until the May of the academic year in which degree requirements were completed.

Notify the Silliman College Dean’s office if you would like to request to walk early.

Make sure you submit your request to the Silliman College Dean’s Office by emailing the Dean’s Assistant (Ashley), by no later than spring break of the year you would like to be permitted to walk.

Once you have notified the Silliman College Dean’s office of your request, they will send you the link to complete the University Commencement “Walker Form” to be completed. By completing this form it will assure you that you and your family receive information about the events, tickets, cap & gown, etc.

Note: Early walkers will not be listed on the University Commencement Digital Program, however you will be listed in the Silliman College Diploma Ceremony program.

ALL Students are only permitted to participate in Commencement and Senior Activities one time.

All Yale College students are permitted only one opportunity to participate in Commencement Ceremonies and Senior Activities, so choose wisely whether you want to walk with your original classmates or do so after you have earned your degree.

Students cannot mix-and-match which activities they would like to participate in across years (i.e. you cannot go to the senior class events and the senior dinner of your original class and later participate in the Yale College Commencement Ceremonies the year you complete your degree).

Senior Class Dues

To pay senior class dues and be added to the senior class events list follow the instructions on the Commencement Webpage here: https://commencement.yale.edu/information-yale-college-seniors.  Colleges do not maintain these lists so if you are not receiving senior class events emails it is likely because dues have not yet been paid.