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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Commencement?
Does walking through/participating in Commencement Weekend activities mean my degree has been conferred?
What is the Alternate Site Plan?
What is the difference between University Commencement and the school celebrations? How should I prepare for Commencement Weekend?
How do I apply to graduate?
What is a Graduation Packet?
When and where do graduates pick up their tickets for University Commencement and the School Celebrations?
I am a Doctoral Candidate. How do I get tickets for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony?
If my family needs more tickets, how can I get them?
Where can my family stay during Commencement weekend?
If I am a graduate in an ROTC program, may I wear my dress uniform in lieu of academic regalia?
What pictures are taken before and during Commencement Weekend?
What services are available for guests in wheelchairs or with other mobility concerns?
How do I nominate an all-University Commencement speaker?
I'm an undergraduate interested in working Commencement Weekend. How do I apply?
Commencement Weekend is Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18, 2008. The University Commencement is scheduled for the morning of Sunday, May 18. Each school within the University will hold its own school celebration during the weekend. For a schedule of major events during Commencement Weekend, click here. Graduates should check with their schools and departments for other possible activities.
If you are a graduate of the Law School or Medical School you will receive your diploma at your School Celebration/Diploma Ceremony, meaning your degree has been conferred.
If you are a Doctoral Candidate, your degree has been conferred by Sunday, May 18, 2008. And, you may pick up your diploma following the Sunday all-University Commencement on the National Mall in the Registrar's Office, Rice Hall 101, from noon - 4 p.m. Alternatively, diplomas may be picked up the following week, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the same location. Doctoral diplomas not picked up by Friday, May 23 will be mailed to graduates.
If you are an undergraduate or graduate candidate from any other program, participation in Commencement Weekend activities does not certify completion of degree requirements. Degrees will be conferred only upon those students who have completed all degree requirements by May 18, 2008. For further information, you may contact Graduation Services at (202) 242-6843.
For more information about the alternate site, please click here.
The Campus Advisories Web site is located at http://www.gwu.edu/~gwalert.
The GW recorded information line phone number is (202) 994-5050.
At the school celebrations students are called individually to cross the stage, however, degrees are not conferred. University Commencement brings students of all schools together for the conferral of their degrees. Individual names are not called—graduates rise as their degrees are called out by the deans and President Knapp confers the degrees.
| January/February |
March/April |
May |
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Book your hotel. Many families have already reserved rooms.
Spring 2008 students apply to graduate.
Make your flight plans.
Purchase Monumental Celebration tickets for you and your family (online sales coming soon).
Get Senior Class Photos taken for the Cherry Tree
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Attend Commencement Fair 2008 (March 10-14)!
Order cap and gown in March.
Purchase customized graduation announcements (optional) in March. Free announcements included in Graduation Packet
Pick up your Graduation Packet (varies by school). Some graduates, including those who completed their degree requirements in Fall '07 and Summer '07, are mailed packets. Read "When and where do graduates pick up tickets...?" below to learn more. If you do not receive a packet by April 15, please contact the Office of University Events at (202) 994-7129.
Complete Graduate Survey 2008 (for the following schools only: CCAS, CPS/GSPM, GSEHD, GWSB, SPHHS, ESIA, SEAS, and SMHS Health Science Graduates).
Senior Class Portraits from The Cherry Tree Yearbook Last Chance:
Monday - Friday, April 21-25 in the Ivory Tower Lobby from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Please note, all graduating seniors receive a yearbook for free, courtesy of the GW Alumni Association.
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Pick up pre-ordered cap and gown at the GW Bookstore (not Law or SHMS-MD).
Pick up pre-ordered Monumental Celebration Tickets.
Pick up School Celebration tickets from your school’s office.
Attend the Interfaith Baccalaureate
Print directions to National Mall.
Familiarize yourself with the alternate site plan in the vent Commencement is moved off the National Mall.
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Please see the Registrar’s Office Web site for full instructions and to download the graduation application.
For Spring and Summer 2008 applicants, applications are due February 1. For Fall 2007 applicants, completed applications were due October 1, 2007.
Throughout March and April 2008, all graduates will receive a Graduation Packet containing:
- tickets to University Commencement;
- tickets to the alternate site;
- pack of ten standard graduation announcements;
- on-campus parking pass for Sunday ceremonies (parking passes for ceremonies on days other than Sunday will be distributed with school celebration tickets); and
- other important information.
Read below to determine how your school distributes Graduation Packets and school celebration tickets. Distribution dates and locations vary according to the semester the graduate completed/will complete his/her degree requirements AND by the graduate's school. See details below and click on the links to determine the dates and location of packet and ticket distribution.
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How to claim Graduation Packet with Commencement Tickets (National Mall Ceremony) |
How to claim School Celebration Tickets
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Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)
(202) 994-6210
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Spring and Summer 2008 graduates pick up at Commencement Fair 2008 or at Colonial Central's Service Desk (800 21st Street, Ground Floor) through May 1, 2008.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are automatically mailed by April 15.
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Graduation Survey Required!
May 16: 12 noon - 5 p.m.
May 17: 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Phillips 209
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Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA)
(202) 994-3002
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Spring and Summer 2008 graduates pick up at Commencement Fair 2008 or at Colonial Central's Service Desk (800 21st Street, Ground Floor) through May 1, 2008.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are automatically mailed by April 15.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning May 1
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
1957 E Street NW
Undergraduate: Suite 302
Graduate: Suite 603
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School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
(202) 994-5411 |
Spring and Summer 2008 graduates pick up at Commencement Fair 2008 or at Colonial Central's Service Desk (800 21st Street, Ground Floor) through May 1, 2008.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are automatically mailed by April 15.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning March 24
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Dean's Office, Room 106
Tompkins Hall,
725 23rd Street NW
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GW School of Business (GWSB)
(202) 994-8252
For details about specific distance education or other GW Campus pick up, please see below.
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Spring and Summer 2008 graduates pick up at Commencement Fair 2008 or at Colonial Central's Service Desk (800 21st Street, Ground Floor) through May 1, 2008.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are automatically mailed by April 15. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Summer and Fall 2007 should e-mail sbevents@gwu.edu to have School Celebration Tickets mailed.
Pick up at Duquès 156
April 9-10: 12 noon - 8:30 p.m.
April 11: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
April 12: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pick up at Duquès 657
April 14 or after: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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MSIST
Contact: Jesica Mera at (202)994-6403
or (202)994-4364 for packet pick up information
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Summer and Fall 2007 automatically mailed by April 15.
Spring and Summer 2008 pick up with School Celebration tickets.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Summer and Fall 2007 should e-mail sbevents@gwu.edu to have School Celebration Tickets mailed.
Pick up from Jesica Mera. Time, date, and location TBD.
Contact Ms. Mera for further information.
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Master of Science in Project Management (MSPM)
Contact: Phyllis Tutora at (202)994-6122 for packet pick up information
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Summer and Fall 2007 automatically mailed by April 15.
Spring and Summer 2008 pick up with School Celebration tickets. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Summer and Fall 2007 should e-mail sbevents@gwu.edu to have School Celebration Tickets mailed.
Pick up from Phyllis Tutora. Time, date, and location TBD.
Contact Ms. Tutora for further information.
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Accelerated Masters of Tourism Administration (AMTA) Program
Contact: Stacy Dellinger at (202) 994-2110 for packet pick up information
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Summer and Fall 2007 automatically mailed by April 15.
Spring and Summer 2008 pick up with School Celebration tickets. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Summer and Fall 2007 should e-mail sbevents@gwu.edu to have School Celebration Tickets mailed.
Pick up from Stacy Dellinger. Time, date, and location TBD.
Contact Ms. Dellinger for further information.
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Healthcare MBA
Contact: Stephanie Clark at (202) 994-4439 for packet pick up information
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Summer and Fall 2007 automatically mailed by April 15.
Spring and Summer 2008 pick up with School Celebration tickets. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Summer and Fall 2007 should e-mail sbevents@gwu.edu to have School Celebration Tickets mailed.
Pick up from Stephanie Clark. Time, date, and location TBD.
Contact Ms. Clark for further information. |
Executive MBA
Contact: Shane Maye at (202) 994-3033
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Pick up with School Celebration tickets. |
Contact Mr. Maye for details.
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GW Law School
(202) 994-6261 |
March 24-28
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Law School Records Office Distribution Center
(Stuart 105)
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Law School
Graduation Survey Required!
March 24-28
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Law School Records Office Distribution Center
(Stuart 105) |
School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS-Health Sciences Programs)
(202) 994-4241 |
Spring and Summer 2008 graduates
pick up with School Celebration Tickets.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are mailed with celebration tickets upon receipt of Graduation Survey confirmation e-mail.
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Graduation Survey Required!
March 31 - April 25
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
April 7-10: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
April 12: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Student Services/Dean's Office
Room 6139
900 23rd Street NW
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SMHS-HSP (Non-Foggy Bottom)
Distance Education Programs
Virginia Campus (Pharmacogenomics) |
See School Celebration Ticket Info
Pick up from Amma Addo at Virginia Campus. Date and times TBD.
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Mailed automatically upon receipt of Graduation Survey e-mail confirmation (forward to hsp@gwu.edu)
Pick up from Amma Addo at Virginia Campus. Date and times TBD.
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School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS-MD Candiates)
(202) 994-3501/2170
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Pick up with School Celebration Tickets |
Beginning March 10
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Dean's Office,
Ross Hall 713W |
School of Public Health and Health Services (SPPHS)
(202) 994-2632 |
Pick up with School Celebration Tickets |
Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning March 31
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Ross Hall 221
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College of Professional Studies (CPS)
(202) 994-5411
(Includes Graduate School of Political Management)
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Spring 2008 and Summer 2008
Pick up with School Celebration Tickets
Summer and Fall 2007 pick up with School Celebration tickets.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning March 24
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
2020 K Street NW, Suite B100 (Paralegal Program)
805 21st Street NW,
Suite 401 (GSPM ONLY)
Alexandria Center
1775-B Duke Street
Front Desk
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Contact: Sarah Porter at (703) 299-0297
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Publishing Program and Landscape Design Program
(College of Professional Studies)
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Spring and Summer 2008 AND Summer and Fall 2007 pick up with School Celebration Tickets
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Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning March 24
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Alexandria Center
1775-B Duke Street
Front Desk
Contact: Sarah Porter at (703) 299-0297
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Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) (202) 994-2194
Foggy Bottom Campus programs only. Please see below for Alexandria Center, Ashburn Campus, EMBANET, Hampton Roads, and Hong Kong/Singapore programs.
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Spring and Summer 2008 pick up at
Commencement Fair 2008 or at Colonial Central's Service Desk (800 21st Street, Ground Floor) through May 1, 2008.
Summer 2007 and Fall 2007 graduation packets are automatically mailed by April 15.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Beginning April 21
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Lobby,
2134 G Street NW
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Alexandria Center (GSEHD Programs)
Counseling (Helen Forner at
hforner@gwu.edu)
Education Administration (Greg
Thornton at 703-299-0198/
gtt@gwu.edu)
Human Resource Development
(Colleen Caster at 703-299-0294/
ccaster@gwu.edu)
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ALL PROGRAMS:
Pick-up at Alexandria Center (notified by e-mail of dates/times)
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Graduation Survey Required!
ALL PROGRAMS:
Pick-up at Alexandria Center (notified by e-mail of dates/times)
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Ashburn Campus (GSEHD Programs)
Educational Leadership
Program/ Human Resource
Development (Nancy McGuire at
703-726-3768/nmcguire@va.gwu.edu)
Higher Education Administration
(Gianna Miller at 703-726-3773/
gcmiller@gwu.edu) |
Automatically mailed with Doctoral Hooding/School Celebration tickets
Automatically mailed (if you prefer to pick-up contact Gianna Miller)
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Graduation Survey Required!
Automatically mailed upon receipt of e-mail confirmation
indicating you've taken the Graduation Survey. Please e-mail (nmcguire@va.gwu.edu) or fax (703-726-3760) the confirmation. Doctoral Hooding tickets will also be mailed at that time.
Automatically mailed (if you prefer to pick-up, contact Gianna Miller)
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EMBANET (GSEHD Programs)
Marcia Brightman at 757-269-2206/mbright@gwu.edu
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Automatically mailed for Fall and Summer 2007 graduates and Spring and Summer 2008 graduates.
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Graduation Survey Required!
Automatically mailed mid-April |
Hampton Roads Center (GSEHD Programs)
Marcia Brightman at 757-269-2206/mbright@gwu.edu |
Automatically mailed for Fall and Summer 2007 Graduates and Spring and Summer 2008 graduates. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Pick-up at Hampton Roads Center (notified by e-mail of dates/times) |
The Educational Technology Leadership Program (Distance Learning - GSEHD Programs)
Sharon Briggs at 866-498-3382 or 202-994-8808/etladmin2@gwu.edu
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Automatically mailed with School Celebration tickets. |
Graduation Survey Required!
Automatically mailed upon receipt of e-mail confirmation
indicating you've taken the Graduation Survey. Please e-mail (etladmin2@gwu.edu) or fax (202-994-2145) the confirmation. |
Hong Kong/Singapore (GSEHD Programs)
Human Resource Development
(Sneha Subramnian)
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Automatically mailed with Celebration tickets
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Graduation Survey Required!
Mailed late March - April upon receipt of e-mail confirmation indicating you've taken the Graduation Survey. Please e-mail the confirmation to snehas@gwu.edu.
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Please visit the Information for Doctoral Candidates page for further information on this unique ceremony and other important details regarding Commencement Weekend 2008 activities.
On or after February 1, 2008, graduates looking for extra tickets for the University Commencement should call the Office of University Events at (202) 994-7129. Graduates with questions regarding School Celebration tickets should contact the school directly. See phone numbers above.
A complete list of hotels near campus can be found online at the Visitor Center Web site or on this site under Graduate Checklist. Note: Be sure to know the hotel’s cancellation policy before booking in case your plans change.
Further information to come! Please check back soon.
Senior Portraits for the "Cherry Tree," GW's yearbook will take place: Monday, February 18 - Friday, February 22 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Ivory Tower Lobby. Please note: all graduating seniors receive a yearbook for free, courtesy of the GW Alumni Association.
The Cherry Tree Yearbook also photographs Commencement and school celebrations to appear in the publication. The photos can be viewed in the yearbook, available in the fall following graduation. For more information, please see the Cherry Tree Yearbook Web site.
In addition, graduates that individually cross the stage during school celebrations will be photographed by a professional photographer. The photography company will mail or e-mail proofs to the graduate's permanent home address or to his/her e-mail address after the ceremony. Individual photos of students are not taken during the University Commencement on Sunday.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Sign language interpreters will be provided for University Commencement. If you wish to be seated near an interpreter at the ceremony, contact the Office of Disability Support Services at dss@gwu.edu before Monday, April 21, to make arrangements for special seating.
Sign language interpreters will be provided at other Commencement Weekend events on an as-needed basis by completing a Special Events Interpreter Form https://gwired.gwu.edu/dss/events/events.php before Monday, April 21.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Concerns
All campus buildings are wheelchair accessible. If you have questions about accommodations for guests with mobility concerns at the School Celebrations located at Lisner Auditorium, The Charles E. Smith Center, or Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, please contact your school directly. For a list of Schools and their phone numbers, click here.
Graduates in wheelchairs should contact the Office of University Events at (202) 994-7129 as soon as possible and before Monday, April 21, to make the necessary arrangements for Commencement.
For guests attending University Commencement on Sunday, May 18, shuttle buses will be provided between 21st Street and 23rd Street on Eye Street (GW's Foggy Bottom campus) and the National Mall. Wheelchair-accessible shuttle buses will depart from Rice Hall, 2121 Eye Street, N.W., and pull up as close as possible to the National Mall seating.
The section of seating that is closest to this drop-off location is reserved for anyone with severe mobility problems and and/or in a wheelchair. One guest from the individual’s party may join him or her in this section. Ushers will be available to assist with seating. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping this section available for those with serious mobility concerns. Wheelchair accessible restrooms will be available on the National Mall.
Resources for the Disabled in Washington, D.C.
To learn more about services in Washington, D.C. for visitors with mobility concerns, please visit www.disabilityguide.org. To rent or purchase wheelchairs, call Scoot Around at 888-441-7575 or visit their Web site, www.scootaround.com.
Thank you for visiting Commencement FAQ’s. Should you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact University Events at (202) 994-7129 or use@gwu.edu.
The all-University Commencement speaker is an individual who has been selected to receive an Honorary Degree from The George Washington University. Details on the procedures for nominating such individuals and the selection process/criteria can be found on the Academic Affairs Web site.
A limited number of students are hired each year to help with on-campus and off-campus events during Commencement Weekend. Only students who can work on Sunday, May 18 will be considered. These student employees will be eligible for extended housing in the residence halls.
For more information or to apply, please e-mail commwork@gwu.edu or visit the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center, Room 203 during business hours. Staff will be available at Commencement Fair 2008 to answer questions about working and the application process.
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