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Graduation Checklist
Tasks from applying and ordering regalia to ceremony day, the party and thank-you notes.
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Herff Jones and For Your Party both say to get graduation party invitations in the mail about three weeks ahead, which makes three weeks a useful anchor for the rest of the schedule. This list runs from the first admin tasks, like confirming eligibility and ordering a cap and gown, through ceremony day and thank-you notes. It assumes you are graduating and may host a party. Ceremony details such as tickets and deadlines come from one university, the University of Texas at Austin, so check your own school's dates.
Why these items are on the list
- Confirm eligibility with your advisor. Both Herff Jones and UT Commencement tell graduates to check in with an advisor early.
- Apply to graduate. UT says to apply through your degree-granting college; double majors apply for each college.
- Check your commencement email address. UT asks graduates to verify the address getting commencement messages and keep school emails out of spam.
- Order cap and gown. Herff Jones says order in advance; UT lists regalia orders in February and March.
- Order announcements and invitations. Named by Herff Jones and UT Commencement; Herff Jones also mentions thank-you cards.
- Take graduation photos. Herff Jones suggests scheduling senior photos; UT points to its campus photo trail in April.
- Request accessibility accommodations. UT says these must be requested separately for each ceremony because they are venue-specific.
- Confirm diploma name and address. UT sends diplomas in early June to the address on record unless you change it.
- Build the party guest list. For Your Party suggests asking the graduate which friends and teachers to invite.
- Reserve tents and catering. For Your Party puts big rentals and catering at one month before the party.
- Mail invitations three weeks ahead. Herff Jones and For Your Party give the same three-week timing.
- Secure ceremony tickets. At UT, graduates need a ticket for graduate seating; guests at the university-wide ceremony do not.
- Pick up cap and gown. Herff Jones says to try it on when you get home.
- Steam the cap and gown. Herff Jones lists this among its graduation-day items.
- Plan a weather backup. For Your Party says check the forecast a week out and again one to two days before.
- Charge cameras and phones. Both Herff Jones and For Your Party list it; the latter adds clearing space for photos.
- Pick a meeting spot after the ceremony. Herff Jones suggests agreeing on this with family and friends beforehand.
- Assign someone to photos and video. Herff Jones recommends naming one person in charge.
- Send thank-you notes. Herff Jones puts these within two weeks of the celebration.
- Order ceremony video and photos. Listed by Herff Jones as a follow-up after graduation day.
Keep only the tasks that apply to you and check them off on your phone as you go. Share the party half with whoever is helping you host.
When to use it
Start about three months before the ceremony, when regalia and announcement orders open, and keep it through thank-you notes.