Graduation Checklist

☑︎ Regularly check your Penn State email.

Check your Penn State Office365 email for important announcements, updates for senior events and news about commencement.

☑︎ Verify your graduation eligibility.

If you think you are eligible to graduate, you must run an Academic Requirement report in LionPath, then discuss the report with your academic adviser. Deadline: January XX, 2023. (WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES ON THIS PAGE FOR 2023?)

☑︎ File your intent to graduate.

If all of your degree requirements are met, then you must declare your intent to graduate using the “Apply for Graduation” link within the My Academics page in the LionPATH Student Center. Deadline: January XX, 2023. If you have questions, visit Notifying the University of your intent to graduate. You can also contact the Registrar’s office at 570-675-9233 or stop in the Murphy Student Services Center.

☑︎ Order your regalia.

Contact the Penn State Bookstore (call 570-675-9230 or email Diane Hoyt-Green or Evelyn Hosey) to order your robe, cap and tassel. You can also order them through the Josten’s website. Deadline: April XX 2023.  Prices:

Note: Don’t use a hot iron your gown; it may melt! Instead, use a cool iron or hang it in a steamy area to help reduce the wrinkles.

☑︎  Order announcements, rings and more.

If you would like to purchase graduation announcements or thank you notes, contact the Penn State Bookstore by April. Personalized announcements can be ordered through Josten’s by March.

Class ring orders should be made through Josten’s as well. (Brochures are available at the bookstore.) Other graduation mementoes are available for purchase both through the Bookstore and the Josten’s website at any time.

☑︎  Get your graduation cord(s), if any.

Academic distinction. All graduates who have earned academic distinction are eligible to receive an academic distinction cord to wear at commencement:

Military. All graduates who are military veterans, currently serving on active duty, in the reserves, or National Guard, or who will be granted a commission through Penn State Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) are eligible to receive a red, white, and blue cord.

Cords will be distributed by the Academic Affairs office.

Please note: Ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.

☑︎  Complete financial aid exit counseling.

If you borrowed student loans, this is a requirement. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Coslett in the Financial Aid office. Read about financial aid resources and info for when you graduate.

☑︎  Fill out your destination survey.

Tell us your plans for next year! We encourage graduating seniors to fill out the first Destination Survey which will be emailed to your Penn State email account during the week of April 11th. Students who fill out the survey will be entered into a drawing to win two half gallons of ice cream (your choice of flavors), delivered to your address from the Penn State Berkey Creamery! (Three winners will be selected.) When: Week of April XX.

☑︎  Join the Alumni Society.

Consider joining the Penn State Alumni Society and the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society. Your first year’s membership is free; in addition, recent graduates get a discount on their membership. Contact Jackie Warnick-Piatt at [email protected] or 570-675-9228 and inquire about when the next meeting of the Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society will be held. Come and network with the Society membership and be a part of the largest alumni association in the world!

☑︎  Take care of expiring technology.

For information, see Technology Access After Graduation.