The Metamorphosis
College graduation is the culmination of your academic career and the celebration of years of hard work. So, when can you expect to start seeing your Instagram feed showcasing the commencement ceremonies of your friends and peers (or you walking across the stage to get your university diploma?) What can you do to ensure a successful graduation experience?
While these answers vary from person to person and from school to school, some general rules of thumb can be found below.
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What Month Do Most Students Graduate from University?
In the United States, most colleges and universities hold graduation ceremonies in May (for the semester system) or June (for the quarter system). Of course, specific graduation dates differ from school to school, and there are certainly some outliers. But most university students lay their hands on that diploma before mid June.
Winter University Graduations
Many college institutions will graduate a much smaller winter class each year. Some academic programs take slightly longer than four years to complete, accounting for the later graduation date. Likewise, certain disciplines such as education require a semester of practical experience pre-graduation.
If a major requires a specific course that is only offered at a particular time of year, students may have to put their graduation plans on hold until they can complete the prerequisites to graduate with their degree.
The main differences between spring and winter commencement ceremonies come down to the weather and the number of students graduating from their university. Otherwise, winter graduations are just as exciting and just as much of a celebration as their spring counterparts.
So You’re Ready to Graduate…Now What?
Much like course registration and applying for student loans, preparing for university graduation requires formalities and paperwork.
Complete Your Credit Hours
At minimum, each academic program requires the completion of a specific number of credit hours. These credit hours are generally distributed among a set list of core competency courses (some schools call them Gen Eds) and courses in student’s major, minor, and concentration.
Your GPA Might Matter More Than You Think
A university may have a minimum cumulative grade point average requirement before someone may receive their diploma. These requirements can be tricky to track, so some schools require students to meet with an academic planning advisor to ensure everything is squared away as they prepare to graduate.
Do Your Research to Get That Diploma
Information about the different academic requirements to graduate, resources to ensure successful graduation, and details about the graduation itself are found on your school’s website. As the traditional graduation months draw closer, many schools will put their graduation resources front and center on the homepage or create specific graduation pages.
Final Thoughts
Graduation is a memorable and rewarding time, no matter what time of year you graduate. As you prepare to don your cap and gown, keep this information in mind and be sure to take advantage of the many resources your school has to offer. Happy Graduation!
