Commencement is the culmination of all your efforts to earn a graduate degree.
An all-day affair, Commencement provides multiple opportunities for celebration, including a Dean’s Reception, Harvard’s Commencement Exercises, the GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremony, and the GSAS Luncheon and Champagne reception. In this section, you can learn about the Commencement schedule, broadcast details, and information for the day.
Commencement Orations
The Commencement 2023 Student Orations Competition selects three graduating students to speak at the Commencement Exercises, including one representative to represent all graduate students from all Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. Check out the 2023 schedule below and visit the Commencement Orations Competition website for more information.
2023 Student Orations Competition Schedule
- Orators' Workshop — Thursday, February 23 at 3:30 p.m., Emerson Hall, Room 105 (Harvard Yard)
- Deadline to submit electronic submissions — Thursday, March 30 at 11:59 p.m.
- Preliminary Auditions – Thursday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m., Location TBD
- Final Auditions – Thursday, April 27 at 4:00 p.m., Location TBD
