Eligibility
Q: I am receiving a master's en route to my PhD (also referred to as continuing master's or master's in passing). Can I participate in Commencement?
A: As a continuing master’s candidate, you are welcome to attend the Dean's Reception, Commencement Morning Exercises, and Champagne Reception and Luncheon. You are not eligible to participate in the Harvard Griffin GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremonies in Sanders Theatre, which is reserved for terminal masters and PhD candidates only.
Q: I am slated to graduate in November 2025 (or any future date after May 2025), but I will not be around to attend that year's Commencement. Can I walk this May instead?
A: If you do not receive your degree in the November 2024, February 2025, or May 2025 degree periods, you are not eligible to participate in this year's Commencement and are considered an exception. There is a special process required for your request, and participation is not guaranteed. Please contact the Office of Student Success for details.
Q: I am an AB/SM or AB/AM candidate. How do I participate in Commencement?
You will participate with Harvard College and your undergraduate house in receipt of the AB degree, which is conferred last during the Commencement Morning Exercises. AB/AM and AB/SM candidates are not eligible to attend Harvard Griffin GSAS Commencement activities or receive guest tickets through Harvard Griffin GSAS.
Tickets and Guests
Q: Are Commencement tickets free?
A: All Commencement tickets are free except for the guest tickets for the Harvard Griffin GSAS Champagne Reception and Luncheon. Those tickets are available at $20 each guest and can be purchased during registration. An additional limited supply will be available for purchase at the ticket table and the Harvard Griffin GSAS information tent at Maxwell Dworkin on Commencement Day.
Q: Does my child need a ticket? Can my child/children attend the Harvard Griffin GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremony? Do they need a ticket? Can my child/children cross the stage with me?
A: Any guest attending the Harvard Griffin GSAS Diploma Awarding Ceremonies in Sanders will need a ticket, including infants sitting on laps. This is a restriction set by the Sanders Theatre venue and there are no exceptions. We can only offer two (2) guest tickets to each participant graduate for this ceremony. Additionally, graduates and guests are seated in separate sections within Sanders Theatre, and we are not able to coordinate children crossing the stage with you.
For the University-wide Commencement Morning Exercises, children 2 years old or under who do not need a seat are not required to have a ticket.
Q: I was hoping to bring different guests to events throughout the day. Do I have to bring the same guests to all events?
A: No! You can bring different guests to different events. If you want to celebrate your graduation with more than two guests, this can be a nice way to allow all your loved ones to experience some portion of the day. Ultimately, how you distribute the guest tickets you ordered is at your discretion.
Q: Is there a waitlist for extra guest tickets?
A: Due to the increasing number of participating graduates and venue capacity restrictions, we are not able to accommodate requests for extra tickets or maintain a waitlist. Guests without tickets are welcome to livestream events in Maxwell Dworkin located at 33 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Seating is available in this location on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q: My friend is also graduating this year, but they won't be attending Commencement. Can I have their guest tickets?
A: Tickets are not automatically guaranteed and handed out to every graduating student. To receive tickets, you must register for Commencement and pick up your tickets in person. Our staff will not permit you to send a proxy to pick up your tickets or facilitate the "transferring" of tickets between you and someone else.
Q: I have registered for Commencement, but I will be out of town until the night before graduation. Can I have them mailed to me or pick them up outside of the scheduled ticket table window?
A: Tickets cannot be mailed, no exceptions. You can pick up your tickets from the Harvard Griffin GSAS information tent in front of Maxwell Dworkin (33 Oxford Street) as early as 6:00 a.m. on Commencement Day.
Q: I purchased guest luncheon tickets during registration but it turns out I don't need all of them. Can I cancel some and get a refund?
A: Yes! If you need to cancel one or more guest luncheon tickets, you can do so at any point before you pick up your tickets, or at the ticket table, and we will issue a refund to the payment method you provided at registration. Contact gsaa@fas.harvard.edu with your request.
Q: I did not purchase any/enough guest luncheon tickets during registration. Can I get more tickets?
A: Yes! You can purchase more luncheon tickets by contacting gsaa@fas.harvard.edu to have more tickets added to your registration. A limited supply of tickets will also be available for purchase at the ticket table and on Commencement Day at the Harvard Griffin GSAS information tent at Maxwell Dworkin (33 Oxford St). Cash preferred.
Miscellaneous
Q: I am not going to be able to make it to Commencement. How will I get my diploma?
A: You can arrange to pick up your diploma at the Registrar’s Office.
