Graduates
Preparing for Commencement
Academic Attire
Academic attire is required of all graduates, candidates, and doctoral degree recipients who plan to participate in Winter Commencement. Attire is available for purchase at these local locations:
(Please note that doctoral attire is available only at Ulrich's Bookstore and the Barnes and Noble bookstore.)
- Barnes and Noble @ University of Michigan (Doctoral Regalia)
530 South State Street
(734) 995-8877 - Ulrich's Bookstore / (Doctoral Regalia)
549 East University Avenue
(734) 662-3201 - Michiganensian Yearbook
420 Maynard Street
(734) 418-4115 x1247
Bachelor's and Master's Degree Graduates and Candidates:
Academic attire may be purchased beginning in mid-October at all campus locations listed.
Doctoral Degree Recipients:
Doctoral degree recipients are responsible for providing their hoods, caps, and gowns. This attire may be found at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore or Ulrich's Bookstore.
Rental attire may be reserved Monday, October 7 – Saturday, November 16. Gown sizes and hood colors cannot be guaranteed after Saturday, November 16. All rental attire should be returned by Thursday, December 19.
Custom attire is available for purchase at any time during the year. Please allow four to six weeks for the delivery of custom attire orders.
Announcements
Announcements may be purchased at Michigan Book & Supply (via Herff Jones website), Barnes and Noble @ University of Michigan, and Ulrich's Bookstore.
Diplomas
Doctoral Degree Recipients:
Doctoral degree recipients attending Winter Commencement receive their diplomas at the graduation ceremony.
Additional diplomas may be ordered through the Registrar's Office, Student Services. There are two locations: 1210 LSA Building, 500 S. State Street or B430 Pierpont Commons. Additional information can be found online at Office of the Registrar website. Diploma orders are not taken at Winter Commencement.
Doctoral degree recipients who are not attending Winter Commencement may pick up their diploma at the Diploma Office, 1210 LSA Building, 500 S. State Street, from Tuesday, December 10–Friday, December 13, and Tuesday, December 17–Friday, December 20, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Diplomas not picked up by December 20 will be mailed in January 2013.
Bachelor's and Master's Degree Graduates and Candidates:
Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate's permanent address (or the diploma address if one has been created by the student in Wolverine Access). Address updates can be made on Wolverine Access through January 3, 2013.
Eligibility
All graduates and candidates of the Summer Term 2012 or Fall Term 2012 may participate in this graduation ceremony. Students who will graduate in Winter Term 2013, but are unable to attend the April/May ceremony may participate in the December 16, 2012 ceremony. All students must apply for graduation through Wolverine Access.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the senior auditor at your school or college.
Grad Fair
The Winter Grad Fair will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on the ground floor of the Michigan Union. This is your one stop shopping place for all of your graduation needs. You can purchase your cap and gown, class rings, graduate portraits and frames. University staff will be available to answer your general commencement questions or concerns.
International Students
The University of Michigan will provide a letter of invitation to assist graduates whose parents need to apply for a visa in order to attend the commencement ceremony. To obtain a letter, please follow these steps:
- Prior to submitting a request for a letter of invitation, the graduating student should apply for graduation. Visit this link for instructions.
- Visit the International Center website for an overview of documents needed to apply for a visa.
- After successfully applying for graduation and visiting the International Center website, please request the letter(s) of invitation by completing the online request form.
The letter from the University is mailed to the graduate, who can then forward it to the parents for use in documenting their visa request. Please allow four weeks to receive the letter.
Tickets
The University of Michigan does not ticket the Winter Commencement ceremony. You and as many guests and you'd like are welcome to attend the ceremony.