Bagpipers and drummers lead a procession for opening convocation, class of 2022.

College Programming and Orientation

Class of 2025

Students’ final year of undergraduate study is filled with opportunities to make fond memories while preparing for life after their time at the College. From Senior Week and unique traditions to Convocation, the College plans numerous events to help commemorate the UChicago experience. Below find information about how to make the most of your senior year and plan for the road ahead without missing important deadlines and opportunities. 

Quick Links

Class Day Senior Week

Information for Graduating Seniors

    In an effort to provide you with an abbreviated list of information to consider during the quarter they intend to graduate, we have consolidated a list of important dates and deadlines. We hope you will utilize this information as a guide. For further information, visit the University Registrar Graduation Website.

    Week 1:

    • Students who intend to graduate at the end of the quarter, with all of their remaining degree requirements and coursework completed, should complete the ‘College Degree Application’ found on my.uchicago.edu. Students must submit their applications no later than 5:00pm on Friday of the first week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate.
    • Students who intend to graduate at the end of the quarter, but are not enrolled in courses for the term, should complete an ‘Extended Enrollment Status Form’ or a ‘No Further Enrollments Required Form’ and turn it in to their academic adviser no later than 11:59pm on Friday of the first week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate (does not apply during summer quarter). Forms and additional details about enrollment options for fourth year students can be found here.

    Week 2:

    • All requests for ceremony site changes must be made by 5:00pm Friday. No requests will be accepted or completed prior to this date and time.  If you are uncertain of your ceremony site assignment or wish to make a change, you may email seniors@uchicago.edu.

    Week 5:

    • Students who determine that they intend to graduate during a different quarter and must withdraw a previously submitted application to graduate must notify their academic adviser by 11:59pm on Friday of the fifth week of the quarter to avoid incurring a $65 late cancellation fee. Students who withdraw their original application will need to submit a new ‘College Degree Application’ for the quarter in which they plan to graduate during the first week of that quarter.

    Week 8:

    • Students whose academic records show marks of I (Incomplete), NGR (No Grade Reported), or were left blank for courses attempted prior to the quarter in which they intend to graduate and which are degree requirements must submit any remaining coursework and have a passing grade on record with the University Registrar by 5:00pm on Friday of the eighth week of the quarter (seventh week in summer quarter). This deadline includes final grades for Bachelor's papers and all other capstone projects, regardless of the quarter in which the student was enrolled in the respective courses.
    • Students who need to submit any remaining official transcripts for approved transfer credit petitions and/or official AP/IB test scores to their academic adviser should do so no later than 11:59pm on Friday of the eighth week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate (seventh week in summer quarter).
    • Students must resolve all outstanding balances with the Office of the University Bursar by 5:00pm on Friday of the eighth week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate (seventh week in summer quarter).

    Week 9:

    • Students who are enrolled in courses during the quarter in which they intend to graduate must have a passing grade on record for any courses required by their degree programs with the University Registrar by the Sunday immediately after the end of the week of finals exams. 
    • Students who borrowed federal student loans are required to complete an exit counseling session here and should plan to do so by 11:59pm on Saturday of the ninth week of the quarter in which they intend to graduate (eighth week in summer quarter).

     

    As you prepare for life beyond the College, we've created a new series of videos to help you tackle the transition into adulthood and master best practices. 

    As you approach the end of the academic year we encourage you to think about your future. We hope you will embrace your new role as alumni and find opportunities to continue your relationship with the College, as there are numerous ways for you to stay involved. Please take the opportunity to learn how you can stay connected to the University of Chicago through the Alumni Association and how the College can continue to be a resource to you post-graduation.

Senior Traditions & Celebrations

Diploma Revisions

    The decision to display additional programs of study on the diploma comes in response to regular requests for a more informative and accurate University of Chicago diploma. The President of the University, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Provost, and the University Registrar are responsible for decisions made regarding the diploma’s appearance, language, and entries.

    Beginning with degrees conferred at the end of Spring Quarter 2023, Bachelor’s diplomas will display up to four declared major programs of study for each graduating College student, instead of a single major. 

    Master of Arts and Master of Science diplomas will now uniformly display the program of study.

    View a sample rendering of the new diploma design here.

    The majors and corresponding degrees will be in alphabetical order, with all BA majors displayed first (if any) followed by BS majors (if any).

    Minors, Specializations, and certificates associated with degrees will continue to appear on transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may be viewed on my.UChicago if you have access; instructions for how to order an official transcript can be found at https://registrar.uchicago.edu/records/transcripts/.

    Honors conferred to a College student by a department for a major (if any) will appear on the diploma. Latin Honors (if any) will also appear on the diploma. All such honors also appear on official transcripts and in the printed Convocation Program which will be distributed to all students and guests attending Convocation on June 3.

    Note: To accommodate determination of departmental and Latin honors, all College major declarations must be finalized and prior quarter grades posted by the end of the fifth week of the quarter of graduation, which will be April 21st in Spring Quarter 2023. Previous quarters’ outstanding grades due for all other graduating students are due by May 12, 2023.

    Changes to diplomas were approved to take effect beginning with those degrees conferred on June 3, 2023. These changes will not be retroactively applied to degrees awarded prior to that date. 

    Transcripts display all majors, minors, specializations, and honors, regardless of the date degrees were conferred.

    Unfortunately, no. Changes to diplomas were approved to take effect beginning with those degrees conferred on June 3, 2023, without possibility of exception.

    The format of your replacement diploma and entries will duplicate your original diploma, per the authorized design in effect at the time it was originally conferred.

    Diplomas are 9 inches by 12 inches in size and are presented in a “landscape” format.

    Prior to 2011, University of Chicago diplomas were sized at 8.5 by 11 inches.

    Please contact your area Dean of Students or the Office of the University Registrar for more information.