Review the following checklist carefully and make note of the stated deadlines. Make sure to contact the commencement team if you are not able to complete any of the following steps prior to the deadline. Also, please check our Commencement FAQs.

Important Dates

2026 Commencement Guide

This guide provides important information to help you prepare for the ceremony at Barclays Center. Reviewing the guide in advance will help ensure a smooth Commencement experience.

What the guide covers:
– Ceremony day schedule and arrival expectations
– Student and guest entrance locations
– Ticketing and mobile entry information
– Security policies and prohibited items
– Venue rules and ceremony procedures

Click here to view the Commencement Guide

Step 1: File for Graduation (Required)

To participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, you must file for graduation in CUNYfirst by the published deadlines. Eligible students are those graduating in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026.

How to File for Graduation:

1. Log in to CUNYfirst.
2. Go to the Student Center tile.
3. Select the Graduation tile.
4. Click Application for Graduation in the left sidebar.
5. Choose Apply for Graduation for the academic program you’re completing.
6. From the Expected Graduation Term dropdown, select your intended term.
7. Click Continue, review your information, and then select Submit Application.
8. A confirmation message will appear once your application is submitted.

Note: Undergraduate students must have completed at least 90 credits before filing for graduation.

CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies Graduates
This step does not apply to you.  Speak with the CUNY BA Registrar to confirm your graduation status and email us to confirm your participation in the ceremony.  All other steps and deadlines on this checklist apply. 

Graduation Audit Status
To check the status of your application, visit the Graduation Audit page.

Step 2: Overseas Invitation Letter (Optional) | Closed April 24

If you are inviting guests from outside the United States to attend the 2026 Commencement Ceremony and require supporting documentation for their visa application, you may submit an Invitation Letter Application for Overseas Guests.

Be sure to also provide your overseas guest with a commencement ticket, as the invitation letter alone does not grant entry to the ceremony.

To request a letter, please fill out the following form:
The form is now closed.

Step 3: Order Your Class Ring and Graduation Announcements (Optional)

Commemorate your achievement with your college ring from Balfour. Your Brooklyn College ring will represent your most unforgettable years and the institution where it all happened. You can also share your special moment with friends and family with graduation announcements. To order your class ring and graduation announcements, call 877.225.3687 or visit the Balfour website. A Balfour representative will be on campus on the following dates:

• April 28 – 29 (12 – 6 pm) | Boylan Cafeteria

Step 4: Take Senior Photos for the Yearbook (Optional)

Senior photos are a long-held tradition, and we hope you join in on that legacy. Senior photos will appear in the 2026 edition of Broeklundian, the Brooklyn College Yearbook.

The sitting is free & you can view your portrait proofs online. Please dress as you would for a job interview. Cap & gown will be provided by the photographer. Your hands will show in several photos. You will receive about (10) portrait poses.

On Campus Sessions

On campus photo sessions will take place by appointment on:

• Last session on campus – April 29 – May 2 | 152 Ingersoll Hall Extension

To schedule an appointment:

• Go to thorntonstudio.as.me/02687

Studio Photo Sessions

Studio photo sessions will take place by appointment on:

• May 3 – May 29 | 210 W 29th St. 3rd Floor New York, NY 10001

To schedule an appointment:

• Go to https://s.thorntonstudio.com/Scheduling/login.aspx and use code STUDIO

If you need to change your appointment, select a new date and time, your previous appointment is automatically canceled.

Step 5: Order Your Cap and Gown (Required) | Deadline: April 24, 2026

All students attending the Commencement Ceremony must wear the official Brooklyn College cap and gown. Information on picking up cap and gowns shipped to campus will be provided by email after the deadline.

All Undergraduate Students will select the Bachelor Cap, Gown & Tassel option. The class of 2026 stole is optional.
Bachelor Ordering Instructions (pdf)

All Master’s Students will select their academic school. The class of 2026 stole is optional.
Master’s Ordering Instructions (pdf)

Order your cap & gown at https://www.buildagrad.com/brooklyn

CAP AND GOWN ORDER DEADLINES

• Now to APRIL 3 – Cap and gowns may be shipped to campus (free shipping) and to home ($13 shipping fee)
• APRIL 4 to APRIL 17 – Cap and gowns may be shipped to home ONLY for a $13 shipping fee
• APRIL 20 to APRIL 24 – Cap and gowns may be shipped to home with expedited shipping fee of $25 only.
• APRIL 24 is the last possible date to purchase a cap and gown.

Step 6: Ticket Request (Required) | Deadline: April 24, 2026

You must complete this step after filing for graduation (see Step 1). 

The Commencement Ticket Request System is available to eligible students only. The system is now open and will close on April 24 (no extensions). Make sure you select the link based on your degree.

All students attending the Commencement Ceremony must request their guest tickets. Each graduate may request up to four (4) guest tickets. Every graduate will automatically receive one (1) graduate ticket for entry into the ceremony.

Request your tickets here:

• Bachelor’s Ticket Request: https://pub.brooklyn.edu/commencement/login.jsp
• Master’s Ticket Request: https://pub.brooklyn.edu/commencement/login.jsp?division=G

Step 7: Extra Ticket Request (Optional) | Deadline: April 24, 2026

You will not be able to complete this step until you filed for graduation (see Step 1). 

All students attending the Commencement Ceremony can also request extra guest tickets in the Commencement Ticket Request System at the same time regular guest tickets are requested (see Step 6). Extra tickets are not guaranteed and you may not receive the amount requested.

Step 8: Receiving and Transferring Tickets (Required)

Ticket Distribution starts in May. Tickets will be distributed in batches. Please allow 2-3 business days before checking the Brooklyn Nets App for the tickets.

Commencement tickets will be provided electronically through the Brooklyn Nets app (Apple Store | Google Play Store) to the email you supplied in the ticket request form. You must keep one (1) mobile ticket for yourself. It is your responsibility to send the remaining mobile tickets to your guests.

Tickets cannot be printed or screenshotted.

Instructions on Transferring and Accepting Tickets:

• Viewing and Sending Tickets – Brooklyn Nets App
• Viewing and Sending Tickets – Computer/Web browser

Step 9: Cap and Gown Pick Up – Ship to School Orders ONLY | May 12 -14

Any cap and gown orders that were shipped to campus will be available to pick up in May. More details to come.

Step 10: Receiving Extra Tickets (Optional)

Make sure to include your extra ticket request with your ticket request.
Extra tickets are not guaranteed. If available, they will be distributed after initial tickets have been distributed.

Step 11: Purchase Yearbook (Optional)

The Brooklyn College Yearbook is produced by the student members of the Broeklundian club.  Pre-order your yearbook today at https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/BC2026.

Step 12: Submit Content for the Yearbook & for the Barclays Jumbotron (Optional)

Want to be part of a special Commencement moment? Submit a photo and message thanking your parents, professors, or anyone who helped you reach graduation for inclusion in the Brooklyn College yearbook.  Your submission may also be selected to be featured in Commencement materials, including a video that will be featured at the Barclays Center ceremony.

Yearbook/Jumbotron Content Submission Form

You can email bcbroeklundianyearbook@gmail.com with any questions regarding the yearbook. 

Step 13: Suites at Barclays (Optional)

We know that you want to celebrate this joyous occasion with all your biggest supporters, and four tickets may not be enough. Therefore, we have collaborated with the Barclays Center to provide graduates’ families with suite-level access at discounted rates.

The suites provide perfect sightlines of the stage. Guests seated in the suites have guaranteed admission through a separate entrance but cannot sit in the main arena.

Suite options are limited:
– 16 person suites for $1,000
– 24/27 person suites for $1,500

Please reach out to Premium@bseglobal.net to purchase.

Step 14: Receiving Your Diploma

Since fall 2019, new Brooklyn College graduates have received their diploma electronically. Once degrees have been processed, students will receive an e-mail notification with instructions on how to claim their digital diploma.

Once you receive your digital diploma, it will always be accessible through your Parchment account. You can log in and download or share it at no cost.

For more information, please visit the DIPLOMA DISTRIBUTION webpage.

Step 15: Join the Alumni Family

The Office of Alumni Engagement at Brooklyn College is excited to welcome you to the alumni community.

All upcoming graduates are invited to share their story—your experiences, your dreams, and what’s next. Select stories will be featured as we honor the Class of 2026 across our alumni platforms. Inspire the next generation of Bulldogs! #BCGrad2026

There are many ways to stay connected with the college. Get an alumni ID to receive discounts, access the BC library and more. You can also give back to help students in various ways. Find out more on the alumni website brooklyn.edu/alumni