Last Updated: February 17, 2026
NOTE: All Commencement email communication will be sent to your student BC email. If you need help accessing your BC Student email, please check out the following page.
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
| February 15 | Deadline to file for Spring 2026 |
| March 15 | Deadline to file for Summer 2026 |
| April 24 | Order a Cap and Gown (Step 5) Request Tickets and Extra Tickets (Step 6) |
| May 28, 2026 (Confirmed Date) | 2026 Commencement Ceremony |
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.
To check the status of your application, visit the Graduation Audit page.
Step 2: Overseas Invitation Letter (Optional)
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:
Invitation Letter Application for Overseas Guests Form
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:
- March 24 – 25 (12 – 6 pm) | Boylan Cafeteria
- 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 photo sessions will take place in 152 Ingersoll Extension by appointment on:
- Wednesday, February 18th through Saturday, February 21st
- Tuesday, March 3rd through Saturday, March 7th
- More dates will be added throughout the Spring semester
To schedule an appointment:
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
Ticket Email has not been sent out yet.
You will not be able to complete this step until you filed for graduation (see Step 1). You will receive an email with further information to your BC Student email. If you need help accessing your BC Student email, please check out the following page.
All students attending the Commencement Ceremony must request their guest tickets. All graduates can request up to four (4) guest tickets. All graduates will get a ticket for themselves.
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 during the ticket request (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 Barclays App for the tickets.
Commencement tickets will be provided electronically through the Barclays Center App. 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:
Step 9: Cap and Gown Pick Up – Ship to School Orders ONLY | TBD
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 TBA.
Step 12: Submit Content for the Yearbook (Optional)
The Brooklyn College Yearbook accepts content submissions from current graduating students. To submit content, please fill out the following form: Yearbook Photo Submissions. The final day to submit content is TBD.
You can email bcbroeklundianyearbook@gmail.com with any questions regarding submissions.
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
More information coming soon!
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