Last Updated: November 15, 2024
NOTE: All Commencement email communication will be sent to your student BC email.
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.
Important Dates
| February 15 | Deadline to file for Spring 2025 | |
| March 15 | Deadline to file for Summer 2025 |
Step 1: File for Graduation (Required)
To participate in the commencement celebration, you must have filed for graduation by the specified deadlines. Only those students graduating in summer 2024, fall 2024, winter 2025, spring 2025, or summer 2025 may participate in the 2025 Commencement Ceremony. All filing for graduation is done through CUNYfirst.
To file the application for graduation:
1) Login to CUNYfirst
2) Select the Student Center tile
3) Select the Graduation tile
4) Select Apply for Graduation from the sidebar on the left
5) Click on the Apply for Graduation link for the academic program you intend to complete at end of the term
6) From the Expected Graduation Term dropdown menu, select the term you intend to complete for your requirements
7) Select Continue to verify data and then click Submit Application
8) You will receive a message that you have successfully applied for graduation.
Note: undergraduate students must have completed 90 credits in order to file for graduation.
If you want to check your graduation status, please visit the graduation audit page.
Step 2: RSVP for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Submitting an RSVP does not guarantee that you are eligible to attend commencement. RSVP will open soon.
Step 3: Overseas Invitation Letter (Optional) | Deadline: TBD
Invitation Letter Application for Overseas Guests
If you are inviting guests from other countries to the 2025 Commencement Ceremony and need to provide supporting documentation to the embassy, you may submit an Invitation Letter Application for Overseas Guests. Make sure to also provide your overseas guest with a commencement ticket.
Step 4: 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 representative will be on campus on:
- Spring Semester
Step 5: 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 2025 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 by appointment on:
- TBA
Schedule an appointment:
Step One: Go to: www.ThorntonStudio.com
Step Two: Select “Schedule Appt”
Step Three: Enter School Code: 02687
Step 6: Order Your Cap and Gown (Required) | Deadline: April 13, 2025
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 2025 stole is optional.
Bachelor Ordering Instructions (pdf)
All Master’s Students will select their academic school. The class of 2025 stole is optional.
Master’s Ordering Instructions (pdf)
Cap & Gown Order Website
https://www.buildagrad.com/brooklyn
Step 7: Name Recording (Required) | Deadline: TBD
You will receive an email from GradImages asking to register. This email will be sent to your BC Student email. If you need help accessing your BC Student email, please check out the following page.
At the Commencement Ceremony, each attending graduate’s name will be called as they walk across the stage. The recording you make will only be used by the name reader to properly pronounce your name. The recording is not played at the Ceremony. The last day to record your name is TBD. If you do not record your name, your name will not be called.
Step 8: Ticket Request (Required) | Deadline: TBD
You will receive an email from GradImages asking to register. This email will be sent 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 9: Extra Ticket Request (Optional) | Deadline: TBD
All students attending the Commencement Ceremony can also request extra guest tickets during the ticket request. Extra tickets are not guaranteed and you may not receive the amount requested.
Step 10: Receiving and Transferring Tickets (Required)
Ticket Distribution starts on TBD. Tickets are being distributed in batches. Please allow 2-3 business days before checking the Barclays App for the tickets.
The qr code shown after registering in GradImages is not a ticket!
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 11: Reader Card/Cap and Gown Pick Up (Required) | TBA
Distribution of reader cards will take place from TBA by appointment. Any cap and gown orders that were shipped to campus will be available to pick up during this timeframe. More details will be provided via email.
Step 12: Receiving Extra Tickets (Optional)
Make sure to include your extra ticket request with your initial ticket request.
Extra tickets are not guaranteed.
Step 13: 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 14: Submit Content for the Yearbook (Optional)
The Brooklyn College Yearbook accepts content submissions from current graduating students. You can email bcbroeklundianyearbook@gmail.com with your content and any questions regarding submissions.
Step 15: 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. Reach out today if you are interested via email: Premium@bseglobal.net.
Step 16: 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.