Please note: This submission was written before UBC switched to Workday. View step-by-step instructions on applying for graduation in Workday at students.ok.ubc.ca/workday/tutorials.
Graduating soon and not sure what you need to do before that fated convocation day? As someone who is graduating this April, I’ve researched dates and deadlines for your application (yes, you need to apply to graduate), cap and gown rental, and all that other nice stuff. Let’s get into it!
What you need to complete before grad
This one seems obvious, but you need to make sure your credits are all in order before grad. Check the Degree Navigator to make sure you’ve got everything you need. If you’re not sure about your status, or you just want to be really sure you’re all set, talk to an Academic Advisor to confirm all your credits are good to go.
Also check your SSC to make sure your financial account is settled. If you’ve got any outstanding charges that haven’t been paid, try to do that ASAP. You may not be able to graduate if you haven’t paid all your student fees.
Important dates and deadlines
Application deadline: February 28
You do need to apply to graduate through the SSC. The application is super easy, though, and it only took me five minutes. It’s under Graduation/Apply for graduation. If you don’t want to go do it right now, put the deadline into your calendar to make sure you get notifications before the deadline.
If you don’t plan to attend the ceremony
Even if you don’t plan on going to your convocation, you still have to apply to graduate through the SSC. Make sure you specify that you don’t plan to attend the ceremony. You can choose whether you want to pick your diploma up from Student Information Services or pay to have your diploma couriered to you.
Regalia and tickets
The deadlines for renting or buying regalia and getting your ceremony tickets aren’t available yet, but this is where you’ll find information on the graduation ceremony: UBCO Graduation.
Student Involvement and Leadership Award deadline: February 28
This one is not a requirement for graduation but it’s something to consider, especially if you’ve added some volunteer or work experience to your undergrad. There are two requirements to apply for this award: you have to be a graduating student (that’s you!), and you have to be in good academic standing (which you have to be to graduate anyway!). They give away ten awards per year, and this is a great extra to add to your resume. Learn more about the Student Involvement and Leadership Award.
Feeling a little more prepared for your graduation? One last thing before I go: I want you to bookmark the Okanagan Graduation webpage. You’ll find grad FAQs, a link to the Ceremonies website, and a timeline for steps to graduation. Okay, one last thing for real: I’m proud of you! You’re finishing your degree! How awesome is that? Take a moment to celebrate how awesome you are.
About the author
Sarah Kloos is a transfer student from Okanagan College. She’s a Creative Writing major, a collector of cool rocks, and a lover of novels. While she’s still not 100% sure what she’s going to be when she grows up, she’s okay with that. For now, she’s learning everything she can from her co-op work term, and loving every minute of it.
