Graduation FAQs

If I applied to graduate, why do I need to RSVP?

Students must apply to graduate to be eligible for the conferral of their degree and issuance of their diploma. Students who wish to participate in the May commencement ceremony must also RSVP. These are two separate and distinct steps:

1. Your application to graduate is required in order to have your degree conferred and diploma printed. Your degree will not be conferred if you don’t apply to graduate by the deadline in the GSE academic calendar.
2. You can RSVP to march in the GSE ceremony by clicking here from March 11th to May 1st. Your RSVP tells us that you and your guests will come to the GSE ceremony on May 11th.

• May grads must apply for May graduation by February 1st, and then RSVP for the ceremony as of March 11th and no later than May 1st.

Bookmark http://www.gse.upenn.edu/students where there are links to  "Apply to graduate" and "Commencement." Please check these pages for all the most current information; we frequently update them.

What about my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed by the University via First Class mail and will be sent to the permanent address listed in Penn-in-Touch, unless a different address is specified in the “Temporary Address Field” effective from June 1 – September 30.  International diplomas are sent via registered mail and can take up to eight weeks for delivery.  International students who are planning to stay in the U.S. through September 30 should designate a temporary U.S. address in Penn-in-Touch or contact the Diploma Coordinator to arrange to pick up the diploma from the Office of the University Secretary.  Please go to www.upenn.edu/secretary/diplomas for more information.

What happens to my GSE email account?

Your Penn GSE email addresses is available for at least six months after graduation (but possibly longer depending on the cycle). GSE's IT staff will send out notifications a few months in advance of starting any account deletion process.

As a Penn alum, you are eligible for an Alumni account and forwarding address (not an email account). Thus, your current email account can be forwarded to an email account of your choosing. For example, your PennGSE emails can be forwarded to your personal GMAIL account after graduation. You can sign up for an Alumni account here.  

August 2013 Grads:

Can I march in the GSE spring commencement ceremony if I will graduate in August? 
Students who will receive their degrees in August may participate in the May ceremony if they:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, AND
• Have completed 8 course units of a 10 course unit program, 9 units of an 11 unit program, or 10 units of a 12 unit program, OR
• Passed the comprehensive examination, thesis, or portfolio.

If I applied to graduate, why do I need to RSVP?

Students must apply to graduate to be eligible for the conferral of their degree and issuance of their diploma.

Students who wish to participate in the May commencement ceremony must also RSVP. These are two separate and distinct steps:

1. Your application to graduate is required in order to have your degree conferred and diploma printed. Your degree will not be conferred if you don’t apply to graduate by the deadline in the GSE academic calendar.
2. You can RSVP to march in the GSE ceremony by clicking here from March 11th to May 1st. Your RSVP tells us that you and your guests will come to the ceremony in May. 
   • August grads will RSVP for the May ceremony beginning March 11th, and also apply for August 2013 graduation at that time.

When should I apply to graduate if I expect to graduate in August?

You will be able to apply for August 2013 graduation as of February 25th. The deadline to apply for August graduation, typically the first week of June, will be listed in the summer version of the GSE academic calendar.

What process do I follow to walk in the ceremony (if I am not officially graduating until August)?
August graduates who are eligible to march in the GSE ceremony on May 11th are treated exactly the same as the May graduates. All graduates process into Franklin Field together; are called onto the stage individually by name; have their picture taken shaking hands with Dean Porter; are presented with an official letter; and descend the stage. Participating in the ceremony does not mean the degree has been conferred (= graduated). In order to be eligible to graduate in August, you must complete all of your degree requirements AND apply for August graduation by the deadline on the GSE academic calendar. 

The GSE events calendar also features all academic deadlines. You are encouraged to check the calendar weekly.