Commencement Information

Most commencement questions should be directed to the Cornell University Commencement Office. Please review the University Commencement website for ceremony details, tickets, schedules, and guests.

Steps to Prepare for Graduation

Degrees are conferred in May, August, and December. See the university’s Academic Calendar for official degree dates.

Complete graduation clearance

How you are cleared for graduation depends on which system holds your degree audit:

Students in Stellic: You do not submit an application to graduate. When you are close to graduating, CALS Student Services starts graduation clearance in Stellic and sends you a notice. Your advising coordinator then reviews your audit to confirm you've completed your requirements. When you receive the notice, log in to Stellic and review your audit in Official view.
Students in DUST: Continue to complete the Application to Graduate in DUST.

Not sure which applies to you? Contact cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (CALS Student Services).

Confirm your degree requirements

Review both your CALS and university graduation requirements, including all credit minimums. Check your degree progress regularly to confirm you are on track.

If you have questions about your major requirements, contact your major advising coordinator. For college requirements, contact an advisor in CALS Student Services.

If any outstanding transcripts still need to be added to your record, arrange to have them sent to CALS Office of Student Services.

You are responsible for making sure all graduation requirements are completed by your degree date. Any academic issues must be resolved before your degree can be conferred.

Order your cap and gown

Order a cap and gown at least two months before your ceremony. Check current ordering deadlines on the University Commencement website. December graduates should see the Office of Commencement Events for December.

Verify your diploma name and home address

Confirm that your primary name in Student Center is correct. This is the name that will appear on your diploma and in the university program. Submit any name changes well before your graduation date. For more information, see the University Registrar's diploma page.

Before leaving campus, confirm that your home mailing address in Student Center is current.

Graduation FAQs

When are degrees awarded?

The university confers degrees in December, May, and August. The university also holds a smaller December Recognition ceremony for graduates who may not return in May. See the Office of Commencement Events for December details.

How do I apply for graduation, and where?

It depends on where your degree audit is kept:

Students in Stellic: You do not submit a graduation application. When you are close to graduating, CALS Student Services starts graduation clearance in Stellic and sends you a notice. Your advising coordinator then reviews your audit. When you receive the notice, log in to Stellic and review your audit in Official view.
Students in DUST: CALS will email you when it is time to complete the Application to Graduate in DUST.

Do I need to meet with my faculty advisor to graduate?

Students in Stellic do not need a faculty advisor meeting or signature for graduation clearance. You are always welcome to discuss your progress with your advisor or advising coordinator. Students in DUST should follow the steps in the Application to Graduate.

How can I be sure my name will be printed correctly on my diploma?

Your Primary Name on your academic record will appear on your diploma unless you specify a Diploma Name, a preferred name you choose for your diploma. You may change your first and middle name on your diploma; a last name change requires a Primary Name change. Review the University Registrar's name guidelines and start any request several months before graduation.

How do I change or correct my name?

To change your Primary Name, submit a Name Change Form with documentation to the University Registrar's Office. See the name guidelines and start early, since changes must be complete before your diploma is printed.

How do I add an accent or other diacritical marks to my diploma name?

If you are not changing your legal name but want a diacritical mark (for example, an accent) on your diploma, email CALS Student Services at cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu). Requests must be in writing at least four weeks before your degree conferral date.

When will my transcript show my final degree? (May/August/December)

Your degree is posted to your official transcript after it is certified, about two weeks after your official graduation date.

When will I receive my diploma?

The University Registrar mails diplomas to the home address in Student Center:

May degrees: mailed in late June, estimated delivery the first week of July
August degrees: mailed in late September, estimated delivery the first week of October
December degrees: mailed in mid-February, estimated delivery the first week of March

Allow 30 days from the mailing date to receive your diploma, and confirm your home address before you leave campus. See the diploma page for details.

How do I order official copies of my final transcript?

Official transcripts are issued by the Office of the University Registrar. See the Registrar's transcript page for ordering instructions.

Where do I order my cap and gown?

You need a cap and gown to take part in the May or December ceremony. Order at least two months before your ceremony through the University Commencement website. For December, see the Office of Commencement Events.

Latin Honors

Beginning with the Fall 2026 conferral date, Cornell University will institute a standardized Latin Honors system based solely on final cumulative undergraduate GPA. Link the courses of study for detailed information.

Latin Honors afford recognition for academic excellence over the duration of a student's entire official undergraduate coursework at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Latin Honors are officially annotated on the transcript and diploma of students who have graduated.

Honor level (Summa, Magna, Cum Laude) is calculated on final cumulative GPA after final grades post for the student’s graduating semester. Honor will be noted on the student’s official transcript and diploma.

Bachelor of Sciences with Honors

Students must meet one of the following sets of criteria to receive a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors:

Summa Cum Laude: Students who receive a cumulative GPA of 4.00 or greater after the final semester will graduate with “Summa Cum Laude.”
Magna Cum Laude: Students receiving a cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 3.75 and less than 4.00 after the final semester will graduate “Magna Cum Laude.”
Cum Laude: Students receiving a cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 3.50 and less than 3.75 after the final semester will graduate “Cum Laude.”

How to compute Latin Honors eligibility in your final semester for a Bachelor of Science with Honors

S = the number of letter-graded credits completed

T = the number of letter-graded credits enrolled for in the current semester

Q = Quality points completed (A quality point for one course would be the number of credits you took the course by, multiplied by the quality point assigned to the grade). i.e. if you took a 3 credits course and received an A, you would have 12 quality points

Quality-point equivalents

A+ = 4.3

B+ = 3.3

C+ = 2.3

D+ = 1.3

F= 0

A = 4.0

B = 3.0

C = 2.0

D = 1.0

A- = 3.7

B- - 2.7

C- = 1.7

D- = 0.7

The grades of INC, R, S, and U do not have quality-point equivalents.

Plugin the numbers from your record to compute the following Latin Honors Eligibility:

SUMMA

4.0 x (S + T) – Q = total number of quality points needed to attain SUMMA standing. To figure out the GPA needed you would take the Quality Points needed and divide it by T (the number of letter-graded credits you are enrolled for).

MAGNA

3.75 x (S + T) – Q = total number of quality points needed to attain MAGNA standing. To figure out the GPA needed you would take the Quality Points needed and divide it by T (the number of letter-graded credits you are enrolled for).

CUM LAUDE

3.50 x (S + T) – Q = total number of quality points needed to attain CUM LAUDE standing. To figure out the GPA needed you would take the Quality Points needed and divide it by T (the number of letter-graded credits you are enrolled for).

Dean's List

Cornell University is phasing out individual school and college Dean's Lists. The Dean's List designation will not apply to undergraduate students matriculating in Summer 2023 and beyond. It will be discontinued for all students at the end of the Spring 2026 semester.

Each semester undergraduate students are recognized for academic excellence by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility for the Dean’s list in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is determined by the following criteria:

A minimum course load for the semester of 12 letter-graded credits;
Achievement of a semester GPA of at least 3.50; and
Achievement of an “S” grade, or a “C-” or better grade in each course (including Physical Education), with no “Incompletes”, "Withdrawals (W)" or “NGR”.

When is the determination made?
At the end of each fall or spring semester after grades are posted.
Notification
Students will receive an email notice from the CALS Office of Student Services that they have attained the Dean's List, and their official University transcript will record the achievement based on the criteria above.
Dean's List Certificate
Dean's List Certificates are available in DUST once grades are posted.
Grade changes and Incompletes
Dean's List will be granted retroactively if a student meets all the criteria due to a grade change or makeup of an incomplete. It is the student's responsibility to contact CALS Student Services to have Dean’s List posted to their record. Dean's List cannot be granted once a degree has been awarded. More information can be found under course enrollment and credits in the Courses of Study.