The semester is just beginning and the end of the semester is far from most of our minds, however, if you plan to graduate in December, please take note of a few words of wisdom from some former students. What follows is a top 10 list of the most important issues graduating seniors need to think about NOW.
1. Activate your intent to graduate for fall 2010 via eLion by September 6, 2010. It is your responsibility to notify the university that you are graduating. With all the opportunities to complete second (or third) majors, minors, internships, education abroad, etc., it is impossible to identify students who plan to graduate based on the number of credits earned or the number of semesters completed.
2. Meet with your advisor before the end of the drop/add period. Be sure to meet with your advisor now to make sure you have scheduled all the necessary courses to fulfill your degree requirements by the end of the semester. You might think you have everything covered but….it doesn’t hurt to have your advisor confirm it.
3. Check your PSU email account frequently. University policy requires students to use and maintain their university email account as it is the official means of communication at Penn State. Please understand that, if you forward your email to another account, your mail may be susceptible to your other account’s spam filter and does not guarantee that you will receive your email.
4. Make sure your name is correctly reflected on your records. Your formal name, as it appears in eLion, is what will be printed on your diploma. If a name change is required, please submit a name change form (and the required proofs of identification) to the Registrar’s Office prior to November 19, 2010.
5. Update your local and home addresses via eLION. The University sends out important information (like, for instance, your diploma) which means that a correct address is crucial. If you plan to attend the ceremony, graduation instructions and your nomenclature (name) card will be sent to your local address in November.
6. Finalize the transfer of any credits from other institutions. If attended another institution and plan to transfer those credits to Penn State to fulfill degree requirements (but haven’t yet done so), you should take care of this immediately. Any credits that transfer in as “general” (i.e. without a number) must be approved for degree requirements as substitutions. See your advisor, as soon as possible, if you have questions about this process.
7. Order your cap and gown. Be sure to order your cap and gown from the PSU Bookstore on campus as soon as possible. Note: The material and color of the graduation gowns changed beginning for spring 2010 and there is a noticeable color shift. You might want to keep that in mind if you plan to wear a gown purchased prior to spring 2010. Graduates receiving commissions in the armed forces may wear their military dress uniform instead. Ornamentation from honor societies or nationalities is not approved.
8. Order your graduation announcements. If you (or your parents) plan to announce to your impending graduation to family and friends, you should make these arrangements with the PSU Bookstore or the printer of your choice.
9. File an alternative commencement site request if you plan to attend a commencement ceremony at another campus. If you plan to graduate at a location other than University Park, you must file an “alternative commencement site” request prior to the end of the 11th week of classes. Click here for more information.
10. Enjoy your final semester!