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Convocation FAQ

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Graduation & Convocation

Who is eligible to attend the Fall 2024 Convocation ceremonies?

Students who have completed their degree requirements by the end of August 2024 and who have “Degree granted” with a date of October 2024 on their unofficial transcript on Minerva are eligible to attend the Fall 2024 Convocation ceremonies.


Please see our Apply to Graduate website, under Deadlines, for further details.

Is there a cost for graduand tickets?

No. There is no charge for graduand tickets. Fall 2024 Convocation is a ticketed event. Each graduand will need a ticket. Graduands will be issued a link closer to the Convocation date and will be able to order a graduand ticket.

Do I need to register to attend convocation or confirm my attendance?

No, students do not need to register to attend convocation and do not need to confirm their presence; however, they must have applied to graduate and be faculty-approved for graduation in order to partake in the ceremony, and will need to reserve academic regaliaonce the regalia reservation form is open.Graduands will need to pick up their regalia and line up card from the ƬƵ Campus Store (see schedule) and will also need to obtain a graduand ticket in order to enter the Convocation venue.

When should I arrive for my ceremony?

You should plan to arrive with your regalia at Place des Arts at least onehour and a half before your ceremony is scheduled to start. Please see the On Convocation Day page for more details.

I am a double-major. Which convocation ceremony do I attend?

You attend the convocation ceremony that corresponds to the major listed FIRST on your unofficial transcript in Minerva.

If you would rather attend the ceremony of your current second major, you must change the order of your majors in by the deadline.

What name will appear in the Convocation program and read aloud during the ceremony?

Your preferred name (as it appears on Minerva) will appear in the Convocation program, on your line-up card and will be read aloud at Convocation. Your legal name will be used on your diploma parchment. Make sure to verify the information in by the deadline.

Where do I get my graduation photo/class mosaic?

Our office is not responsible for graduate portraits or graduation mosaic photos. Please contact the for information on this.

What is the difference between graduation and convocation?

Graduation is the term used to acknowledge the completion of degree requirements. Once you have successfully completed your degree requirements and been approved by Senate to graduate your transcript will indicate a 'degree granted' notation. Convocation is the ceremony at which the Chancellor or his delegate confers the degree and you receive your parchment.

Guests

I’m an international graduate and to attend Convocation, my family and I require an invitation letter to obtain visas to Canada. Where can I obtain this letter?

ƬƵ does not issue formal invitation letters for Convocation, however, you can use the Fall 2024 Convocation Dates letterto make your Canadian visa request.

Are guest tickets required for Convocation?

Yes. Fall Convocation is a ticketed event, and each guest will need a ticket. Each graduand may purchase 4 tickets to share with their guests.

How many guests can each graduand bring to convocation?

Graduands can invite 4 guests. Fall 2024 Convocation is a ticketed event, and graduands can purchase 4 guest tickets. Additional tickets will be available for purchase beginning November 25, until the maximum capacity has been reached.

Is there a cost to guest tickets?

Yes. Guest tickets can be purchased by graduands at a cost of $20/per ticket + taxes.

Is there a cost for graduand tickets?

Fall 2024 Convocation is a ticketed event. Each graduand will need a ticket. There is no charge for the graduand ticket. Graduands will be issued a link closer to the Convocation date and will be able to order a graduand ticket.

How do I obtain my guest tickets?

You will be able to purchase your guest tickets ($20/per ticket + taxes) closer to the Convocation date and share them with your guests electronically. Guest tickets will be issued without assigned seating. Seating at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is general admission (first come first served).

Can I obtain additional guest tickets?

The availability of extra tickets will be based on the venue’s capacity and the number of remaining guest tickets after graduands have had the chance to purchase their allotted tickets. Additional tickets will be available for purchase beginning November 25, until the maximum capacity has been reached. Please note that every ceremony is live-streamed so guests may watch the ceremony from anywhere.

Do graduands need a ticket to attend their convocation?

Yes. Graduands will need a ticket to enter the Convocation venue. There is no cost for this ticket and details about how to reserve and obtain this ticket will be shared via email.

Do children require guest tickets?

Yes, children attending will require guest tickets. Graduands will be able to purchase guest tickets ($20/per ticket + taxes) closer to the Convocation date. Guest tickets will be issued without assigned seating. Seating at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier is general admission (first come first served).Please note that children 2 years and younger require special infant tickets which are free of charge and will be available when picking up your regalia and lineup card.

My guest has accessibility requirements - whom do I contact?

Convocation is committed to being as accessible and barrier-free as possible for students, faculty, and guests. Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs or require accommodations to participate by filling out this . If you have any questions about accessibility, please email convocation [at] mcgill.ca.

Do guests have to check-in/give the graduand's name to enter the convocation venue?

No, they do not. Guests must have their tickets on hand to enter the venue.

When will guests be allowed into the convocation venue?

Approximately one hour before the ceremony begins.They will need to have their eTickets on hand.

Where can I find the livestream of the Convocation ceremony?

The link to the livestream will be posted to our website the day of the ceremony.

Transcript & Diploma

What name will appear on my diploma parchment?

Your legal name will appear on your diploma. Make sure to verify the information in by the deadline.

What date will appear on my diploma parchment?

For Summer 2024 graduates, the date of the Fall Convocation ceremonies (December 2, 2024) is the date indicated on your parchment.

When will my transcript show degree granted?

For students who completed their degree requirements by the end of August 2024 and were faculty-approved for graduation, “Degree granted” will appear on October 17, 2024.

When will my diploma be issued?

Your diploma will be given to you during your convocation ceremony. If you are not able to attend, you will be able to submit a request to receive your diploma. Please visit the Diploma website for further information closer to your convocation ceremony date.

Please note that diplomas are not available before the convocation ceremony.

I do not plan on attending my convocation ceremony. How can I get my diploma?

After your scheduled ceremony has concluded, you can request to pick up your diploma from Service Point, or have it mailed to you. Please see the diplomas page for more details.

Will I be able to receive my diploma electronically?

ƬƵ University does not issue electronic diplomas at this time.

How can I attain proof of graduation?

As soon as “Degree granted” shows on your transcript, you can generate a Confirmation of Graduation letter in Minerva. Alternatively, students may order an (eTranscript) in Minerva. The eTranscript is sent to recipients in as little as 15 minutes and is available to order 24/7.

Please note that diplomas are not available before the convocation ceremony.

Regalia

When can I reserve my regalia?

The regalia reservation form will be open from October 15 - October 29. A link to the form will be posted on October 15 on our regalia website.

I missed the deadline to reserve my regalia online? How can I get my regalia?

The regalia company will have a limited number of extra caps and gowns available for on-site reservation on a first-come, first-served basis, and at higher rates. In such cases, show up early the day when regalia pickup opens for your ceremony, and you will have to pay the rental fee on-site. Please refer to the pick-up schedule to determine when you will be able to go reserve your regalia on-site.

Graduates will not be able to cross the stage without regalia and their line-up card.

What if I'm unable to pick up my regalia and line-up card according to the schedule?

You may authorize someone else to pick up your regalia and line-up card, by completing this 3rd Party Authorization webform. The person picking up your regalia and line-up card must provide a government-issued photo ID.

When I try to reserve my regalia, my student ID is not recognized. What do I do?

Please contact convocation [at] mcgill.ca with your student ID number.

What kind of regalia will I get?

Students receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees will receive a black gown, a hood that corresponds to their program, and a black mortarboard cap. Students receiving a certificate or diploma receive a gown and black mortarboard cap. Doctorate graduates will receive a red gown and hood with lining that corresponds to their degree / program, and a black Beefeater hat.

Can Indigenous students wear their own regalia?

Yes, Indigenous students crossing the stage who wish to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia instead of the ƬƵ gown are welcome to do so. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis graduates may also wear their graduation scarves with their academic regalia. They are encouraged to wear or carry their hood, the colour of which corresponds to the academic degree earned, as a symbol recognizing their entry into a community of scholars.

How do I wear my academic regalia? What should I wear underneath it?

The hood should be worn with the strap around the neck, not around the shoulders. The silk lining of the flat part of the hood should face inwards against the back and the silk lining of the hood strap should be against your neck. You can tuck the hood strap under a tie if you wear one.

The regalia will cover from your neck to mid-calf. There is no formal dress code for what to wear under your regalia, although people usually wear business casual or semi-formal attire.

Line-up Card

What is a line-up card?

Line-up cards are automatically generated for graduating students and lists their preferred name, degree, and any honours awarded. The information on the card will be read by the convocation orator as graduates cross the stage at the ceremony. The card must be picked up prior to your convocation ceremony, along with your regalia. Refer to the schedule.

Do I have to register for/reserve my line-up card?

No, line-up cards are generated for every graduating student.

Where can I pick up my line-up card?

Line-up cards are picked up at the same location as the regalia. Please refer to the pick-up schedule.

What name will be used for the line-up card?

Your preferred name as it appears on Minerva will be used for the lineup card. If you do not have a preferred name on Minerva, your legal name will be used. Please note that middle names do not appear on the line-up card, but do appear on the diploma.

Which awards are included on the line-up card and will be read during the ceremony?

Convocation awards and prizes will display in the Convocation program but not on the line-up card. Convocation awards and prizes that have been approved by Senate also display on your transcript. Convocation honours (e.g. Dean's Honour List, Distinction) will be read at the ceremony and will display on your line-up card but do not appear in the Convocation program. Honours also display on your transcript.

Missed Deadlines

What if I missed the deadline to graduate?

If you miss this deadline, contact your faculty'sStudent Affairs Officeas soon as possible to find out what to do next.

Students in the Faculties of Arts or Science must complete aGraduation Term Change Requestform.

What if I missed the deadline for verifying my name on my diploma and in convocation programs?

If you missed this deadline, your diploma would include the legal name that is on your student file, and the program will include your preferred name, if you have one. If your legal name has changed, after Convocation, you may submit a name change request. Once the name change has been processed, you can submit a request for a replacement diploma.

What if I missed the deadline to change majors?

You must attend the ceremony of your first major listed in.

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