Commencement

Location

Our diploma ceremony takes place in the courtyard of the Bass Biology building (Nolop Bass Biology Courtyard), following the commencement ceremony at the stadium. The majority of the seating will be under a canopy for your family and friends, but some seating is in full sun so hats and sunscreen are recommended.

Time

Our reception begins at 11:30 am with a light buffet. There will be a vegetarian option.

We ask that you be in your seats at 12:20 pm, the ceremony starts promptly at 12:30.  We anticipate that the ceremony will end by 2:00pm.

Attendance & Name Pronunciation

Whether or not you plan to confer your degree this Spring, you must RSVP if you intend to participate in the Biology Diploma Ceremony.

Biology Graduates RSVP Form - due May 23, 2025, at 5 pm PST

Undergrads:

Questions can be sent to Patricia Ayala Macias at ayalamac [at] stanford.edu (subject: Commencement%20Questions) (ayalamac[at]stanford[dot]edu).

Coterm MS and PhDs:

Questions can be sent to Lorena Rodriguez at lorenar3 [at] stanford.edu (subject: Commencement%20Questions) (lorenar3[at]stanford[dot]edu).

We encourage students to submit their RSVP form as soon as possible to be listed in the program. If students do not notify the Student Services Office by the deadline of May 23, 2025, of their intention to participate in the departmental ceremony, we cannot guarantee their names will be included in the program. Every effort has been made to make this list as accurate as possible.

Spring Important Deadlines: Application to Graduate

• Thursday, March 6, 2025: Application to graduate available in Axess.
• Friday, April 11, 2025 (5:00 p.m. PT): Application to graduate deadline.
  Applications received after deadline will be assessed a $50 late fee.
• Friday, June 6, 2025 (5:00 p.m. PT): Late application to graduate deadline.  $50 late fee.
  No applications will be accepted after this date.
• Graduation Application Instructions

Cap & Gown
Rental regalia ordering dates and deadlines will be added in winter quarter.

•   - Grad Fair at the Stanford Bookstore
•  – Student/Faculty online cap & gown pre-order deadline for campus pickup
•   – Last day for students to order for home delivery  
•   – Pre-order cap & gown distribution begins (Stanford Bookstore lower level)
•  – Open stock distribution begins (Stanford Bookstore lower level)

Have questions? Visit or email the Stanford Bookstore at stanford [at] bkstr.com (stanford[at]bkstr[dot]com).

Note: To guard against continuing delays in the supply chain, we recommend you place your order as early as possible.

Order Now!

Diploma process reminders

Information about ordering caps, gowns, and announcements

Additional commencement weekend information

• Items: Families are welcome to bring flowers, graduation leis, and celebration items. We ask that air horns and confetti poppers/cannons are not used during the ceremony. Any signs, balloons, or umbrellas held by guests cannot block the view of the audience. 
• No animals are allowed in the ceremony locations except for service animals working with persons who have disabilities.
• Please contact the Diversity & Access Office directly at (650) 725-0326 or disability.access [at] stanford.edu (disability[dot]access[at]stanford[dot]edu). Read more information regarding campus accessibility or services for those with mobility concerns.