OneMIT Commencement Ceremony Instructions for Graduates

Academic regalia is required for participating graduates who sit in the graduate seating area. If you ordered regalia via the MIT Atlas app or atlas-apps.mit.edu, you may now pick it up in Lobby 13 (13-1143). If a representative is picking up your pre-reserved regalia, please provide them with your MIT ID. For returns of rented Doctoral regalia, see the Commencement website. 

Regalia may be picked up in Lobby 13 during the following times: 

• May 19–22: 12–5 pm
• May 26–27: 9 am to 5 pm
• May 28: 9 am to 3 pm

Participating graduates may obtain OneMIT Ceremony tickets using the desktop or mobile version of the MIT Atlas app or atlas-apps.mit.edu. Once there, click on the Commencement tile and you will be presented with the option to claim up to four (4) guest tickets. You will also be presented with the option to claim one (1) personal ticket—which you will need to enter Killian Court. Your personal ticket is in addition to your four guest tickets, so you can claim up to five (5) tickets total to OneMIT. 

Graduates NEED a ticket to enter Killian Court for the OneMIT Ceremony.  

Before using the MIT Atlas app to claim your tickets, make sure you have the latest version of the app installed on your desktop or mobile device. The MIT App Store has links to download or update the app from the Apple, Google, and Windows app stores. 

Other things to note: 

• Remember to forward digital tickets to your guests. If your guest loses the email, you may always return to the MIT Atlas app to forward the same tickets again.  
• Tickets will be scanned on arrival. Attendees may present the digital ticket or a printed PDF.

  • Be sure to print your own ticket or add it to your mobile wallet—and encourage your guests to do the same with their tickets—before arrival at Killian Court, so there is no delay or connectivity issue when checking in.

• Tickets are transferable: if you have an extra ticket, you may share it with a friend.  
• Tickets are required for attendees three (3) years of age and older. Babies and children aged two (2) years and younger do not need tickets. 
• If you are on the degree list and participating, you will get your tickets. Do not worry about tickets “selling out.”  
• General queries about tickets may be directed to commencement@mit.edu. Questions about the MIT Atlas app should be directed to atlas-app@mit.edu.   

Those who have extra tickets may transfer them to someone who needs them. Do not sell them. MIT policy is that no tickets for MIT Commencement ceremonies may be bought or sold under any circumstances. Individuals known to have accepted or given payment for Commencement tickets risk revocation of all digital tickets assigned to them, whether or not those tickets remain in their possession, and may be subject to discipline. Degree candidates are required to attest during the ticketing process that they will not buy or sell MIT Commencement tickets.   

GradImages will photograph each graduate twice during the undergraduate and advanced degree ceremonies: once during the handshake/while they cross the stage and again as they return to their seat. PhDs will also be photographed receiving their doctoral hood in addition to the other two images. Visit the GradImages website to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. You may pre-register for your graduation pictures and receive 20% off on orders of $50 or more until the day before your individual ceremony. If you have any questions regarding photos, please contact GradImages Customer Service at (800) 261-2576, online, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.  

MIT Sloan advanced degree candidates: please consult your program managers for details on ordering photos from your ceremonies.

• Undergraduates will receive their diplomas at the undergraduate ceremony on Friday, May 29. 
• Sloan advanced degree recipients will receive their diplomas at their ceremonies. 
• Diplomas will be shipped to all other degree recipients. 

All graduating students are eligible to receive a digital version of their diploma at no cost. Watch for an email from the Registrar’s Office inviting you to download the Blockcerts Wallet app on your mobile device and add MIT as an issuer. You must complete these steps before Thursday, May 28 to ensure that you receive your digital diploma for Commencement. 

Note: digital diplomas are not a replacement for MIT’s traditional paper diploma. Everyone will also receive a physical diploma. 

• Killian Court (drop-off location: 222 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA) doors open to graduates and their guests at 1:30 pm.

  • Please plan to arrive—with your regalia—no later than 2 pm to allow time to get through security and take your seat by 2:15 pm. 

• Please approach Killian Court from Memorial Drive: the doors from the Main Group will be locked. You may arrive with or without your guests.  
• Graduates and guests will present tickets and pass through metal detectors. Please be sure to share this information with your guests ahead of time so everyone knows what to expect.  
• You do not need to check in or give your name on arrival: you need only have your ticket scanned and take your seat.  
• Graduates will be seated in the sections in front of the stage.

  • Please take your seat by 2:15 pm. 

• Graduate seating is unassigned: you may sit with friends!

At the OneMIT Ceremony, graduates need only their personal ticket, MIT ID, and regalia. A can of water will be under your chair in Killian Court.

The following items are not permitted in Killian Court: glass containers of any type, backpacks, poles and sticks (including selfie sticks), noisemakers, balloons, and drones of any size. Review the security information below for the full list of items prohibited from Killian Court, and remember to share and review all security information with your guests.

The order of the ceremony is attached to each ticket and the full ceremony program is available on the Commencement website.

• The OneMIT Ceremony will take place outdoors rain or shine, so graduates and guests should dress for the weather. A rainy day can be cold and uncomfortable: in the event of inclement weather, we recommend that guests remain indoors and watch the webcast.  
• If it is raining on the day of the OneMIT Ceremony, we recommend keeping your regalia wrapped and dry until you arrive at Killian Court. Ponchos will be available at the entrance tent: you should wear one under your regalia. This is easier to accomplish if your regalia is clean and dry to start.  
• Please direct your attention to the stage—and not to your phone—during the ceremony. 
• Bachelor of Science degree recipients wear the tassel on the right side, and upon receipt of the degree, move the tassel to the left side. (You will do this at the Undergraduate Degree Ceremony on Friday, May 29.)  
• Advanced degree recipients wear the tassel on the left side.  
• Take time to discuss plans and expectations for the day with your family ahead of time. You may want to review the campus map with them, pointing out event location(s). Review arrival information for guests to ensure that they know what security measures and restrictions to expect. 

Graduation is a special event, one that is personal to each family present. Please know that our primary concern is the comfort, health, and happiness of our graduates and their guests. 

There will be metal detectors in place at Killian Court (see ceremony schedule) and a number of items are prohibited; please discuss these measures with your party so everyone knows what to expect. Attendees are advised to pack lightly for the day because all items taken into all ceremony venues are subject to search—the less they are carrying, the more quickly the party will be able to proceed through security. 
 
The following items are PERMITTED in ceremony venues: 

• Snacks and beverages in plastic or paper/cardboard packaging. Plastic bottles, juice boxes, and disposable coffee cups are all ok. Water is available free of charge inside Killian Court. 
• Cameras 
• Phones 
• Diaper bags that do not exceed 16x16x6 inches (or approximately 40x40x15 centimeters) and related items (formula, juice boxes, wipes, creams, diapers, toys, etc.) 
• Strollers are permitted but discouraged and will have to be left in the stroller corral during the ceremony 
• Purses or similar, personal small bags, including tote bags and briefcases. Personal bags of this nature should be no larger than 16x16x6 inches (or approximately 40x40x15 centimeters) 
• Reading material, whether printed or electronic (iPad, Kindle, etc.) 
• Laptops and tablets 
• Keys 
• Personal medical supplies 
• Umbrellas (NOTE: umbrellas may not be open during ceremonies) 

The following items are PROHIBITED in ceremony venues: 

• Bags with wheels 
• Bags whose size exceeds 16x16x6 inches (or approximately 40x40x15 centimeters) 
• Wrapped gifts 
• Glass or metal bottles and containers 
• Firearms, knives (including pocketknives), and other weapons 
• Scissors, box cutters, and other sharp objects 
• Mace, pepper spray, or similar substances 
• Drones 
• Large objects 
• Balloons 
• Noisemakers, megaphones, and amplification systems 
• Poles or sticks (including selfie sticks)  

Please note that MIT reserves the right to prohibit any item from being brought into ceremony venues; prohibited items will be confiscated and not returned.  

Attendees may carry an umbrella to outdoor ceremonies, but open umbrellas are not permitted while seated. Obstructing others’ views is not permitted. Staff will be quick to preserve sight lines for grads, family, and friends. 

Guests are asked to consider the appearance of some objects, such as key ring tools/accessories, and leave anything that could be perceived as dangerous at home or in the hotel room. Service animals are welcome at Commencement ceremonies, but no other pets of any size will be permitted inside ceremony venues. 

Guests are advised to carry government-issued ID (such as driver’s licenses, state ID cards, or passports). 

Ceremony venue rules 

The following rules apply at MIT Commencement ceremony venues: 

• Attendees must comply with the law and all existing MIT policies and guidelines. 
• Blocking or impeding pathways to or in graduation venues is prohibited.
• On public property, attendees must comply with the requirements of state and local authorities and must keep all pathways of travel clear. 
• Leafletting inside graduation venues is prohibited.
• The display of posters, banners, flags, or similar items of any size is prohibited inside all graduation venues.
• Only graduating students are allowed in the seating section for graduates.