School of Science Advanced Degree 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 20–23: 12–5 pm 
• May 27: 9 am to 5 pm 
• May 28: 8 am to 7 pm 
• May 29–30: 9 am to 3 pm 

Participating graduates may obtain tickets to the OneMIT and School of Science Advanced Degree Ceremonies 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. 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 electronic 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 electronic ticket or a printed PDF.

  • Please encourage your guests to print their tickets or add them to their mobile wallets before they arrive at the ceremony venue so there is no delay or connectivity issue when checking in. 

• Tickets are transferable: if you have an extra ticket, you may send it to a friend.  
• Tickets are required for attendees three (3) years of age and older. Babies and children ages 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 electronic 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 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.

Paper diplomas will not be handed out at the ceremony but instead will be shipped to you at the mailing address provided in the degree application.

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 29 to ensure that you receive your digital diploma for Commencement. 

Note: digital diplomas are not a replacement for MIT’s traditional paper diploma.

Doors to Kresge Auditorium open for guests at 2 pm.

Students should proceed —with their regalia—to the ice rink in the Johnson Athletics Center to check in at your station by 2 pm. 

At the ceremony, you need only your MIT ID and regalia. You may carry your phone in your pocket. SMALL cross-body personal bags worn under regalia are also ok.  

The following items are not permitted: glass containers of any type, backpacks, poles and sticks (including selfie sticks), noisemakers, balloons, and drones of any size. Remember to share and review all security information with your guests.

• Pick up your NameCoach card at the registration table. You will need this card when you get to the stage. Please do not lose it.   
• The registration table will assign you to a station.
• Check-in with your station aide. They will verify that your name appears on the graduates list and that you are in the correct order.
• Graduates not in place by the final attendance check will not be allowed to participate in the procession.

• Do not leave your station until you are instructed by a station aide or marshal.  
• Follow the person in front of you and stay in a straight line.   
• While en route, please stay to the center of the aisles and do not shake hands or greet spectators. The integrity of this line is critical to ensuring the ceremony proceeds smoothly. 

• When you arrive at the foot of the stage, a staff person will scan your NameCoach card to confirm it is correct. If it is not correct, they will assist you. 
• You will then walk to a lectern on stage. A staff person will scan your NameCoach card, and your name will be read over the sound system. 
• For Masters candidates: You will then proceed across the stage and accept your diploma case from the Dean. 
• For Doctoral candidates: You will walk onto the stage, where a department representative will place your doctoral hood on you. Please face the audience as they do this. You will then proceed across the stage and accept your diploma case from the Dean.  
• Note: diploma case distribution does not include a handshake; please accept your diploma with both hands. If you have difficulty with accepting your diploma, please advise Dean Elizabeth Young (ecy@mit.edu or 617-253-6786).  
• Please stay in your seat throughout the ceremony except for diploma distribution or to use the restroom facilities for graduates. 

• Only graduates and designated faculty and staff will be allowed into the robing and assembly area. Parents and significant others may not enter the assembly area. 
• Put your cell phone on silent or vibrate mode. Do not talk on phones while marching into the ceremony. 
• Please direct your attention to the stage—and not to your phone—during the ceremony. 
• As advanced degree recipients, please wear your tassel on the left side of your hat or mortarboard. 
• Out of respect for all graduates and their guests, please return to your assigned seating area after you have received your diploma and remain seated until the end of the ceremony.  
• Do not bring your children or other family members to the stage. They will be stopped and not allowed to cross with you. There is no exception to no children on stage. 
• When the ceremony ends, the faculty on-stage will recess out of the ceremony space. Graduates may join their guests in the audience after this. 
• Take time to discuss plans and expectations for the day with your families 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. 

The School of Science would like to invite you and your guests to a reception in Kresge Oval following the ceremony. The event will be catered and have beer and wine available to those with governmental ID for purchase via cash or credit card.

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.  

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 and related items (formula, juice boxes, wipes, creams, diapers, toys, etc.) 
• 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, Nook, 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 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 prohibited items will be confiscated and not returned. 

Obstructing others’ views is not permitted. While a guest may choose to carry a “congrats!” sign or similar, these items may NOT be out/open/blocking others during the ceremony. 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).