Apply to Graduate

What's on this page?

Who is this for?

Harvard College or Harvard Griffin GSAS students in their final semester

November Degree Candidates

Students who finish degree requirements in the summer or defend dissertations in early September.

Prospective graduates should not participate in Fall registration in April.

November 2024 Graduation Deadlines

Applications Open: 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Application Deadline:

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:

TBD

Degree Recommendations Open:

TBD August, 2024 

Degree Recommendations Due:

TBD, October, 2024 

Degree Conferral:

TBD, November, 2024 

March Degree Candidates

Students who finish degree requirements in the fall term.

March 2024 Graduation Deadlines

Applications Open:

Monday, October 2, 2023

Applications Due:

Friday, December 1, 2023

Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Degree Recommendations Open:

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Degree Recommendations Due:

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Degree Conferral:

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

May Degree Candidates

Students who finish degree requirements in the spring term.

Prospective graduates should not participate in Fall registration in April.

May 2024 Graduation Deadlines

Applications Open:

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Applications Due:

Monday, April 1, 2024

Dissertations due on ProQuest by 11:59 p.m. ET:

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Degree Recommendations Open:

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Degree Recommendations Due:

Thursday, May 16, 2024 

Degree Conferral:

Thursday, May 23, 2024 

 

How to Apply

Step 1: Apply via my.harvard

VIEW STEPS TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION (Harvard Griffin GSAS) 

VIEW STEPS TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION (HCOL) 

Step 2: Review/update your diploma name

LEARN HOW TO UPDATE YOUR DIPLOMA NAME

Your middle name will only be visible when you add it to your diploma name – it won't be visible elsewhere in my.harvard.

Important: For students graduating in May 2024, April 10, 2024 will be the deadline to make changes to your diploma name. We cannot make changes to your diploma name once the deadline passes. 

Step 3: Review your diploma information

Click on the My Program tab in your my.harvard student home. 

  • Harvard College: Check your Concentration, Secondary, and Language Citations
  • Harvard Griffin GSAS: Check the name of your field for your PhD and your Masters 

Step 4: Check your application status

You can double-check the status of the application by clicking on the My Program tab in your my.harvard student home. The status will remain as Application for Graduation Submitted until the degree is conferred.  

  • We will only contact you if there is a problem with your application. 
  • If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your application, please reach out to your department.


When to Apply

The time of year you will graduate depends on when you complete your degree requirements.

Need Assistance?

Graduation Support

Visit: Academic Departments to contact your Department

  • for questions about meeting degree requirements

VisitResident Dean to contact your Resident Dean

  • for questions about graduation

Visit: Commencement Office website

  • for information on Commencement