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Undergraduate Degree Candidate Information
for December 2007, May 2008

and Summer 2008.

 

Remember, the University does not confer a degree without receiving your complete Application for Degree.

Application deadlines are listed below.

 

Fee Notice:  There is a $50 processing fee billed to your University account at the time your application is processed. The degree application fee will be assessed each time you apply to graduate.   The processing fee will change to $60 for any applications received for the December 2008 session.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I am planning to graduate next semester. What should I do?

It is your responsibility to file a Degree Application. Ideally, you should do this one session before the session in which you expect to graduate! You can either do this using ISIS or by completing a quick, one-page paper application at The Registrar Service Center, 17 Calvin Hall. At the time of the application, verify the spelling of your name for your diploma and your current residing address for informational mailings.

The established deadlines are:
 

December 2007-October 16, 2007

Spring 2008-February 29, 2008

*Summer 2008 - June 12, 2008

 

*Summer degrees are awarded, but no Summer graduation ceremonies are held.

What happens next?

First, you will receive a general letter saying that your Application for Degree was received. This includes a review of important deadlines that may or may not apply to you. Degree applications are accepted for the current session and the next future session. If you apply for a future session, you will not receive confirmation until after the session begins. If you apply for the current session, expect to receive confirmation within one month. If you do not receive confirmation, call Graduation Analysis at 335-0228 to be sure that you are an official degree candidate.

Next, if you are a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, or Nursing, a Final Degree Evaluation of graduation status will be prepared and mailed to you. If you applied earlier, the final evaluation should be received within the first few weeks of the semester. If you applied after your final session began, you should allow 3-4 weeks to receive this academic evaluation.

What other deadlines are there?

December 2007 Graduation:

Grades, Transcripts and Waivers - December 28, 2007

  May 2008 Graduation:

Grades, Transcripts and Waivers - May 21, 2008

   Summer 2008 Graduation:

Grades, Transcripts and Waivers - August 6, 2008

 

If you will miss a deadline, contact The Registrar Service Center as soon as possible at 17 Calvin Hall or phone 319-335-0228. If information is received after the deadline, you may have to apply for graduation in the subsequent semester.

Must I order my transcripts from other schools?

An official transcript of all work from other universities that is not yet on your UI record must be in the Registrar's Office by the deadline. Official transcripts usually include the registrar's signature and an embossed seal, and are sent from one institution to another. A certificate of enrollment or a letter from the instructor is not acceptable as a substitute. Inquire at the Registrar's Office of the institutions from which you will transfer credit to assure that your transcript will be sent in time to reach Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Iowa before the deadline. Call Graduation Analysis at 319-335-0228 if you know there will be a delay; depending on the circumstances, an extension might be possible.

My current course is Off-Cycle...does it matter?

If you are enrolled in a required course that extends beyond the regular session, you may be required to graduate in a later session. Brief extensions may be allowed if arrangements are made in advance. Contact Graduation Analysis for more information.

What if I graduate but still owe money to the University?

Your University account must be cleared in order to receive your transcript. If your current registration is restricted for financial delinquency or if you have prior indebtedness to the University, your account must be cleared by the date on which final semester grades are due.

When is my graduation ceremony? How do I get a cap and gown?

Frequently Asked Question information containing specific details about commencement ceremonies, caps and gowns, and receiving your diploma will be mailed to you about a month prior to commencement. Participation is optional. Since the detailed information is sent to your residing address, you should promptly file any address changes with the Registrar's Office.   Information concerning commencement ceremonies can also be found here.

You will receive information about commencement announcements (for mailing to your family and friends), class rings and other commemorative items from outside vendors and the Alumni Association approximately two months before the ceremony.

If my name is read at commencement, I've really graduated - right?

Sorry, but not necessarily. While we hope that all applicants for degree will receive a diploma, experience has shown that this is not true. All candidates for degree are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony. Since this ceremony occurs several days before final grades are due, it is not possible to know for sure that all requirements have, indeed, been met.

So, when is my graduation official?

You become an alumnus about two weeks after commencement when all grades have been recorded and the degree notation is placed on your academic record. However, the official date of conferral is always the final Friday of the session.

How will I receive my diploma?

Approximately one month after the commencement ceremony, your diploma will be mailed to your current residing address as shown on University records. Included with the FAQ commencement information is a reminder to use ISIS to change your residing address at semester's end.

What if my address changes?

To assure continuing services from the University, you should inform the Registrar's Office each time you move. All departments of the University use the address lists maintained by the Registrar's Office. Whenever your address changes, update it on ISIS or notify the Registrar Service Center, 17 Calvin Hall or call 1-800-553-4692 (ext 0238).

What if I don't graduate as expected?

If you do not complete all degree requirements as planned, you must submit another application before the deadline date of the future session in which you intend to graduate.

NOTE: If you complete degree requirements after a session's stated deadlines and must officially graduate later, an official letter embossed with The University of Iowa seal can be prepared for you once all your requirements are met. It serves the purpose of verifying the completion of degree requirements until the official degree notation is entered (about two weeks after the next commencement). Call Graduation Analysis (319-335-0228) for information about this service.