About to graduate

Information for Class of 2025

Registration for 2025 grad photo sessions is now open!

Any student graduating in 2025 (Spring or Fall Convocation) can have their grad photos taken by New School Photography on a first-come, first serve basis. New dates will be added to the system as it fills. To register:

• Visit New School Photography's website and then click on "Photo Sessions" button.
• Select "Faculty of Health 2025" as your faculty and then press "Submit".

Students can also submit a photo of themselves to New School Photography to be included on their 2025 class composite! This option is for students who are living away from Waterloo and are unable to take grad photos.  Please contact help@newschoolphotography.com for more details.

Please note that composites are now digital. The fee for grad photos is $50.00 and includes a 10-15 minute grad photo session, an online gallery of low resolution/watermarked proof images, and a high resolution digital class composite. Graduating Health students must sign-up online with New School Photography to make an appointment for their grad photos. Students must have their photo taken by New School Photography or submit a photo to New School Photography in order to be included in their digital class composites.

Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your booked session.

Class of 2025 Valedictorian nominations

Are you interested in representing the graduating class of 2025? Valedictorian nominations are now open! An application form can be obtained by emailing the Student Relations Officer. 

Self-nomination is permitted. Nominations are due on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

Nominees must:

• Be a Faculty of Health student;
• Have submitted an “Application to Graduate” form for Convocation in 2025;
• Have good public speaking skills;
• Request nominations from five (5) of their peers in Health who have submitted an "Application to Graduate" form for Convocation in 2025;
• Submit answers to the following prompts along with their application:
  • Briefly describe your top 3 achievements from your time as a student at UWaterloo (maximum 200 words).
  • Explain why you would like to be the Faculty of Health Valedictorian (maximum 300 words).
  • List any experiences that you were involved with in the Faculty of Health, on-campus, and/or in the local community.

The selected Valedictorian will be requested to provide a short toast to the graduating class at Grad Class Send-Off in April, and present their full speech at spring Convocation in June. Valedictorians are only selected for spring Convocation. 

Apply to sit on the Valedictorian Selection Committee

Are you a Health student who is graduating in 2025? Would you like to have a say in who represents you at Convocation this Spring? Apply to sit on the Valedictorian Selection Committee! 

An application form can be obtained by emailing the Student Relations Officer. Applications are due on March 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. To be eligible to participate in the Selection Committee, you must:

• Be a Faculty of Health student,
• Have submitted an “Application to Graduate” form for Convocation in 2025,
• Be available to attend an in-person selection meeting on March 25, 2025.

You are not eligible to participate in the Selection Committee if you:

• Have accepted a nomination for Valedictorian, or,
• Have nominated another student for Valedictorian.

All Faculty of Health undergraduate students graduating in 2025 (June or October Convocation) will be invited to attend Grad Class Send-Off happening the winter term. This event is an opportunity for you to look back on your time in the Faculty of Health and celebrate your hard work and accomplishments.

Please direct any questions to the Student Relations Officer.

Date to be announced

Details regarding ticket sales, theme and venue will be released at a later date. Please direct any questions to health.gradformal@uwaterloo.ca.

UWaterloo holds two convocation ceremonies each year - one in mid-June and the other in late October. Convocation information is available on the UWaterloo Convocation website, including gown and hood rental and important ceremony information.

Ensure that you prepare yourself to convocate by reviewing the Convocation ceremony checklist prior to the ceremony.