Graduation and convocation

As the University of Waterloo continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the well-being and safety of our students, their families, and our campus community is our top priority. June 2021 convocation ceremonies will take place in online formats. Please refer to the official announcement from President Hamdullahpur for more details. Last updated: February 11, 2021.

Early preparation

Prior to your last academic term, review your unofficial transcript in Quest to verify the degree and academic plan(s) you are currently enrolled in.

Need to make a change? Submit a Plan Modification Form.

Your Application to Graduate should be a confirmation of what's already listed in Quest; it is not the appropriate time to add/remove plans.

Once this has been done, review the following graduation checklist for undergraduate students to ensure everything is in order.

Communications on important information relating to convocation will be sent to your Waterloo email account.

Office of the Registrar graduation checklist

1. Submit an Application to Graduate
   • Verify application status
2. Verify your name for your diploma
3. Verify your mailing address
4. Verify your degree status
5. Pay outstanding University accounts
6. Review all things convocation

Have questions about any of these steps? Contact the Office of the Registrar.

Step 1: Submit an Application to Graduate

Submit an Application to Graduate during the application windows listed below once you are confident that you will meet your degree requirements and would like to graduate.

For spring Convocation (June 2021):

• March 1, 2021: if courses are completed during the fall 2020 or winter 2021 term

For fall Convocation (October 2021):

• June 21, 2021 - August 15, 2021: if requirements are completed during the spring term

Once you've submitted your application, you will receive an email copy. This is your confirmation that your form has been received for processing.

Verify your application status

In Quest, you can view the information you provided on your application to check and ensure that it is correct. For step-by-step instructions, view How do I view my application to graduate information?. Timing of appearance will vary. You will receive further communications via your Waterloo email account.

Important: If your degree requirements are not met and our office is unable to reach you, your Application to Graduate will be cancelled.

Step 2: Verify your name for your diploma

In Quest, on the Names page under Personal Information, verify that the legal name (first, middle, last) that appears is correct; this is the name that will be printed on your diploma.

If you'd like to make changes/additions/deletions to your name, complete and submit a Change of Name Form with the required documentation by the following deadlines:

• May 1 for spring Convocation
• September 1 for fall Convocation

Step 3: Verify your mailing address

In Quest, verify that your "Mail" address is current. This is the address that will be used to send:

• your Convocation invitation (deadline: six weeks prior to ceremony)
• your diploma after Convocation if you are unable to attend Convocation (deadline: three weeks prior to ceremony)

Step 4: Verify your degree status

After the grades become official (e.g., mid-May for June ceremony), you can view your degree completion status in the Degrees Awarded section at the beginning of your unofficial transcript.

Ensure all desired options, minors, specializations, and co-operative programs are present. Check with the appropriate faculty/department if you have any questions.

Important: If your degree requirements are not met and our office is unable to reach you, your Application to Graduate will be cancelled.

Step 5: Pay outstanding University accounts

In Quest, check whether you owe the University money (for parking fines, library fines, tuition balances, etc.). Your diploma and transcript may be withheld if outstanding fees aren't paid by:

• June 1 for spring Convocation
• October 1 for fall Convocation

Learn more about Holds on your student account. If you have questions about your holds, contact The Centre.

Convocation

Up-to-date information about Convocation is available on the Convocation event website.

Note: Alumni have access to Quest indefinitely after graduation to generate account statements and to access tax receipts.