Summer 2016 Degree Candidates Interested in Attending Spring Commencement
Spring Commencement Participation Policy for Summer Graduates
Spring 2016 – Summer Early Walk Policy
Undergraduate and graduate students (MS candidates) who have two or fewer classes remaining to
complete degree requirements after the spring 2016 term will be eligible to request participation in the
spring 2016 ceremony. Undergraduates must have a 2.0 minimum GPA, and master’s students must
have a 2.7 minimum GPA. Extenuating personal and family circumstances or issues related to the
proximity of the student’s home to Atlanta will also be taken into consideration.
Doctoral students who are August 2016 degree candidates will be handled on a case-by-case basis
depending upon when they are cleared by their major schools and the Office of Graduate Studies as
having completed all of their degree requirements. Doctoral students must have a 3.0 minimum GPA to
apply.
Summer 2016 graduates who do not meet these requirements will still have the option to participate in
the fall Commencement ceremony. Information detailing how they can participate in the fall 2016
Commencement ceremony will be sent to all summer degree candidates via their Georgia Tech email
account in July.
The form to request permission to participate in the spring Commencement ceremony will be sent via
email to all active summer degree candidates that apply for graduation by Wednesday, March 16, 2016.
The request form will also be available on the Registrar and Commencement websites from January 20
to March 16, 2016. Note: The Online Application for summer Graduation (OAG) will close on May 20,
2016. However, students must submit their summer OAG’s by March 16, 2015 in order to petition to
walk at the spring ceremony. Candidates who submit their OAG’s after March 16, 2015 will have the
option to participate in the fall Commencement ceremony.
Due to space constraints, the number of summer degree candidates who can participate will be limited.
In the event that we have more applicants than available tickets, Registrar’s Office staff will review the
forms and select which students are allowed to participate based on the extenuating circumstances
provided on the request form. Consultation with other offices on campus will occur as needed to ensure
that all requests are given full and consistent consideration. Summer degree candidates will be notified
prior to ticket distribution whether their request will be granted.
The Office of the Registrar will process the request forms and communicate directly with the students.
http://www.commencement.gatech.edu/students/summer-graduates
