Stay on track with all Commencement deadlines and tasks by referencing the checklists below!

Doctoral Degree Candidates Checklist

January

DEADLINE: January 19 – Last day for graduate-level students to submit an Application for Degree (accessible in ESTHER) for May (Spring) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar either in-person or via email to registrar@rice.edu.

February

DEADLINE: February 23 – Last day for graduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates to file applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for May (Spring) degree conferral.

Grad Fair – February 27-29
Rice Ring orders will take place with Balfour representatives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rice Memorial Center – Grand Hall Lobby.

Verify diploma name and address information in ESTHER
The name displayed on your diploma and the address to which it will be mailed can be viewed and edited by logging into ESTHER and navigating to: ESTHER > Student Services > Graduation > Verify Diploma Information > Diploma Name and Address.

Order your Commencement announcements
Personalized graduation announcements to send to family and friends are available online at https://www.cbgrad.com/.

March

DEADLINE: March 8 – Order your Rice Ring at https://www.balfour.com/rice
May graduates who order Rice Rings by March 8 will receive them at the New Alumni Block Party on May 1. For more information regarding Rice Rings, please visit https://alumni.rice.edu/ring.

DEADLINE: March 24 – Order your regalia at https://www.buildagrad.com/rice
Academic regalia must be worn by all degree candidates choosing to participate in the Commencement weekend ceremonies. For information regarding academic regalia, please visit commencement.rice.edu/academic-regalia.

DEADLINE: March 31 – Register your intention to participate in the ceremony
Eligible degree candidates will receive an invitation to RSVP their intention to participate in the Doctoral Commencement Ceremony via email. A link to register through MarchingOrder, a Commencement logistics website, will be included in this email sent to your preferred email address on file in ESTHER.

Make sure to have your hooding faculty member details lined up. This information will be requested in the RSVP form for Doctoral Commencement Ceremony participants.

April

DEADLINE: April 19 by 12 noon – Last day for graduate-level students to submit thesis in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for May (Spring) degree conferral

Sign up for text alerts
A special Commencement communication system has been set-up to provide students, families, faculty and staff with vital emergency updates (including inclement weather updates). To opt into this system, please text 2024RICEGRAD to 888-777. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Plan your Commencement week
Visit https://commencement.rice.edu/all-events for a full schedule of Commencement related activities happening the week leading up to the ceremonies. Details for events ranging from department receptions to the New Alumni Block Party will be continually added to the schedule as they become available.

Check your regalia
As soon as you receive your regalia, please check the package to ensure you have received all of the correct pieces. For missing pieces please contact the Campus Store at 713-348-2039 immediately as there are no extra pieces available at the ceremony venue.

Be on the lookout for final instructions
Final instructions for confirmed participants will be shared via email.

May

Know where to go and arrive on time!
Thoroughly read the final instructions shared with confirmed participants via email. Details regarding assembly times and locations will be shared in these instructions. Participation is not guaranteed if you arrive later than the times provided.

Leave personal items at home
Personal items may not be left in the check-in area.

Celebrate the moment
Use #RiceGrad2024 to share your photos from Commencement weekend.

Stay connected
Follow the Association for Rice Alumni on social media to stay connected with fellow Owls back on campus and in your region.

Advanced Degree Candidates Checklist

January

DEADLINE: January 19 – Last day for graduate-level students to submit an Application for Degree (accessible in ESTHER) for May (Spring) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar either in-person or via email to registrar@rice.edu.

February

DEADLINE: February 23 – Last day for graduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates to file applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for May (Spring) degree conferral.

Grad Fair – February 27-29
Rice Ring orders will take place with Balfour representatives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rice Memorial Center – Grand Hall Lobby.

Verify diploma name and address information in ESTHER
The name displayed on your diploma and the address to which it will be mailed can be viewed and edited by logging into ESTHER and navigating to: ESTHER > Student Services > Graduation > Verify Diploma Information > Diploma Name and Address.

Order your Commencement announcements
Personalized graduation announcements to send to family and friends are available online at https://www.cbgrad.com/.

March

DEADLINE: March 24 – Order your regalia at https://www.buildagrad.com/rice
Academic regalia must be worn by all degree candidates choosing to participate in the Commencement weekend ceremonies. For information regarding academic regalia, please visit commencement.rice.edu/academic-regalia.

NOTE: Those wishing to have their Master’s regalia sent directly to their home, instead of the Campus Store, can place their order through March 31.

DEADLINE: March 31 – Register your intention to participate in the ceremony
Eligible degree candidates will receive an invitation to RSVP their intention to participate in the Advanced Degrees Commencement Ceremony via email. A link to register through MarchingOrder, a Commencement logistics website, will be included in this email sent to your preferred email address on file in ESTHER.

April

Sign up for text alerts
A special Commencement communication system has been set-up to provide students, families, faculty and staff with vital emergency updates (including inclement weather updates). To opt into this system, please text 2024RICEGRAD to 888-777. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Plan your Commencement week
Visit https://commencement.rice.edu/all-events for a full schedule of Commencement related activities happening the week leading up to the ceremonies. Details for events ranging from department receptions to the New Alumni Block Party will be continually added to the schedule as they become available.

Check your regalia
As soon as you receive your regalia, please check the package to ensure you have received all of the correct pieces. For missing pieces please contact the Campus Store at 713-348-2039 immediately as there are no extra pieces available at the ceremony venue.

Be on the lookout for final instructions
Final instructions for confirmed participants will be shared via email.

May

Know where to go and arrive on time!
Thoroughly read the final instructions shared with confirmed participants via email. Details regarding assembly times and locations will be shared in these instructions. Participation is not guaranteed if you arrive later than the times provided.

Leave personal items at home
Personal items may not be left in the check-in area.

Celebrate the moment
Use #RiceGrad2024 to share your photos from Commencement weekend.

Stay connected
Follow the Association for Rice Alumni on social media to stay connected with fellow Owls back on campus and in your region.

Jones School (MBA) Degree Candidates Checklist

January

DEADLINE: January 19 – Last day for graduate-level students to submit a paper Application for Degree (accessible in ESTHER) for May (Spring) degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar either in-person or via email to registrar@rice.edu.

February

DEADLINE: February 23 – Last day for graduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates to file applicable forms in the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (see GPS Forms page) for May (Spring) degree conferral.

Grad Fair – February 27-29
Rice Ring orders will take place with Balfour representatives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rice Memorial Center – Grand Hall Lobby.

Verify diploma name and address information in ESTHER
The name displayed on your diploma and the address to which it will be mailed can be viewed and edited by logging into ESTHER and navigating to: ESTHER > Student Services > Graduation > Verify Diploma Information > Diploma Name and Address.

Order your Commencement announcements
Personalized graduation announcements to send to family and friends are available online at https://www.cbgrad.com/.

March

DEADLINE: March 8 – Order your Rice Ring at https://www.balfour.com/rice
May graduates who order Rice Rings by March 8 will receive them at the New Alumni Block Party on May 1. For more information regarding Rice Rings, please visit https://alumni.rice.edu/ring.

DEADLINE: March 24 – Order your regalia at https://www.buildagrad.com/rice
Academic regalia must be worn by all degree candidates choosing to participate in the Commencement weekend ceremonies. For information regarding academic regalia, please visit commencement.rice.edu/academic-regalia.

NOTE: Those wishing to have their Master’s regalia sent directly to their home, instead of the Campus Store, can place their order through March 31.

April

Sign up for text alerts
A special Commencement communication system has been set-up to provide students, families, faculty and staff with vital emergency updates (including inclement weather updates). To opt into this system, please text 2024RICEGRAD to 888-777. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Plan your Commencement week
Visit https://commencement.rice.edu/all-events for a full schedule of Commencement related activities happening the week leading up to the ceremonies. Details for events ranging from department receptions to the New Alumni Block Party will be continually added to the schedule as they become available.

Check your regalia
As soon as you receive your regalia, please check the package to ensure you have received all of the correct pieces. For missing pieces please contact the Campus Store at 713-348-2039 immediately as there are no extra pieces available at the ceremony venue.

Be on the lookout for final instructions
Final instructions for confirmed participants will be shared via email.

May

Know where to go and arrive on time!
Thoroughly read the final instructions shared with confirmed participants via email. Details regarding assembly times and locations will be shared in these instructions. Participation is not guaranteed if you arrive later than the times provided.

Leave personal items at home
Personal items may not be left in the check-in area.

Celebrate the moment
Use #RiceGrad2024 to share your photos from Commencement weekend.

Stay connected
Follow the Association for Rice Alumni on social media to stay connected with fellow Owls back on campus and in your region.

You can also join exclusive Jones School alumni groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Undergraduate Degree Candidates Checklist

February

Grad Fair – February 27-29
Rice Ring orders will take place with Balfour representatives from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rice Memorial Center – Grand Hall Lobby.

Verify diploma name and address information in ESTHER
The name displayed on your diploma and the address to which it will be mailed can be viewed and edited by logging into ESTHER and navigating to: ESTHER > Student Services > Graduation > Verify Diploma Information > Diploma Name and Address.

Order your Commencement announcements
Personalized graduation announcements to send to family and friends are available online at https://www.cbgrad.com/.

March

DEADLINE: March 8 – Order your Rice Ring at https://www.balfour.com/rice
May graduates who order Rice Rings by March 8 will receive them at the New Alumni Block Party on May 1. For more information regarding Rice Rings, please visit https://alumni.rice.edu/ring.

DEADLINE: March 22 – Last day for undergraduate-level May (Spring) degree candidates to declare any additional major, minor or university certificates, if applicable.

DEADLINE: March 24 – Order your regalia at https://www.buildagrad.com/rice
Academic regalia must be worn by all degree candidates choosing to participate in the Commencement weekend ceremonies. For information regarding academic regalia, please visit commencement.rice.edu/academic-regalia.

NOTE: Those wishing to have their Bachelor’s regalia sent directly to their home, instead of the Campus Store, can place their order through March 31.

April

Sign up for text alerts
A special Commencement communication system has been set-up to provide students, families, faculty and staff with vital emergency updates (including inclement weather updates). To opt into this system, please text 2024RICEGRAD to 888-777. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. For help, reply HELP. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Plan your Commencement week
Visit https://commencement.rice.edu/all-events for a full schedule of Commencement related activities happening the week leading up to the ceremonies. Details for events ranging from college receptions to the New Alumni Block Party to the Sallyport Walk-Through will be continually added to the schedule as they become available.

Check your regalia
As soon as you receive your regalia, please check the package to ensure you have received all of the correct pieces. For missing pieces please contact the Campus Store at 713-348-2039 immediately as there are no extra pieces available at the ceremony venue.

Pick up stole from College Coordinator
Stoles for Undergraduate Commencement participants are provided by your residential college. To get your stole, please contact your residential college coordinator for the college-specific distribution date. The stole indicates your residential college affiliation and is worn in addition to the cap, hood, and gown.

Be on the lookout for final instructions
Final instructions for confirmed participants will be shared via email.

May

Know where to go and arrive on time!
Thoroughly read the final instructions shared with confirmed participants via email. Details regarding assembly times and locations will be shared in these instructions. Participation is not guaranteed if you arrive later than the times provided.

Wear comfortable shoes
For comfort and safety, we strongly encourage all students, especially those participating in Rice Stadium ceremonies, to wear sensible, flat walking shoes. Undergraduate degree candidates will walk on cobblestone sidewalks, paved roadways, grassy lawn, artificial turf on the field, and up and down steep ramps — all of which create uneven surfaces precarious to those in heels.

Celebrate the moment
Use #RiceGrad2024 to share your photos from Commencement weekend.

Stay connected
Follow the Association for Rice Alumni on social media to stay connected with fellow Owls back on campus and in your region.

If you require additional information, please contact commencement@rice.edu or (713) 348-2112.

All regalia questions should be directed to the Campus Store at (713) 348-2039.