ASU Graduation Checklist: Everything Before You Walk
Don't let a missed requirement or forgotten form ruin your ASU graduation. Here's the complete checklist of what to do before you walk at Arizona State University.
Graduation Seems Obvious Until Something Goes Wrong
You've done the hard part — four (or more) years of classes, exams, projects, and figuring out how to be a person in the world. The last thing you want is to trip on an administrative hurdle in the final stretch. Here's everything you need to do before you walk.
At Least One Year Out: Apply for Graduation
ASU requires you to formally apply for graduation — it doesn't happen automatically. Log in to My ASU and submit your graduation application once you're within range of completing your degree requirements. The deadline varies by semester, so check My ASU for the current application window.
If you miss the application deadline, you can still graduate but you may be moved to the next available ceremony. Don't assume this will sort itself out.
Audit Your Degree Requirements
My ASU has a degree audit tool — use it. Check every requirement: major courses, general studies, total credit hours, GPA minimums. Pay attention to:
- Any in-progress courses you need to pass (not just complete)
- Whether transfer credits were applied correctly
- Any substitutions or waivers you requested — confirm they processed
- Minimum grade requirements in your major courses
Do this well before your final semester, not during finals week.
Final Semester Specifics
Register for only what you need. Your last semester is not the time to experiment with random electives. Take what you need to graduate and protect your GPA.
Confirm your financial aid status. If you're receiving aid, your last semester may have specific requirements. Check with the financial aid office — some aid disbursements require full-time enrollment, which you might not need if you're only taking a few credits.
Complete exit counseling if you have federal loans. This is required before you graduate. It's an online module and it's not optional. If you don't complete it, your loan servicer will be unhappy with you and you may get unexpected letters.
The Commencement Ceremony Itself
ASU runs multiple commencement ceremonies — by college, sometimes by department. Check which ceremony is yours. Desert Financial Arena hosts the main ceremonies and it's a large venue, but family ticket availability can be limited. Find out your ticket allocation early and plan accordingly.
Graduation regalia (cap and gown) is ordered separately. Don't wait until the week before — order it at least a month in advance. The bookstore and online vendors both handle this; prices vary.
If you're ordering honor cords, Latin honors regalia, or honors college distinction, confirm with your college what you qualify for and how to order it.
Practical Before-You-Walk Checklist
- [ ] Graduation application submitted on My ASU
- [ ] Degree audit reviewed and all requirements confirmed
- [ ] All in-progress courses on track to pass
- [ ] Financial aid exit counseling completed (if applicable)
- [ ] Commencement ceremony date, time, and location confirmed
- [ ] Guest tickets arranged
- [ ] Cap and gown ordered
- [ ] Honor cords or distinction regalia ordered (if applicable)
- [ ] Photo appointment made (optional but people regret not doing this)
- [ ] Parking or transportation planned for commencement day
After Graduation: Don't Forget These
Transcript request: Order official transcripts from ASU for any employer or graduate program that needs them. These take time; don't wait until a job offer deadline is three days away.
Alumni email: ASU often provides alumni email forwarding — confirm what access you maintain and for how long.
Student loan repayment: Federal student loans enter repayment 6 months after graduation (or leaving school). Contact your servicer, understand your repayment plan, and consider income-driven repayment options if the standard payment is a stretch.
Sun Card: Your Sun Card may no longer grant access to some facilities after graduation. If you want alumni gym access to SDFC or library access, check alumni membership options.
Career Services: Many ASU career services offices provide support to alumni, not just current students. If you're still job searching after graduation, use them.
Sell Your Stuff Before You Leave
The transition out of college is also a great time to offload things you don't want to move or ship home. Textbooks, furniture, kitchen equipment, bikes — other ASU students are always buying this stuff, especially at the end of the school year. List it on ASU List and you'll usually move things quickly.
The Honest Note
Graduation is one of those events that seems like a formality until it actually happens. Then it matters more than you expected. Do the administrative work ahead of time so that the day itself is just about the milestone.
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