Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Are You Commencement Ready? [Graduation & Life After Checklist]



Learn about everything there is to know about Spring 2015 Commencement and Life after KSU!




If you are a Senior graduating this May or July, you’re most likely counting down the last days of your semester. With that being said, there are some fundamental things to know about your special day:



Commencement Dates:

Kennesaw State Spring 2015 Commencement:
2:00 p.m. - Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Coles College of Business
College of Science & Mathematics

7:00 p.m. - Wednesday, May 13, 2015
All Postgraduate Students

10:00 a.m. - Thursday, May 14, 2015
College of the Arts
Bagwell College of Education
WellStar College of Health & Human Services
University College

3:00 p.m. - Thursday, May 14, 2015
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Kennesaw State Summer 2015 Commencement:
10:00 a.m. - Wednesday, July 29, 2015
College of the Arts
Coles College of Business
WellStar College of Health & Human Services
University College

3:00 p.m. - Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Bagwell College of Education
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
College of Science & Mathematics

7:00 p.m. - Wednesday, July 29, 2015
All Postgraduate students
(Doctorate, Specialist, Masters)

Tickets:

All Commencement Tickets will be available through Ticket Alternative.
Graduating students will be able to access their tickets through Ticket Alternative by March 14, 2015 for the Spring Ceremonies. Tickets will be available until Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 5 p.m. On Monday, May 11, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., any remaining tickets will go on sale for $2.00 per ticket, and students may claim up to 10 tickets, pending availability.
If students have issues claiming their tickets, they should call Ticket Alternative at 1-877-725-8849.

Spring 2015 Commencement Ceremonies' Ticket Allotment:

2:00 p.m. - Wednesday, May 13, 2015 (5 tickets)
Coles College of Business
College of Science & Mathematics

7:00 p.m. - Wednesday, May 13, 2015 (8 tickets)
All Postgraduate Students

10:00 a.m. - Thursday, May 14, 2015 (6 tickets)
College of the Arts
Bagwell College of Education
WellStar College of Health & Human Services
University College

3:00 p.m. - Thursday, May 14, 2015 (5 tickets)
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

General Information About Commencement

Information about the ceremonies can be found at www.kennesaw.edu/commencement. As well, the graduation tab under www.kennesaw.edu/registrar lists important information about qualifications for graduation.

Where do I buy my cap and gown?

The KSU Bookstore is the place where you can order your cap and gown. You can order it either in store or online at Kennesaw.edu/bookstore. For more information, please contact the KSU Bookstore at 470-578-6261.

Volunteering at Commencement

If you want your friends to attend your commencement ceremony, but are running low on tickets, make sure to tell your friends to volunteer at the commencement ceremony. Information about volunteering can be found via Volunteer KSU.

Make sure you double, and triple check your petition status

Check with your advisor, check on Owl Express, and check your student emails for any correspondence from the GATES department, from your Petition Auditor, and from the university. Make sure that all your classes are going smoothly, that you have completed everything, and that there aren’t any hidden surprises.


Quick reminder:

Just because graduation is here, doesn’t mean your classes are over. Don’t assume professors will be lenient if you miss class, miss an assignment, or miss a test. Try to meet with all of your professors before or after spring break so you will know exactly where you stand.



It’s time for transitioning

Meeting with your professors doesn’t have to be scary thing, especially since you’re close to graduating. Ask your professors for career advice, for help on when to start applying to jobs, and the best areas to look for jobs. Start thinking outside of the box and view your professors as people that can vouch for your skills and talents.  As well, start compiling and updating resources so that you can put your most professional self forward so that you can succeed.

Being commencement ready means more than buying a cap and gown and securing tickets; It means you have to be proactive, be prepared, and be ready to embark on the beginning the next step in your life! The Career Services Center at KSU offers many wonderful resources to help you succeed during your job hunt, such as resumee reviews and mock interviews, just to name a few. They also are offering Career Fair Week on the days of March 16-20, with many workshops and employers coming for career fairs. You can look at their full calendar to pick which workshops will work best for you.

Once you’ve walked across the stage… 

After the Office of the Registrar receives final grades from faculty, a final audit of the student's academic record will be completed and diplomas will be mailed to eligible graduates as soon thereafter as possible.  The diploma is mailed to the mailing address submitted at the time of petitioning. For any changes to the diploma mailing address, contact GATES in the Office of the Registrar at registrar@kennesaw.eduDiplomas will be mailed approximately six weeks after graduation.

Also, consider the perks of joining the KSU Alumni Association. Learn about the different perks, donating opportunities, and how to help build the legacy of KSU at www.kennesaw.edu/alumnifriends.php or http://community.kennesaw.edu/. By becoming a paid alumnus, you can continue to have access to your student email, have discounted rates for parking, and have access to the gym and recreation center.

That being said…

You have to start preparing financially, too. Visit the Financial Aid Office or www.direct.ed.gov to learn more about loan repayments, repayment calculators, and loan consolidation topics. As well, find out information about your Credit Report and FICO score. Research good credit practices and things to do for successfully applying for an apartment, for buying a car, and other adult expenses.

Preparing to leave the nest is never an easy thing to do. However, it’s something all KSU Owls have to do in order to take flight. Good luck to everyone graduating this Spring and Summer.

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