Senior Checklist

PLEASE NOTE:
ITEMS PRINTED IN ITALICS ARE OPTIONAL

October, 2008

  • Apply to graduate by returning the green "Application to Graduate" form that you will receive with your completed audit from the Registrar's Office during October and November. Check your audit carefully and contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions or concerns. The deadline for the graduation application is March 2, 2009.

  • Check with department and/or program on major, emphasis, and/or concentration status.  These must be declared at the Registrar's Office in order to show on your official record.

  • Schedule time with the Career Connections Office in the Center for Experiential Learning, Modular Village, to begin the job search process, have your resume critiqued, and log onto OleRecruiting to locate jobs in your field of interest.  If you're planning on graduate school in the next few years, check out CEL's resources and application information.  Online information available at:
    http://www.stolaf.edu/services/cel

November, 2008

  • Apply to graduate by returning the green "Application to Graduate" form that you will receive with your completed audit from the Registrar's Office during October and November. Check your audit carefully and contact the Registrar's Office if you have questions or concerns. The deadline for the graduation application is March 2, 2009.

February, 2009

  • Verify graduation information for your diploma, the commencement program and your major/concentration certification - posted on the Registrar's website.  Keep checking Class of 2009 emails from the Registrar: these have IMPORTANT graduation updates!
  • A booklet containing Celebration Weekend information along with event registration information will be sent to parents of graduating seniors in February. Registration questions should be directed to the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations.

March, 2009

  • The graduation application deadline is March 2! If you want a diploma you must trun the application in to the Office of the Registrar.
  • If you will be off campus after the first of April, send your contact information (snail-mail and email addresses) to Pam Dresow in the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College  - dresow@stolaf.edu - to ensure you receive all the commencement information you will need.

April, 2009

  • Thursday, April 16, attend Grad Fest:

    http://www.collegebookstore.org/

    in the Buntrock Commons Ballroom during one of the following times:

      ~ 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
      ~ 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

    Grad Fest is an "open house" event - you may come and go as your schedule permits during either session.

    The St. Olaf Bookstore will be taking cap and gown orders at Grad Fest. Bring your $25 rental fee [cash or check only] and pick up your cap and gown. Please note that the rental fee increases to $30 for orders placed after Grad Fest. Orders may also be placed for personalized graduation announcements, St. Olaf class rings, and insignia diploma frames. Students who visit each table during Grad Fest will have their "Bingo" cards stamped by each attending department and be entered in a drawing for a chance to win great prizes!
  • Check with family members to ensure that they have received registration and ticketing information for Celebration Weekend 2009 events.  Registration deadline is May 8, 2009.  Events requiring preregistration include:

      ~ On-campus housing for family and friends of graduates.
      ~ Celebration Brunch - a post-Baccalaureate/pre-Commencement event
      ~ Other special events.

    Refer to the Alumni and Parent Relations web page
    for more information on Celebration Weekend 2009 events along with registration forms (available later this year).
  • When ordering transcripts during spring semester, be sure to mark "send after Semester II grades and degree have been posted."  This ensures your degree will be listed.
  • Watch for e-mail notification from the Financial Aid Office with instructions to complete a REQUIRED Exit Loan Counseling for Federal Stafford and Federal Perkins Loan borrowers.
  • Notify Pam Dresow - dresow@stolaf.edu - in the Office of the Provost and Dean of the College if you will be absent from commencement.
  • Check your email for information from the Commencement Coordinator about commencement details: tickets, special seating, rehearsal, etc.
  • On Saturday, April 25, check your campus P.O. box for information about checking out of your residence hall.  (All residence halls and honor houses will close on Monday, May 25 at 12 noon.  Please keep this deadline in mind when making arrangements with your families.)

May, 2009

  • There's only one month left! Make sure you've completed everything on this senior checklist in order to successfully graduate from St. Olaf.  You're almost there!
  • By Tuesday, May 12, complete Required Exit Loan Counselling for Federal Stafford and Perkins Loan borrowers.
  • Remember: all residence halls and honor houses will close on Monday, May 25 at 12 noon. Please keep this deadline in mind when making arrangements with your families.
  • If you are concerned about the pronunciation of your name at Commencement, stop by the Office of theProvost and Dean of the College on Monday, May 18 between 10 a.m. and noon to review the pronunciation with the Dean. 
  • Pick up your Commencement tickets in the main office in Buntrock Commons, room 147, (down the hall from the Cage) the week prior to Commencement.  Each graduating senior will receive a total of 3 [three] tickets. Tickets will be available Monday, May 18 through Friday, May 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Please present your student I.D. when picking up tickets.  You'll receive more information about this through an on-campus mailing in your P.O. box.
  • If necessary, exchange up to two of your three Commencement tickets for tickets in the physically challenged seating area.  Do this when you pick up your Commencement tickets in Buntrock Commons 147.
  • Press your Commencement gown so it is not wrinkled - trust us - they are really wrinkled when they come out of the package. The Office of Student Activities will have a steamer available for your use.
  • Make sure you have no financial obligations to the college prior to commencement.  You will not be able to pick up your diploma after the ceremony if you have any outstanding fees.  Please check the status of your account online or call x3766.
  • On Friday, May 22, check your P.O. box for an official "issued to student" transcript from the Registrar's Office. 
  • Join your classmates in the Alumni Parade on Saturday, May 23. Gather at Boe Chapel at 9:15 a.m. Look for the 2009 class banner. Sammenkomst, the All-Alumni Gathering, begins at 10:00 a.m. The senior gift will be presented to President Anderson and the Class of 2009 will be welcomed into the alumni ranks at this special event.
  • Attend the Last Lecture for the Class of 2009 on Saturday, May 23 in Boe Chapel. Speaker TBA.
  • Find your lantern and join classmates in the illumination of campus on Saturday night.
  • Arrive at the Skoglund Field House for commencement rehearsal at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 24 in cap and gown. Immediately following Commencement, return your cap and gown outside Viking Theater. Pick up your diploma at the Registrar's Office - please bring your Student I.D.
  • Contact your area coordinator or resident assistant to check out of your residence hall or honor house by no later than 12 noon on Monday, May 25.
  • Congratulations! You made it!!