The information below contains important dates to ensure a successful graduation.
The information on this website may contain links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties. We advise you to continue checking as information may have changed.
February 11–18
Interested graduation speakers (J.D. and LL.M.) can submit a two-minute video. The deadline is at noon on February 18. Please submit all videos to Jake Rosati with the subject line “GRAD SPEAKER VIDEO SUBMISSION.”
February 15
Deadline: Bar Housing Application
February 21–23
J.D. and LL.M. graduation speaker first-round voting ends at 4 p.m. on February 23. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey.
February 21–25
Graduation marshal applications are due no later than 3 p.m. on February 25. Sign up here if you are interested.
February 21–25
Voting for the Willis L.M. Reese Prize for Excellence in Teaching ends at 3 p.m. on February 25. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey.
February 24–25
Voting in the J.D. and LL.M. graduation speakers runoff ends at 3 p.m. on February 2. Ballots will be sent out via SurveyMonkey.
March 1
Deadline: Completion of pro bono service requirement (J.D.s only). Please see the Pro Bono Program and FAQs for details. Contact Nadine Mompremier with questions.
March 1
Graduation information session.
March 7
Deadline at 3p.m.:
1. Audio pronunciation
2. Phonetic pronunciation
3. Name on Program
Failure to comply prohibits you from ordering cap and gown during the Graduation Fair and may result in a fee.
March 8–10
Graduation Fair, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at University Bookstore, Lerner Hall. Cap and gown fitting and ordering and graduation vendors (rings, announcements, diploma frames, etc.). If you are unable to go to the bookstore, please email your information on or before March 14.
March 8–10
Portrait shots with GradImages, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, at Feldberg Lounge. No appointment is needed. Payment is due only if you decide to purchase a photo.
March 30
Deadline (JDs only.): Please provide your graduation employment information in Symplicity to receive your Law School Class Day Tickets.
April 1–30
Application periods for the July administration of the New York State Uniform Bar Examination. Make sure to submit your application during this period; New York does not accept late applications.
April 1
Deadline: Submission of the final draft of the J.D. Major Writing Credit paper, and for all fall 2021 outstanding written work for J.D. and LL.M. degree candidates (unless the instructor specifies an earlier due date).
April 1
Bar housing decisions sent out via email.
April 4
Deadline: Submit messages and photos from your family and friends for Class Day, using this form, by 9 a.m. For questions about the submission process, email [email protected].
April 13
Graduates are able to claim their tickets for Law School Class Day and University Commencement
April 15
Deadline: Students who have completed the phonetic pronunciation, recorded pronunciation, and the name on program survey can order their cap and regalia at the bookstore (in person or by email). Failure to order by this date will delay your regalia and may result in a fee.
April 27
Graduation Portraits Pop-Up Session, Feldberg Lounge, 10am–5pm.
Last day of spring 2022 classes.
April 28
Graduation Cruise organized by the Graduation Committee chairs.
April 29
Deadline: All graduates must have claimed their tickets for Law School Class Day (May 16)
April 30
Deadline: Filing applications to take the July bar exam in New York State and in most other states.
May 1
Deadline: Submit all outstanding spring 2022 written work for May 2022 J.D. and LL.M. candidates (unless the instructor specifies a earlier due date). Last day to file the final copy of LL.M. essay with the Office of Graduate Degree Programs.
Deadline: LL.M.s taking the July 2022 bar examination must submit the Law School Certificate of Attendance form to Registration Services. (J.D.s taking the exam do not need to do this; the New York State Board of Law Examiners will communicate directly with Registration Services.)
May 4
Students, and their guests, requiring accommodations during University Commencement or school graduation ceremonies, including graduates whose disabilities limit their ability to walk or negotiate stairs, should contact Disability Services at [email protected] by Wednesday, May 4.
May 5
Rental gown distribution to students begins and continues through the morning of Law School graduation. Gowns are to be picked up at the Columbia Bookstore. The week of May 5, the bookstore will ship regalia to students who chose that option to their preferred address.
May 13
Date by which all grades for May 2022 degree candidates must be recorded in LawNet to allow graduation clearance by the close of business on Monday, May 16. Grades for courses without final exams are requested by Monday, May 13.
Deadline: All graduates must have claimed their tickets for University Commencement (May 18)
May 15
Deadline: Approved residents for bar housing must sign housing renewal. Denied residents must move out of University housing by May 31.
May 16
Law School Graduation at 5:00 PM.
Line up for graduating students in Roone Arledge Auditorium in Lerner Hall at 3:45 p.m. Students will enter as always through Broadway and MUST wear their regalia.
May 18
University Commencement at 10:30AM.
Line up for graduating students time and place TBA.
June 3
Deadline: Last day to return rental regalia to the Columbia Bookstore. The cap is yours to keep.
July 31
Law School (LawNet) network accounts remain accessible through July 31.