Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement ceremonies for 2023 have been split into two: those earning graduate degrees (M.A., M.S.S., Ph.D.) will have their degrees conferred on Friday, May 12, at 5 p.m.; those earning an undergraduate degree (A.B.) will have their degrees conferred on Saturday, May 13, at 2 p.m.

At the Friday Commencement for graduate degree recipients, President Kim Cassidy confers the degrees of Master of Arts, Master of Social Service, and the Doctorate onto the assembled candidates. The Masters candidates receive a diploma letter, while each Doctoral candidate is “hooded” by the Chair of the Faculty. At the Saturday Commencement, A.B. degrees are awarded in alphabetical order by academic department and alphabetical order by last name within a department.

Both the graduate ceremony on Friday, May 12, and the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 13, will take place on Merion Green. Current health conditions will determine how much spacing will be required for a safe and healthy ceremony. There will be space adjacent to the tent for chairs, as well as chairs under the tent. The College landscape does not allow for additional tenting for guests. Mid-May in Philadelphia can range from hot and humid to cool and wet; we recommend guests dress in layers and have rain gear handy.

Tickets will be required to attend the ceremony and will be limited to 8 guests per degree candidate. Degree candidates will receive more detailed information on tickets in April. 

We will livestream both the graduate ceremony on Friday, May 12, and the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 13. There will be a link prominently displayed on the College’s homepage on Friday and Saturday.

Our College risk mitigation guidelines on masking must be followed by all guests in attendance. Click here for all our pandemic information.

Parking is available in all Bryn Mawr College lots. In the event that a lot is full, a uniformed Campus Safety office or a sign will direct you to the next available lot. 

Bryn Mawr campus shuttles will drive a continuous loop between the parking areas and campus.

Yes, you may take photographs from your seat; however, to avoid obstructing the views of others, you will not be allowed to approach the stage area. 

Bryn Mawr has contracted with Legacy Photographics to take a photograph of each graduate receiving his/her diploma letter from President Cassidy. Legacy Photographics will mail information about purchasing these photographs to the degree candidates.

The College does not benefit financially from this arrangement; it is provided as a service to graduates and their families. You are under no obligation to buy these photographs.

There is a designated drop-off point in the Merion parking lot close to the tent on Merion Green. In addition, reserved parking and reserved seating are available for guests with special needs.

In order for us to arrange this, please have the degree candidate complete and return the Request for Accommodation form no later than the end of April. The form will be sent in February.

For both ceremonies, parking placards for special parking are required. The parking placard will be checked when you enter the parking lot.

A map indicating these areas will be included with the parking placard(s). Degree candidates must pick up this information packet from Conferences and Events, lower level of the Campus Center, during the week of Commencement.