Doors open at DAR Constitution Hall at 2pm for Guests

Graduation Ceremony begins at 3pm

Immediately following the conclusion of the Graduation Ceremony, there will be a reception for graduates and guests at SAIS.

SAIS
Kenney Herter Auditorium
1740 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Apply to Graduate via https://isis.jhu.edu
Thursday, November 1, 2012 - Deadline for December 2012 graduates
Friday, February 8, 2013 - Deadline for May 2013 graduates
This form is required of all graduating students to participate in the ceremony or receive a diploma. Login to ISIS and go to the Registration menu. Select Program of Study Info and click on Apply to Graduate. The application is used to collect information such as how your name will appear on your diploma, whether you will attend the SAIS-Washington and JHU-Baltimore graduation ceremonies, how to pronounce your name at graduation, and how many tickets you will need for the SAIS ceremony.

Thursday, January 3 (approximately) through Monday, April 1, 2013
Students who are participating in the graduation ceremony must rent regalia from the Herff Jones Company. The only exception is for members of the Armed Services, who may choose to wear their formal uniform. SAIS will pay the cost of cap and gown rentals, but students must place their order online by April 1. Students will be responsible for paying a $30 late fee for orders made after this date; no exceptions. To place your order, visit http://www.herffjones.com/college/graduation (look for SAIS). Students may also purchase personalized graduation announcements, diploma frames and other memorabilia through this site.

Wednesday, February 27, and Thursday, February 28
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Nitze Cafe seating area
Herff Jones representatives will be on campus to help students order their caps and gowns, if they have not done so already online. Bring your laptop or smartphone!

Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12
1:00 - 7:00 p.m., BOB 541
In-person ticket and invitation pick up for all students. Students may receive an unlimited amount of tickets for their guests to enter the ceremony free of charge. Students indicated the number of tickets they needed when they applied to graduate, but they may update this number when they arrive to pick up their tickets. In addition, students may receive up to five invitations if they would like to send these to friends and family. Invitations contain generic information about the ceremony and commencement speaker, so they are not personalized to the student. Ceremony guests will need tickets, and not invitations, to enter DAR Constitution Hall. 

Friday, May 3
Deadline to inform the Office of Student Life of change in plans to participate in graduation
Students indicated on their application to graduate if they would or would not participate in the graduation ceremony. If your plans have changed, you must inform the Kelly Hunter via email at khunter9@jhu.edu.

Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., BOB 500
Cap and Gown distribution
All students who are walking in the graduation ceremony procession must pick up their caps and gowns at this time. If you did not order your regalia by the deadline, you can rent your cap and gown during distribution (please note that you will be charged a $30 late fee and must pay with cash or check). Students will also likely have the opportunity to pick up any extra tickets and invitations during distribution. Graduates must return their caps and gowns during the reception at SAIS following the ceremony.

JHU Commencement (Baltimore):
Thursday, May 23, 2013
8:40 a.m.
All SAIS students are invited to attend The Johns Hopkins University-wide commencement ceremony in Baltimore and must provide their own transportation to the Homewood campus. Please indicate that you plan to attend this ceremony when you submit your Application to Graduate. The JHU graduation ceremony procession begins at 8:40 a.m. and the ceremony begins at 9:15 a.m. Students must arrive by 7:30 a.m. Directions, maps and parking information can be found on the University's graduation site. Contact Kelly Hunter to confirm your attendance and receive further instructions.

Photographs
Guests are welcome to take photographs from their seats in DAR Constitution Hall. A professional photographer will be photographing each student as he or she crosses the stage during graduation. Information about ordering photos will be emailed to all students walking in the ceremony and mailed to the address indicated in the Application to Graduate.

Disability Access
Graduates or guests requiring special accommodations for disabilities should contact Kelly Hunter at khunter9@jhu.edu or 202.663.5661 by May 3, 2013. Please describe the accommodation you are requesting.

Diplomas
Diplomas are expected to be distributed from Nitze 301 from approximately 5:30-7 p.m. on May 23 by the Registrar's Office. Please contact them for more information.

Click here for details about ordering diploma frames.

Rings
Alumni who wish to purchase the official Johns Hopkins University ring should click here for details.

Graduation Contact:
Kelly Hunter
202.663.5661
khunter9@jhu.edu

Below is a list of links that may be helpful to SAIS graduation guests who are visiting from out of town.

Hotels:  
To see a list of preferred hotels, with negotiated rates close to SAIS, please see the list below.
To see a list of hotels that are located near SAIS or DAR Constitution Hall, please see the list below.

Washington, D.C., Transportation: 
Metro Trip Planner: Access time-specific rail and bus schedules for your chosen journey.
Google Maps: Get driving and walking directions, or type in an address to locate nearby restaurants, shops, Metro stops and other landmarks.

Local Dining, Sightseeing and Entertainment Information and Tips:
Washington Post City Guide
Lonely Planet Travel Guide
 

Transportation to and from the Commencement Ceremony
Parking in Washington, D.C. is limited. SAIS and DAR Constitution Hall cannot provide parking spaces for graduation attendees. SAIS suggests guests use the DC Metro system or a taxi. Washington is also a pedestrian-friendly city. The walking distance between SAIS and Constitution Hall is approximately 20-25 minutes. 

For guests who need to bring cars, there are public parking garages in the vicinity that may be of use. Near SAIS, for example, there is a limited amount of parking at Park America at 1776 Massachusetts Avenue NW and Colonial Parking at 1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW. In addition, the DAR Constitution Hall Web site provides useful information for guests. See the Visitor Information page for Parking and Directions.

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How many tickets can I have for my family and friends?

Graduates may receive an unlimited number of tickets for their guests to enter the graduation ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall. Tickets are free of charge. On your application to graduate, you can indicate the number of tickets that you would like to receive. This number can be updated when you pick up the tickets in April. Each guest will have to have a ticket to enter the ceremony.

Where do I get invitations to send out?

SAIS prints generic invitations with envelopes that contain information about the ceremony and commencement speaker. Students may receive up to FIVE invitations when they come to pick up their tickets. Extra invitations will be available at the end of April. If you would like personalized invitations with your name and degree program, you have the option ordering them through Herff Jones company when you purchase your regalia – see https://www.heffjones.com/college/graduation (look for SAIS) for details.

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