For Students   |   For Families and Guests  |   For Faculty and Staff  

Frequently Asked Questions


Day of Commencement Ceremony

When and where is graduation?
Are tickets required to attend Commencement or the reception?
How long does Commencement last?
How long is the reception?
What time should guests arrive?
What if guests are late?
Are children welcome at the Commencement Ceremony and reception?
Where is the best seating in the auditorium?
Is flash photography allowed at graduation?
Can my family meet me on stage after I have received my diploma?
Can I leave the auditorium after I receive my diploma?
Where can I meet my family and guests after the ceremony?
What should I wear to Commencement?
Is there some place for me to store my valuables during Commencement?

Students - Academic Regalia

When and where do I get my cap and gown?
What if my gown doesn’t fit?
What if my gown does not have the three velvet bars on the sleeves?
What if I forget my regalia on commencement day?
Can I keep the regalia?

Students - General Information

What is the Application for Participation in Commencement Ceremonies?
When is the application due?
Where can I get an application?
Can I change how my name appears on the diploma?
Why do I have to provide additional biographical information to Dr.
Nadershahi?
Can I participate in Commencement if I don’t complete the check out process?
What is the student loan exit interview?
Why do I need to do an exit interview?
When does the exit interview have to be completed?
What if I do not complete the exit interview?
What is an Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form?
Where do I get an Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form?
What do I do after the Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form is completed?
When do Closeout forms need to be completed?
When will I get my diploma?

Q. When and where is graduation?

The Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2008 will be held at the Nob Hill Masonic Center, 1111 California Street, on Sunday, June 15, 2008, beginning at 2:00 p.m. A short reception immediately follows the ceremony. Back to Top


Q. Are tickets required to attend Commencement or the reception?

No. Graduates can invite as many people as they’d like to the Commencement ceremony and to the reception. Back to Top

Q. How long does Commencement last?

The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Back to Top

Q. How long is the reception?

The reception is approximately one hour. Back to Top

Q. What time should my guests arrive?

The Nob Hill Masonic Center opens for general seating at 12:45 p.m. The ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. Back to Top

Q. What if my guests are late?

Latecomers can be accommodated on a space available basis. Balcony seating (often the best viewing) may be the only option. Back to Top

Q. Are children welcome at the Commencement Ceremony and reception?

Absolutely. Back to Top

Q. Where is the best seating in the auditorium?

The best view of the ceremony is from the balcony. Back to Top

Q. Is flash photography allowed at graduation?

Yes. Remember that a professional photographer will be on site to take pictures of graduates as they receive the diploma. Copies of the photos will be mailed to you in the fall. Back to Top

Q. Can my family meet me on stage after I have received my diploma?

In order to keep the ceremony moving, small children can briefly join their newly-degreed parent at the foot of the stage. Back to Top

Q. Can I leave the auditorium after I receive my diploma?

No. We ask all graduates to return to their seat after receiving their diploma out of respect for their classmates and colleagues. Back to Top

Q. Where can I meet my family and guests after the ceremony?

It’s best to determine a meeting point prior to the start of the ceremony. Given the rush of faculty, graduates, and guests when commencement ends, meeting in the carpeted foyer immediately outside the auditorium is not recommended. More convenient meeting spots may be in front of the auditorium or at the reception. Back to Top

Q. What should I wear to Commencement?

Graduation from dental school is not only a significant achievement, it is also a formal event steeped in tradition. We ask graduates to dress appropriately for the ceremony.

For men, it is recommended to wear shirt and tie, dark trousers, dark socks and dark shoes.

For women, skirts or pants with a light blouse are appropriate. Women should also pay attention to footwear: you want to be able to walk comfortably and confidently across the stage. High heels or platform shoes could be problematic.

Shorts, sandals, T-shirts, jeans and the like are not appropriate for Commencement. We also request that students do not broadcast messages on their mortarboard. Back to Top

Q. Is there some place for me to store my valuables during Commencement?

No. The school does not have access to a secure facility at the Masonic Center. Graduates should leave their valuables and other belongings with family members or guests prior to the start of the ceremony. Back to Top

Q. When and where do I get my cap and gown?

Academic regalia (cap/tassle, gown, and hood) will be distributed to students in in late May or early June, in advance of commencement.  Watch this site for details.   Back to Top

Q. What if my gown doesn’t fit?

Gowns are intended to be loose fitting. The hem of the gown should fall between the knee and ankle. In the unlikely event that a gown is too short (above the knee) or too long (below the ankle), please bring it promptly to the Office of Academic Affairs. We will exchange it for a better-fitting gown. Back to Top

Q. What if my gown does not have the three velvet bars on the sleeve?

If your gown does not have the three velvet bars on the sleeve indicating the doctoral degree, stop by the Office of Academic Affairs immediately. Back to Top

Q. What if I forget my regalia on Commencement day?

Unfortunately, replacement regalia is not available on the day of Commencement.   Fortunately, no student has ever forgotten their cap and gown. Back to Top

Q. Can I keep the regalia?

Unfortunately not. The school rents regalia for each student from Herff-Jones. Graduates must return everything but the cap and tassle to the designated collection point in the reception area before 5:30 p.m. on the day of the Commencement Ceremony.

Graduates who fail to return regalia will be charged approximately $370 (purchase price of the complete regalia). Hygiene students who do not return the regalia will be charged approximately $170 (purchase price of complete regalia). Back to Top

Q. What is the Application for Participation in Commencement Ceremonies?

The purpose of this one-page form is to collect information on each graduate necessary for various components of graduation--how the graduate's name should appear on the diploma, height and weight for the academic regalia, post-graduation plans to be included in the program, etc.   All graduates must complete a form.  The form is due on Friday, April 4, 2008. Back to Top

Q. When is the application due?

The application was due in the Office of Academic Affairs in Friday, April 4, 2008. Back to Top

Q. Where can I get an application?

Dr. Bender met with the class on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 1 to 2 p.m. to distribute and discuss the form.  Students who were unable to attend the meeting were able to access the form on this site or could pick up a hardcopy in Room 501. Back to Top

Q. Can I change how my name appears on the diploma?

Yes, provided you notify the Office of Academic Affairs before the Herff-Jones due date. Any changes received after the Herff-Jones due date must be handled after commencement. Back to Top

Q. Why do I have to provide additional biographical information to Dr. Nadershahi?

The school has a nice tradition of reading a brief biography on each student as he or she receives the diploma and is hooded. Although the graduate may not hear the information as it is read, it is significant for family members and guests in the audience. The information solicited by Dr. Nadershahi is used for this purpose. Back to Top

Q. Can I participate in Commencement if I don’t complete the check out process?

Yes. However, students who have not completed the check out process do not receive their diploma at Commencement. The diploma will be released after checkout is completed. Back to Top

Q. What is the student loan exit interview?

A student loan exit interview is an information session that informs students of their rights and responsibilities regarding their student loans. The exit interview is required by federal regulation and university policy of all recipients of federal financial aid.

Students who do not complete the exit interview will have a hold placed on their academic records by the Stockton campus. A hold can have serious negative implications for dental students because the school is unable to release the transcript to licensing boards or other agencies until the hold has been lifted. Back to Top

Q. Why do I need to do an exit interview?

Federal regulation mandates that all student loan borrowers attend an exit interview prior to leaving school. The exit interview provides information on loan repayment, the student’s rights and responsibilities as a borrower, and the rights and responsibilities of the lender or servicer.

The student also receives information on repayment, deferment and consolidation of your loans. It is also important to complete the exit interview otherwise the Stockton campus will place a hold on your records, which could delay the mailing of your transcript to licensing boards or agencies. Back to Top

Q. When does the exit interview have to be completed?

Stafford loan borrowers must attend a group exit interview scheduled in winter quarter during the practice management course. HPSL and institutional loan borrowers must complete both the group exit interview and the online exit interview at www.pacific.edu/finance/loans/exits. Back to Top

Q. What if I do not complete the exit interview?

Borrowers who do not complete the exit interview will have their transcripts held until the exit interview has been completed. Back to Top

Q. What is an Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form?

It is a check list of items all graduating students must complete. The items included on the list must be verified and signed off by the Group Practice Adminsitrator. Back to Top

Q. Where do I get an Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form?

The Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form will be given to students in their exit interview with their Group Practice Administrator. Back to Top

Q. What do I do after the Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form is completed?

Once the form is complete, the student should notify their GPA and at that time they will be told when they can turn the Authorization to Begin Clearing Process form in to Duke Dahlin in the Business Office and begin the closeout process. Back to Top

Q. When do Closeout forms need to be completed?

Closeout forms must be prior to graduation otherwise the diploma will be withheld. Back to Top

Q. When will I get my diploma?

Students who complete the check out process and meet all clinical and financial requirements for graduation receive their diploma at Commencement. Students who do not complete the check out process, or who do not meet clinical or financial requirements for graduation receive the diploma upon documented completion of any outstanding requirement. Back to Top