Your Husky Is Graduating!
UW Parent & Family Programs | Family Guide to Commencement
Your student’s achievement is a celebration for the whole family. There’s a lot happening between now and June 13, and we’ve put together a family-friendly timeline so you know what’s coming, when it matters, and how to support your Husky through the finish line. We also know that graduation season isn’t purely celebratory for every family. Goals and plans that seemed clear at the start of college may have shifted along the way, and that’s more common than most people realize. Wherever your student is in their journey, this guide is for you.
Key Dates Student Checklist If Plans Have Shifted Travel & Lodging International Families Commencement Day After Graduation
Where Things Stand Right Now
Commencement is about five weeks out. Here is what to focus on between now and June 13.
This Week
Cap, gown, lodging
Late May
Departmental ceremony times
June 6–12
Finals Week, care packages
June 13
Commencement, doors 12:30 PM
Mid-May: Commencement Registration/Order Form opens online. This is where your student orders their cap and gown, requests guest tickets, and reserves parking. Tickets are complimentary, and all reasonable requests are honored.
June 5: Last day of Spring Quarter instruction.
June 6–12: Finals Week. Your student is in the home stretch. Care packages welcome.
June 13: UW Seattle Commencement at Husky Stadium. Doors open at 12:30 PM. Ceremony begins at 1:30 PM. Over 7,400 graduates. Up to 50,000 guests. An experience not to be missed.
Departmental ceremonies happen throughout the week of June 8–14. Your student will get details from their department directly.
What Your Student Needs to Do (and How You Can Help)
Graduation isn’t automatic. Your student has to complete a few steps between now and walking across that field. Here’s what’s still on their plate, and where a well-timed conversation can make a difference.
Run a Degree Audit: The Degree Audit (DARS) tool confirms whether all requirements are met. If something is missing, their adviser can help them make a plan. Your student should be running this every quarter, but especially now.
Register for Commencement: When the Registration/Order Form opens in mid-May, your student will need to complete it to receive their personal ticket, order guest tickets, and get their cap and gown. This is separate from applying to graduate. Both steps are required.
Save their work: After graduation, your student will eventually lose access to their UW accounts: email, Google Drive, everything. UW-IT has a Data Retention Guide to help them preserve files and forward email before that happens. This one sneaks up on people.
If Things Haven’t Gone as Planned
Here’s something we don’t say often enough: not every senior’s path looks the way they (or their family) expected it to four years ago. Some students are finishing in a different major than they started. Some are taking longer than they planned. Some are still figuring out what comes next. And some may not be graduating this quarter at all, even if the family assumed they would be.
If your senior has been less communicative lately, that’s not unusual. It’s often a sign they’re deep in the work of figuring out their next steps, and sometimes, figuring out how to talk to you about where things stand.
You’re not alone in this, and we’re here
Our Parent & Family Programs team works closely with the UW’s Student Care Team, which supports students navigating complex challenges. We’re also here for families directly. If you have questions, if something feels off, or if you simply haven’t heard from your Husky in a while and want to talk it through, reach out.
Your student can also connect with the Counseling Center, the University Registrar, or CIRCLE for direct support.
Planning Your Trip to Seattle
This is a big weekend, and Seattle in June is gorgeous. A few things to keep in mind as you plan.
If you haven’t booked yet, here is what’s still possible
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Seattle on June 15, just two days after Commencement. Downtown hotels are tight and priced accordingly. A few options that may still be available:
Light Rail-accessible neighborhoods. Northgate, Roosevelt, Capitol Hill, and the SeaTac corridor put you on the same line that drops you in front of Husky Stadium. Often more available and more affordable than U District or downtown.
Eastside via the 2 Line. The new East Link Light Rail connects Bellevue and Redmond hotels directly to UW Station. Worth a look if downtown is sold out.
Short-term rentals. Airbnb and similar platforms often have more flexibility than hotel inventory at this point.
Skip the traffic: Link Light Rail drops you directly in front of Husky Stadium and connects to SeaTac Airport. Plan your trip at King County Trip Planner or visit Sound Transit for station info.
Parking: Your student can purchase campus parking permits through the Commencement Registration/Order Form in mid-May. Permits are available for Commencement Day (June 13) and departmental ceremony days. Disability parking can also be reserved through the form.
Seattle weather in June: Expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s. Mornings can be cool, so bring a layer. Husky Stadium is open-air, so sunscreen and sunglasses are a good idea.
International Families: Two Ways to Celebrate
Commencement is a global moment. Many international families travel to Seattle. Many also celebrate the ceremony live from home. Both are real ways to be there for your Husky.
Watching from home: the global option
The Commencement ceremony is broadcast live on UW’s website, YouTube channel, and social media. Families across every time zone tune in together, save the recording for later, and post photos using #uwgrad26.
Honest note: U.S. visitor visa (B-2) processing typically takes weeks to months. If your family hasn’t started the process yet, the livestream is the most reliable way to be present for your Husky on June 13.
If you are traveling: visa essentials
If your family is far enough along in visa processing to make the trip work, here is what to coordinate. Family members typically apply for a visitor visa (B-2) at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. Your student can support the process by writing a letter of invitation that includes the purpose of the visit, their relationship to the guests, their student status, and details about the Commencement ceremony. They can also request an Enrollment Verification from the Office of the University Registrar.
UW’s International Student Services (ISS) does not write invitation letters on behalf of students, but they offer guidance on the process. For U.S. visa requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State.
For more resources for international families, visit our International Families page or the UW Office of Ceremonies’ International Travel page.
Commencement Day: June 13, 2026
Husky Stadium
UW Seattle Campus
12:30 PM
Doors open
1:30 PM
Ceremony begins
3.5–4 hrs
Approx. duration
All graduates are required to wear cap and gown. Guest tickets are complimentary and distributed digitally. Your student will order them through the Registration/Order Form. All reasonable ticket requests are honored.
The drop-off area is in front of the Tubby Graves Building, accessible from the northbound lanes of Montlake Boulevard. After the ceremony, this area will be closed for approximately 30 minutes while traffic clears.
Can’t be there in person? The ceremony is broadcast live on UW’s website, YouTube channel, and social media. Share the celebration using #uwgrad26.
All Three Campuses Celebrate
UW Commencement is a three-day event across all three campuses.
Departmental ceremonies are scheduled throughout that week. Your student will receive details from their department directly, so ask them to forward that information to you so the whole family can plan together.
After Graduation: What’s Next for Your Husky
The celebration doesn’t end on June 13. Even though your student will soon leave campus, they’ll remain a Husky for life, joining a community of 600,000+ UW alumni with opportunities for connection, learning, and networking wherever they land. Here’s what to know about the weeks that follow, and the resources that carry forward.
Diplomas: Your student’s diploma will be mailed after degree requirements are verified and grades are posted. Check the Registrar’s Diplomas page for details, timelines, and reordering information.
Keep checking UW email: Your student should keep their mailing address updated and continue checking their UW email (including spam) for announcements about degree status, diplomas, and any remaining requirements.
Degree verification: If your student needs to provide proof of graduation to an employer or graduate program, they can request an Official Transcript or email regoff@uw.edu for a Degree Certification letter.
Career resources: The UW Career & Internship Center serves graduating seniors and recent alumni with job boards, career coaching, and industry connections. Have your Husky check out the Future Alumni page for an introduction to everything the UW Alumni Association offers.
Stay in the network: Husky Landing is a networking platform where students and alumni swap stories, get advice, and find mentors. The UW Alumni Association also has location-specific communities and events all over the world. And Huskies@Work matches alumni and students for one-time, low-commitment online conversations about careers, an easy way to stay connected and give back.
Commencement: June 13
UW Seattle Commencement at Husky Stadium. Doors open 12:30 PM, ceremony at 1:30 PM. Hotels are tight due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup just after Commencement. Light Rail and Eastside neighborhoods are good options.
A gift that connects
UW Alumni Association memberships make great graduation gifts. Members get discounts and perks, plus access to 600,000+ alumni across the globe. Special rates for new graduates.
Stay connected
Join our Parent & Family Programs community for seasonal guides, event invitations, and resources to support your Husky, even after graduation.