Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone! Whether you’re a graduating student or a guest, we are thrilled to celebrate this momentous occasion with you. This webpage is designed to keep you informed about important event details, schedules, and deadlines.
Graduating students, please be sure to review all listed deadlines carefully. We look forward to honoring your achievements with a series of special events, culminating in your graduation at the Apollo Theater.
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
May 22, 2025 | 11 AM
The Apollo Theater
Entrance for Graduates
238 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027
Entrance for Ticketed Guests
84 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027
Join us for this time-honored tradition as we celebrate your accomplishments alongside your loved ones and our community. The ceremony is a ticketed event where we’ll gather to honor your completion of law school and welcome your next chapter.
COMMENCEMENT WEEK ACTIVITIES
STUDENT AWARDS NIGHT
May 21, 2025 | 5 PM -7 PM | CUNY Law, The Beacon, Dave Fields Auditorium & Second Floor Blvd
We invite graduating students and their registered guests to join the CUNY Law community for an evening of celebration featuring remarks from student-nominated speakers, faculty, and staff in recognition of outstanding achievement.
PIPELINE TO JUSTICE GRADUATION CELEBRATION
May 20, 2025 | 6 PM – 8 PM | CUNY Law, Community Room
A special celebration honoring our Pipeline to Justice program graduates and their registered guests in recognition of their unique journey to this momentous milestone.
GRADUATION PORTRAIT NIGHT
May 19, 2025 | 5 PM -7 PM | CUNY Law
We invite graduating students to join us for wine, cheese & complimentary professional portrait photography. Get ready for your close-up, whether it’s in your cap and gown, professional attire, or however you feel your best!
GRADUATION PREPARATION
COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL
April 30, 2025 | 6 PM – 8 PM | CUNY Law, Dave Fields Auditorium
During this rehearsal, you and your classmates will go over key details and important information for Commencement to ensure you and your guests are fully prepared for the big day.
2025 Graduation Checklist
MARCH
- FRI MAR 21 – Submit your Graduation Survey to confirm your intention to participate
- SUN MAR 23 – Order your regalia (Required — no late orders accepted!)
- MON MAR 24 – Access your Graduation Application on CUNYFirst
APRIL
- WED APR 16 – Submit your Diploma Form
- WED APR 16 – Finalize your CUNYFirst Graduation Application (Last day!)
- MON APR 28 – Pick up your regalia from Career Planning
- WED APR 30 – Get your Commencement tickets
- WED APR 30 – Attend Commencement Rehearsal (6-8 PM, CUNY Law)
MAY
- FRI MAY 7 – Don’t forget to get your Commencement tickets (Last day!)
- TUES MAY 20 – Pick up your regalia if you haven’t already (Last day! No deliveries!)
- WED MAY 21 – Join us for Student Awards Night (5-7 PM CUNY Law)
- THURS MAY 22 – Graduate at the Apollo Theater! (11 AM)
How to Apply for June 2025 Graduation
Dear Graduating Students,
If you are eligible to graduate this June, you must apply for graduation via CUNYFirst. The application will open on Monday, March 24, 2025. The application will close on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. You will receive an email with relevant information and deadlines, including when the application portal opens and when the Diploma Form is available.
Any legal Name Changes should be submitted using the linked form to our office before graduation.
Physical diplomas for June graduates will be available in late August or early September. Electronic diplomas will be available from early to mid-August.
Congratulations!
The Office of the Registrar
The application to apply for graduation via CUNYFirst will open on Monday, March 24, 2025. The application will close on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
1. Students can access the Online Graduation Application via CUNYFirst > Student Center > Graduation
2. Select the My Academics tab and click on the Apply for Graduation link.
3. Verify your graduation data, including CUNY School of Law, program, degree and expected graduation term and click the submit application button.
4. When completed you will receive a confirmation message.
Information about Commencement
Graduating students must complete the following three steps:
Confirm your attendance at Graduation:
1 Complete and submit the Graduation Survey by March 21, 2025, if you intend to walk at this year’s ceremony. The survey will be sent via email to all eligible graduating students by the Office of Student Affairs.
Apply for Graduation by the deadline:
2 Complete the Graduation Application via CUNYFirst. The application opens on March 24, 2025, and closes on April 16, 2025. More information will be sent via email by the Registrar’s Office.
3 Complete and submit the Diploma Form by the deadline of April 16, 2025.
Regalia must be ordered by Friday, March 23, 2025, online at https://collegegrad.herffjones.com.
Your regalia is paid for by your materials fees. There is a gold tassel included with your regalia with the graduation date attached. This tassel will be used on graduation day and is yours to keep. Examples of souvenir tassels ($19.95) and a diploma frame ($169) are available for viewing in the Office of Student Affairs and available for you to purchase via the link above.
Regalia must be picked up between April 28 and May 20, 2025, at 12 PM from the Office of Career Planning in Room 4-108. This is a hard deadline; CUNY Law staff is unable to deliver regalia on the day of Commencement.
The Commencement Ceremony is a ticketed event for the Class of 2025 and their invited guests.
Ticket Distribution
April 30 – May 7, 2025 | 12 PM – 6 PM MON -THURS | Office of Student Affairs
Tickets will be distributed to graduates in the Office of Student Affairs. Graduates are responsible for picking up their own tickets and distributing those tickets to their guests.
How many tickets are graduates eligible for?
Graduates who completed the Graduation Survey to confirm their intent to walk at this year’s Commencement Ceremony are eligible to receive up to four (4) tickets. These four (4) tickets must be requested through the Graduation Survey. Additional tickets are not guaranteed. However, graduates may choose to enter a lottery for additional tickets by indicating their interest via the Graduation Survey. Graduates are responsible for distributing physical tickets to their guests. Digital tickets will not be available.
Guest hooders and all children aged two (2) and older require a ticket. Children under the age of two must sit on the lap of a ticketed guest.
The selling or buying of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.
Please be cautious of offers to sell or buy Commencement tickets. Tickets hold no official resale value. Unauthorized copies are deemed unusable. Holders of unauthorized tickets will be denied entry to the venue. Lost tickets will not be replaced.
Trading or swapping tickets is not permitted.
Those who have requested guest hooders or to walk with children will receive instructions and marked tickets to ensure guests participating in the ceremony are seated in the appropriate sections.
How do I request my tickets?
Graduating students may request tickets to the Commencement Ceremony via the Graduation Survey by no later than 5 pm on March 21, 2025. The survey will allow graduates to request up to 4 tickets and to enter a lottery for additional tickets, contingent on availability. The survey will be emailed by the Office of Student Affairs to all eligible graduates.
What if I need extra tickets?
Additional tickets are not guaranteed. However, graduating students may enter a lottery for additional tickets by completing the Graduation Survey no later than March 21 at 5 pm.
Children of graduating students can participate in the Commencement Ceremony. If you would like to have your child or children process across the stage with you during the conferral of degrees, you must submit your request through the Graduation Survey.
Children aged two (2) and older require tickets; those confirmed for participation will receive a permission card that must be presented on the day of Commencement.
Submitting your request does not create any obligation for children to participate; if plans change at a later date, kindly email the Office of Student Affairs.
Each year, the graduating class selects two faculty members to serve as hooders.
Alternatively, graduates have the option to invite any faculty member or an attorney of their choice to serve as their personal hooders. Graduating students who choose to invite their own guest hooders must provide all requested information in the Graduation Survey. Further instructions and permission cards will be provided during the Commencement Rehearsal. Guest hooders will need both an allotted ticket and a permission card to enter the venue on the day of Commencement.
Harlem’s Apollo Theater makes every effort to preserve the venue’s historical authenticity and architectural integrity. Banners, posters, balloons, and other decorations are not permitted, nor is any object that could obstruct the view of guests or cause any damage to the venue.
Information for family and guests to follow.
Large videography equipment that may obstruct the view of guests is not permitted in the venue. Ticketed guests are invited to take photos and videos using personal recording devices. Guests will be directed to remain in their seats to avoid blocking processional aisles and obstructing the view of others.
Island Photography will provide portrait photos from our Commencement Ceremony. Every graduate will be photographed twice as they cross the stage, greet the Dean, and return to their seat. Island Photography will email complimentary color proofs to each graduate within 48 hours of the ceremony. These photos will be available for purchase. Information about how to register with Island Photography is listed below and will be emailed to graduating students by the Office of Student Affairs.
CUNY Law is not involved in the registration or distribution of Island Photography proofs nor photos.
A list of venue FAQs can be found on the Apollo’s Website.
Commencement Ceremony attendees must adhere to the venue’s existing security measures, including mandatory bag searches, metal detector and/or wand screenings for entrance, and restrictions on personal items such as large bags, posters, banners, and camera equipment (cellphones and small personal cameras permitted). Bags permitted in the venue must fit comfortably below seats.
Government Issued IDs
All students, faculty, and staff must present their government photo IDs to enter the venue. CUNY Law IDs will not suffice.
Security
Per venue policy, screening is a condition of entry to ensure the safety of all in attendance. Please be advised that there is no re-entry to the building.
Large bags, Personal Items, Decorations
Large bags, personal items, and decorations are not permitted under the venue’s policies, nor is any object that could obstruct the view of guests or cause damage to the venue.
The following appear on the Apollo’s list of prohibited items
- Outside food or beverages (disposable individual water bottles are permitted)
- Posters, signs, or banners
- Weapons, firearms, pepper spray, knives, blades
- Camera equipment, tripods, selfie sticks
- Large bags
The Apollo Theater
Entrance for Graduates
238 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027
Entrance for Ticketed Guests
84 West 126th Street New York, NY 10027
Please enter at 126th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Directions
NYC Subway
- Take the A, B, C or D trains to 125th Street and walk 1.25 blocks East to the Apollo’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
- Take the 2 or 3 trains to 125thStreet and walk 1.75 blocks West to the Apollo ’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
- Take the 4,5 or 6 trains to 125th Street and then either take a taxi or a bus Westbound to 8th Avenue/Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Walk .25 blocks East to the Apollo’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
Metro-North Railroad
- Take any scheduled Metro North train to the Harlem/125th Street stop. Once downstairs either take a taxi or a bus Westbound to 8th Avenue/Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
- Walk .25 blocks East to the Apollo’s Historic Theater and Victoria Theater.
Car
Please map your route using the Apollo’s online map here.
Parking
The below parking areas are suggested for your convenience by the Apollo. The Apollo is not responsible for any aspect of the business agreement that takes place between the parking lot owners/management and their clients.
Park 127th LLC
- 340 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10027
311 West 127th
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 7 AM to 10:45 PM (Garage closes at 11PM)