2026 MD/PhD Convocation Ceremony
The BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine’s MD & PhD Convocation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Track & Tennis Center (100 Ashford St., Boston, MA 02215).
Deadlines for Graduates
Regalia must be rented by: DATE PENDING
You must order your Regalia (link forthcoming) in order to participate in the Convocation Ceremony. The school covers the cost of your MD regalia, so it will be free to you at checkout.
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“Order Your Cap and Gown”
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“RENTAL Doctor Gowns”
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Education Track: “Medicine Students”
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Select either Delivery Type (if selecting pick up option, order must be placed before March 24)
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Select “Graduation Regalia“
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“Add to Cart”
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Total should be $0 unless extra items are added (unless you have added any additional items)
- If you are an MD-PhD graduate, or graduating with any second degree, you must ADD and pay for the additional hood to the order or go physically to the BU Bookstore to purchase your additional hood in-person after May 5.
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Complete Checkout
PLEASE NOTE: You can only place one regalia order.
Any specific regalia-related questions can be directed to the BU Bookstore at regalia@bu.edu
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RSVP Required by: DATE PENDING
You will tell us…
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Whether or not you will attend Convocation (please complete the form either way)
- How many guests you plan to bring
- While there is no formal guest limit, students are asked to consider keeping their guest count to 10 or fewer
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Who you plan to have hood you, if you have a preference
- You should confirm the person you want to hood you is willing and able to do so before completing the RSVP form
- All hooders must hold a terminal degree in order to be eligible
- Indicate whether you are interested in auditioning to be the MD Class Speaker
Deadlines for Faculty
If you plan to march in the GMS Master’s Convocation Ceremony, the MD & PhD Convocation Ceremony, or both, you must fill out this form in order to RSVP (form pending). If you are marching in both ceremonies, you only need to fill out the form once. Your RSVP to march is required by DATE PENDING.
New for this year! Faculty will need to reserve their own regalia. If you do not own your own robes, you may order rental robes (at no cost to you) through the University’s cap and gown vendor, Herff Jones. Please complete the order form by DATE PENDING to ensure delivery to your school/college.
Faculty Regalia Order Instructions
Please contact Claire Grimble with any faculty-related questions or concerns related to either ceremony.
Please contact Kimberly Arena with questions or concerns related to the GMS Master’s Ceremony. Please contact Nichole Ciccarelli with any questions or concerns regarding the MD & PhD Ceremony.
Day-Of Information
May 14 Ceremony Schedule
- 1:30 p.m. Graduates arrive: report to White Tent on Malvern Field (across from T&TC)
- 1:30 p.m. Faculty and Hooders arrive: Main Entrance, Track & Tennis Center. Report to faculty robing room.
- 2- 2:45 p.m. Guests Arrive: Main Entrance, Track & Tennis Center
- Guests should not arrive earlier than 2pm, you will not be able to enter the TTC until 2pm.
- 3:00 p.m. Ceremony (anticipated run-time, 2 hours)
- 5:00 P.M. Reception: White Tent on Malvern Field (across from T&TC)
Students
Arrival: 1:30 p.m. to the Tent on Malvern Field (89 Ashford St, Boston, MA 02134)
Please do NOT bring any personal items or valuables that you cannot fit in a pocket under your regalia. There will not be any place to leave purses, bags, or regalia packaging.
All graduates participating in the Convocation Ceremony are required to wear regalia.
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- PhD regalia rental will include: Red Gown with Black chevrons on the sleeves, a Dark Blue PhD hood, a black cap, and one gold tassel.
- MD regalia rental will include: Red Gown with Green chevrons on the sleeves, a Kelly-Green MD hood, a black cap, and one gold tassel.
- MD/PhD regalia rental will include: Red Gown with Black chevrons on the sleeves, a Dark Blue PhD hood, a Kelly-Green MD hood, a black cap, and one gold tassel.
Parking & Transportation
Faculty & Staff
Faculty and staff are highly recommended to either take the dedicated shuttle to and from the MED campus/Track & Tennis Center or use public transportation. If driving, parking is available in the Agganis Arena lot at 925 Commonwealth Ave.
Bus 1: Departs 710 Albany Street at 8 a.m.; Departs TTC at 12:30 p.m.
Bus 2: Departs 710 Albany Street at 1 p.m.; Departs TTC at 5:30 p.m.
Students
Students are highly recommended to take public transportation or choose a ride-share service (i.e. Uber, Lyft) if able to do so. If taking the BU Bus, the closest stop is C8, which is approximately a 10-minute walk to the Track & Tennis Center. If driving, there is no parking available on site for students. If Disability & Access Services are needed for parking, please request through the Accommodations Request Form (see Access & Accommodations section).
Guests
Guests are highly recommended to take public transportation or chose a ride-share service (i.e. Uber, Lyft) if able to do so. If taking the BU Bus, the closest stop is C8, which is approximately a 10-minute walk to the Track & Tennis Center. If driving, parking is available in the Agganis Arena lot at 925 Commonwealth Ave. If Disability & Access Services are needed for parking, please request through the Accommodations Request Form (see Access & Accommodations).
Access & Accommodations
If a graduate and/or their guests require disability and access services, please complete the Accommodations Request Form that will open in April. For additional information on accessible seating, individual accommodations (i.e. sign language, open caption (speech to text), accessible parking and wheelchair availability please visit the Individual School/College Convocations section on the BU Commencement – Disability & Access Services webpage. Information on Service and Emotional Support Animals policies and procedures can be found here.
*The Accommodations Request Form will be open closer to the event and will be announced to graduates
CART Services (Speech to Text)
CART services will be available and can be accessed using a personal phone or tablet. The URL to access CART services during the ceremony is go.bu.edu/ttc
Miss the deadline?
While every effort will be made to provide accommodations requested after May 10, they cannot be guaranteed. If you need additional assistance, contact Disability & Access Services directly at 617-353-3658.
Faculty
Arrival: 1:30 p.m. to the main TTC Entrance (100 Ashford St)
Please do NOT arrive at the TTC dressed in regalia. Security will be screening personal items. A staff member will remain in the robing area to guard belongings.
All faculty must RSVP and complete the Faculty RSVP & Regalia Form (link pending), regardless of whether they own their own regalia. If you do not own your own regalia, you will need to rent your regalia prior to the ceremony. Information about this process is sent to faculty directly.
Hooders: Guest (Non-BU Faculty)
Arrival: 1:30 p.m. to the main TTC Entrance (100 Ashford St)
Please do NOT arrive at the TTC dressed in regalia. Security will be screening personal items. A staff member will remain in the robing area to guard belongings.
If you have been invited by a graduating student to hood them at the ceremony, and are not on the BU Medical School faculty, you will need to rent doctoral regalia if you do not own your own. Hooders are required to wear regalia to participate – cap, gown & hood, and must hold a terminal degree in their field.
Hooder Regalia Order (form pending)– Deadline DATE PENDING
Additional Information for Guests
View the MD & PHD CONVOCATION 2026: INFORMATION SHEET for comprehensive information and FAQs for our ceremony. It will be available closer to the ceremony.