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Senior-Year Experience

The Senior-Year Experience is designed to help you as you transition from Saint Louis University to your life after college. This is the time for you to reflect on your undergraduate career, gain closure on your college experience and be recognized for your achievements during the past four years.

Student talks with employera at SLU career fair at the Busch Student enter

A SLU student talks with potential employers at a career fair held at Busch Student Center. 

Senior Celebration Events

Check out some of the events that are planned just for seniors at SLU. Your senior year is a chance for you to excel and prepare for life after college, but it is also a time to reflect on your time at SLU and celebrate your accomplishments. Enjoy your final days as a SLU student.

Your Last First Day

Seems like such a long time ago we were welcoming you as a new Billiken. Today, we celebrate your last first day as a Billiken!

Print out these signs and take a photo on campus, or use them on social media!

Last First Day sign Last First Day Fill-out Form
Grad Fair
  • Pay for and pick up your caps and gowns reserved online
  • Order class rings 
  • Order announcements
  • Purchase diploma frames
  • Visit with alumni relations and career services staff
  • Enter drawings and win fun prizes
  • There will be extra cap and gown stock for purchase if you neglected to order online
Senior Legacy Symposium

The Senior Legacy Symposium is a venue for you to showcase your academic achievements to celebrate your accomplishments. The symposium gives seniors an opportunity to reflect on their career at SLU and how they will carry that forward into their careers and further studies. Students are nominated by the departments to present research present research and papers, perform creative works, and share internship and service learning experiences. Reception to follow.

Sponsored by the Honors Program

Annual Leadership and Service Awards 

The annual Saint Louis University Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony recognizes students, staff and faculty who exemplify the qualities and excellence of service, leadership, and the Jesuit philosophy of men and women for others.

Established in the spring of 1992, the Leadership and Service Awards celebrates the significant achievements of students, student organizations, faculty and staff for their contributions of leadership and service to Saint Louis University and the surrounding community. Individuals are encouraged to nominate a person or organization that they believe exemplifies the above qualities. There are over 15 award categories to choose from. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of faculty and staff that will select the award recipients.

Sponsored by the Student Involvement Center

Senior Night at the Ballpark

Join fellow classmates at a Senior Night Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. First, stop by Brew House, in Ballpark Village, for the pregame party to celebrate your upcoming graduation. There is an attendance cost and space is limited.

Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow

Faculty, Staff and Alumni Panel: Speed Networking

The Faculty, Staff and Alumni Panel: Speed Networking is sponsored by Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow.

Sunday Evening Student Mass

The Sunday evening student mass features a senior blessing with treats after Mass at College Church. Sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Sankofa Celebration

The African American Studies Program will celebrate the class at an annual Sankofa Celebration. A reception, sponsored by SLU's Black Alumni Association follows. All are invited!

Lavender Graduation

The Cross Cultural Center for Global Citizenship and Rainbow Alliance sponsor a Lavender Graduation celebration for LGBTQ+ students, activists and allies. The inaugural event was in May 2022. 

Baccalaureate Mass

Baccalaureate Mass is held at Francis Xavier College Church.

President's Toast to the Class 

The President's Toast to the Class is sponsored by the Commencement Committee.

Pre-commencement Ceremonies

SLU holds separate smaller ceremonies for each of the SLU schools and colleges

Spring Commencement
SLU's 2024 spring commencement ceremony will be held May 18.

Senior Opportunities

Are you in the last two semesters of your coursework? Senior Year Experience Leaders will lead the charge on planning events and programs for the upcoming graduating class, and give valuable insight to professional staff members about the needs and wants of your graduating class.

SYE leaders advise their classmates on the transition out of their clubs, organizations, classrooms and time at SLU. They also help their classmates leave their legacy at SLU, and ensure that the senior class is prepared for life after graduation. As an SYE leader, you will represent the voice of the senior class. Applications for SYE 2025 leaders will close in April.

Apply to be a Senior Year Experience Leader

Alumni Engagement

Saint Louis University's Alumni Engagement staff oversees Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, which connects current students and alumni through networking, philanthropic and social activities.

Alumni Engagement also awards the Spirit of the Billiken, which honors seniors who excel in academics, leadership, community service, commitment to Saint Louis University and dedication to “living the mission” after graduation.

Career Services

As part of its four-year career development plan, Career Services offers mock interviews and an annual etiquette dinner to help seniors launch into their new roles as professionals.

Other services include résumé critiques, business attire fashion shows and career fair preparation.

Commencement

You've studied hard and now it's time to celebrate your achievements. Saint Louis University graduates are conferred at commencement ceremonies at the close of the fall and spring semesters. In the spring, the names of individual graduates are announced at pre-commencement ceremonies for each of SLU's colleges, schools and degree-granting centers.

Graduation Checklist

Step 1: Check your academic transcript

You can find your academic transcript in Banner Self-Service under Student Records.

  • Verify your degree(s), major(s), concentration(s), minor(s).
  • Is all of your transfer work from other institutions present?
  • Do you have any missing grades?
  • Are there any outstanding incomplete grades in courses?
  • Double-check repeated coursework.

Review any courses you may have repeated. The letter A, under the column marked R (Repeat) to the far right, means that any earned hours have been deducted for that course. If it is not correct, please bring this to your adviser's attention.

Step 2: Run a degree evaluation

You can also run a degree evaluation in the Student Records area of Banner Self-Service.

  • Verify your degree(s), major(s), concentration(s), minor(s).
  • Ensure requirements are met by completed or in-progress coursework.
  • Check for transcript and diploma holds.
  • Ensure outstanding holds have been cleared.
Step 3: Check your balance

Check your account balance through Banner Self-Service under Student Accounts. Ensure that any outstanding balance has been paid in full or that financial arrangements have been made.

Step 4: Apply for graduation

Visit the Student Records area of Banner Self-Service and select “Apply to Graduate.”

  • Submit your application to graduate.
  • Provide your diploma name and mailing address for your diploma.
  • Contact your college, school or degree-granting center if a change occurs after submission.