Graduating takes step-by-step process

With graduation looming for many students, it's easy to forget that the process of getting out of college takes more than showing up to class.

Each year many seniors begin the process of graduation, but with the commencement ceremony taking place in the spring, far more graduations take place as opposed to the fall. Nearly 1,000 students applied for graduation last spring and 881 students graduated, said Shari Gowers, the graduation administer in the enrollment services department.

With so many students graduating and attempting to graduate, what can you do to get through the gate?

The most important element is getting your application in early, communication adviser Bryan Jacobs said. While the window for application entry is open from the beginning of spring semester to Feb. 1, sooner is better than later as all the information must be processed within only a few days after that deadline. Add 1,000 students into the mix and you have a massive stack of papers to process.

"There are several ways to make the graduation process easier," Jacobs said. "The first is to meet with your adviser often. Advisers save the student time and money by showing them to the clearest path to graduation. They can keep you on track to have the credits you need.

Other advice he gave to students was to make sure they were following the courses listed on their particular major's catalog at the time they signed up. He said many students follow the wrong list or get sidetracked, delaying their graduation.

Graduation concerns are not just for seniors; even freshmen can get a start on graduation.

"Graduation starts with admission," Jacobs said. "If you have a clear goal of what you want when you enroll, it will be that much easier to road map the best track to graduation."

Graduating takes five major accomplishments at Dixie State College. Students must have completed general education requirements, core classes for their discipline, emphasis classes, 40 total hours of upper division classes--at least 30 of those from Dixie--and 120 total credit hours.

"Many students confuse these steps," Jacobs said. "They see it as a tiered list. You do them all at once. Your 40 upper divisions count toward your 120 total credits and so on."

Students need to be mindful that while they must earn at least 120 credit hours, they can only receive federal aid for up to 180. At 150 credit hours the financial aid office will audit students to confirm they are on track to graduate by 180.

Gowers said there is a long process involved in processing graduation paperwork once she receives it. First a student completes the application, then he or she must meet with his or her adviser. After that the degree is audited by the adviser comparing the catalog to the student's transcript. Next, Gowers reviews that package and the student pays a $35 graduation fee. After that the file sits until the student completes all his or her classes in the spring and grades are posted. If everything clears, then the student graduates.

"Because so many organizations have to be informed, commencement, alumni, honors societies, if you do not turn in your graduation application by Feb. 1, you will not graduate in the spring," Gowers said. "The deadlines are firm."

Lastly, Jacobs reminded students that graduation isn't a race.

"Students need to keep in mind the idea of timing versus content." Jacobs said. "If there is an elective class that you think will help your career or teach you something important, take it. As long as it is worth it to you, you don't need to rush out the door with a degree."