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Contact: |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Commencement & Character and Fitness |  | Office of Student Affairs (OSA) |\n| Visit Commencement information page for graduation checklist and updates | February-May | [studentaffairs@wcl.american.edu](studentaffairs@wcl.american.edu)\u003Cbr>(202) 274-4030 |\n| Ensure you have disclosed all character and fitness related incidents | March-May |  |\n| Degree Conferral/Bar Certification |  | Office of the Registrar |\n| Diploma names and mailing addresses were submitted with your graduation application. If you have last minute changes, edit your graduation application on Eagle Service be May 15 | May 15 | [registrationservices@wcl.american.edu](registrationservices@wcl.american.edu)\u003Cbr>(202) 274-4080 |\n| Final clearance to graduate notification | Sent to your AU email the Friday before commencement |  |\n| Submit your bar form(s) to the bar certification request portal for processing | Upon receiving graduation clearance | [certifications@wcl.american.edu](certifications@wcl.american.edu) |\n\n\n| Financial Aid |  | Office of Financial Aid |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Complete exit counseling (for federal loan borrowers only) | Instructions and deadlines will be emailed directly from financial aid to individual borrowers | [finaid@wcl.american.edu](finaid@wcl.american.edu)[ ](finaid@wcl.american.edu)(202) 274-4040 |\n| Review student loan repayment options\u003Cbr>Repayment counseling available online through AccessConnex by AccessLex & with Dr. Jeff Hanson | Appointments with Dr. Hanson will be announced this spring |  |\n| Review bar loan resources\u003Cbr>*New for 2024: Dependent on credit approval, loans may be adjusted to cover the cost of the bar exam. Please review the form for the full policy.\u003Cbr>Options for bar exam scholarships and bar study loans available online |  |  |\n| Billing Tasks |  | Student Accounts |\n| Contact Student Accounts to ensure your balance is zeroed out |  |  |\n|  | April | [aucentral@american.edu](aucentral@american.edu)[ ](aucentral@american.edu)(202) 885-8000 |\n\n\n| International Students Support |  | International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| OPT Application (for F-1 visa holders)\u003Cbr>Academic Training (for J-1 visa holders) | May apply up to 90 days before graduation date and 60 days after graduation date | [isss@american.edu](isss@american.edu)\u003Cbr>(202) 885-3350 |\n\n\n| Bar Preparation Support |  | Office of Academic Excellence (OAE) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Check out OAE’s Canvas Page for presentations about all aspects of exam preparation and the application process. Follow the Bar Prep Monthly Checklist for advice. | Anytime | [oae@wcl.american.edu](oae@wcl.american.edu)[ ](oae@wcl.american.edu)(202) 274-4240 |\n| Book a Bar Advising meeting to discuss any questions you have about applying to join the bar. | Anytime |  |\n| The Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam ( MPRE) is required for admission to most bar jurisdictions. Please note the next available date to take the MPRE is August 11 or 12, 2026. | Accommodations recommended date to apply: April 23, 2026\u003Cbr>Registration deadline: June 11, 2026.\u003Cbr>Registration fee: $160 |  |\n| Participate in OAE’s supplemental bar prep activities over the summer! There will be essay simulations with graded feedback, informational presentations, and a full mock bar exam in July. | Summer following graduation |  |\n| Save the date for on-site Mock Bar Exam July 11 & 12, 2026 | Details to follow |  |\n| Employment Resources (JD only) |  | Office of Career & Professional Development (OCPD) |\n| Complete the required Class of 2026 2026 Graduate Employment Survey | Before April 30, 2026 | [careerdevelopment@wcl.american.edu](careerdevelopment@wcl.american.edu)\u003Cbr>(202) 274-4090 |\n| Schedule an appointment with a career counselor\u003Cbr>Resources for Graduating Students | Anytime |  |\n\n\n| Alumni Engagement & Resources |  | Office of Advancement |\n|","cbCaio04qfmjiaYP","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaio04qfmjiaYP","pdf",350938,"English","# Graduation Preparation Tasks\n## Commencement & Character and Fitness\n## Degree Conferral/Bar Certification\n## Financial Aid\n## Billing Tasks\n## International Students Support\n## Bar Preparation Support\n## Employment Resources (JD only)\n## Alumni Engagement & Resources","[{\"question\":\"What should students do for commencement and character/fitness requirements?\",\"answer\":\"Students should visit the commencement information page for updates, and ensure all character and fitness related incidents have been disclosed.\"},{\"question\":\"When are diploma name and mailing address changes handled for graduation?\",\"answer\":\"Diploma names and mailing addresses must be submitted with the graduation application, and last-minute changes are edited on Eagle Service by May 15.\"},{\"question\":\"How do international students handle OPT or Academic Training during graduation?\",\"answer\":\"F-1 visa holders apply for OPT, and J-1 visa holders apply for Academic Training. Applications can be made up to 90 days before the graduation date and 60 days after.\"}]","Graduation Preparation Checklist 2026 - Office of Student Affairs (OSA) | PDF",1790341946]