Student FAQs

How do I get a white coat?
During orientation, the Associate Director of Student Activities will fit you for a white coat. The university provides you with one complimentary white coat complete with a patch representing both your program and the institution. The university does not offer an alteration service. If you need to alter your sleeve length, for example, please take the coat to an alteration service.

When will I receive my White Coat?
White Coats will be in by the end of August. Your time and place to pick up your white coat will be announced to you via e-mail. Please make sure to check your e-mail to see when and where you will pick up your coat.

Will I be given invitations to the ceremony to distribute to family and friends?
All participants are given ten invitations to give out to family and friends. Unfortunately, extra invitations will not be available. A student that wishes to have more than ten invites is encouraged to talk to their fellow classmates to see if anyone has extras. Remember, an invitation is just that – an invite to the ceremony. This is not a ticketed event so attendees do not need an invite to be allowed into the venue.

Are there tickets to the White Coat Ceremony?
No, White Coat is not a ticketed event.

How many people can I invite to attend? Is there a limit?
TUN does not place a limit on the number of guests you bring; however, seating is first‐come first served.

What do I do first on the day of the ceremony?
Prior to the day of the ceremony, the office of Student Activities will email all participants with their check-in time and location. Students are expected to be on-time for check-in. Check in will be at the registration booth near the Pavilion Ballroom. At check-in you will receive an index card with your name, your phonetic name, and a number on the bottom corner of the card. This number will be used for line‐up purposes.

What do I do with my white coat at the ceremony?Please make sure you bring your white coat. It is strongly recommended that you press your white coat so as to not appear disheveled when you’re on stage and for your photograph. Please fold it over your right arm. When you process as a class you will have it over your right arm.

Will there be a class photograph?
Yes. This photograph will be taken prior to the ceremony. An e-mail will be sent out as to when and where the photograph will be taken. If you arrive late and your class photo has been taken, there will not be an opportunity for a re-take of the group shot.

What should I wear?
Students should dress business‐casual to business. We do not recommend wearing a suit jacket or sport coat as the venue may get quite warm with 2,500 people in the room. We also do not recommend wearing high heels as there are stairs to navigate.

How will we be lined up?
Students will be lined up in alphabetical order within their programs. To assist you in figuring out alphabetical order, the number on the bottom of your index card corresponds to where you should be in line.

Can I bring a hand bag, purse, and/or cell phone with me on stage?
No personal belongings will be allowed on stage. All personal items must be left with family, friends, or in your car.

Can my family join me in the line-up area?
Family is not permitted in the line-up area. There will approximately 300 students as well as 50+ faculty/staff in this area at any given time. In order to keep things organized, family is not permitted to join the student prior to the ceremony in the line-up room.

How long is the ceremony and do I have to stay for the entire ceremony?
The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. All participants are required to stay for the entire ceremony.

What do I do when our class is called to the stage?
When your class is called, you will proceed to the stage. You always cross the stage from stage left to right. Take your index card with your name on it and make sure you have your white coat laid over your right arm. You will hand your card to the reader at the top of the stairs and proceed to your coater. You will present your coat to the first coater (typically a faculty member from your program) who will shake the coat. You will then move to the 2nd coater and this person will coat you. After being coated, you will proceed to an off-stage photography area. Following the photograph please return to your seat for the remainder of the ceremony.

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