Let the Graduations Commence: The Class of 2011

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United States Military Academy’s commencement on May 21, 2011 in West Point, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
By TIME Photo Department

In her May 25th “class day” speech to graduating seniors at Harvard, comedian Amy Poehler joked that postcollege life is like “a heist that requires good drivers, an explosives expert, a hot girl who doubles as a master of disguise.” The line got some chuckles, but it also struck a nerve. For college grads, nabbing a good job in this economy may seem as far-fetched as pulling off a successful bank robbery.

For one week, VII photographer Joachim Ladefoged traveled the nation, attending six commencement ceremonies at schools in all parts of the country. From institutions like the United States Military Academy at West Point to Reed College in Portland, Ore., Ladefoged documented the stoicism, uncertainty, excitement and fear that rides along with this year’s graduating class of seniors.

—Roya Wolverson

Click here to read the full story in this week’s issue of TIME.

Harvard University’s commencement event on May 26, 2011 in Cambridge, MAJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Reed College’s commencement on May 23, 2011 in Portland, ORJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Harvard University’s commencement event on May 26, 2011 in Cambridge, MAJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
The University of Rhode Island’s commencement on May 22, 2011 in Kingston, RIJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
California State University, Northridge’s commencement event on May 24, 2011 in Northridge, CAJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
Sarah Lawrence College’s commencement on May 20, 2011 in Bronxville, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
United States Military Academy’s commencement on May 21, 2011 in West Point, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
United States Military Academy’s commencement on May 21, 2011 in West Point, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
United States Military Academy’s commencement on May 21, 2011 in West Point, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME
United States Military Academy’s commencement on May 21, 2011 in West Point, NYJoachim Ladefoged—VII for TIME

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