Elizabeth Olsen Explains Why She Skipped Her NYU Graduation: “I Didn’t Know Anyone”

Key Points

• Elizabeth Olsen reveals she chose not to attend her NYU graduation ceremony.
• The actress graduated in 2013 after her rising career delayed her original 2011 completion date.
• Olsen shared the story in a new InStyle profile while promoting upcoming film projects.
• Her early breakout roles, including Martha Marcy May Marlene, shaped her decision to prioritize work over ceremony.
• Olsen’s experience reflects a common dilemma for young professionals balancing education and career opportunities.

Elizabeth Olsen Opens Up About Skipping Her College Graduation

Elizabeth Olsen is reflecting on a milestone she quietly passed by. In a recent interview with InStyle, the actress revealed why she chose not to attend her New York University graduation ceremony — a decision she shared with honesty and a hint of humor.

The conversation offered a rare look at Olsen’s life just before her rise to stardom, as she balanced academic commitments with the early momentum of her acting career.

Balancing NYU Studies With a Fast‑Growing Career

Olsen studied at NYU’s renowned Atlantic Theatre Company and was originally set to graduate in 2011. But that same year, her acting career began accelerating rapidly, pushing her official graduation to 2013.

By the time the ceremony arrived, Olsen was already working steadily in film — and didn’t feel connected to the graduating class.

“I did not attend graduation because I didn’t know anyone who was graduating that year,” she told InStyle. Despite skipping the event, she expressed deep affection for her acting program, even noting she still keeps her NYU hat as a sentimental reminder.

Early Fame Shaped Her Priorities

Olsen’s professional breakthrough came in 2011 with Martha Marcy May Marlene, followed by roles in Silent House and Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. Though she had appeared in small TV roles as a child — and grew up in the public eye thanks to sisters Mary‑Kate and Ashley Olsen — her adult career took off quickly.

Given that momentum, her decision to skip graduation feels relatable: a young actor choosing work opportunities over ceremony. And as her career trajectory shows, the choice didn’t slow her down.

A Familiar Choice for Many Young Professionals

Olsen’s story highlights a common reality for students whose careers begin before their degrees are complete. For her, prioritizing real‑world experience over tradition proved to be the right move — and her success since leaving NYU underscores that path.

What Happens Next?

With several new film projects on the horizon, Olsen continues to build on a career defined by thoughtful choices and steady growth. Her candid reflection adds another layer to her public persona as she steps into her next chapter.