Attending a class I'm not registered to

[jryan21]

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Can I do this? If I can, should I ask the instructor's permission or just attend the class and act like I'm one of the registered students?

 

[ksmi117]

Depends on the size. If it's small, the room may be jut big enough for the registered students, and the professor will probably notice that there's an extra person. In this case, just ask him/her if it's ok. If it's a huge class, no one will notice. Just go to these.

 

[bashir]

If it's a really big class you could probably get away with auditing on the sly, but ask the professor if you want to avoid the potential of getting "found out" and thrown out of the class. I've known professors who allow students to sit in unofficially, rather than officially auditing, which allows students to avoid paying the fraction of tuition that most universities charge for auditing a class.

 

[SB100]

Do you have the ability to audit?

 

[shemarty]

Yea, easiest thing to do is email the professor to ask what their policy is. If its a big lecture class, they'll probably say okay. If it's a small seminar... probably not.

 

[ThaliaNox]

I unofficially audited a french class once. I talked to the professor ahead of time and got his okay. Worked out well. Did this rather than actually taking it or auditing it because it would have shot me over the credit limit if I'd actually taken it and I didn't want to have to explain to some interviewer why I'd "wussed" out and audited a french class.

 

[jryan21]

Wow! Thanks guys for the replies! I have no idea about the audit thing! Hahaha! My org.chem 1 class just finished today and I found it pretty hard. For the second half of the summer term, I'm registered to a microbiology class and since I'm not doing a lot of things, I'm thinking to sit-in (if possible) in the org.chem 2 (registered in this class next sem.) class so next sem. it wouldn't be too hard for me. Is it worth it or I'm crazy planning to do it? Did somebody tried this kind of thing? Oh and about the class size, it's summer so probably there will only be 30-40 students registered in this class.

 

[STXGregor]

This would be beneficial if its the same teacher that u will have. If not, I think u could get the same advantage by going thru the book urself. I'd spend the time relaxing for the hell coming ur way.

 

[Pulsar]

Wow! Thanks guys for the replies! I have no idea about the audit thing! Hahaha! My org.chem 1 class just finished today and I found it pretty hard. For the second half of the summer term, I'm registered to a microbiology class and since I'm not doing a lot of things, I'm thinking to sit-in (if possible) in the org.chem 2 (registered in this class next sem.) class so next sem. it wouldn't be too hard for me. Is it worth it or I'm crazy planning to do it? Did somebody tried this kind of thing? Oh and about the class size, it's summer so probably there will only be 30-40 students registered in this class.

Can you find the lecture slides online? Or get notes off a friend who's previously taken the class? I have a feeling with only 30 students in the class, the teacher will probably notice. Especially when you don't show up at exams or pass your homework forward in class.

 

[bashir]

Speaking from experience, auditing organic before you take it seems like a good idea, but you probably won't get as much out of it as you think you will, because you won't be putting in the time outside of class to really learn what gets introduced in lecture. If you do think you're disciplined enough to take it seriously and work on it outside of class, then more power to you. It didn't work for me.

 

[Bacchus]

If the professor allows you to sit in, I would go with the professor's word and forego the registrar and audit process. Its the professor's classroom, afterall.

 

[reisub]

Attending lectures is a form of entertainment to me. It's like going to the theater, but educational. The classes I've audited ranged in size from 3 students to 5-dozen students.

Regardless of whether you intend to audit officially or not, it's best to check with the instructor. An exception is the first week of classes, when students are trying to add or drop. At the end of class, just stand in line along with the students who want to add.

If the instructor allows you to audit, commit to attending every class and doing all of the assignments. Try to maintain a B average or better. If you cannot, you are better off focusing on your other classes.

And do not bother trying to audit labs. Your presence in lab would present the school with liability problems.