How difficult is it to get into your classes?

[75969]

At my university, one of the most difficult aspects of a class is simply getting into it! The school staggers registration times (meaning the time that you are ‘allowed’ to register for courses) based upon honors, athletes and disabled students first, followed by senior, junior, etc… I have senior standing and the majority of my required courses were closed before my registration time opened up (this happens EVERY term and advisors aren’t able to help). I am wondering how many of you have this same problem at your university…

 

[DrHuang]

At my university, one of the most difficult aspects of a class is simply getting into it! The school staggers registration times (meaning the time that you are ‘allowed’ to register for courses) based upon honors, athletes and disabled students first, followed by senior, junior, etc… I have senior standing and the majority of my required courses were closed before my registration time opened up (this happens EVERY term and advisors aren’t able to help). I am wondering how many of you have this same problem at your university…

you goto a UC?

 

[C8H10N4O2Addict]

Never a big problem for me, but I went to a smallish Ivey Plus school. A very few classes were lotteried.

Generally, though, I have found that negotiating with professors on the first day of class works. Just because the class is full, doesn't mean it will always be that way. Ask to be able to take it. If the prof. is hessitant, ask to do the assignments and take it officially if someone drops out (highly likely). Should no one drop it by drop date, you will probably be okay if you just explain your situation again. I'm sure the professor would be impressed by your dedication.

 

[75969]

you goto a UC?

No, University of South Florida

 

[75969]

Generally, though, I have found that negotiating with professors on the first day of class works. Just because the class is full, doesn't mean it will always be that way. Ask to be able to take it. If the prof. is hessitant, ask to do the assignments and take it officially if someone drops out (highly likely). Should no one drop it by drop date, you will probably be okay if you just explain your situation again. I'm sure the professor would be impressed by your dedication.

I have tried this...twice for genetics...NOBODY drops! I am currently on a waitlist for genetics next term....number 92! (The class has ~200 seats...and so far ~100+ on the waitlist!)

 

[moonbunnie]

can you join the honors program? I did this, and now I get to register on the first time slot after grad students, so mostly everything is available.

 

[75969]

can you join the honors program? I did this, and now I get to register on the first time slot after grad students, so mostly everything is available.

Nope....I took 39 credits dual enrollment, therefore I confused everyone and somehow became ineligible for the program (and my ACT was a point below requirement for the honors program)

 

[minah86]

I'm right with you Daisy.

I go to Univ. of Florida and it's basically the same way. You should be happy that you're a Senior atleast, just think about the underclassmen and how long they have to wait. For us, it can be almost a whole month after the seniors register!

 

[fullefect1]

Thats one of the reasons why I do athletics.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

why in the world do athletes get priority registration? it seems like your school's priorities are a bit skewed. if they have that many extra students for a class, they should just open up a new section. i know, easier said than done at a budget-strapped state school.

 

[75969]

why in the world do athletes get priority registration? it seems like your school's priorities are a bit skewed. if they have that many extra students for a class, they should just open up a new section. i know, easier said than done at a budget-strapped state school.

It is really screwed up! Fresh/Soph on the freaking golf team can register before I do....


Funding is a huge issue. They can build 2 new buildings for research, but cant open enough seats in classes (this is the majority of science classes too...not one or two classes). See, they have this 'dream' of turning a no-name school into a top reasearch school in 5 years...ummm...yeah. Anyone ever think that a top research school requires, not only lab equipment, but educated students to work in the labs?!?! UGH!


Has anyone sat in on a class for months (before being enrolled)? A few people in my orgo class stayed in, took tests, etc....without being registered, waited for someone else to fail out, and the professor added them right before final drop ('w' drop). This seems really risky...but out of 200 people, someone is likely to fail.

 

[Hausdaddy24]

why in the world do athletes get priority registration? it seems like your school's priorities are a bit skewed. if they have that many extra students for a class, they should just open up a new section. i know, easier said than done at a budget-strapped state school.

I played baseballl my freshman year at a division 1 school in NC. Athletes there had no priority in registration over non athletes. Subsequently I got "stuck" with classes that I didn't want (or need) to take, but had to anyways to maintain eligibility by taking and passing at least 12 credit hours. Well anyways our team played 52 games during the regulars season plus 4 games in the conference tournament, 56 games during the spring semester with half of them on the road at places like Florida state, Tennessee, ECU, Birmingham Southern, VMI, etc etc. By the time freshman could register I had to take the classes that were left even though I knew I wouldn't be able to attend most of them because we would be on the road. Needless to say I missed AT LEAST half of the classes for every course I was enrolled in. All this could have been avoided had I been able to register earlier and set up a schedule so that I would actually be able to my classes. Because of my GPA that semester (3.3, not awful but not med school material) I decided to quit playing baseball and concentrate on getting into med school. Even though I am no longer an athlete I completely support athletes registering before non athlete.

So, basically thats exactly why athletes should be allowed to register first.

 

[Nikki2002]

i go to a large university but i'm in the honors college and we get to register for classes before everyone else.....since i was a freshman i always got first pick. totally rocks

 

[Hoberto]

You could make a similar argument for just about anybody, though. Some people have kids in school and need to be home at certain times or they will miss class so they should get to register first. Some people have jobs with benefits and need to be at those jobs, so they should get to register first. Some people have to take care of another adult and need to be home for doctor's/PT visits and would miss class otherwise, so they should get to register first....the list goes on....

 

[Hausdaddy24]

You could make a similar argument for just about anybody, though. Some people have kids in school and need to be home at certain times or they will miss class so they should get to register first. Some people have jobs with benefits and need to be at those jobs, so they should get to register first. Some people have to take care of another adult and need to be home for doctor's/PT visits and would miss class otherwise, so they should get to register first....the list goes on....

Good point, but, as I was made well aware of when I signed my scholarship letter, I was signing a binding legal document. If I were to quit or be kicked off of the team for any reason (including failing out of school as a side effect of missing too many classes) my scholarship would become null and void and I would owe any money they used to fund my education to the school. That being said, I really don't see how they can have an athlete sign an agreement to play for their school (56 games during spring semester for me) and then deny them the oppurtunity to at least try to make a schedule that they can attend. Also, like it or not, sports programs bring in ridiculous amounts of money and notoriety at some universities. The university would be spoiling this wealth of funding and free publicity that athletics brings if they didn't do everything possible (aside from changing grades and a few more imaginative acts) to make sure that their athletes were given every oppurtunity to succeed, including but not limited to being allowed to register first.

 

[75969]

Good point, but, as I was made well aware of when I signed my scholarship letter, I was signing a binding legal document. If I were to quit or be kicked off of the team for any reason (including failing out of school as a side effect of missing too many classes) my scholarship would become null and void and I would owe any money they used to fund my education to the school. That being said, I really don't see how they can have an athlete sign an agreement to play for their school (56 games during spring semester for me) and then deny them the oppurtunity to at least try to make a schedule that they can attend. Also, like it or not, sports programs bring in ridiculous amounts of money and notoriety at some universities. The university would be spoiling this wealth of funding and free publicity that athletics brings if they didn't do everything possible (aside from changing grades and a few more imaginative acts) to make sure that their athletes were given every oppurtunity to succeed, including but not limited to being allowed to register first.

I have no problem with the honors, disabled and sports being allowed priority t registration----over their OWN class. I think it is absurd that seniors are not graduating so a freshman can attend classes while playing their sports...as far as I am concerned, playing a sport 1st year does not make you above people who have been at a school 3+ years....

 

[Hausdaddy24]

I have no problem with the honors, disabled and sports being allowed priority t registration----over their OWN class. I think it is absurd that seniors are not graduating so a freshman can attend classes while playing their sports...as far as I am concerned, playing a sport 1st year does not make you above people who have been at a school 3+ years....

Seniors registering for classes for their major that they need to graduate are not registering for classes that freshmen will be registering for. Seniors registering for classes that they need to graduate are going to be registering for 300 or 400 level classes that most freshmen are not allowed to take bc of pre reqs.
As for basic studies needed to graduate, at my university basic study requirements can be fulfilled with a variety of different classes (for example 10 different courses are offered to fulfill our Fine Arts requirement). So there is rarely one single basic studies class that a senior must complete in order to graduate.

 

[drmota]

wait til you're a 5th year senior. it becomes a lot easier getting into classes.
-mota

 

[75969]

Seniors registering for classes for their major that they need to graduate are not registering for classes that freshmen will be registering for. Seniors registering for classes that they need to graduate are going to be registering for 300 or 400 level classes that most freshmen are not allowed to take bc of pre reqs.
As for basic studies needed to graduate, at my university basic study requirements can be fulfilled with a variety of different classes (for example 10 different courses are offered to fulfill our Fine Arts requirement). So there is rarely one single basic studies class that a senior must complete in order to graduate.

Ok...ok....sophomores (or freshman with AP credit) registering for classes a senior needs to graduate. I am a senior and have had to have special permission from the department to take all my upperlevels without the proper pre-reqs because the class is always full. (Try taking advanced physiology classes without having taken cell bio or genetics first! I was allowed in because i have taken ecology!)

All my gen. ed classes are complete, otherwise i wouldnt be complaining and would be finishing those instead (did that last fall )

 

[tank you]

wait til you're a 5th year senior. it becomes a lot easier getting into classes.
-mota

haha, u got that right. go us! =p

 

[shoal]

haha, u got that right. go us! =p

go us! dang engineering. However I am on my 5th year, it really isn't (8th semester of class) GO co-op 5th year fun!

 

[Shredder]

sometimes it can be hard for certain classes at u texas. i dont think thats the way it should be, and i dislike stressing over class availability. but thats what i get for attending an enormous 50k student public school, sigh.

 

[phabejsam]

im glad i dont gotta deal with no classes anymo. graduated haha

 

[RogueBanana]

I had this same problem in undergrad. The school gave athletes a HUGE preference for both class registration & housing (They basically had first pick for everything)

Most profs are pretty chill about it if you come to class the first day and ask for a permission number (to add the class late through the online portal)

If they can't make an exception for you, they will usually tell you to sit-in on the class and wait until someone drops and a spot opens (usually happens)

Its pretty sad though. When you consider the fact that honors students were fighting for spots in classes because athletes got first pick. Most of them failed the classes and had to re-take, further clogging up the system when they were given first pick the next semester as well. Meanwhile honors students are there to actually learn and get the short end of the stick.

That's public undergrad for ya.

 

[baratheonfire]

im glad i dont gotta deal with no classes anymo. graduated haha

11 years