Class registration stress/ can't get into classes...is this common?

[Anonymous]

Opening day for class registration and dc only got 1 class they pre-selected in planning. Seems common (state public) but curious if this really IS common. I get that there are popular classes, professors and times, but if you register at the opening minute that you can, and most classes are closed?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the size of the school, what classes they’re trying to get and class year.

[Anonymous]

Not for my kid. In fact they’ve been able to change their schedule a lot since registration opened.

[Anonymous]

Yes, common for large public universities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Opening day for class registration and dc only got 1 class they pre-selected in planning. Seems common (state public) but curious if this really IS common. I get that there are popular classes, professors and times, but if you register at the opening minute that you can, and most classes are closed?

Unfortunately this is common at big universities. That’s why people pay a premium to send their kids to small colleges and mid size universities.

[Anonymous]

you have to map out your four year plan (if you know your major) and either way, for each semester, have a couple different alternatives. You have to have them in your cart when registering and be ready to go. Also, lots of wait lists open up and you email the professor and go to the first class. It’s not as bad as it looks.

[Anonymous]

This happens to my kid at uva every semester.

[Anonymous]

It is worst for freshmen.

Older students get priority.,

[Anonymous]

Professor here.

Do you mean they can't get into any section for the class they want or any comparable class? Or do you mean they can't get into the class they want with the prof they want at the time they want?

The former is problematic, and probably more common at certain schools and for students who are on the lower rung of # of credits.

The later is something you need to just suck up.

If they want more of an edge summer classes could help, because it'll bump their credit count and they'll jump up in line for when they can begin to register.

[Anonymous]

I think it's common to get locked out of a class or maybe two. I'd love to hear examples of what it's like at specific schools, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Opening day for class registration and dc only got 1 class they pre-selected in planning. Seems common (state public) but curious if this really IS common. I get that there are popular classes, professors and times, but if you register at the opening minute that you can, and most classes are closed?

Unfortunately this is common at big universities. That’s why people pay a premium to send their kids to small colleges and mid size universities.

This.

Walmart vs bespoke experience

Sometimes in life you get what you pay for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This happens to my kid at uva every semester.

Must be a popular major? My kids have always done ok but I know some classes particularly in CS are in high demand historically.

Both of mine have gotten in off waitlists no problem. For fall, my DD is number 98 on a wait list for a class she needs for her major but they started with very low seat cap so shes hoping they add seats. The class is normally 240 and their cap was 100 this week during enrollment.

To the OP, it is common to have to do WL especially as a freshman. They do add sections though sometimes if it’s a particularly popular class.

Heck even at my SLAC, I was shut out if classes freshman year due to a terrible enrollment slot.

[Anonymous]

I’m glad I’m paying for private. That sounds like a sucky experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m glad I’m paying for private. That sounds like a sucky experience.

Life isn’t going to hold your hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Professor here.

Do you mean they can't get into any section for the class they want or any comparable class? Or do you mean they can't get into the class they want with the prof they want at the time they want?

The former is problematic, and probably more common at certain schools and for students who are on the lower rung of # of credits.

The later is something you need to just suck up.

If they want more of an edge summer classes could help, because it'll bump their credit count and they'll jump up in line for when they can begin to register.

Yeah, he sucked it up this semester with all 8ams. He was hoping for something better moving forward, or at least 1 choice of: not 8ams, not 5pms, not rated "1" professors....