How do I know what prerequisites are required for a course?
Check the College Bulletin, available on line at www.dickinson.edu/bulletin.

If I don't have the prerequisite but the professor told me it was okay to register for the class, can I still do that?
If you don't have the prerequisite, the computer will allow you to add this course as one of your 4 choices during the initial online registration period.  BUT, when the Registrar's Office staff runs the processing in November, you will not be permitted to go into that class.  If you have permission from the professor to take the course, attach the signed Waiver of the Prerequisite form to your Course Request Form and turn it in to the Registrar's Office before noon on October 21.  These forms are available in the Registrar's Office or online at Registrar's Office Forms link.

How do I know what the priorities are that have been assigned by the departments?
Check the course priority information link (click here) for a complete listing of the priority faculty have assigned to student access for courses.

How are these priorities determined?
Each department makes the decision about the category of students with priority in the course.  They take in to consideration the numbers of majors who need the course, other majors who use the course as a requirement and/or elective, etc.

How many people will be allowed to sign up for each course during the initial online registration period?
The computer will accept an unlimited number of registrants for each course; we turned off the 'capacity' check during this time period so that everyone who needs to have access to the course has that access.

What does "random assignment" really mean?
When there are more students who want to take a course than there are spaces in the course, the computer will  first prioritize the students according to those published on the course priority information link (click here).  Then, if there are still more students who want the class than there are spaces available, students are randomly selected from within the category.  In other words, assignment is not based on the first letter of your last name, or by when you entered your schedule on line.

What if my advisor isn't on campus anymore?
You need to get a new advisor immediately.  If you've already declared your major, contact your department chair to have a new advisor assigned.  If you haven't yet declared your major, now may be the perfect time to do that. Complete the Declaration of Major Form and submit it no later than October 21 at noon.  If you aren't ready to declare, that's fine.  You can choose another advisor by completing the Change of Advisor Form. Both of these forms are available in the Registrar's Office or online at Registrar's Office Forms link.

Why do I have to include 8 courses on this form?
This allows you to identify your top 8 choices.  If after we've matched your choices to course priorities you don't have 4 courses, we will refer to this form to register you for other courses.   This form is a tool to help you and your advisor record the results of your discussions about your academic program and the various ways possible to meet your educational and personal goals.

When do I enter my courses online?
Anytime between 9:00am, October 25 and 4:00pm, October 27.

Will the college allow me to register if I have an unpaid bill?
Probably not.  The most important thing is to confirm with the Student Accounts office that your account is clear well before October 21.    If you have a hold, the computer will not accept any of your course choices.

What if I am unable to go online between 9:00am, October 25 and 4:00pm, October 27?
If you encounter an emergency situation and are unable to get to a computer with web access (you can register from anywhere in the world with this on-line access), please call our office and we will help you.  Otherwise, you can register during Schedule Adjustment Period (beginning in December).

What is the wait list?
This is a listing of students who wish to take the course if a space becomes available.  Please note that during the online registration time period it will appear as if you are on the wait list for courses.  Do not be alarmed, this is simply the way the computer processes your requests and holds them until we can run the programs that match your requests with the priorities set by the faculty for each course.

Can I go on a wait list during the registration period?
If you register for a course but do not get it once we've matched the students who've requested that courses with the priorities, you will be placed on the wait list.

How does the wait list work?
Deb Williams, the Associate Registrar, monitors course availability during the Schedule Adjustment and Add/Drop periods.  As spaces open in a course with a wait list, she contacts the first person on the wait list via e-mail about the opening.  You can then decide if you want the course or not.  Out of courtesy to others on the wait list, please be sure to respond immediately, even if you no longer wish to be moved to active enrollment in the course.

If I am the first person to go on the wait list, am I the first person contacted?
In some cases.  Please refer to the Course Priority link (click here) for information on prioritization of the wait list.  Unless otherwise listed, the priority for the wait list is the same as the priority for gaining access to the course during the initial regitration period.

Can I register for an Independent Study/Independent Research/Tutorial during Registration?
Yes.  Complete the Special Options Form (available in the Registrar's Office or online at Registrar's Office Forms link) and bring it with you to the Registrar's Office when you drop off your Course Registration Form.

Can I register for an Internship during Registration?
No.  But, as soon as you take care of all of the paperwork with the Career Center, they will send that paperwork to us and we will add it to your schedule.

How do I register for Off-Campus Study?
Complete your required paperwork with the Office of Global Education by the published deadline for your program.  The Office of Global Education will inform the Registrar's Office of all students approved to study off-campus.

Can I register for Off-Campus Study and courses on campus?
No.