Cornell University Office of the University Registrar

• Home
• For Students
• For Faculty & Departments

Enrollment — Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to pre-enroll and add/drop online?
• What if I can't get in to pre-enroll or add/drop classes?
• What happens if I do not have access to pre-enroll or add/drop and my advisor is not available?
• What is the wish list?
• How do I add a course that requires permission?
• What is the Permission Nbr on the Enrollment Preferences screen in Step 1?
• Are my pre-enrollment requests saved when I exit the Student Center?
• Can I change my schedule once I have submitted my choices?
• Is there a wait list for classes?
• How do I pre-enroll in or add/drop my First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS)?
• What is the deadline for course add/drop?
• How do I enroll if I’m off-campus?

Do I have to pre-enroll and add/drop online?

Yes, if you are in any of the undergraduate colleges or the Graduate School, all requests for the following semester must be submitted online. One general exception is permission only courses where you must get the instructor’s permission and signature on the paper form. Please check with your college registrar’s office for possible college specific exceptions and to pick up the paper form.

What if I can't get in to pre-enroll or add/drop classes?

If you cannot access enrollment during your assigned enrollment appointment time, look at the Holds box on the Student Center home page. If there is a hold, click on “Details” then click on the “Hold Item” link to find out what you need to do to clear the hold. If there are no holds, check the Enrollment Dates box on the Student Center home page to be sure you’re in the right time period. If your enrollment appointment is incorrect, please contact your college registrar's office.

What happens if I do not have access to pre-enroll or add/drop and my advisor is not available?

Please contact your college registrar’s office.

What is the wish list?

The wish list allows you to build a shopping cart of classes you want to take prior to your pre-enrollment period. Once your enrollment appointment opens, you can add the classes directly from the Wish List rather than taking the time to build your schedule at 6:30am! It will not be fully functional until the pre-enrollment period in Fall 2008 for Spring 2009.

How do I add a course that requires permission?

If you need to add a course that is listed as "by permission only"

1. pick up the paper add/drop form from your college registrar's office,
2. complete it and obtain the required approvals/signatures
3. return it to the your college registrar’s office for processing.

Remember that you are not "in" the course until the paper add/drop form is processed by your college registrar.

What is the Permission Nbr on the Enrollment Preferences screen in Step 1?

We’re not using that feature for Fall 2008 pre-enrollment. In the future it will be used for enrolling in “by permission only” classes.

Are my pre-enrollment requests saved when I exit Student Center?

Any classes you add to your shopping cart (Step 1) will remain there during your pre-enrollment period. However, until you complete all three steps for all classes your requests will not be submitted and you will not be pre-enrolled in anything.

Can I change my schedule once I have submitted my choices?

Yes, you can log-in as many times as you like as long as your faculty advisor has granted you permission and you are within your pre-enrollment appointment time or the add/drop period to make changes. At the end of the period you will not be able to make changes. You MUST make grade option and credit hour changes by the deadline to add courses (end of the 3rd full week of classes).

Is there a wait list for classes?

A limited number of classes have online waitlists. If that is an option for a class, you will see it once you have selected the class and are taken to the Select a Class to Add – Enrollment Preferences screen above the Permission Number field.

If you find you are closed out of an Outdoor Education class, they would like to hear from you and put you on a wait list. Contact Outdoor Education (255-6183 or e-mail COED@cornell.edu) and let them know your name, ID number, the course you would like to take, phone number and e-mail address.

How do I pre-enroll in or add/drop my First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS)?

First-Year Writing Seminars are not available for online pre-enrollment. The "brochure" is only available online. If you are interested in enrolling in a First-Year Writing Seminar, please go to http://www.arts.cornell.edu/knight_institute/ for instructions.

The add/drop period for First-Year Writing Seminars (FWS) is only two weeks long. With the exception of permission-only courses, you can add or drop a FWS online. You may only be enrolled in one FWS at a time.

What is the deadline for course add/drop?

The course add deadline is 3 weeks from the beginning of classes and the course drop deadline is 7 weeks from the beginning of classes. JGSM, Law and Vet students need to check with their colleges. Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, the Department of Athletics and Physical Education, and First-Year Writing Seminars may have different course enrollment policies and deadlines. Exact dates are posted on this site each term.

How do I enroll if I’m off-campus?

The new Student Center (Just the Facts) is a web application. If you have an internet connection, you can enroll in classes 24 hours a day during your scheduled pre-enrollment period or during the add/drop period.

Enter your classes online. Be sure to complete all three steps or your advisor will not be able to view your classes. E-mail or phone your advisor that your requests have been entered. They can view them via Faculty Center. They should inform you of any changes necessary. If your advisor is on leave, or otherwise unavailable, please contact your college registrar.