Registration Basics

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Registration is the systematic process that reserves seats in particular classes, including sports, for eligible students. At Vassar College, we use an online system to register for classes. You will register for classes twice a year (Fall and Spring). During your individual pre-major advising meetings, you will discuss your short-term and long-term plans to gain advice about selecting any additional courses you will need to complete your schedule.

Ask Banner

Ask Banner is your friend. From the Vassar home page, click on Students at the top right-hand side of the page. The Ask Banner link is in the section labeled Student Life. You can access your transcript, current schedule, and contact information on Ask Banner under Student and Financial Aid, using your 9-digit ID.

What is a full-time load?

To be a full-time student you:

• must be enrolled in 3.5 units
• should not be enrolled in more than 4.5 units

After your first semester, you can apply to the Committee on Leaves and Privileges for an overload. CLP forms are available on the Dean of Studies website.

After Classes Begin

Check your schedule online at the end of the add period to make sure your schedule matches the classes you are attending. If your schedule does not, contact your advisor or make an appointment with the Dean of First-Year Students.

What is the Add Period?

• You are not enrolled in a class by virtue of being added to Moodle, or if you have been told you are let in off the waitlist.

To add a class, you must:

• Submit an add/drop form found on the Registrar’s website
• Have the Instructor and your Pre-Major Advisor (PMA) approve the add/drop form

What is the Drop Period?

Dropping is easy as long as you remain enrolled in 3.5 units. Students drop for a variety of reasons. Instructors do not take it personally as they understand the pressures students are under to create the right schedule.

To drop a class, you must:

• Consult your Pre-Major Advisor (PMA) to get their approval to drop a course
• Submit an add/drop form found on the Registrar’s website (Instructor approval is NOT necessary)

Late Add?

In rare instances, the advisors in the Dean of Studies office allow students to add classes late. If you need to add a class after the add deadline has passed, please come to the Dean of Studies Office (Main N-128) and speak to the student receptionist, who will let you know what your options are.

NRO?

The Non-Recorded Option was originally intended as a way to encourage students to take intellectual risks and is essentially a pass/fail option. Courses that may be taken NRO are marked with “NR” in the Schedule of Classes. Talk to your PMA to see if NRO-ing a course is right for you.

Late Drop?

On very rare occasions, the Dean of Studies does allow students to drop courses beyond the drop deadline. Please make an appointment with the Dean of First-Year Students (call x5258 or stop by the office) to discuss your options if you want to drop a course after the drop deadline.

Student-Initiated Withdrawal?

You may withdraw from a class through the 9th week of the semester, provided you do not fall below 3.5 units (see deadline). If you withdraw from a course a WD will appear on your transcript, as opposed to dropping a course, which removes it from the transcript. In order to withdraw from a course, you will need your advisor’s approval and that of the Dean of First-Year Students. Discuss your reasons for withdrawing with your advisor and dean to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

Contacts

The Registrar’s Office
Main Building N-118
(845) 437-5270
registrar@vassar.edu

The Dean of Studies Office
Main Building N-128
(845) 437-5255
dos@vassar.edu
deanoffirstyear@vassar.edu

Course Match Support
go.vassar.edu/coursematchinfo
coursematch@vassar.edu