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Enrollment

Pre-Enroll

How many credits can I enroll in?

Pre-enrollment limits all students to 18 credits.

How/when can I enroll in more than 18 credits?

Once the add/drop period begins, students can add more credits for a maximum total of 22 overall credits per semester.

CALS students are allowed a max of 22 credits per semester. The petition to exceed max credits (located in DUST) is only available/visible in DUST to seniors. Typically, seniors are allowed to exceed 22 credits only if they: need to add more credits in order to stay on track to graduate, have demonstrated via good academic standing and GPA that they can successfully complete a standard credit-load. We encourage them to schedule a meeting with the CALS Registrar or Inclusive Advising Teams to review this request.

Can I pre-enroll in research/TAing/Internship/or Independent Study (special studies)?

Special Studies courses are not available during pre-enroll. These courses require an application which will open prior to the semester starting. Keep an eye on your Cornell email for important dates and deadlines related to the special studies form opening.

I have a hold on my account that's preventing me from enrolling, what do I do?

  • Step 1: To check yourholds, first sign into yourStudent Center
  • Step 2: Next, check for ‘Holds’on the right side of the screen
  • Step 3: Click on ‘Details’ to read more about your hold(s), and instructions on how to get them removed
  • Step 4: Take the appropriate steps to get hold removed

I can’t enroll. The message says that I don’t have an enrollment period.

First, confirm that enrollment is open based on the student's given year (first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are each given different pre-enrollment dates). If the issue persists, contact CALS Student Services at cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu) for assistance.

I got an error code when I tried to enroll in a class, what do I do?

Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:

What are the different grade options?

Every class is offered for one of the following grade options:

  • Letter Grade (A+ through F) exclusively
    • Passing is D- and above
    • Most majors require the major requirements be taken for a letter grade. Check with your faculty advisor for more information.
  • Pass/Fail Exclusively (SX/UX)
    • These classes will not impact your GPA
    • Passing grade is C- or higher
  • Student Option (S/U)
    • Students have the choice to decide whether they would like to take the class for a letter grade or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
    • If you choose to take this class Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, it will not contribute to your GPA
    • Passing grade is C- or higher

What is a forbidden overlap?

Forbidden Overlap courses are groups of courses that cover material that significantly overlaps in content. Review the Forbidden Overlap List to find coursesthat, due to an overlap in content, students will receive credit for only one course in each of the groups listed.It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that they are not enrolling in any Forbidden Overlap courses, or any other course they have already taken.

I missed my pre-enroll appointment, can you help me enroll/when can I enroll?

It depends on the situation.

  • Students can contact us (cals-studentservices [at] cornell.edu (cals-studentservices[at]cornell[dot]edu)) in advance of pre-enroll if they will be in the deep woods/on a boat/on a plane during their enrollment window and our office will help them enroll.
  • If the student missed their pre-enroll period for a situation outside of the one above, the CALS Student Services officecan put them in the next pre-enroll appointment slot, if there is one. Otherwise, they will need to wait until the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.

Fall / Spring Enrollment

Why am I unable to enroll in a course when there are seats open/available? 

This is likely occurring because the remaining open seats are reserved. Instructors are able to reserve seats based on class year/major/etc. It is possible they hold the seats during pre-enroll but will open them up during the regular enrollment period. Students are encouraged to reach out to the instructor/department for more information if they wish.  

There is a lot that can change between pre-enrollment and the regular enrollment period (seats opened, new sections created, classroom moved to allow more spots, etc.). If the course is needed for the student’s major, or if they are a senior needing this course to graduate, or if it’s a sequence and they won’t be on track without it, and this is the only opportunity to take the course, it will be worked out.  

Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:

How do I enroll in a full/waitlisted course? (OR) I enrolled in a course that put me on a waitlist. What should I do? 

If the class is full and allows a waitlist, the student will automatically be put on the waitlist.  It is recommended that they seek another course. The student may check back to see if any spots open up, or contact the department offering the class to see if additional seats or sections will be made available.  Students are not automatically enrolled in a course if they are on the waitlist. 

How do I enroll in a course that requires department consent or a permission code?  

Please read the class note and description on the Class Roster for any additional information on enrolling. If there are no specific instructions listed, please contact the instructor to request a permission code. Students should feel assured that reaching out for a permission code is expected and needed in these situations.  

There is a time conflict with two of my classes, what do I do?  

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) does not support class time conflict requests, as students are expected to attend classes according to the federal credit hour regulations. Students are expected to participate in each class in the format in which the class is offered. Generally, students cannot enroll in courses that meet at the same time or at overlapping times. Time conflict overrides are NOT available for a student to attend one class and arrange to watch asynchronous lectures and complete the coursework for a second class outside of the course time. Additional information can be found here under Time Conflict.

Can I change the number of credits I enrolled in for a particular course after I have enrolled?   

Yes, as long as the course allows variable credits (this is noted on the Class Roster), and the student’s enrollment window is still open. Students make this edit in Student Center using the ‘edit’ feature. There is a deadline to make this adjustment each semester, so please refer to the Academic Calendar for these deadlines.

Why am I unable to enroll in a FWS (First-year Writing Seminar) even though there are seats available?  

FWS are restricted to sophomores and first-year students.  

I am unable to enroll because I have a hold on my account. How do I resolve this?  

The student will need to contact the office that placed the hold on their account (Bursar, for example), as noted in Student Center.  Once the hold has been satisfied, they will be able to enroll.  CALS Student Services cannot override any holds placed from other offices. 

I got an error code when I tried to enroll in a class, what do I do?

Refer to one of the following resources for next best steps:

What are the different grade options?

Every class is offered for one of the following grade options:

  • Letter Grade (A+ through F) exclusively

    • Passing is D- and above
    • Most majors require the major requirements be taken for a letter grade.  Check with your faculty advisor for more information.

  • Pass/Fail Exclusively (SX/UX)

    • These classes will not impact your GPA
    • Passing grade is C- or higher

  • Student Option (S/U)

    • Students have the choice to decide whether they would like to take the class for a letter grade or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
    • If you choose to take this class Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, it will not contribute to your GPA
    • Passing grade is C- or higher

Can I change my grading option after I enroll?  (From S/U to Letter Graded or Letter Graded to S/U.)  

Yes, as long as the course is offered for either grading option (this is noted on the Class Roster), and the student’s enrollment window is still open. Students make this edit in Student Center using the ‘edit’ feature. There is a deadline to make this adjustment each semester, so please refer to the Academic Calendar for these deadlines.

What does “term maximum exceeded” mean?   

The student has enrolled in the maximum number of credits possible for the term.  CALS students are unable to enroll in more than 22 credits per semester (18 credits during pre-enroll).  This may also happen if the student has reached the maximum allowed classes with the S/U grading option. 

Winter / Summer Enrollment

How do I enroll in Winter/Summer courses?  

All enrollment for non-academic terms (Winter/Summer) is done through the Cornell School of Continuing Education.  Students should refer to the SCE website and follow the detailed instructions for requesting enrollment for these non-academic terms. 

Is there a limit on how many credits I can take for the Winter/Summer sessions? 

Winter:
  • Limited to 4 credits. Winter Session classes feature the same content and time requirements as a 15-week class, but condensed into 3 weeks, resulting in a short and intense educational experience. A petition is required to enroll in more than 4 credits; however, doing so is not advisable. 
Summer:
  • Students can enroll in up to 15 credits during the Summer Session.
  • Up to four credits in a three-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 20-credit semester).
  • Up to eight credits in a six-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 20-credit semester).
  • Up to ten credits in an eight-week period (equivalent time commitment of a 19-credit semester).
  • Up to fifteen credits during the entire summer period (May-August). 

Can I petition to add a Winter/Summer Session class after the add deadline? 

Registration for these courses are managed by the School of Continuing Education so petitions for late class changes and other exceptions must be submitted to the SCE Registrar at cusce [at] cornell.edu (cusce[at]cornell[dot]edu).