Late registration: the freshmen conundrum

Generic Script

Next week, bookbagging turns into registration for first-year students. If you are like me, over the past two weeks you have seen potential classes fill up with upperclassmen, and have slowly been closed out of your ideal schedule.

I have checked PUBPOL 55D nearly every day this week, watching it creep closer and closer to the 122-person capacity. After meeting with my academic advisor this week and discussing which courses to take a few weeks ago at the Majors Fair, I have learned that this is an annual issue.

Apparently, some Public Policy Studies students do not have the opportunity to take the first course in their major, the prerequisite for all other Public Policy courses, until second semester of sophomore year.

My advice—or rather, the advice I have received from advisors and various upperclassmen and am now passing off as my own: Fulfill whatever general requirements you can next semester and save the in-major courses for a time when you can actually get in the class.

Fortunately, not all classes are filled to capacity quite yet. Depending on what registration window you have, you may have a shot at a decent schedule. As for me, I suffered through the third slot during the summer, have the second window now and will enjoy my first round pick at the start of sophomore year.

I wish you all luck in your search to build the perfect schedule—except those who are also attempting to get in PUBPOL 55D. I hope you have a sudden change of heart and decide to pursue engineering or something.