Registration is coming up quickly! Use these tips, and you'll feel confident as you get ready to plan your courses.
Check your registration queue time and review any holds that will prevent you from registering: Once registration dates and times are assigned, you can find this information by logging into MyU and selecting the Academics tab. Click on the registration link on the top of the landing page. This will take you to your assigned time for registration. Add your registration queue time to your calendar. You can find a general registration timeline on One Stop. Log into myU to view any holds on your account and contact those departments to see what is needed to remove the holds that would prevent you from registering. Read more about who can help you remove advising registration holds on our holds blog post.
Review the Four-Year Plan for your major. Pay close attention the prerequisite and corequisite courses you will need to be able to register for your future classes. Also take note of any classes that might be bolded and only offered in specific semesters.
Review your APAS to make sure your record is correct, view your technical GPA, and to find what remaining liberal education and writing intensive requirements you have left to complete: You should check your APAS 1-2 times per semester, typically before getting ready to register for the next semester, and after completing your registration to make sure everything looks accurate and the courses you registered for are meeting the expected requirements. If you are missing transfer credit you've completed through AP scores or courses taken at other universities make sure all official transcripts or score reports are sent to the Office of Admissions so they can review and award transfer credit. You should be using both your Four-Year Plan and APAS to inform your course selection decisions. Contact your advisor if you have further questions, or something looks out of place on your APAS.
Know your credit requirements for the semester: You may need to register for a minimum number of credits each semester depending on your situation:
Financial Aid, Veterans Benefits, and/or Flat Rate Tuition: Know the amount of credits you may need each semester for financial aid, veterans benefits, and/or flat rate tuition. If you have questions contact One Stop Student Services.
International Students: Students on F1 Visas need to enroll in a full course of study and are required to take a certain number of in person credits each semester. If you have questions about these requirements you can contact ISSS.
Scholarships: Students with scholarships often need to maintain a minimum amount of credits each semester or academic year. To find scholarship information, check the MyU Finances section and look across the top for the financial aid award history section. Then use the info or question mark symbol to pop up more information about your scholarships. Contact the office listed with any questions about minimum credit or other requirements
Review registration and grading policies: Be aware of the grade base option you select during registration. All of your major and minor requirements need to be taken A-F and must be passed with a grade of C- or better. You can find more information about making changes to your registration and grading policies on One Stop's website.
Planning schedules: Many students use Schedule Builder to develop their schedules. This is a great resource and can be helpful in navigating the numerous classes and section meeting times at the University of Minnesota. Review CSE's detailed guide for Schedule Builder tips and tricks to help you create the best possible schedule. Make sure to check the location of your classes and give yourself enough time to commute between your planned classes. You may also find searching and registering for individual classes easier via MyU. One Stop Student services has How-To Guides for different processes (such as add, swap or drop a course) that you may need for registration.
Registration may take some patience and flexibility: Depending on your queue time and course availability, you might not get the schedule or courses you had hoped for initially. While there may not be a spot in a particular section now, keep an eye on sections that you want. Registration changes are frequent during this time and over the summer, and you could get into your desired course with a little patience and perseverance. Ultimately, it is important to get a spot in a course you need even if it is not at your preferred time so you are not off sequence with your major. Some flexibility on your part will go a long way in helping you get to graduation in a timely manner. If you need a permission number for a class you can contact the department directly using the instructions listed in our CSE blog post on course access and permission numbers.
Review registration and grading policies: Be aware of the grade base option you select during registration. All of your major and minor requirements need to be taken A-F and must be passed with a grade of C- or better. You can find more information about making changes to your registration and grading policies on One Stop's website.
Planning schedules: Many students use Schedule Builder to develop their schedules. This is a great resource and can be helpful in navigating the numerous classes and section meeting times at the University of Minnesota. Review CSE's detailed guide for Schedule Builder tips and tricks to help you create the best possible schedule. Make sure to check the location of your classes and give yourself enough time to commute between your planned classes. You may also find searching and registering for individual classes easier via MyU. One Stop Student services has How-To Guides for different processes (such as add, swap or drop a course) that you may need for registration.
Registration may take some patience and flexibility: Depending on your queue time and course availability, you might not get the schedule or courses you had hoped for initially. While there may not be a spot in a particular section now, keep an eye on sections that you want. Registration changes are frequent during this time and over the summer, and you could get into your desired course with a little patience and perseverance. Ultimately, it is important to get a spot in a course you need even if it is not at your preferred time so you are not off sequence with your major. Some flexibility on your part will go a long way in helping you get to graduation in a timely manner. If you need a permission number for a class you can contact the department directly using the instructions listed in our CSE blog post on course access and permission numbers.
Have a backup plan for waitlisted courses: Sometimes a course you want to take is full and there is an option to add yourself to a waitlist. It is important to know that adding yourself to a waitlist is not a guarantee you'll be able to register for the course. If you decide to add yourself to a waitlisted course make sure you have a backup plan for a second choice class that is currently open to ensure you have a full schedule of classes that meets requirements you need. It is recommended that you register for your second choice class first, and then set up a future swap with your first choice waitlisted class. If space opens in the waitlisted class the future swap will automatically drop you from your second choice class and add you into your first choice class.
Keep add, drop, withdrawal, and change deadlines in mind: Hopefully, the tentative schedule you put together now is the perfect one for you! There is always the possibility that something may change, however, once classes start. It is very important to be aware of important deadlines, such as grading basis change, drop, withdrawal, and add deadlines. You can find all of those by visiting the academic calendar. Put them in your calendar today!
Summer courses: If you are planning to take a summer class, whether at the UMN or elsewhere, it is recommended that you check with your advisor for feedback. You can do so via email, drop-in advising, or by scheduling an appointment. You can also read more about taking summer classes on our summer class blog post.
If you have additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact CSE Academic Advising. Your advisor is just an email away. Happy registration!
Keep add, drop, withdrawal, and change deadlines in mind: Hopefully, the tentative schedule you put together now is the perfect one for you! There is always the possibility that something may change, however, once classes start. It is very important to be aware of important deadlines, such as grading basis change, drop, withdrawal, and add deadlines. You can find all of those by visiting the academic calendar. Put them in your calendar today!
Summer courses: If you are planning to take a summer class, whether at the UMN or elsewhere, it is recommended that you check with your advisor for feedback. You can do so via email, drop-in advising, or by scheduling an appointment. You can also read more about taking summer classes on our summer class blog post.
If you have additional questions or concerns, feel free to contact CSE Academic Advising. Your advisor is just an email away. Happy registration!
