Univ. class registration issue question

[shukuffxi]

So, recently i've recently started going to University, after several years of work/other stuff, and enrolled as an Independent Student. My first semester, I had some issues getting courses I wanted, but managed to get 2 that I did want, the rest were always listed as "Not full, but the spaces are reserved, please check back during the registration cycle.", up until the day the courses started, after which I didn't check back.

My second semester, I also encountered the same issue. There was space in the classes, but they were "reserved for students in a program.", and again, I never saw space become available on the website. After the semester had started, I went to check out some of these classes, and there was plenty of space in these rooms, some had a very low # of students.

This will be my third semester, and *EVERY* course i've tried to take (i've tried at least 20 different ones) has given me the same old "reserved for students in a program" bullshit. Now i'm certain that not all of these courses will be full, is there some way around this? I called and spoke to an adviser who told me to "chose other courses", which I can't even find one I can register for at this point, do I need to wait until like a week after courses have started, to attempt to get in?

[Norelco]

So, recently i've recently started going to University, after several years of work/other stuff, and enrolled as an Independent Student. My first semester, I had some issues getting courses I wanted, but managed to get 2 that I did want, the rest were always listed as "Not full, but the spaces are reserved, please check back during the registration cycle.", up until the day the courses started, after which I didn't check back.

My second semester, I also encountered the same issue. There was space in the classes, but they were "reserved for students in a program.", and again, I never saw space become available on the website. After the semester had started, I went to check out some of these classes, and there was plenty of space in these rooms, some had a very low # of students.

This will be my third semester, and *EVERY* course i've tried to take (i've tried at least 20 different ones) has given me the same old "reserved for students in a program" bullshit. Now i'm certain that not all of these courses will be full, is there some way around this? I called and spoke to an adviser who told me to "chose other courses", which I can't even find one I can register for at this point, do I need to wait until like a week after courses have started, to attempt to get in?

Well, my advice is to TELL the professor of the class you want, in person, or on the phone that you NEED this class, and ask if he can fit you in.

It always worked at my college.

edit: You're paying thousands of dollars to go to a school and you're not getting the classes you want...that's bullshit. Fight man.

[shukuffxi]

Well to be fair, i'm not paying anywhere near thousands, i'm in Canada, and the classes themselves are not too expensive. I'm going to keep calling back, as you can register in these classes up to 2 weeks after they start, i'm assuming the "please check back later" literally means "13 days after classes start, if no one from the main program wants a spot, you can have it."

I don't know if it's different in other Univ, but so far my experience has been you can just walk in, sit down, and pay attention, no one is asking for your Student ID to make sure you are registered, so if the above WAS the situation, I wouldn't have to miss attending the first 1-3 classes.

[Norelco]

Contact the professor of the class directly.

[bebeci]

At my university, here's how it went.
Some courses have a restriction of students majoring in that field. Then, there is a certain date where that restriction is gone.

Seeing how it's nearly Sept, I'm assuming the restriction is gone already? Your best bet is to keep going to the class, even if you aren't registered in it.
You can also talk to the dean of the department. Maybe you need the course to graduate?

[shukuffxi]

There are restrictions like that placed on many of the courses. What it seems like is the restriction is NOT gone though, and the "date the restriction" will be gone, is not known. Courses start Sept.2nd, and the final date you can register for a course is Sept.16th, so i'm assuming the date the restrictions are lifted will be Sept.15th or something equally retarded. I check the website 2-3 times a day, and try to see if I can register them.

[fantasticdan]

Contact the professor of the class directly.

This. I've even gotten into classes that were "full" just by talking to the proff.

[Remyo]

my school has an add policy where you go to the registrars office and get a form and take it with you to the first day of that class and have the prof. sign the form to add you.

[Elesirdur]

shukuffxi where are you going to uni in Canada? My experience at UVic, and friends and acquaintances at UBS and SFU, has always led me to believe that people will sign up for classes they are marginally interested in taking and then drop them. Even if I was like 20th on the waiting list for a 40-60 person class there was a decent chance I could get in.

However, it seems like you're trying to register in courses that are specifically created for people in specific programs. I would like to know what kind of classes you're trying to take. If you are trying to take courses that are part of a streamed or cohort program (ie. Engineering, Earth + Ocean Sciences, or Honours-specific classes) then it seems unlikely that there would be extra spots available for you. But again, without knowing your field of study, it's hard to assess how and why you would be interested in these program-specific lectures.

[shukuffxi]

I'm in Montreal, at Concordia University. The classes i'm looking at are all level 200 Sociology classes.

There's no waiting list so to speak, if it's "FULL" then that's it. The problem is, it's not full, I am just not allowed to register, because people who probably are directly in a Sociology program of some sort get preferred placement over an independent student. I don't want to jump right into a program, i'm just leaning towards this at the moment, and like the freedom it allows me, I am still trying to dabble in other things that interest me.

It seems talking to the prof directly will help best, so i'm probably going to try that, if the registration for some of the courses I want doesn't open right away.

[Palin]

Constantly refresh the searches on the classes you want during Add/Drop. Usually people leave and mess with their schedule, and openings always come up for a few minutes at a time.

[Kaylia]

Call the teacher, call the department and tell them about your problem.

If it's not resolved by 1st week, attend the first class anyway. Many people drop out during the first week, and you can generally register up to the 2nd week, and even later if you ask the department.

[Yuri-G]

I'll echo the "Talk to the professor" sentiment. It's your best bet by far.

[Azalee]

Even taking classes at a community college you always get a few people in a class who aren't "registered" but attend the first couple classes to see if they can get in. Talk to the professor, and definitely attend the first day of class.

[Stee]

What classes are you trying to get into? I know in some colleges people who have more credits already completed get earlier enrollment dates but other then that most GE classes shouldn't be reserved unless its a high honors class or something.