Students may add or drop courses via WebSTAC for Fall and Spring semesters within a specified time frame as established by the Brown School Office of the Registrar. Dates are posted on the Brown School Academic Calendar.
If a course is dropped prior to the drop deadline, the course will no longer appear on the student’s record.
Course Add/Withdrawal Deadlines
Students should discuss these decisions with the course instructor and/or their Academic Advisor as well as the Financial Aid Office in advance of requesting the withdrawal to determine any curricular and/or financial implications. Students who are terminated from their practicum after the drop deadline, will receive a “W” on their transcript and have to retake their practicum requirements in a subsequent semester.
For all course add/drop deadlines, please check the Brown School Academic Calendar for exact dates.
| Type of Class | Adding Deadline | Drop Deadline (Not visible on transcript) | Drop Deadline (“W” on transcript) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Semester Courses | |||
| Fall/Spring | Until 9pm of the add deadline on the academic calendar. | University drop deadline on the academic calendar. | After drop deadline & before end of 4th week. |
| All Other Courses | |||
| Fall/Spring/Summer Courses starting before the regular add/drop deadline in Week 2. | Up until 5pm the day before the first class. | By 5pm on the first day of class. | By 9pm on the first day of class. |
| Fall/Spring/Summer Courses starting after the regular add/drop deadline in Week 2. | By 6pm the day before the first class. | By 5pm on the day before the first class. | By 9pm on the first day of class. |
NOTE: Students who do not drop or withdraw from a course by the stated deadline will be assigned a failing grade “F”. It is the student’s responsibility to check WebSTAC for the status of waitlisted courses.
Controlled Registration
What is controlled registration?
Controlled registration is where students can add themselves to the waitlist for a course to be considered for enrollment. However, priority is given based on degree requirements, graduation dates, etc. These courses will always display zero seats available.
Waitlists
The waitlist feature in the registration system allows students to place themselves in line to enroll in a closed course (maximum enrollment reached) as seats become available. This tool is designed to give students a chance to get into these courses. It is not intended to assist students in getting a “preferred” schedule.
Students are placed on the waitlist in the order in which they requested to waitlist the class. The first person to submit a waitlist request will be first on the waitlist. When a seat in the class becomes available, the registration system will fill the opening with the first eligible person on the waitlist.
Once you join a waitlist, it is your responsibility to monitor your requests. If you decide not to take a waitlisted course, you must drop the waitlist request to ensure you are not placed in the class. Students are responsible for monitoring their active waitlist requests via WebSTAC.
Waitlist Tips
- Students should enroll in available classes prior to submitting any waitlist requests.
- Waitlist positions are displayed on the student’s class schedule in WebSTAC. Students should check their waitlist request daily until they are enrolled into the course or until waitlist processing ends.
- After the last day of waitlist processing (end of the second week), all waitlisted students (for full semester courses) will expire and students will be removed from the waitlist.
- Waitlist requests may be added or dropped, but they cannot be modified.
- If a student no longer wishes to take a course that they are waitlisted for, they must drop the waitlist request in order to be certain that they will not be enrolled into the course. Waitlists may be dropped via the WebSTAC under “Courses & Registration”.
What is a waitlist?
Each class has a set capacity or maximum number of students who can be accommodated in the course. When enough students register into the course so that all those spaces are taken, the next student who attempts to register will be denied registration, and have the option of adding themselves to the waitlist. The waitlist is simply a list of students who would like to get into the course but could not fit into the maximum capacity currently allowed for that course.
How do I add myself to a waitlist?
If the course that you want is fully enrolled (closed), you may put yourself on the waitlist via WebSTAC. Since there is no guarantee that you will be granted a seat in that course/section, you should also enroll in an alternate course that fits your schedule and satisfies requirements for your degree program.
Does it matter whether I am #1 on the waitlist vs #20?
Sometimes. Generally, having a lower number on the waitlist (#1) is more advantageous than a higher number, because the Brown School Registrar often uses position on the waitlist in making decisions at the start of the semester about which student on the waitlist to admit into the course if a space opens up. However, position is not the only factor. Also taken into consideration is your class year, anticipated graduation, concentration and/or specialization or other dimensions.
What are my chances of getting into the course?
It is hard to determine, at the outset. Once all cohorts and programs have a chance to register for courses, waitlists are evaluated on a weekly basis. All factors are taken into consideration for students on each waitlist (Ex: your class year, anticipated graduation, concentration and/or specialization or other dimensions).
How can I drop myself from a waitlist?
You can see what waitlists you are on by logging into WebSTAC, selecting “Courses & Registration” and then “Class Schedule”. If you want to drop yourself from a waitlist because you are no longer interested in admission to that course, select the “Drop” action under that class.
How will I know if I get off the waitlist and into the course?
Promotion from any waitlist into registered status in the course is not automatic. You will need to check WebSTAC regularly to see whether you have been admitted into the course. Pay attention to the add/drop the start dates of the course. For short or weekend courses, students will not be added to the course after the start date.