pre-req frustration....anyone else

meownsmile, BSN, RN · May 27, 2004

I think every college has classes that are required and have limited availablity. It does really stink, because there is no recourse if you are not able to slide into a spot. All i can say is make sure you are there very very early with the next registration date if possible. I also know that some schools will allow people who are already in programs to register before it is open to general registration and that sometime too causes major hardship for those trying to get in those classes.

Find out if they allow telephone registration also. It takes less time, dont have to stand in line and you can start calling as soon as the clock strikes. I found that was how some of the classes were filled at my school prior to counter registration starting. The phone call is shorter and they can take calls faster than they can register you at the window. At least that was what i found, my whole nursing class registered over the phone one morning for a class, the ones who didnt have cell phones borrowed a phone from someone.

Star Trek Nerd · May 27, 2004

Is anyone else finding it impossible to get into those Bio and Chem classes. It seems there is no hope in sight! The professors aren't even doing a waiting list.... Any suggestions? Or shall I just around and eat bon-bons?

I had the exact same problem with every single one of my science pre-reqs. Couldn't get into chem one semester and had to wait until fall. In an anatomy class that only seated 30, we had 84 show up on the first day. About 40 people decided to waitlist and eventually - after people dropped - 8 people were drawn by lottery to fill the class. I was not one of them and ended up having to take it over the winter. Same exact story with Microbiology and I had to take it the next winter since they cut our number of micro sections from 5 to 3.

My advice is, look around at other colleges nearby, or just hang in there and keep going to the class. In my physiology class the professor refused to waitlist. I went to at least 7 - 9 classes before he saw I wasn't giving up, and eventually he gave in and added me...

Best of luck to you.

nikonos · May 27, 2004

If updated class availabilities are shown online, then keep your eyes peeled as to how many people are enrolled. Many times as the summer progresses people withdraw from school or drop a class for another and that is your chance to pick one up that you need...but you have to act quickly on it. Otherwise wait until the first week that the class meets, after people get the syllabus on the first day they may find out that they are in the wrong class or are in over their heads and drop the class and many universities will allow you to add/drop for the first week or so of classes so you may luck out. Good luck on trying to get in.

Sheri257 · May 27, 2004

I just kept going to class, dropping by the instructor's office, bugging them to let me in. People always gave up after the first day, but I just kept pestering them. I'd go to every section too, not just one. Any section I could get into.

I'd even visit the instructor before registration just so I'd be a familiar face if I needed to add (which usually was the case). Then I'd go to the head of the department, just to see if they might put in a good word. I always got into classes that way.

:smokin:

JoniL&DRN · May 27, 2004

I wasn't so freaked out until I walked by one prof's office today and her door said "THERE IS NO WAITING LIST and I HAVE HEARD EVERYONES STORY". My husband suggested showing clevage to one of the male professors....his attempt at levity I guess!

I am not above begging!

Sheri257 · May 27, 2004

My husband suggested showing clevage to one of the male professors....his attempt at levity I guess!
I am not above begging!

Well, I didn't try that ... For one thing, I don't have much cleavage. :chuckle

But I would tell them I wasn't going to waste their time, i.e. flunk like so many other students.

I even asked my Bio teacher to put in a good word with the Micro instructor when I couldn't get into that class. She said she would try to help since I was a good student ... and it definitely helped.

klone, MSN, RN · May 27, 2004

I haven't had any problems, but I'm taking all my science prereqs through Rio Salado (online classes).

Hopegirl · May 27, 2004

Oh gosh do I feel your pain! I need to get into a physiology class this summer, and it's not looking good. I plan to go to the class and just refuse to leave, haha! :) I'll let you know how that goes!

-J

NurseAnn08, LPN · May 27, 2004

I'm right there with you Joni! We can do it! Get yourself online and watch those schedule listings like a hawk. That's how I got in Anatomy and Chem coming up. For the first few days, I had NOTHING!

"Your neighbor",

Ann

JoniL&DRN · May 27, 2004

Yeah the f5 button on my keyboard is probably going to fall off.... thanks for being there Ann ;o).

smk1, LPN · May 27, 2004

same story here, i have been waiting since last fall for a&p just registered for summer today and it isnn't offered, fall registration also began and yep you guessed it all a&p classes are already full! i am going to try the community college across the river because all returning students can register at the same time instead of going off of how many credits you have. hopefully i can get in somewhere in the fall!