mflevity

So the registration times for the Class of '13-ers are posted on the Hub. Freshmen register from August 17th through August 28th. Guess which day I got?

August 28th.

I already pre-registered for my first year seminar, and I'm really, really hoping I get into my first choice (it's an English class). But other than that, am I pretty much screwed for fall term classes?

I can't take my language until spring trimester, because I placed into the third level and it's only offered then. Ideally, I'd like to take no more than two writing-intensive classes: one in English, one in something like history, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or religion, and one in a math/science like astronomy, geology, or computer science for fall trimester.

Is that even a remote possiblity? Do you current students have any suggestions for cool intro classes that are less popular with freshmen?

Also, does this mean that in one of the other trimesters this year I'll get a super-awesome early registration time?

Thanks!

fireflyscout

Carleton changes up registration times so each year you will have one good registration time, one sucky time, and one so-so time. Even with the last registration time you will have choices. And it's better to get the last chance on your first term since you are pretty much wide open in what you need to take. Based on my daughter's experience, the toughest class to get into was Statistics (a required course for several majors).

dietcokewithlime

If you're in the last batch of people in your class to register for Fall '09, you'll be in the middle for Winter '10, and you'll be first for Spring '10.

I never took an English class at Carleton, but my English major friends seemed to really like Jessica Leiman and Peter Balaam, both of whom are teaching freshman seminars this fall. Actually, looking at the schedule, there's a decent amount of room also left in the English Lit I and II classes this fall (no need to take them in sequence), and all sections are taught by well-liked professors. Obviously your registration number will limit you if any of these gets pretty heavily waitlisted, but I'd give serious consideration to all of them, since you say you're interested in English.

For non-English classes, you might consider intro to astronomy, Bill North's early medieval history class (I've heard good things about him), intro to geology, the history of jazz (in the music dept), or one of the philosophy 110s.

Keep the class times in mind as you start thinking about these. Sucks when you realize that two of the classes you really wanted to take are both 2a.

breakfast

I have the 28th as well.

This might be an impossible question, but can someone tell me how popular these classes usually are? There's plenty of space left now, but I'm not sure what will happen after the other freshmen register...

French 101
Intro to Anthropology OR Intro to Cinema and Media Studies
Modern Dance (PEAR)

And then whatever freshman seminar I get placed into. With my top choice seminar and these classes, I have two different "perfect" schedules in mind and I'll be bummed if I have to figure it out all over again!

Along the same lines...does anyone have any scheduling tips? I'm not big on math/science (I'm more of a history/english/arts kind of girl), so I wasn't planning on taking one of those classes my first trimester, if only because I know they'll probably be the most difficult ones for me and I want to let myself get settled. But should I be trying those now? Or am I ok with arts and humanities?

Hmmm...this is so tough...

lunitari

Do call the Dean of the College Office if you have questions about registration, academic choices, etc. They really are there to help & have lots of experience to share with you.

It's tough to have the worst registration slot, but it's just one term. The way they calculate it, everybody has a registration priority number, and everybody's numbers for the three terms combined is exactly the same. So if you're at the bottom this time, you'll be at the top and in the middle for your other two terms this academic year.

Have you tried the Course Navigator on the New Students 2009 website yet? It'll help you browse the options that still have room in them, and let you plug classes into a schedule grid. You can check back as your registration time gets closer to see what's still available and shuffle your schedule options.

https://apps.carleton.edu/newstudent...ion/navigator/
(login required)

bingle

It appears they need to "meet" with an advisor prior to registering. How does this work? Will they be getting an advisor assigned soon?

Also, where can they check out the different profs. I didn't see anything on the hub, but I know there's some kind of system for that.
TIA

mflevity

It's on Caucus. There's a conference called "Review" where they have reviews of the different professors. Most of them are at least a few years old, but it's still interesting to read.