Greentypewriters

Hi, I'm a junior transfer to UCSC, and on my day of orientation I got one class out of three. I'm likely going to find substitutes in the meantime, but it is important that I get the original (no vacancy) classes if possible. I was wondering how successful crashing tends to be since that's what was suggested to me by my dept. adviser.


Thanks ahead of time.

Cali Trumpet

It honestly depends on the class and your need to get in the class. For example, a class that is required for a certain major has a smaller drop rate than a class that merely meets a pre-requisite. Also, if you 'need' to take the class, to graduate on time for example, the teacher will usually give you a permission code even if there is not room at the moment because they like to help students out.

Personally, I havn't had much luck trying to crash classes. I have heard from others, however, that if you can handle going to class for 2 weeks or so, you usually can get in because a handful of students will drop out around that period.

Greentypewriters

I heard that emailing the Professors ahead of time can usually help as well. You think that's worth giving a shot? (I'm going to do it regardless, but I'm hesitant if now might be too early).

Cali Trumpet

Eh, its up to to you and it depends on the professor. If you have a good reason or can just come up with something, go for it. It might be a little soon since we aren't even halfway into the summer, but whatever you think. I'd suggest waiting until a couple weeks before school starts and when professors will be winding out and they might be more happy to comply with your requests.

kewkiekid

Every single quarter I've been here, I've crashed at least one class. I've made it into all but one (and I didn't really need that one anyway). I would definitely email the prof ahead of time, watch the online enrollments like a hawk and sign up immediately if anything opens up, and prepare a convincing argument for the first week of classes.

AQuaintCafe

I actually suggest emailing. I've found that to be most effective. Most professors keep a waiting list based on when you emailed them, but because it is the summer, they may or may not be checking their email. Make sure you look at how many "available seats" there are and how many people are enrolled. Last quarter I had a professor that lowered the available seats so that it was useless to even watch the the online enrollments like a hawk (this way people who emailed him first would definitely be able to get in). I've had a lot of luck getting into classes through emailing. Twice, I recieved an override code before school started.

Greentypewriters

Neat, then I'll email the professors then. Might wait a couple weeks to see if enrollment opens up. Does the fact that there is space in discussion but not in lecture evidence that more lecture spots will open up?

And I suppose the email success depends on if the professor is holding a waiting list for the course, eh?

sluglife

Greentypewriters,

I don't know if it makes a difference that you're a transfer student by my freshman friend that went to orientation sao some classes have been closed to reserve spaces for people who will enrol in classes august third. So I suspect that open discussions do indicate thy there will be room

SaveTheManatees

Open discussions could just mean that people chose not to go to the discussions, though, right? Unless the discussions are mandatory.

Greentypewriters

Well, so much for that. Both courses have no waitlist, so I guess I'm crashing them both. Woohoo.