<p>I noticed that many classes were already full. Is this because upperclassmen have already registered for their classes? So essentially are incoming freshmen a little limited in their course selection since they can only register for classes after the upperclassmen have done so?</p>
<p>Also, I read in the blue book that half the freshmen class takes Writing 20 in the Fall and a seminar in the Spring and the other half of the class does it the other way around. Do we have a choice what we want to take or does Duke assign students to either the writing class or the seminar in the fall and spring semesters?</p>
<p>Also, I may take Biology 25L in the fall to fulfill pre-med reqs. I know that most med schools require a year long worth of biology with lab. Is Biology 25L a year-long course or just one semester?</p>
<h1>I noticed that many classes were already full. Is this because upperclassmen have already registered for their classes? So essentially are incoming freshmen a little limited in their course selection since they can only register for classes after the upperclassmen have done so?</h1>
<p>Yes, upperclassmen have already registered. Don’t worry though, there are PLENTY of classes left for you to take. Plenty. </p>
<p>===</p>
<h1>Also, I read in the blue book that half the freshmen class takes Writing 20 in the Fall and a seminar in the Spring and the other half of the class does it the other way around. Do we have a choice what we want to take or does Duke assign students to either the writing class or the seminar in the fall and spring semesters?</h1>
<p>It depends what registration window you are assigned to. If you’re in the 1st or 2nd window, you can take writing 20 the first semester (or you can wait 'til second semester). If you have the third registration window, then you probably won’t get a writing 20 the first semester. I was assigned to the 3rd window and could have gotten one, but it looked very boring.
Hopefully I made myself clear. </p>
<p>===</p>
<h1>Also, I may take Biology 25L in the fall to fulfill pre-med reqs. I know that most med schools require a year long worth of biology with lab. Is Biology 25L a year-long course or just one semester?</h1>
<p>Is there any way to ask for a registration window if you have a special circumstance? The possible dates are june 24-26, but I’ll be across the globe on the 25th, and my flight leaves that night, which means I probably won’t get back til late 26th/early 27th</p>
<p>law-applicant, how do you know that? Also, is it your “student ID” or your “Unique ID” that they use to assign windows? If it’s the student one, then I seem to be in luck.</p>
<p>Having the first window for fall semester freshman year isn’t really the best luck. The most important two semesters for getting random prereqs out of the way are the first two semesters. If you have first window this semester, you’ll have third (last) window next semester, which means you’ll be the last one to pick on the entire campus. If you have second window first semester then you get first next semester and third the following one where atleast you’ll be picking in front of the class of 2013.</p>
<p>I think the lesson behind this is to take smaller or classes with more interesting profs that fill up when you have a good window, and take high capacity classes (math, science, intros) during third window. And the MOST IMPORTANT thing for people who have first window first semester is to (for the love of God (or some other being that you worship)) pick a good Writing 20 because you have to take it freshman year and picking third window next semester will ensure you get the most boring and difficult class. Writing 20 is probably the class with the most wide spectrum between awesome and omgiwanttocry, so pick one that you’ll like or at least tolerate. I didn’t have this problem, but I know people who did and it was basically an albatross around their neck for a semester.</p>
<p>I was planning on taking Biology 25L my first semester at Duke but on the course description it says: "First-year students are advised to wait until Spring semester or later before staring Bio 25L. "</p>
<p>imathriver: I don’t think it will be a problem. Bio 25 really isn’t that hard. Unless you are planning on taking more chemistry (like orgo) than waiting till sophomore year shouldn’t really be an issue. Though now that I think about it chem 21 might be a prereq for Bio 25. (not sure and don’t feel like looking it up)</p>
<p>Daniel: You can probably start bookbagging on june 9th. Registration is in July. Basically book bagging is formulating your schedule on aces so that you can submit right when your registration window opens. Putting a class in your bookbag does <em>NOT</em> mean you are enrolled in that class. So be sure to have contingency plans in case you don’t get in. (and aren’t high on the waitlist)</p>
<p>how fast to classes fill up? does most everyone, including incoming freshman, pick classes right away, leaving those in the third window with only leftovers to choose from? or, from your experience, do freshman take it slow, as most are not sure what classes to take?</p>
<p>i’m going to be in the third window and i really don’t want to see all of my classes i want to take be full before june 26</p>
<p>Most classes unfortunately fill up fast. My computer went in the system two seconds past the starting time and I was 100+ in line around. You definitely need to have some back up plans and definitely make sure to check in the evening before the date of your registration to see which of your classes you still have a good shot at getting into and make adjustments accordingly. Also, the most important thing of all if you’re not on the east coast is to make sure you adjust for the time difference! Especially if you’re in the third window, this is absolutely essential.</p>
<p>Er… my ID number ends in 59… which BARELY edges me into the 3rd window v.v</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the Intermediate French and the Elementary Russian classes fill up quickly? I really don’t want my language learning to be delayed.</p>