<p>This is basically for current students- didn't post in the "ask a UCSC student" thread because too many topics mixed up in there.</p>
<p>D is freshman at SC and enjoying situation in general (Ocean near by, beautiful campus, good people). Getting classes, though, has been stressful, overwhelming- more so because she doesn't have a major. Trying to find a balance of classes that will provide insight to different majors and satisfy GE requirements is tough enough, but finding OPEN classes just complicates it all. Her current strategy is to make a priority of getting into the smaller classes, and then hoping that the bigger classes will open spaces once the system is opened to all (ie. regardless of registration status). This has worked somewhat for two semesters- only took one class just to fill an empty space. But we were wondering about the process of crashing. She is going to ask some upperclassmen about it but I thought I'd post here too. 1) Have you had luck showing up on the first day? 2) Did you send an email ahead of time? She tells me that for most classes the waitlist is not even opened.</p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestions.</p>
<p>I’m not at a UC, but I have some experience with crashing courses. I think my situation my be worse, being in a CCC with budget cuts and layoffs and all. Anyways, you’d be surprised at how many people are able to fill their schedules with crashing classes. Sending an email definitely shows the professor your interested, but they’re not allowed to let you to register if there are people ahead of you on a waitlist. If you keep pursuing the course and showing up to lectures, there is a decent chance you can get into the class. If a professors knows for a fact that they will not have space, most of the time they will let crashers/waitlisters know ahead of time, in which case most people move on. Undoubtedly though, there WILL be people who are registered that drop the course in lieu of something else, waitlisters who don’t show up, etc., so your best bet is to keep trying!</p>
<p>Every student will end up taking something they really dont want to just to fill a GE slot, so your daughter shouldn’t feel bad. We’ve all been through it. I’m not sure how SC provides their registration appointments, but typically as a student completes more units they gain seniority and thus have better registration appointments (behind DSPS, Vets, etc, at least in community college). I’ve known a few people that crashed into every single one of their classes this semester here at my community college, which is pretty amazing!</p>
<p>Again, I’m not at a UC so the process could vary a bit. This is what I’ve encountered from my own experiences at Colorado State and my current CCC. I’m not sure how much that answered your question, but I hope I was able to provide some insight. If you need any further clarification, feel free to PM me. :)</p>
<p>Yes, thank you- all useful to keep in mind- though I don’t know that either she nor I would have the stomache to hope to get a full schedule from crashing. That is a good point you made, also, to not just stop at the first class. People do drop classes after a week or two in (when I took some classes at the CC a few years back there would be drops after the first exams).</p>
<p>Get very familar with counselors from various departments. They are the holders of registration codes for full classes before classes begin.</p>
<p>It might not work as well with a frosh, but it helped me my first quarter. However, I was also a transfer and with all my GE done, I could only take major classes and had to declare by my second quarter. They felt compelled to push me through and due to excessive units, I was senior status by end of my second quarter thus making me a senior for five quarters while I finished a double major after only being a junior for two quarters.</p>
<p>BUT some counselors are quite willing to help with the larger classes that are lower div requirements for a major to help introduce a student to a major they might like.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s stressful to get classes, but it will only get better as she rises in the rank. Thankfully UCSC is a campus that bases registration on seniority. My mother was in a situation at her college years ago where it was based on how fast you got in line. Higher standing students should get priority.</p>
<p>Another thing your daughter might try is some classes at a local CCC to gain exposure to other disciplines to help choose a major and to help meet some GE requirements. Assist.org will show you what is able to be transferred to a UC. Note the CCCs aren’t doing so hot either with class selection, but it’s an option and a good way to spend the summer. If you’re close enough, De Anza or Foothill are great options because they are both on the quarter system. Last I checked, only three CCCs are.</p>