How hard is it to get the courses you want?

<p>I just noticed that all of the Spanish 201 courses are filled for the fall. Does this really mean that they're filled and we can't take the course? Sorry, freaking out a bit because I don't want to give up Spanish for a whole semester... lol.</p>

<p>Don’t freak out yet. My AOP wasn’t until August 20 last year so I had last dibs for courses, and I still got into every class I wanted. This is what you do. Nearly fool-proof (for anyone out there who is worried about getting the classes they want). </p>

<p>First, even though the class is full right now does not mean there won’t be openings when it is your turn to sign up at AOP. Current undergrad. students can change their 2009-2010 schedules at will, so at any possible time a spot might open up. </p>

<p>Second, even if the class is full when you sign up for classes at AOP, you can be put on a waiting list (either your advisor or you will contact the department head). People on waiting lists for classes almost always get into the class they want in question if they are persistent enough about it (emphasize to your advisor how important it is to you that you take Spanish in the fall). </p>

<p>Third, even if the advisor puts you on the waiting list and you don’t get into the class through that way, there are still other options. During welcome week (I guess now it isn’t a week, but sometime during then) courses will open for enrollment again. This time, you can enroll by yourself through the online system. Loads of students are aiming to change their schedules around at this time because of changing plans. This is your window of opportunity to sneak into your desired class. Check back to the MSU Webenroll periodically throughout the day and chances are, someone will have dropped the class (and in the split second that they do, you can quickly snatch up their spot). Or, email the professor of the class you want to be in and see if there is any way that you can get into his class (sometimes the professor can’t do anything to let you into the class - you will have to speak to the departmental advisor). </p>

<p>Finally, if all else fails during the first week of school attend the class you want to go to (even if you aren’t in enrolled). Beg the teacher to let you in (Don’t worry! Most likely it will not ever get to this point). The teacher can often provide you with an override to get into the class (or speak to someone within the department who can assist you). Good luck!</p>

<p>Oh and as a side-note. SPN 201 and SPN 250 are essentially the same class. According to the MSU course listing 250 is “Review of intermediate spanish.” However, when I took SPN 250 I learned the exact same material (with nearly the exact same book) as SPN 201, I just met for class 1 day extra and got 6 credits instead of 4. So if you cannot get into SPN 201, talk to your advisor about taking SPN 250. It is honestly not any harder whatsoever. From SPN 250 you can skip SPN 202 and go straight into SPN 310 the following semester.</p>