<p>I already registered for a math class but I heard the teacher is not very good, so I really want to switch to another math class but it is already full. Is there any way I can get in? Have you ever gotten into a full class before? If so, what did you do? I really want to register for this particular math class, so please let me know if it's possible for me to try to get in.</p>
<p>Depends on your school and more importantly on the prof who's class you're trying to get into...</p>
<p>At my alma mater, there was a system of overrides you could use. Usually entailed getting an override form from the registrar's office and then getting the prof to sign it, allowing you in the class.</p>
<p>I never really had to use it, but had many profs announce their policies on overrides in class. Some refused to give any overrides despite the necessity, others only for graduating seniors, some so long as there were enough chairs/desks in the class, others only if you had a good reason, and several that allowed every single override presented in front of them...</p>
<p>The other option is to check daily (or hourly) the first week or two of class (up to the deadline to add a class obviously) and see if anyone's dropped the course (which happens all the time, especially in big classes). In these days of online/real-time registrations that shouldn't be too hard.</p>
<p>If your school offers a waitlist, put yourself on that. Then email the professor asking if they are willing to let in more students. In my experience, most of them are, as long as there are enough desks in the room, or unless it is a small class (a language class, lab, writing workshop). Also, show up on the first day of class with an Add/Drop or Override form. If the professor will sign that, you can just bring it into the registrar's office and they will put you in the class.</p>
<p>Like the previous posters said, it really just depends on the class and the professor. I had one professor who told me I definitely couldn't add unless people dropped, but she told me to keep coming until everyone figured out their schedules. Well, by the time that everyone figured stuff out, no one had dropped, but I'd come to enough classes that she felt bad and let me in anyway. Other professors keep personal waitlists (which is why it's important to email them ASAP), some have department or official waitlists. Some professors will start class by saying that they won't accept adds from anyone except students they've already spoken with.</p>
<p>I would email the professor immediately, letting him/her know that you're very interested in the class and asking if it might be possible for you to add. Regardless of the answer, show up the first day with an add/drop slip (because if people go to drop the class, then there will be space and you can swoop in, and if they don't drop, you can always double-check, but NOT showing up won't demonstrate your interest or commitment). Be prepared for the professor to say that you can't add the class, just in case.</p>
<p>Also, some schools have policies that take this choice away from the professor. A school I cross-registered with wanted to lower its average number of students per class, so they made the caps absolute, not able to be overridden by the professors. You'll just have to write and ask...no harm in that!</p>
<p>Good luck. I know it can be frustrating not to have things worked out yet, but it'll come together :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I went online to my school website and found the form you guys were talking about. Here's the link:</p>
<p>What worries me is when it states "only in extraordinary circumstances." So would wanting to change teachers be a valid enough reason or not? What else can I say? </p>
<p>Also, apparently I need a signature not only from the instructor, but from the dean/academic adviser and chairperson as well. Gosh, so much red tape! </p>
<p>Do you think I have any good chance of getting in? I mean, I don't know if I can get all those signatures before class. And I haven't emailed the professor, because I wasn't able to find the email address soon enough, and now I think it's too late, considering school will start very soon. I'm hoping someone will drop but not sure someone will because this is such a popular professor. </p>
<p>Any thoughts on what I should do? What would you do? Getting in a full class doesn't seem easy to do, so should I still bother?</p>
<p>A problem with your schedule constitutes an extraordinary circumstance. If you can BS something in there, it should work.</p>