My older D has a lot of trouble getting into the classes she wants at her university of 13,000 undergrads. UMass is much bigger. Can any current or recent students tell me if you have difficulty getting the classes you want? My younger D has been accepted. Thanks.
I really didn’t. There were some classes that I didn’t get into on my first attempt, but I’d get into them via the procedures UMass has in place, or else I’d pick a different time. For example, 8am or 7pm - shockingly, other college students didn’t seem to be lining up for those classes, so if I was trying to get into a very popular class, and didn’t on the first try, I’d go for an alternative time when possible. One of the good things about the school is that, for the most in demand classes, they tend to run several sections.
In addition, the school offers things like the residential academic programs, where certain sections of classes are taught in your dorm and reserved for residents of the dorm, which can help.
My sophomore daughter has had no problem getting classes but I imagine that my differ depending on your major. She is biochem
I can’t answer your question, but would be interested to know the school where your older D has difficulty getting the classes she wants…that can be helpful info for counselors and prospective students on these boards!
@Mwfan1921, she’s at Binghamton University. Psych is a popular major there, and they don’t seem to offer enough sections. Part of the problem, though, is that she has less seniority than others in her class because she came in without any AP credit.
Thanks @mdgmmom That’s good info to know, I am sure it has been frustrating to deal with.
My daughter is a senior at UMass Amherst, and my son has been accepted for fall 2019. My daughter has generally had good luck with getting classes; registration order goes by how many credits you have so it is generally a fair process and by junior and senior year she basically got everything she wanted. If you are flexible about class times, and follow the established protocols for registration and adding/dropping, you should be fine. All of my daughter’s friends are having no trouble whatsoever with meeting all requirements and graduating in four years.