<p>S just called (he’s out of town working for the summer) and says he checked Penn In Touch and found out that he only got into two(!) of the five classes he registered for. Not meaning that he got five classes, only two of which were his first choice, but that he literally is registered for only two classes! He put in his choices well ahead of the deadline and did include alternate choices for the class sections. Is this common? Anyone else have that happen? He’s planning to call himself, but any advice on this?</p>
<p>Clearly, your son really didn't read too much information if he's freaking out. He registered during the advance registration period--basically, he makes requests and may or may not get some courses. However, the Add/Drop period begins when he gets his schedule (i.e. today, the 8th), and from there, he can add courses that he needs or wants to take should he not have gotten some courses during advance registration. Moreover, advance registration is not on a first-come, first-serve basis. All requests that are in by the 28th of July were processed together. Basically, your post was a waste of time had he just read a couple of paragraphs that were in the Handbook for the Class of 2010, or on the Penn website.</p>
<p>I have a real question, though: How the hell is it that I got into a Math recitation but not the lecture? Seems rather stupid to me.</p>
<p>First of all, roshke's question is just as "real" as your question.</p>
<p>It's possible that you get a recitation without the lecture or viceversa, for the simple reason that lectures and recitations are added individually. This is not stupid. Consider the case where a lot of people registered for a certain lecture, but all of them also registered for one particular recitation of the many that are available for that lecture. Therefore, even if all of them get the lecture, some will have to choose a different recitation, because recitations are smaller. The opposite case makes less sense, but it is a consequence of the fact that lectures and recitations are individual "components".</p>
<p>But don't worry. Once the add/drop period begins, it is very likely that you will be able to add the lecture. In the rare case that it's full, keep checking Penn InTouch, and there will probably be a free spot eventually.</p>
<p>People add and drop stuff constantly. If you keep at it you'll get the schedule you want.</p>
<p>It's definitely possible for that to happen. It's a matter of being practical with your choices and having more than one alternate.</p>
<p>Roshke,
From the 8th of August, the registration of courses will be on a first come first serve basis and will depend on the number of open slots available in a course. So,i guess he can keep checking for open slots regularly on penn-in-touch</p>
<p>"It's possible that you get a recitation without the lecture or viceversa, for the simple reason that lectures and recitations are added individually. This is not stupid. Consider the case where a lot of people registered for a certain lecture, but all of them also registered for one particular recitation of the many that are available for that lecture. Therefore, even if all of them get the lecture, some will have to choose a different recitation, because recitations are smaller. The opposite case makes less sense, but it is a consequence of the fact that lectures and recitations are individual "components"."</p>
<p>I understand this. I just find it silly that Penn would actually register one for a recitation if the lecture is unavailable. If you ask me, the system should just shut you out of the rec. automatically if you can't get the lecture.</p>
<p>My S and I both understood about the add/drop period and I was using "shut out" as a reference to being shut out of his preferred sections and professors, since he spent a lot of time figuring out with whom he'd like to take the classes and when. As I said, he had plenty of alternate choices listed and didn't get those either. However, my question was meant to discover how likely is it to be able to get into the <em>specific</em> session and professor of your choice once you are into the add/drop period. For example, for a popular class/teacher, I imagine it's less likely you'll find people dropping that class and less likely you'll eventually get it. He just didn't know how common it was to end up with so few of his first OR alternate choices the first time around, since he's never done this before. Nodard, I didn't feel that I deserved the attitude. Don't even get it that bad at home with two teenagers. ;)</p>
<p>Roshke, it depends on the class. If it's a math lecture, odds are he can get whatever professor he wants. Conversely, certain college classes, regardless of the size, can prove difficult to get into. If your son still cannot get into a/more than 1 class once classes actually begin, have him meet with the professor face to face and discuss it with him/her. Often times professors will admit an extra student or two if they show a real desire.</p>
<p>Roshke, I've found that with persistence, you can get into essentially any class you want. Even if it's the most popular professor at Penn, chances are something will come up with a student's schedule and they'll need to drop the class or switch out of it. One of my friends got into one of the most popular writing seminars, which was limited to 12 students I think just by checking Penn inTouch very frequently. I also have been able to switch into all of my desired professors/classes if I didn't originally get them. I once had to wait to get into the best math professor's lecture until the very last day of add/drop, but did it and it was one of the best decisions I made.</p>
<p>so when is says "primary requested" but not "enrolled" on Penn-in-Touch does that mean we are most likely able to get into that class?</p>
<p>can someone tell me how to see how many spots are available in a class without changing my schedule? thanks.</p>
<p>db, there is no way to do such a thing, at least not under Penn inTouch's current system.</p>
<p>the "primary request" is a mistake. I had the same problem. I dropped that course and added it again and it tells you at that time whether you are enrolled.</p>
<p>thanks. someone definitely said they could see how many spots were left/the capacity. what if i add/drop something?</p>
<p>You can see if sections/classes are still open by clicking on registration and then using the second form on that page ("view open sections by subject"), and you can also see the max capacity of each class whenever you look up a class on Penn inTouch, but that's about as good as you can get.</p>
<p>The best way to add/drop classes now is to use "conditional add/drop," in which case the system will only drop a course from your schedule if it can enroll you in the class you desire. That way if you are trying to get the last spot in a highly sought after class, you don't drop a spot in a class only to find out that somebody else grabbed the last spot in your desired class... and then you discover that somebody also took your spot in the class you just dropped (it sounds unlikely, but it happens... ALWAYS use conditional add/drop if your credit limit is too low to allow just a straight-up add).</p>