Add/Drop

Please pay attention to the University deadlines for the last day to add or drop a class.  Generally, students may add classes through the second week of classes and drop classes online through the fifth week of classes, without receiving a ‘W’ on their transcript.

To add a class or to change the section of a class for which you are already registered, you will need to follow these steps:

• Pick up a Class Adjustment Form (add/drop form). These forms are available in the Undergraduate Program Office, or in the Office of the University Registrar, located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue.

• Fill in the top section of the form with all of your personal information.

• Fill in the appropriate section with the course information.

• Check the Student Link (www.bu.edu/studentlink) to make sure that the course for which you want to register has open seats.  Please realize, however, that it is the professor’s decision whether or not to sign you into the course, even if the course appears to have open seats.  For CAS courses, you may add a course that shows open seats via WebReg through the add deadline.

• Attend the first class session or contact the class professor to see if he/she is willing to allow you to register for the class.  Get his/her signature on the add/drop form.

• Take the completed form to the Undergraduate Program Office or the Office of the University Registrar.

• After three business days, check the Student Link to verify that your registration has been adjusted.

To drop a class:

• Drop the class by using WebReg, until the last day to drop without a “W” (permanent final grade indicating Withdrawal).

• After three business days, check the Student Link to verify that your registration has been adjusted. 

Important Notes

• Students may only add courses during the first two weeks of the semester with the instructor’s permission.  The course instructor has complete discretion over which students are added to the course.

• Students dropping a course should refer to the dates included in the academic calendar to determine whether or not it will be recorded on their transcripts, as well as what charge they will incur for the course.

• Dropping a course could affect the sequencing of courses: i.e. if the course is a prerequisite for another course or if the course is only offered once a year.

• Dropping a course could affect eligibility for financial aid.

Please note that students are required to successfully complete a minimum of twelve academic credits per semester during each academic year (not including Summer Term) in order to be considered for renewal of financial aid.

• Dropping a course could affect visa status for international students.  Our international students must be sure to complete at lease twelve credits worth of coursework with grades of “D” or better in order to maintain proper visa status.  “W” grades do not count as completed coursework for visa purposes.

• Dropping a course could affect eligibility to continue in SMG.  Please note that students are required to complete at least six academic courses per academic year (not including Summer Term) with a minimum of four credits in each course to be eligible to continue in SMG.

Should a student add or drop a course, it is the student’s responsibility to check during the semester to be sure the transaction is complete.