How Do I...

1. Add a class?

Up until the end of the add period (see the academic calendar for deadlines) you may add a class on CAESAR yourself. After the add deadline, you must complete a late add/drop petition [doc] along with an add/drop slip (available in the Registrar’s or the Student Resource Center), have them signed by your professor, or have a permission number on them, and submit them to the Student Resource Center.

2. Drop a class?

Up until the drop deadline (see the academic calendar for deadlines) you may drop a class yourself on CAESAR. The drop deadline is typically the sixth week of the quarter. After the drop deadline, you must complete a late add/drop petition [doc] along with an add/drop pink slip (available in the Student Resource Center or the Registrar’s Office), have them signed by your advisor and submit them to the Student Resource Center.

3. Register for classes when there is a time conflict between them?

You must get the permission of both instructors to register for classes that have any overlap in meeting times. Complete a registration time conflict permission form [pdf], obtain both instructors signatures on the form, and submit the form to the Office of the Registrar. The Time Conflict Form must also be accompanied by a completed Add/Drop slip (available in the Registrar’s Office or Student Resource Center). If you are adding the courses after the add deadline (see the academic calendar for deadlines), you must also submit a late add/drop petition [doc].

4. Register for an Independent Study (399)

Complete an independent study petition [pdf], have it signed by your sponsoring faculty member, and submit it to the Student Resource Center. The SRC will register you directly for the course if it is approved by the Undergraduate Dean.

5. Apply to Teach and/or Register for a Student Organized Seminar

To gain approval to teach a Student Organized Seminar, read through the directions for SOS courses [pdf] and complete the student organized seminar course proposal form [pdf]. If the Undergraduate Dean approves the course, the Student Resource Center will register you and the students for the class directly. You will need to supply all students’ names and ID numbers to the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

6. Enroll in a class through the School of Continuing Studies?

Complete a petition to enroll in a course in the School of Continuing Studies [doc] and a dual registration form (available in the Registrar’s Office or the Student Resource Center) and submit the forms to the Student Resource Center. The petition will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Dean to determine whether the course may count towards your degree. If she approves the course, the form is then forwarded to the Office of the Registrar. The School of Continuing Studies limits enrollment in SCS courses to five undergraduates. Hence, you may not be enrolled in the course even if it is approved by the Undergraduate Dean. Students from the day school are not enrolled in SCS courses until after the first day of classes, so you must check CAESAR to make sure you are enrolled in the course.

7. Register to be Part-Time?

Complete a part time enrollment request [doc] form and make an appointment to see your advisor. Your advisor will discuss with you the implication of a part time enrollment for your graduation plans. Once you have met with your advisor, bring the form to the Student Resource Center. The Undergraduate Dean will review the form, and assuming everything is in order forward the request to the Office of the Registrar.

8. Withdraw for a quarter or permanently?

Make an appointment to meet with the Undergraduate Dean. She will discuss with you your decision to withdraw and will aid you in completing a withdrawal form. Once completed, she will forward the form to the Office of the Registrar.

9. Return to NU after a quarter or more away (not including Study Abroad)?

Complete a FRET [pdf] form to indicate your intention to return to NU. It is best if you can complete this form a few weeks before the registration period for the quarter in which you wish to return to campus (see the academic calendar for registration dates). This will enable you to be re-activated in time to register for courses during the regular registration period.

10. Request an Incomplete Grade?

Incomplete grades should only be requested in the case of serious extenuating circumstances such as illness or emergency. Download an incomplete grade contract [doc] and bring it to a meeting with your instructor. The contract must be completed prior to the last regular meeting of the class. The instructor must agree to your request for an incomplete, and you must specify in the contract exactly what work for the class will be completed late. All work for the class must be completed within one additional quarter. Any extensions beyond one quarter must be approved by the Dean on an incomplete extension form [doc]. The incomplete grade contract, as well as any incomplete extension form, must be submitted to the Student Resource Center prior to exam week.

11. Receive transfer credit for work completed at another domestic university or college?

If you have not yet taken the coursework, but are considering enrolling at another school for the summer or a quarter, complete a form to transfer credit after matriculation [pdf] and submit it to the Student Resource Center. Once you have completed the coursework, you must have an official transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar for credit evaluation.

If you took the courses prior to matriculation at NU, then have your transcript sent to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation. IMPORTANT NOTE: Non-transfer students may transfer a maximum of four credits from another domestic university to count towards their degree.

12. Transfer into the School of Communication from another School at Northwestern?

Complete an interschool transfer form [pdf] and submit it prior to the IST deadline (see the academic calendar for deadline). Your current advisor should sign off on the form before you bring it to meet with your new SoC advisor. Make an appointment with your new SoC advisor well ahead of the IST deadline.

13. Transfer to another School at Northwestern?

Complete an interschool transfer form [pdf] and submit it prior to the IST deadline (see the academic calendar for deadline). Your SoC advisor can sign the form as the representative of your current school. You should then make an appointment with an advisor from the school into which you wish to transfer. The form is then submitted to the Office of the Registrar for processing.

14. Change my major to another major within SoC?

Complete an interdepartmental transfer form [doc] and submit it to the Student Resource Center. You should notify your old advisor that you are changing majors and also meet with an advisor in your new major to discuss your new requirements and coursework.

15. Declare a second major or minor in another School at NU?

Visit the department in which you wish to add a second major or minor. Make an appointment to meet with whoever advises students in that major. Complete a declaration of major form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar (unless the department offers to do this for you).

16. Declare a minor in SoC?

Make an appointment with the minor advisor for the subject you are interested in. They will discuss the minor with you and have you complete a declaration of minor form. Some minors can only be declared in the Spring quarter, so be sure to discuss deadlines with the advisor. Once your minor advisor has approved this form, they will submit it to the Student Resource Center on your behalf.

17. Get verification of enrollment at NU for graduate school, insurance applications, etc.?

Complete an enrollment verification request [pdf] and submit it to the Office of the Registrar.

18. Give consent for my family or a third party to gain access to my personal information or records?

Complete a consent for release of personal information/educational records form [pdf] and submit it to the Student Resource Center.

19. Request a Dean’s note to my professors for absences/late work due to illness or emergency?

Send an email to the Undergraduate Dean (dear-sally@northwestern.edu) explaining the circumstances and dates of missed class/work. You may be required to meet with the Undergraduate Dean and/or to provide supporting documentation such as doctors’ notes, verification of an emergency, etc.