Ivan Allen Guide to: Summer & Fall 2020 Registration
Registration Season is upon us and WE’VE GOT THE GUIDE TO HELP YOU PICK THE PERFECT SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER & FALL 2020. Registration is the process of signing-up for the classes you’re going to take next semester. It can be a stressful, but exciting time trying to decided what classes to take and when to take them.
If you’re new at Tech and this is your first time registering for classes, you might be confused about how registration works. But fret not, we have a full guide on how to ensure registration goes smoothly and you’re prepared for Summer & Fall 2020!
HOW THE PROCESS WORKS + KEY DATES:
3/10 – Schedule of Summer & Fall 2020 Classes posted on OSCAR
You should: Check out the courses for Summer & Fall 2020 and start planning your schedule
3/19 – Phase I Time Tickets posted
You should: Check your registration time and make sure there aren’t any holds preventing registration on your account
3/23 – 5/15 – Phase I Registration & Summer Class Registration
You should: Sign on during your assigned Time Ticket to register for your Summer & Fall 2020 classes before May 15th!
Last day to register, make schedule changes and/or drop courses without a "W" grade for Early Short Summer, Late Short Summer, and Full Summer Sessions by 4:00pm Eastern Time.
8/7 – Fall Phase II Time Tickets posted
You should: Check your registration time if you need to make any changes during Phase II
8/8 – 8/21 – Phase II Registration
You should: Make your final class changes before the end of the first week of classes @ 4:00pm
REGISTRATION FAQS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHAT IS PHASE I AND PHASE II?
Phase I is the initial registration period where students get the first chance to pick their schedules. The dates for Phase I are 3/23 – 5/15. After Phase I is over, registration will close until Phase II. Registration for summer classes end at the end of Phase I. Students will get to make changes to their schedules from 8/8 to the end of the first week of Fall classes, letting students attend and see if a class is a good fit for them before solidifying their schedule for the semester.
WHAT’S A TIME TICKET?
Students are assigned a certain time slot in which they may register for classes depending on their academic standing and year. These are set to be assigned on 3/19 and registration will start soon after, according to your time ticket.
WHAT’S A GRADE MODE AND HOW DO I CHANGE IT?
Students are eligible to take some non-major/non-required courses on a Pass/Fail grading scale. Students should be able to see this attribute when registering for courses and can change grade modes during registration periods.
The Pass/Fail option is great for students who are taking elective courses in a topic they’re interested in without worrying too much about the effect that course might have on their GPA.
WHAT ARE “MAYMESTERS” AND SHOULD I TAKE ONE?
Summer Session Initiatives is launching a pilot 3-week summer part of term, called “Maymester.” Maymester is a three-week accelerated term, which allows students to take a 3-credit course in 15 days, or 3 weeks!
Course Dates: May 11-May 29, 2020
A few of this semester “maymesters”
ECON 4180 - Game Theory: Course covers static games of complete information, dynamic games of complete information, static games of incomplete information and dynamic games of incomplete information. (MTWRF 9:30-12:15)
HTS 2100- Science and Technology in the Modern World: An introduction to perspectives on how developments in science and technology at once reflect and influence politics and society on a global scale. (MTWRF 12:30-3:15)
INTA 2050- Introduction to Global Development: Mainstream and critical approaches to development, the role of diverse institutions and projects, and implications for sustainability in the countries of the global south. (MTWRF 9:30-12:15)
ML 2500- Intro to Cross-Cultural Studies: This course introduces students to literature and film from around the globe and teaches comparative literary and cultural studies analysis. (MTWRF 9:30-12:15)
FREN 3120: French Conversation and Culture: This class is designed to help students improve their French-speaking skills, and use French at an advanced level. Not for beginners. Conducted in French. (MTWRF 9:30-12:15)
TO WAITLIST OR NOT TO WAITLIST…THAT IS THE QUESTION:
Waitlisting is a function that academic departments may employ that allows students to add to a waitlist for a course that is closed.
Once a student has waitlisted for a course section, they will receive a notification via email if a seat becomes available in that section. Waitlisted students are notified on a “first-come-first-serve” basis, and once the notification is received, they will have a specified window of time to register for the course. The email notification will specify your window of time. Students will have 12 hours to register for the course section after notification.
If you’re interested in taking a class that is full, there’s no harm in adding yourself to the waitlist! During Phase II, students are constantly adding and dropping courses and waitlists move quickly.
OH NO, I HAVE A REGISTRATION ERROR! WHAT DO I DO?
Relax! Most registration errors are easily solved by going to registrar.gatech.edu or contacting your advisor.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE?
Odds are this is a question you’ve been thinking about for a while, but in case you need a few more classes to meet core requirements or fill out your schedule, here are some Ivan Allen College courses to fill the gaps:
HUMANITIES, FINE ARTS, AND ETHICS:
• ARBC 1501 - Understanding Arabic Culture: Arab beliefs and values regarding topics such as religion, society, family, the dynamics between men and women, and social norms are discussed. Taught in English. (Online)
• LMC 3234 - Creative Writing: This course explores a range of creative literary genres, and combines study and analysis of existing modes of one or more forms in order to establish a basis for original creative work by class members, section focused on Environmental Writing.(TR 3:30-4:45)
• LMC 3202 – Studies in Fiction: Examines the elements of fiction and what has made fiction, especially the novel, distinctive, popular, and enduring. Readings may include formal, cultural, and historical theories. (TR 12:30-1:45)
FULFILL HUM AND ETHICS REQUIREMENT:
• LMC 3219 - Literature & Medicine: This course examines works of literature dealing overtly with illness and healing, works about or by physicians and other caregivers, and works that raise questions about ethical behavior in the face of sickness. (TR 12:30-1:45)
SOCIAL SCIENCES:
• ECON 2101 - The Global Economy: Historical and theoretical understanding of global economy, including international trade, finance, investment production; regional economic integration; economic development; environment, using micro and macro economic principles. (MW 2:00-3:15)
• HTS 1081 - Engineering in History: Uses historical case studies to examine the relationship between engineers and the larger society in which they function. Often taught jointly with engineering faculty. (MW 9:30-10:45)
• INTA 3042 - Energy & International Security: Examines issues at the intersection of national energy security and international conflict and cooperation. (W 5:00-7:45)
FULFILLS SS AND ETHICS REQUIREMENT:
• INTA 2030 - Ethics in International Affairs: Surveys the main traditions and theories of international ethics with a focus on intervention and the use of force, human rights, self-determination, and global distributive justice. (MWF 2:00-2:50)
TIPS & TRICKS ON HOW TO DESIGN THE PERFECT SCHEDULE:
1) MEET WITH YOUR ADVISORS
Meet with your advisor, I’ll repeat that louder for those in the back, MEET WITH YOUR ADVISORS!! They’re here to help and are a great resource if you don’t know what classes to take, or even if you do, they have plenty of advice to offer. Remember that this is a busy time for them so try and schedule meetings with them around peak registration times.
2) Try Course-off
Course-off is a great third-party app that allows students to design their schedules visually and helps with arranging classes in the optimal schedule.
Note: Course-off offers the option to register through the app, but is not always reliable/up-to-date so students should plan to register through Buzzport.
3) USE CREDIT BY EXAMINATION
Advanced Placement Exams, IB Exams, and Placement Exams can be used to bypass some courses, especially pre-req and core classes. Check with the registrar to see what course you might be eligible for bypassing.
4) REGISTER EARLY
Check your time ticket, set your alarm for registration time, and be ready to go with your course numbers to make sure that you have the best chance at getting your classes (I’m talking to all of you with 8 AM start times, we’re in this together.)
5) BE FLEXIBLE AND FIND A BALANCE
Most of us don’t get the exact schedule we wanted, and that’s okay! Be open to taking some different classes than you might have wanted, you might find a new topic you didn’t know you were interested in!
With that, keep some balance between the required classes and classes you’re interested in. It can be tempting to load up on your hard classes early, but try and add some courses about things you’re passionate about so you can enjoy the process!
6) MAKE SURE YOUR SCHEDULE IS MANAGEABLE
This means mentally and physically! Try and find out what the classes are like and what the schedule is like and make sure you can manage all of your classes together. Phase II is a great chance to go to classes and see what the syllabus is like before deciding your final schedule.
And one tip: Listen to the warning that Scheller really is a 30-minute walk. Take caution.
Registration should be an exciting time of finding new topics to dive into and getting closer to graduation. As long as you’re prepared and use your resources, registration should be a breeze. Don’t stress about making sure you don’t have any 8am’s or that you have all the hardest classes, just find a schedule that works for you. Don’t forget to go to registrar.gatech.edu for any unanswered registration questions!
GOOD LUCK WITH REGISTRATION JACKETS!