Making the Grade
Theoretically, each credit involves one hour of in-class instruction and two hours of outside study per week. However, you may find some courses more challenging than others having the same number of credits. If you have taken Advanced Placement exams and are wondering what kind of placement or credit you might receive at Cornell, refer to the chart about AP and International Credentials sent to you. If you have not received this chart, stop by the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) located in B-50 Caldwell Hall. Students in the College of Arts & Sciences should take their documents to their college registrar. If you think you deserve credit for qualifications other than those recognized by Cornell, take the AP exams during Orientation Week. Dates, times and places for these are listed in the Orientation Handbook.
Changing Classes
Students may adjust their schedules during add/drop/change periods. A form is completed by the student and signed by both the student's adviser and an appropriate representative of the department offering the course (an instructor, department staff member, or college registrar, depending on the college). The completed and signed form must be returned to the student's college office to be processed. Professional schools, Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, and the Department of Physical Education and Athletics have different course enrollment and add-drop policies. See the Course Catalog for more information. You have three weeks each semester to officially ADD, CHANGE GRADING OPTIONS, AND CHANGE VARIABLE CREDITS. You have seven weeks to drop. You should be using the add/drop forms obtained from your college registrar. Changes after these dates will have to be authorized by your advisor and a fee will be charged. Since final add/drop dates vary for different colleges, check with your college registrar. Since many courses are sequential, some classes may be necessary pre-requisites for others. Consult with your academic advisor for details.
IMPORTANT! Maintain Your Student Status
Remember that except in certain situations (which have to be approved in advance), if your total course load drops below 12 credits, you will not be a full-time students and your visa status will be invalidated. If you have further questions about this, please consult ISSO.
Looking For Help
If you find yourself having trouble in some classes, don't panic. It is usually difficult for professors to seek out students especially in large classes. Hence you must take the initiative. Seek assistance from Teaching Assistants (TAs), professors, friends or other resource centers on campus.
There are many resource centers on campus that offer tutorial and academic support services such as the John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, Mathematics Support Center, and the Center for Learning and Teaching, to name a few. Visit or call the offices listed to get the most current details of the workshops and other services they offer each semester. Utilizing the different resources on campus during times of difficulty can reduce your stress.