6.1 Am I automatically eligible to register?
In order to be eligible to register for classes, you have to meet all the requirements outlined in the undergraduate calendar.
At Carleton, registration is divided into registration blocks, or time-tickets. Your time-ticket indicates when you can begin accessing the registration system for a given term. While you can register for courses any time after your time-ticket opens through to the last day of registration, you are strongly encouraged to register as soon as your time-ticket begins because some classes fill up early.
To find out if you are eligible to register, check your registration status in Carleton Central before your time-ticket opens.
See Permission to Register (Academic Regulation 2.1.1) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP: Checking your registration status early allows you to check that there are no holds or any other issues that may affect your ability to register after your time-ticket begins. If you have a hold that prevents registration, you must contact the office that placed the hold.
6.2 I am not able to register. What should I do?
Holds – normally related to your academic or financial status (e.g., you have an outstanding student account balance) – may prevent registration. If you have holds, click on the “View Holds” link in Carleton Central to view the details. Contact the originator of the hold if you have questions.
If your student status or academic standing prevents registration, you should contact the Registrar’s Office immediately.
TIP: When preparing for registration, ensure that you check the “Getting Started” page of Carleton Central to view your student status, any holds on your account, and your time-ticket for registration.
6.3 What if I decide that I don’t want to take a course after I’ve registered in it? Can I switch into another one?
During your studies, you might find yourself in a course that doesn’t meet your expectations, or after reviewing your audit you might decide that another course more suitably meets your degree requirements. Well, rest assured that there is some flexibility at the beginning of each term for making adjustments to your class schedule.
You may add or drop courses from Carleton Central during the registration period at the beginning of each term (check the published deadlines in the undergraduate calendar). However, it is difficult to make up material if you have missed a number of classes because you registered after classes have begun.
Check the Academic Year in the undergraduate calendar for a list of important dates and deadlines.
TIP: Once you have finalized your courses, it’s a good practice to review your updated audit to make sure that your course selections fulfill your degree requirements.
6.4 I can’t get into the course I want. Is there anything I can do?
The University strives to provide students with access to courses. However, factors such as room size can limit the number of spaces available in a course. If no spaces are available to you, that course will appear as “Full” in Carleton Central. You are encouraged to continue to try and register for the course as space may become available. For courses that are currently full, you may be able to join a waitlist. If the course section has a waitlist enabled, the Registration Message will contain the word “waitlist” (e.g. Join Waitlist). By joining the waitlist, you are placing yourself in a queue for the next available space in the course.
Academic departments may also restrict certain courses to a particular year level or degree program. If you feel you meet the requirements to register in the class, you must submit a Registration Override Request via Carleton Central.
TIP: Visit the Registration website for detailed guides and how-to videos to assist with your registration.
6.5 A message was sent to my Carleton email account telling me I’ve been de-registered from a course. What does that mean?
There are a number of scenarios outlined in the calendar that may affect whether or not you are allowed to continue in a course (i.e. prerequisites, timetable conflicts, etc.). It’s important to note that the university may cancel your course registration for various reasons, usually related to your eligibility to register.
Please note that if you have registered into a course, you must withdraw before the published deadline in order to cancel your registration. Failure to pay your tuition or non-attendance does not constitute deregistration. NOTE: International degree and special students whose registration may be in jeopardy due to non-payment of fees will be sent a personalized email to their Carleton email account. For more information about student fees, visit the Student Accounts website.
See Deregistration (Academic Regulation 2.1.7) in the undergraduate calendar for more information.
TIP: If you are deregistered from a course, the department offering the course will send you an email informing you of deregistration. Make sure to check your Carleton email regularly!
6.6 If I drop a class, will I get my money back?
Making registration decisions in Carleton Central involves making a financial and academic commitment for the courses you choose, regardless of attendance. Your registration is not cancelled if you do not attend – you must withdraw in Carleton Central within the published deadlines to cancel your registration. A refund, or fee adjustment, is dependent on registration being cancelled within the published fee deadlines and your course load. For example, a fee adjustment will only be applied when your course load falls below 2.0 credits per session.
When you register for or withdraw from classes in Carleton Central, please think carefully about the impact of what you are doing. If you are considering withdrawing from a course, you may want to talk to an advisor first. Course withdrawal may affect your student status, as well as your eligibility for student loans, awards, residence, accommodation and participation in varsity sports, et cetera.
Be sure to visit the Student Accounts website for important information about fees and fee deadlines.
TIP: Check your audit before you drop a course to review how withdrawing from it will affect your degree requirements.
6.7 If I’m not doing well in a course, can I drop it?
Even if you miss the deadline for financial withdrawal (see previous page), you might decide to drop a course to avoid a failure or a poor grade showing up on your student record and bringing down your CGPA. It is your responsibility to drop the course via Carleton Central within the published deadlines (see Withdrawal).
Again, remember that if you are considering withdrawing from a course, you may want to talk to an advisor first. Course withdrawal may affect your student status, as well as your eligibility for student loans, awards, residence, accommodation and participation in varsity sports, et cetera.
Check the Academic Year in the undergraduate calendar for a list of important dates and deadlines.
TIP: Make sure that you are aware of the separate deadlines for Financial and Academic withdrawal!
6.8 I stopped going to one of my classes, but it still shows up on my audit and I’m still being charged for it. Is that a mistake?
No, it’s not a mistake! Registration is never cancelled for non-attendance. If you decide not to take a course, then you must officially withdraw from it in Carleton Central. Failure to do so may result in negative academic and financial consequences. Stay aware of the deadlines for financial and academic withdrawal, and make sure you don’t miss them!
Visit the Student Accounts website for important information about fees and fee deadlines.
TIP: Check your Carleton email regularly for reminders about registration and academic responsibilities, as well as important dates and deadlines.