What Is the Add/Drop Period?
The add/drop period, sometimes called the drop/add or schedule adjustment period, is a short window at the start of a term when students may change their registration without penalty. You can add a course you want, drop one you do not, or switch sections, usually through the online registration system.
How it works
The window is set by the academic calendar and often lasts one to two weeks in a semester. During it, dropped courses typically disappear from your record and tuition for them is refunded or adjusted. Adding a course after the first class may need the instructor's permission, especially if the class is full, and some departments require a signature.
After the period ends, changes become harder. Dropping a course later usually results in a W on your transcript and may not bring a refund. Adding a course after the deadline needs special approval and is often refused.
Tips for using it well
- Attend the first class of every course, even ones you are unsure about, since instructors may remove students who do not appear.
- Read the syllabus for workload and assessment, and compare it with your other courses.
- Check prerequisites and your degree audit before you swap.
- Watch credit totals, because dropping below full-time can affect aid, insurance and visas.
- Join waitlists for full classes and monitor them.
- Know the refund dates, which can differ from the add/drop dates.
Why it matters
Using the window lets you correct a poor course choice cheaply. Missing it can mean a W, a lost tuition payment or a course that you must complete or fail.
Related terms
See withdrawal, class waitlist, course load, full-time student and academic calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the add/drop period?
Usually the first one or two weeks of a semester, and shorter for summer or accelerated terms. Your academic calendar lists the exact dates.
Will a dropped course show on my transcript?
Courses dropped within the add/drop period normally do not appear on your transcript. Courses dropped later may be marked with a W for withdrawal.
Do I get a refund if I drop a course?
Often a full or partial refund applies if you drop within the published refund dates, which can differ from the add/drop dates. Check the bursar or billing policies.