Another Email

Hey Guys,

So, I've been a bit caught up with my work and answering emails. I have a new post coming up on how to get your computer ready for college, but in the mean time, I though I would share another email I received that had more questions about buying books, and to offer you an update. I spoke with some of the RHO (residential housing offices, I think: basically, where you get mail) and at least one worker there said that you can send a package there and they will hold them for approximately a month. Don't quote me on that; but if you want to, you can send your books ahead in your own name and they *should* be waiting for you at your RHO. Just address them as follows:

Joe/Jane Hoya *your name*
XXXX Hall RHO *Harbin, Darnall, New South, etc.*
Georgetown University
37th and O streets NW
Washington DC 20057

You should also get a confirmation email when your package arrives at GU.

Anyway, here's the email I wanted to share:

Hi April !

Let me first say that I could not agree more with the points made in your blog (e.g., Georgetown's terrible website, cornering freshmen into buying books at the school's store). My questions deal with this latter issue. On MyAccess I cannot find a schedule of my classes. When preregistration opened to freshmen, I found my schedule to already have two of five slots taken, one with a [retracted] course, one with an Ignatius Seminar. I think it's pretty safe to go ahead and buy on the Internet the textbook needed for my major's course (because it's the same for every section of the class) and the novels required for the seminar.

The other three courses, however, are not fixed into place yet (because of availability, alternate classes, and whatever else). Is my only choice to essentially wait until the 29th, when, according to an email I just received, I will be able to view my schedule, and then buy the books at the university store? Also, is it possible to change my schedule now that I have since submitted my preregistration request? If so, do you know whom I should contact?

Thank you for having created a blog where I could confirm that I was not alone in facing these issues!

Sincerely,
[retracted]

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[retracted],

Thanks! I'm glad you're finding the blog posts useful. I've heard some of the other freshman experiencing similar problems. Unfortunately, yes--and there is a good chance they will change. My schedule got shot to hell when I arrived on campus. It's really best just to wait if you have doubts on getting in to a class. One of the good things you can do, however, is to check what the number of open slots is for a class. When you go in to the register/pre-register section (myaccess>student>registration>class schedule), you should see the same search section that you used when choosing your classes originally. Search for your classes, then click the title of the class. You should then be able to see the number of seats available or taken. If there is a large number of available seats, you can probably order the book; if there is not, don't risk it and just order your books when you get here. A nice trick is to order your books the day you have confirmation, and buy those that you need immediately from the book store. You can use the bookstore copies for the rest of the week and then return them when your ordered books arrive. You just have to make sure that you check your dates and are sure that you return the bookstore ones in time with their policy.

April
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I would also like to add to this email that you CAN change classes when you arrive on campus. Everything I'm about to explain pertains to the College. The Nursing School/SFS/MSB may have different rules. Georgetown College has an add/drop period during which you can drop out of or add yourself into a new class without any consequences. I think this period lasts about two weeks (but don't quote me on this either; you'll be able to find out when the year starts). This allows you to try out a class and to change or add to your schedule. If you think you are going to change a class, I recommend using ratemyprofessors.com and the schedule link (explained in the above email response) to search for alternative classes. If you know what you want to switch before you get here, you'll be much better prepared (unlike me; I ended up taking a class that was not relevant to my major or minor options because it was one of the few classes open).

There is also a withdraw period. As long as you are within the withdraw period (which is much longer, usually getting closer to midterms) you can either withdraw from a course (causing it to be shown on your transcript with a "withdraw" icon) or switch the class to a Pass/Fail grading system (although you can only do this with one class per semester). Neither of these options looks good, however, so its really important that you make a good judgement during the add/drop period of a class.