Regular Adds
During the add period (through the end of the first week of each term), you can add yourself to classes via CAESAR. Take note of prerequisites and whether you need permission numbers. Between pre-registration and the beginning of the quarter, you can use CAESAR to enroll yourself in up to 4.68 credits. If you would like to enroll in more than 4.68 credits, you must wait until the first week of classes to do so, and then use CAESAR to enroll yourself. To enroll in 5.5 or more credits requires permission; visit the webpage on Full Time, Part Time, and Overload Credit for details.
You cannot add yourself to independent studies, internships, honors program classes, or some certificate program classes; visit the relevant webpage for policies and procedures regarding enrolling in those special courses.
Regular Drops
IMPORTANT NOTE: The drop deadline is not the same as the deadline to drop courses from full time to part time (or from overload credits to full time) and receive a partial tuition refund. No refunds will be issued for classes dropped after the tuition adjustment deadline. The tuition adjustment deadline is typically the same as the deadline for adding or swapping a course (end of the first week of classes), but you should always check the university’s academic calendar to verify deadlines: https://www.registrar.northwestern.edu/calendars/academic-calendars/
Through the drop deadline, you can drop yourself from a course via CAESAR. Before dropping a class, consult with your academic advisor to determine if dropping the class will impact your degree progress, your Undergraduate Registration Requirement, or your full-time status. Student athletes must see an advisor in athletics to determine their NCAA and NU eligibility requirements and to obtain permission to drop any class. If you drop a class yourself via CAESAR, be sure you log off and log back into CAESAR to check that the drop was successfully completed.
Late Add/Swap
School of Communication students may not late add/swap courses without approval from the Undergraduate Dean. Late add/swaps are only granted under specific circumstances.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your request for a late add results in enrollment in 5.5 or more credits, even if you drop a class later on, you will be charged additional tuition for the overload credit. If you are late swapping a late add course with a course that you are currently enrolled in, you must use one form for both requests; you can add a second request by clicking on the plus (+) sign on the right side of the form.
To request a late add/swap, after consulting with your academic advisor, complete the undergraduate “Request to add/drop/P/N form. Once you submit the form, it may take a few business days for the form to be reviewed by administrators; do not submit the form multiple times as it may delay processing.
Late Drop
School of Communication students may not late drop courses without approval from the Undergraduate Dean. Late drops are only granted under specific circumstances: If you are worried that you may be failing a course but will not have any graded feedback from the professor prior to the drop deadline, contact your advisor before the drop deadline and let them know the situation; a late drop may be approved in those circumstances.
To request a late drop, after consulting with your academic advisor, complete the undergraduate “Request to add/drop/P/N” form. Once you submit the form, it may take a few business days for the form to be reviewed by administrators; do not submit the form multiple times as it may delay processing.
If it is past the drop deadline, and you encounter an emergency such as a medical condition that seriously affects your physical or mental health, or a serious family emergency, you may request approval for a course withdrawal. Contact your advisor, and visit the Office of the Registrar’s webpage on course withdrawals for details on policies, procedures, and deadlines: https://www.registrar.northwestern.edu/registration-graduation/registration/withdrawal.html