General Registration Information

Registration for class at Washington and Lee involves three different processes, depending on the term and point in the calendar: PreRegistration, WebRegistration, and Drop/Add.

PreRegistration is a web-based process designed to give faculty an idea of student interest in the courses scheduled to be offered. It is required for all students for fall term (either in May prior to WebRegistration for returning students or in August for new students) and for winter term (in October prior to WebRegistration). Failure to participate in PreRegistration will cost students dearly in their priority for WebRegistration for the next three terms. The results of PreRegistration have nothing to do with the actual courses for which a student may be qualified or will be eventually enrolled.

WebRegistration, as the name implies, is a web-based process during which students register interactively for courses (not specific times, sections or instructors). This includes permission,  prerequisite and conflict checking and automated wait lists. Just before a term begins, the results of WebRegistration are used to create a student's schedule, assigning specific times, sections and instructors. The schedule is then available to students on the web or via e-mail from the University Registrar's web site.

Drop/Add is a paper process during the first few days of each term. Students may, with certain written permissions, adjust their assigned class schedules. All degree-seeking students are required to be registered for a full-time course load for each term (minimum 12 credits during fall and winter terms, three credits for spring term) by the end of the drop/add period. There is no charge for these transactions during the drop/add period, though the late fees begin going up quickly afterwards. 

To answer your questions about being properly registered on time, please check the faculty policies in the printed or web version of the Catalogue or consult with the University Registrar's staff via e-mail (registrar@wlu.edu) or phone (540.463.8455).