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The College expects students to finalize their academic schedules in the first three weeks of a term (first two weeks of a half-term). Later changes may be made according to the policies described below.
Drop
Courses dropped in the first three weeks of a term (first two weeks of a half-term) do not appear on the academic record. Thereafter, all courses officially dropped appear on the transcript with a "W" notation indicating withdrawal. For students in their first fall or winter term at the University of Michigan, the W(s) are expunged from the official transcript after the term is completed. The "W" means that the student dropped a course after the third week of a Fall or Winter Term (second week of a half-term) and that the College accepted the reason(s) for the drop and gave its approval.
Failure to complete a course or to secure approval for a late drop of the course results in the transcript notation Unofficial Drop (ED) which is averaged into the term and cumulative grade point averages as a failing grade (E). Courses elected on a non-graded pattern do not affect the term or cumulative grade point averages.
Weeks one through three of a term (weeks one through two of a half-term):
Students may drop a course without advisor approval. Since the tuition and fee assessment is not set until the end of this three-week period (two weeks in a half-term), a student dropping below 12 credits (six in a half-term) will be assessed a lower tuition charge.
Weeks four through the last day of classes of a term (three through the last day of classes for a half-term):
The deadline for students to submit their Late Drop request is 11:59 PM EST on the last day of class as determined by the Registrar’s Office. W’s are posted for courses dropped during this period, regardless of the reason for the drop. The only exception is, as mentioned above, students in their first full semester (i.e., Fall or Winter). In that case, if a student is dropping an individual class(es), the W(s) are expunged from the official transcript after the term is completed. However, if a first-term student is withdrawing from all classes, that would be considered a term withdrawal and would be noted on the student’s official transcript.
Please also note that classes that have already ended or have been graded cannot be dropped and that minicourses have different deadlines (available on the Office of the Registrar's Registration calendar and/or in the Course Guide).
Students requesting a late drop must:
- Go to their Backpack/Registration page in Wolverine Access
- Select the DROP tab at the top of the screen
- Select the class to drop, click "Proceed to Step Two," then click "Finish Dropping"
- Click the button "Request Late Drop" to the right of the red "X"
- Answer the questions and click "Submit Request" at the bottom
- Click “OK” on the confirmation page. Students will receive a confirmation email.
When students answer the questions in Step 5, they are acknowledging their responsibility to research any and all potential impacts on progress with the referenced offices (applicable phone numbers provided). For academic progress questions, students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to discuss the request before submitting. In some instances, students may need an advisor's approval to drop a course. Fees are not reduced even if a student drops below 12 credits (six in a half-term).
After the last day of classes of a term (or half-term):
Students wanting to request a drop of a class from a previously completed term may do so by petitioning the Academic Standards Board. Please note these petitions are rarely granted.
Students must meet with a Board member before they submit the petition; to schedule an appointment with a Board advisor, students should schedule an appointment, call 734-764-0332 or email newnanscheduling@umich.edu.
Students should include a copy of the petition cover sheet with their written statement. Students may make requests for retroactive drops no later than one year past the end of the term of the course in question. Because this petition requires documentation and statements from the course instructors, it is best to write the petition sooner rather than later. Describing the chronology (with exact dates) of the event(s) which affected a student's completion of the course(s) is crucial to the strength of your petition. The documentation provided should verify the occurrence and severity of the event(s). The Board is unlikely to grant a request for a retroactive drop without clear documentation.
ADD
Weeks one through three of a term (weeks one through two of a half-term):
Students may add courses without advisor approval when these changes result in an academic schedule of 18 credits or less during a term (9 credits in a half-term). Programs of more than 18 credits during a term (more than 9 credits during a half-term) require advisor approval as do all course changes made by Honors students. Adds of classes that are closed or require permission of the instructor must be accompanied by an electronic permission from the department. Students are responsible for any work assigned in the course from its beginning, regardless of the date of election. Therefore, it is important to talk with the course instructor about work assigned to date before adding a course in the second or third week.
Weeks four through nine of a term (three through five of a half-term):
The deadline for students to submit their Late Add request is 11:59 PM EST on the Late Add Deadline.
Students requesting a late add must:
- Go to their Backpack/Registration page in Wolverine Access
- Select the ADD tab at the top of the screen, and select the course to add
- "Proceed to Step Two,” then click “Finish Registering."
- Click the button “Request Late Add" to the right of the red "X".
- Answer the questions and click “Submit Request” at the bottom.
- Click “OK” on the confirmation page. Students will also receive a confirmation email.
All requests to add courses must be accompanied by an electronic permission entered by the department. Honors students follow the procedures established by the Honors Office; Residential College students follow RC procedures.
Week ten through the last day of classes of a term (after the end of week five through the last day of classes for a half-term):
Students who want to add a course after the ninth week of the term (after the fourth week of a half-term) must obtain and complete a Petition for an Exception to the Late Add Deadline Form. The Academic Standards Board reviews these late add requests and will respond to the student via e-mail.