The Enrollment Process for 2008-09

The goal of the enrollment process is to place every student into a Writing Seminar of his or her choice. To enroll, just follow the steps below. Please refer to the enrollment schedule for specific dates and times.

Step 1. Learn the term in which you have been assigned to take a Writing Seminar. At the end of July, you'll receive a letter from the Director of the Princeton Writing Program notifying you of your term assignment. If you don't receive this letter or if you forget your term assignment, contact the Writing Program.

Students assigned to the Fall term should proceed with the following steps. Students assigned to Spring will receive a catalog of seminar offerings in December, sometime before Winter Break.

Step 2. Meet with your academic adviser to determine the courses in your Fall schedule, excluding the Writing Seminar. Once you've completed your SCORE enrollment for your other courses, you'll know the times you have available to take a Writing Seminar.

Step 3. Identify your top 8 Writing Seminar choices by reading through the catalog of seminar offerings. To increase your chances of being assigned to one of your preferences, choose seminars that meet at a range of times, including morning and evening. Be sure to keep in mind your extracurricular commitments when choosing seminars. Click here for a list of Writing Seminars by day and time to help you find the ones that will fit in your weekly schedule.

Step 4.
Rank your top 8 choices online at any time during the enrollment period. You may access the enrollment website from the Princeton Writing Program's home page. See the enrollment schedule for specific dates and times. Please note that you may rank no more and no fewer than 8 choices. Note, too, that the enrollment system is not first come, first served. As long as you enroll sometime during the enrollment period, your chance of receiving one of your top choices is as good as everyone else's.

Step 5.
Receive notification of your Writing Seminar assignment by e-mail. Most students will be assigned to one of their top three Writing Seminar choices. If for some reason you don't receive e-mail notification, send an e-mail to writing@princeton.edu. No signature is required once you're enrolled.

Step 6.
Go to your first Writing Seminar class session, which will take place a few days after regular classes begin. See the enrollment schedule for specific dates. When you receive your Writing Seminar assignment, you will also be notified when and where your seminar meets. Please note that there is no add/drop period for Writing Seminars.


Term Assignment Changes

If you have a compelling reason for wanting to change your term assignment, you must make your request by filling out an online request form, which will be available on the Princeton Writing Program website at the appropriate times (see the enrollment schedule). Please be advised that space is limited and not every request can be accommodated.

Writing Seminar Assignment Changes

After being assigned to a Writing Seminar and before classes begin, you may request to switch into another Writing Seminar by filling out an online request form. The form will be available on the Princeton Writing Program website at the appropriate times (see the enrollment schedule). Please be advised that space is limited and not every request can be accommodated.

Consequences of Not Enrolling in a Writing Seminar

If you fail to rank your top 8 choices online during the enrollment period, you will be placed in a Writing Seminar with open spaces, regardless of topic. To encourage you to enroll on time, the Princeton Writing Program will send you reminder e-mails during the enrollment period.


FAQs about the Writing Seminar Enrollment Process

Q: Will enrolling first increase my chances of getting one of my top choices?

A: No, the enrollment process is not first come, first served. Your chances of getting one of your top choices are the same, no matter when you submit your choices during the enrollment period.

Q: Whom do I call if I have trouble enrolling in a Writing Seminar?

A: Feel free to contact the Princeton Writing Program at 8-2702 or writing@princeton.edu, or call the Help Desk at 8-HELP.

Q: I want to make sure I'm not randomly assigned to a Writing Seminar. What do I do?

A: Submit your choices online during the enrollment period, and choose at least a few seminars that meet at 8:30am and 7:30pm.

Q: What happens if I forget to enroll in a Writing Seminar during the enrollment period?

A: You will be assigned to a Writing Seminar with open spaces, regardless of topic. But to help you remember, the Princeton Writing Program will send you reminder e-mails.

Q: May I shop Writing Seminars?

A: No. Once you've been assigned to a Writing Seminar, the enrollment process is over. You will, however, have the chance to request a seminar change before classes begin (see the enrollment schedule).

Q: May I switch from one Writing Seminar to another? If so, how do I do it?

A: You may request a change from one seminar to another before classes begin by filling out an online request form (see Seminar Assignment Changes), but space is limited and not every request can be accommodated.


Fall 2008 Writing Seminar Enrollment Schedule

Students Assigned to a Term for the Writing Seminar
Late July

Students May Request a Term Change Online: First Chance
Mon Aug 4 through Fri Aug 8

Students May Request a Term Change Online: Second Chance
Fri Sept 5 through Wed Sept 10

Students Enroll in a Writing Seminar Online
5pm on Tu Sept 9 to 5pm on Th Sept 11
>>>This process is not first come, first served. Enroll anytime during the enrollment period, and your chance of receiving one of your top choices is as good as everyone else’s.

Students Notified by E-mail of Writing Seminar Assignments
5pm Fri Sept 12

Students May Request a Writing Seminar Change Online
5pm on Fri Sept 12 to 12 noon on Sun Sept 14
>>>No requests to change a Writing Seminar will be accepted after the deadline without the special permission of the Writing Program Director.

First Day of M/W Writing Seminars
Mon Sept 15

First Day of T/Th Writing Seminars
Tu Sept 16