Office of the Registrar

Registration

Oberlin students register for classes in Banner Self Service which is available through corresponding tasks in OberView, the college’s mobile-responsive online tool that serves as a gateway to the information that is vital to life at Oberlin.

Please contact the Office of the Registrar with questions about registration at 440.775.8450 or registrar@oberlin.edu

View How to Register for Classes Guide

Video Content Time Marker
Access the Student Registration Landing Page :44
Registration Time Frame and Holds 1:17
Add Class 2:31
Drop Class 5:08
Waitlist Class 5:42
Registration Errors 7:35
Conditional Add Drop 9:09
View Schedule 11:13

Incoming New Students

The registration video mentions a Registration Alternate PIN (RAP). Please note that a RAP is not required for registration in early August. However, when you arrive on campus and need to adjust your schedule, you will need a RAP. Once you arrive on campus, you can obtain your RAP from your academic advisor.

Oberlin’s approach to assigning registration time tickets involves a credit calculation. Here is what's considered:

  • Institutional Credits: Credits earned at Oberlin before or after matriculation.
  • Transfer Credits (Pre-Matriculation): These credits, earned before matriculating at Oberlin, are applicable only to students admitted to Oberlin as transfer students. These credits are not considered for students admitted to Oberlin as first-year students.
  • Transfer Credits (Post-Matriculation): Credits earned after matriculation, such as study away or summer transfer credit.
  • In-Progress Credits: Credits for courses currently being taken.

Please note that the calculation does not consider Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or international entrance exams.

Once the total number of applicable credits is calculated, students are assigned a registration time ticket. Students with more credits receive an earlier registration time. 

  Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Music Doube-Degree
Group 1 n/a n/a ≥172
Group 2 ≥ 92 ≥ 122 126-171.99
Group 3 60-91.99 78-121.99 80-125.99
Group 4 28-59.99 32.0-77.99 34-79.99
Group 5 0-27.99 0-31.99 0-33.99
Factors Affecting Registration Time Tickets

Your registration time ticket may be affected by various factors, including: 

  • Division: Whether you are in Arts & Sciences, Conservatory, or pursuing a Double Degree. Please note that each division has different credit thresholds for time tickets, because the courseload and credit requirements differ by division. 
  • Grades: Earning an F, NP, NE, or W in prior courses.
  • Leaves of Absence: Instances of personal, medical, emergency leaves, or suspension.
Banner Class Standing vs. Registration Time Ticket

It is important to understand the difference between Banner class standing (also visible in Degree Works) and your registration time ticket. The calculation for Banner class standing takes into account institutional credit, transfer credit, and AP/IB credit. This differs from the calculation used for registration time tickets. Therefore, your registration time ticket may not align with your Banner class standing.

Plan Ahead is a tool available on the Student Registration Landing Page within OberView. It allows students to pre-plan their course sections before registration opens. Once registration begins, students can easily add their pre-selected course sections to their schedule.

Important Note: Plan Ahead does not check for potential errors such as seat availability, consent, time conflicts, prerequisites, restrictions, credit hour limits, or other errors. Therefore, it’s important to carefully review the potential for errors before you register from a saved plan.

How to Create a Plan in Plan Ahead

Video Content Time Marker
Access Plan Ahead :43
"NOT OFFERED FOR TERM" 1:38
"View Sections" and "Add Course" 1:50
Save Plan 3:31
Delete, Edit, and Preferred Plans 4:04
  1. Log in: Go to the Student Registration Landing Page within OberView. Click the blue Start button and log in with your ObieID credentials.
  2. Select Plan Ahead: Once on the Student Registration Landing Page, click "Plan Ahead."
  3. Choose a term: Select a term from the dropdown menu.
  4. Create a new plan: Click the "Create a New Plan" button.
  5. Find classes: Under the "Find Classes" tab, enter your course search criteria and click search. Please note the following on the search results page:
    • Not offered courses: Courses that are not offered for the term will show “NOT OFFERED FOR TERM.”
    • View sections: For courses with scheduled sections, click the “View Sections” button to see the available sections. On this same page, click the “Add” button to choose a section for your plan.
    • Add course: If you’re interested in a course but do not want to commit to a section yet, click the “Add Course” button. Note that courses without sections cannot be added to your registration plan. 
  6. Save your plan: After adding your courses or sections, click "Save Plan" in the lower right corner. Enter a plan name when prompted. We recommend including the semester in the name.
  7. Edit or create more plans: To create another plan, repeat the steps above. To edit your plan, go back to "Plan Ahead," locate your plan, and click the Edit button.
How to Register from a Saved Plan

Video Content Time Marker
Access Registration Portal :16
Accessing Plans 1:03
Adding Courses from Plan 1:46
Submitting Courses for Registration 3:40
  1. Log in: Go to the Student Registration Landing Page within OberView. Click the blue Start button and log in with your ObieID credentials.
  2. Select Register for Classes: Once on the Student Registration Landing Page, click on "Register for Classes."
  3. Choose a term: Select a term from the dropdown menu.
  4. Access your plan: Towards the top, select the "Plans" tab. Locate the plan you want to register from and click "Add All" in the right-hand corner. You can also add individual sections from the plan.
  5. Review sections: In the Summary window, check the sections you added. Note that courses without sections will not appear.
  6. Submit your registration: Once you are satisfied with your sections, click "Submit" in the lower right corner. Successfully added sections will show as Registered. Sections that could not be added will display an error message.

Courseload

Bachelor of Arts

Min. credits/courses to meet academic standing requirements: 14 credits/3 and one-half courses
Max. credits allowed without course overload permission: 18
Fees charged for credits over: 20
Credits/courses under the min. require permission to underload

Bachelor of Music

Min. credits to meet academic standing requirements: 16 
Max. credits allowed without course overload permission: 24
Fees charged for credits over: 24
Credits/courses under the min. require permission to underload

Double Degree

Min. credits to reach full-time status: 16 
Max. credits allowed without course overload permission: 26
Fees charged for credits over: 26
Credits/courses under the min. require permission to underload

Error How to Resolve
Class Restriction Your student classification does not match the required classification for the course. If you need to take a course above your approved level, you will need to contact the instructor offering the course and request permission to register in the system. If permission is granted, you may then re-attempt to register for the course online.
Closed Section

The class is full. If an electronic wait list is available, you can add yourself to the wait list by selecting Wait List in the action drop down menu for the course. Once added to an electronic wait list, it is your responsibility to check your Oberlin email frequently. When a seat becomes available, the first student on the wait list will be notified via email. From the time and date the email notification is sent, the student will have 24 hours to decide if they want the seat. If they do not take the seat by the deadline, the second student on the waitlist will be offered the seat.

If an electronic wait list is not available, you may contact the instructor directly to see if they are maintaining a manual wait list. If yes, request to be added. If notified a seat is available and permission has been given to you in the system to register, it is your responsibility to re-attempt to register for the course online by the add/drop deadline.
CORQ-xxx This requires a corequisite class. You must add both classes together in Banner Self-Service. Add both courses at the same time and click the submit button.
CRN XXXXX Section not available for web add/drop You cannot register for a private reading through Banner Self Service registration. You will need to pick up a Private Reading form from the Office of the Registrar, complete the form, including acquiring signatures, and return it to the Office of the Registrar by the add/drop deadline.
Dropping last class is not allowed Banner Self Service registration will not let you drop the last class on your schedule. If you would like to drop your last class in order to start your registration fresh, you must add another class and drop the original one. If this is not your intention and you would like to remove your last class for reasons related to not participating in the semester, you will need to contact the Office of the Registrar for information on how to proceed.
Duplicate Course You cannot register for the same two courses in one semester (with exceptions to certain ensembles; in such a case, you will need visit the Office of the Registrar to register). If you wish to retain the course that is on your schedule, you can remove the course that is causing the error. If you’d like to switch to the course that is creating the error, you will need to first drop the incorrect course then add the correct course.
Instructor’s Consent You will need to ask the instructor to grant you consent in the system so that you may register online. Consent must be granted in the system by the add/drop deadline; it is the responsibility of the student to register by the deadline once consent has been added. Alternatively, you may pick up an add/drop card at the Office of the Registrar, get it signed by the instructor, and return it prior to the Office of the Registrar by the add/drop deadline.
Linked Course Required (lab) The course lecture selected requires an accompanying lab in order to register the course. You will need to select the accompanying lab section at the same time of adding your lecture.
Max hours exceeded Adding the course to your schedule would result in being registered for more credit hours than is possible for you. You have two options: 1. You may elect to drop a class on your schedule to make room for the course you are trying to add. 2. If you are an Arts & Sciences student, you may apply for a course overload request. Should your overload request be approved, your credit hour limit will be increased to accommodate your new class and you may then register for the class online, prior to the Add/Drop deadline. If you are a Conservatory or a Double Degree student, you may request overload permission from the Office of the Conservatory Deans.

Open - Reserved for Wait List

 There is an open seat but it is reserved for a student at the top of the waitlist. That student will receive a notification about the open seat and be prompted to register for the course. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, in the registration summary pane select **Waitlist** and click Submit.
Prerequisite and Test Score Error If you think you are qualified to take the course, please contact the instructor. The instructor may grant you special permission to take the class if they think you are eligible. Otherwise, you will need to fulfill the prerequisite. If the instructor agrees to allow you to take the class, they will need to enter prerequisite consent in the system so that you may register online.
Reserve Closed The seats that have been reserved for your major or class standing have been filled, so you cannot register for the class. You will need to wait for another student of the same major or class standing to drop from the class.
Repeat Limit Exceeded The course you are attempting to register for already exists in your academic history. Please review the repeat policy located under the Academic Policies section of the catalog.
Section XXXXX is not a valid CRN The CRN you entered does not exist. Review the Browse Schedule of Classes and choose an appropriate CRN. If the CRN in question happens to be the correct one, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Time Conflict with <class> This error appears when the course you are trying to add conflicts (day and time) with one of your other courses. Check the course schedule to see if the course you are trying to add or the course it is conflicting with has a different section open that will not conflict. If not, you may visit the Office of the Registrar to pick up a time conflict card. The instructor of both time conflict courses must sign off on the conflict. The completed time conflict card is due back in the Office of the Registrar by the add/drop deadline.
Waitlist Closed A wait list is being used for the class, but is full. Most wait lists have a size limit. You will need to select another class.
Waitlisted Course The course is full, but the instructor is using an electronic wait list. In your summary pane, use the drop down box to select waitlist and then click the submit button.

Select courses have an automated waitlist in Banner Self Service registration. When a student attempts to register for a course that is full, the student will have the opportunity to add themself to the automated waitlist. The waitlist is first-come, first serve and fully automated.

Students do not need to email, call or visit faculty or academic departments to be placed on waitlists for courses that are eligible to be waitlisted through Self Service Banner registration. Courses not eligible to be waitlisted through Banner Self Service registration will require contact with the faculty member or department.

What should I do to prepare for the automated waitlist?

Make sure you read all of this information so you are prepared to add yourself to a waitlist, if needed. Make sure your oberlin.edu email is active so that you can receive notification of your waitlist status.

How does automated waitlist work?

When students attempt to register for a course that is full, the registration system will display a message that the course is closed. If it is a course that permits waitlisting through Banner Self Service, the student can change the status of the course to **Waitlisted** in their summary pane and then click submit to process the request.

If a seat becomes available, the first student on the waitlist will be notified via their oberlin.edu email account. From the time and date the email notification is sent, the student typically has 26 hours* to decide if they want the seat and to register. If they do not register for the seat by the deadline noted in the email, they will be removed from the waitlist, and the seat will be offered to the next person in line.

*as the add/drop deadline approaches, the timeframe to register for an open seat may vary. Please review the email notification for the precise timeframe you must take action.

How many students can be on a waitlist?

The limit is set to 99. Students will be able to see their position on the waitlist and, therefore, judge whether they have a good chance of getting into the course. If there are only 15 seats in a course and a student's waitlist position is 62, their chances are not as good as they would be if there are 40 seats in a course.

How do I see my waitlist position number?

In OberView, search for and choose the task Register for Classes. Once logged in, you will need to ensure your registration summary pane appears. To the left of the registration summary pane is your schedule information. There are two tabs; you will want to select the second tab called Schedule Details. Locate the class you are waitlisted for. Next to the class title is an arrow; click the arrow to un-collapse the class information. At that point, you will see your waitlist position number.

Waitlist Position Number

 

 

 

 

Can students be manually moved on the waitlist to higher positions?

No. The waitlist works on a first-come and first-serve basis.

Can a student get on a waitlist for a lab section of a science course if the lecture section still has open seats?

No. For “linked courses” both the lecture and lab must be closed to get onto the waitlist. At that time, the student will be prompted to get on the waitlist for both the lecture and lab.

Why do I have to sign-up on the waitlist if there's an open seat? Can I register for that open seat?

Once a section closes and the waitlist is activated, any seats that open up for that section are assigned to the people on the waitlist. So when you see one open seat for a section that you are on the waitlist for, that seat is reserved for the first person in line on the waitlist. That person is the only one who can register for that open seat because it is linked to their T number.

What if there are pre-reqs for a course or if the course is consent; do I have to meet the pre-reqs or gain consent to waitlist the course?

Yes. Any limitations on the course are applied for waitlisting except time conflicts. You will be able to waitlist a course which conflicts with a course for which you have registered. If you are able to add the waitlisted course, you will need to first drop the course which has a time conflict.

What about courses where seats are reserved for specific class levels or majors?

Some courses will have “reservations” (so many seats for a certain class level or levels will be reserved) or restrictions (only a major in XXX may add) Here’s an example of how that would work in waitlisting:

A course has 20 seats with 3 seats reserved for fifth years, 3 for seniors, 3 for juniors, 3 for sophomores, and 3 for first years (for a total of 15) and five seats open to any student. When preliminary registration opens November 5, the first students eligible to register are those with the highest number of completed and registered hours. Thus, fifth year and seniors will be eligible to take the 6 seats reserved for them. Because there are open, unreserved seats, any fifth year or senior may register for those seats. (That may account for 11 seats, therefore—6 reserved and 5 open.) When the 12th senior/fifth year attempts to register for this course, they will be prevented from doing so and will be offered the opportunity to add themselves to the waitlist.

Please note that Exco and Athletics courses are valued as credit hours, not half or full courses. If you are taking a one-credit Exco, it is not a half or full course. Two one-credit Exco would be the equivalent of a half-course. Athletics courses that are .5 credits are just that—a one-half credit, not a one-half course. Four one-half credit courses are the equivalent of a half course. The deadline to register for an Exco or athletics is the same as the add/drop deadline.

When do I need my RAP?

New students need their RAP on registration day during orientation week and also for add/drop in their first semester. Students returning from a leave of absence need their RAP in order to register for the semester of their return. Continuing students need their RAP in order to register in April or November; once they have registered, the RAP is not needed to adjust their schedule further.

What if I lose my RAP?

Only your advisor can provide you with your RAP. Please contact your advisor.

How much time will I have to register?

For continuing and returning students, registration occurs in November (for spring semester) and April (for fall semester). Students will receive a registration appointment time which will last through the end of the add/drop period for the semester they are registering for.  First semester new students register for courses in August or January and will have an appointment time that lasts through the end of add drop.

Special Note for Waitlist Eligible Courses: If a student waitlists a course using Banner Self Service registration and a seat opens up, they will receive an email with a specific time frame to add the course. If they do not add the course within the time frame noted in the email, the open seat will bounce to the next person on the waitlist. Students need to make sure to check their Oberlin email frequently for wait list notifications. When a seat becomes available, the first student on the waitlist will be notified via their oberlin.edu email account. From the time and date the email notification is sent, the student will then have 24 hours to decide if they want the seat. If they do not take the seat by the deadline, the second student on the waitlist will be offered the seat.

What if I need consent to get into a class?

Consent is permission to take a course; it is not a guaranteed seat. Contact the instructor or go to the class and ask for consent. The instructor will give you consent by either entering consent online or giving you written consent. Written consent must be done via a Registration Schedule Adjustment card, available at the Academic Advising Resource Center. Once the faculty member signs the card, bring it to the Academic Advising Resource Center for processing. If the instructor says they will enter the consent online, you will be responsible for checking Self Service Banner to confirm consent has been entered. You will then need to register for the course using Banner Self Service.

What if I can’t get in a class because of a prerequisite?

Certain courses carry prerequisites; listed in the course catalog. If you do not have the prerequisite, you will not be able to add the course. If you believe you have the academic preparation for the course, you can make an appointment to talk to the faculty member who is teaching the course to ask permission to take the course. The faculty member will then decide whether an exception is warranted. If the faculty member makes an exception, they will need to override the prerequisite for you in the system. Once entered, you can add the course during add/drop via Banner Self Service.

What is conditional add and drop?

Conditional add and drop is a feature that allows a student to drop a course from their schedule on the condition they are able to add a new course to their schedule without error. This registration add and drop will only be completed if the new course is open and there are no errors that prevent registration.

Example situation: You have registered for both a lecture and lab (linked courses). However, you see a different section of the lab has seats open and would prefer to register for that one versus the one you already registered for. In sum, you want to keep the lecture but switch lab sections. You can conditionally add and drop a different section of the lab without losing your lecture section. You also won't lose your currently registered lab section until you successfully add the other lab section, provided it is indeed open and no registration errors occur.

How to conditional add and drop a course:

  1. The class you desire to add must be in the summary pane, with a status of Pending and an action of **Add**
  2. The class you desire to drop conditionally should have a status of Registered and an action of **Drop**
  3. The Conditional Add and Drop box must be check marked (located to the left of the submit button).
  4. After all three of the above steps are in place, click the submit button. The registration add and drop will only be completed if the new course is open and there are no errors that prevent registration.
  5. Double check your registration schedule to confirm all courses appear as you intend. If a course does not show up on your schedule, then you are not registered for it.
How do I change variable credit hours?
  1. Go to OberView
  2. In the search bar on the OberView main page, type Register for Classes. Select the task titled Register for Classes (Banner 9 Self Service).
  3. Click the blue start button.
  4. Select Register for Classes.
  5. Log in with your ObieID and password.
  6. Select the current term and enter your Registration Alternate Pin (RAP) from your advisor (if required).
  7. At the top, select the tab titled Schedule and Options.
  8. Select the applicable course.
  9. To the right you will see the credit hours. Click on the credit hour number. You will see a black box pop up to the next of the number. Enter the new credit hour.
  10. Click submit in the lower left hand corner of page.
  11. Review your registration schedule to ensure the updated credit hours appears correctly.

Registration

Students returning for the Fall semester may register according to their registration appointment time in April. 

Students returning for the Spring semester may register according to their registration appointment time in November. 

Steps to take before registration:
  1. Students must contact their academic advisor to plan for which courses to take in the coming semester. Consultation with your advisor is an opportunity for students to discuss any questions regarding courses and their academic progress. Your academic advisor will also provide you with your registration alternate pin (RAP), which is required to register online.
     
  2. If a course requires consent, students must contact the instructor before registration to secure consent. Once consent is entered into the system, it is the student’s responsibility to register for the course.
     
  3. Review Degree Works. This is a valuable tool to help you determine where you stand in terms of degree requirements.
Registration Appointment Time

Students may view their registration appointment times via the Prepare for Registration task in Oberview. 

Students who will not have access to the internet during their registration time frame may contact the Office of the Registrar in advance of their registration appointment time for information on how to proceed.