Add/Drop Policies

Note: When a dean’s signature is required on the add/drop form, it must come from one of the following academic deans: Dean Fred LaRiviere, Dean Paul Youngman, Dean Elizabeth Oliver, or Dean Rob Straughan.

INITIAL: Add/Drop Period (before 11:59 p.m. Wed., Sept. 10)

LATE: Week 2 (11:59 p.m. Wed., Sept. 10 to 4:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 17)

Paper Add/Drop Form

**Students unregistered or with unapproved course loads below 12 credits are withdrawn retroactive to the beginning of the term after the end of the second week.

LATE: Week 3-6 (4:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 17 to 4:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 17)

Paper Add/Drop Form (Drop with Record - W grade on all dropped courses)

LATE: After 6th Week (after 4:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 17)

Paper Add/Drop Form (W grade of record on all dropped courses)

To petition the Faculty EC, please see details at Student Petition to FEC.

Miscellaneous Policies

• Full-time course load is 12 credits: all degree-seeking students must be full time by the start of the term. Students with unapproved underloads at the end of add/drop week are subject to administrative withdraw from the university.
• Overloads and underloads: for overloads: Students must submit a request for overload (online) to carry greater than 15 credits. For underloads: A student must obtain Faculty EC approval to take fewer than 12 credits (see Dean Straughan).
• No change in registration is official until the proper form, bearing the required signatures, and any required petitions have been received, approved, and recorded by the University Registrar’s office. Until that time, students are advised to attend all class meetings and complete all work for the classes they seek to add or drop.

Note: When a dean’s signature is required on the add/drop form, it must come from one of the following academic deans: Dean Fred LaRiviere, Interim Dean Paul Youngman, Dean Elizabeth Oliver, or Dean Rob Straughan.

INITIAL: Add/Drop Period (before 11:55 p.m. Wed., Jan. 14)

LATE: Week 2 (Thurs., Jan. 15 to 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 22)

Paper Add/Drop Form

Students unregistered or with unapproved course loads below 12 credits are withdrawn retroactive to the beginning of the term after the end of the second week.

LATE: Week 3-6 (Fri., Jan. 23 to 4:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18)

Paper Add/Drop Form (Drop with Record - W grade on all dropped courses)

LATE: After 6th Week (after 4:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 18)

Paper Add/Drop Form (W grade of record on all dropped courses)

To petition the Faculty EC, please see details at Student Petition to FEC.

Miscellaneous Policies

• Full-time course load is 12 credits: all degree-seeking students must be full time by the start of the term. Students with unapproved underloads at the end of add/drop week are subject to administrative withdraw from the university.
• Overloads and underloads: for overloads: Students must submit a request for overload (online) to carry greater than 15 credits. For underloads: A student must obtain Faculty EC approval to take fewer than 12 credits (see Dean Straughan).
• No change in registration is official until the proper form, bearing the required signatures, and any required petitions have been received, approved, and recorded by the University Registrar’s office. Until that time, students are advised to attend all class meetings and complete all work for the classes they seek to add or drop. 

Note: When a dean’s signature is required on the add/drop form, it must come from one of the following academic deans: Dean Fred LaRiviere, Interim Dean Paul Youngman, Dean Elizabeth Oliver, or Dean Rob Straughan.

INITIAL: Two-day Add/Drop Period (before 11:59 p.m. Tue., April 28)

To petition the Faculty EC, please see details at Student Petition to FEC.  

LATE: Through End of 1st Week (before 4:30 p.m. Fri., May 1)

Paper Add/Drop Form 

LATE: After 1st Week (after 4:30 p.m. Fri., May 1)

Paper Add/Drop Form (Drop with Record - W grade on all dropped courses)

After Last Day of Exams of Any Term

 Paper Add/Drop Form (W grades on all dropped courses)

Miscellaneous Policies

• Minimum full-time course load is 3 credits, including one three- or four-credit course. Students may enroll in up to five credits, with the provision that it not interfere with the schedule and obligations of the three- or four-credit course.
• The maximum academic load is up to 5 credits, except for approved six-week courses. No other overloads or underloads are permitted.
• Spring Option declaration firm deadline is Fri., March 6, 2026. Must petition Faculty EC for exceptions after this date, and pay $100 late fee if approved.
• Course fees: Students who drop courses with fees are responsible for those fees.
• No pass-fail grading option during spring term.
• No change in registration is official until the proper form, bearing the required signatures, and any required petitions have been received, approved, and recorded by the University Registrar’s office. Until that time, students are advised to attend all class meetings and complete all work for the classes they seek to add or drop.

View the Registration and Policies for W&L Summer Work webpage for more information.