Enrollment FAQ
Want to Request a Change? SEE HERE
Where can I check my COLLEGE assignments?
After August announcements, students can check their two assigned quarters on vcacollege.stanford.edu. This is especially helpful for future quarters in which registration has not yet opened.
How do I know which COLLEGE course I'm taking?
Before enrollment opens for your assigned quarter, you'll receive an email letting you know we have opened Course Preferences in the VCA and inviting you to submit your preferred courses in vcacollege.stanford.edu. We aim to announce course placements before frosh enrollment opens, although you will still be able to request changes after that.
What is the COLLEGE schedule?
In Autumn and Winter, "COLLEGE 101: Why College? Your Education and the Good Life" and "COLLEGE 102: Citizenship in the 21st Century" are seminars that meet twice a week for 80 minutes each meeting.
In Spring, for the global perspective COLLEGE courses, most options are 4-unit lecture/section classes, with some space available in 3-unit seminars.
- Lecture/Section: all students attend a lecture and a discussion session (both are mandatory). The lecture shows up in ExploreCourses as Section 01, and then you will choose one of the other listed sections as your discussion section. Both the lecture and discussion section are 50 minutes and each meet twice a week.
- Seminars: meet twice a week for 80 minutes each meeting
I just realized that my COLLEGE class no longer works with my schedule, what should I do?
We understand that plans change, students can request to change their COLLEGE assignment up to the first week of classes. Please follow the instructions on requesting to change your COLLEGE class.
Do I have to take my COLLEGE classes in Autumn?
No, students can take their COLLEGE classes anytime during their Frosh year. COLLEGE courses are offered in Autumn, Winter, and Spring to offer students the flexibility in deciding when they want to complete the requirement. Please review the course offerings on ExploreCourses.
I just submitted my change request, what now?
It can take up to 2-3 business days for your request to be processed. See the list of Processing Dates on the Request a Course Change page to know what to expect. You can check your assignment on vcacollege.stanford.edu or on Axess. If your request cannot be accommodated, you will be notified by email.
Is it too late to switch my class or section?
Students can request to make changes to their COLLEGE classes up until the end of the first week of classes for the current quarter. Any changes after this date will require instructor approval.
Why haven’t I heard back from anyone?
Due to the large number of requests that we receive, we are unable to respond to each request individually. You will only receive an email if we were unable to accommodate your request. If you have submitted a request to change your assignment and 2-3 business days have passed, please check vcacollege.stanford.edu for your assignment.
Can an instructor add me to their class or switch sections for me?
No. Instructors do not have the ability to make changes to your schedule, when students reach out to them they also contact the COLLEGE Office. Please follow the instructions on requesting to change your COLLEGE class.
Wondering about references to Thinking Matters?
Thinking Matters was the previous first-year requirement, so you may hear older students talking about their THINK course. That program has sunset and been replaced by COLLEGE. Current incoming frosh only need to worry about taking two quarters of COLLEGE.
Do you need to retake your Thinking Matters course or complete your IHUM, CIV, or Western Culture requirement?
If you matriculated before Autumn 2021 and need to complete an earlier requirement, please contact our staff at collegereq@stanford.edu, and we will get you enrolled in a class.
If you have a question that has not been answered please email collegereq@stanford.edu.