Request a Course Change

How Enrollment Works for COLLEGE and ESF

Unlike other courses, COLLEGE and ESF enrollment is handled centrally through the COLLEGE Office. Students cannot add or drop the class via Axess or Simple Enroll. Instructors cannot add students to their sections; only the COLLEGE Office can add or drop students.

Incoming frosh will be assigned two quarters to take COLLEGE in August, and will be able to submit course preferences before enrollment opens for the assigned quarter. You will also be able to request changes to your assigned quarters.

You can check your current placement by going to vcacollege.stanford.edu. If you wish a change, see the instructions below. See Enrollment FAQ for more answers to common questions.

Current Status of Change Requests

Students can begin to submit their course and section preferences on February 21.

Request a Change to COLLEGE or ESF

Submit all change requests in vcacollege.stanford.edu, please! The VCA is more efficient and you'll get an answer faster than by email.

Processing Dates

Listed below are the processing dates for petitions. Petitions will generally be processed in the morning and your new assignment/schedule will appear on vcacollege.stanford.edu, and then later in Axess. Please note that these dates are subject to change based on volume.

2/21: The VCA will open by 11:00am to accept section preferences.
2/24: Processing initial section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Assignments will be posted in the VCA in the afternoon.
2/27: Processing section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Assignments will be posted in the VCA in the afternoon.
3/1: Processing section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Students will officially be enrolled in their COLLEGE course and the course will appear on Axess in the afternoon.
3/3: Processing section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Changes will appear on Axess in the afternoon.
3/6: Processing section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Changes will appear on Axess in the afternoon.
3/9: Processing section preferences, the cutoff is 9:00am. Changes will appear on Axess in the afternoon.
3/13: Petitions will be processed weekly on Mondays through Finals Week
3/27-3/31: Spring Break, Petitions will be processed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

From 4/3 through the end of the first week of the quarter, petitions will be processed daily (weekdays only).

Is This My Last Chance to Change?

No! We will continue to take requests through the first week of classes. It is much more difficult, however, to change a COLLEGE course in the second week of the quarter. No changes in Week 3 are allowed.

Will My Change Be Approved?

We will accommodate as many changes as space allows. Sections have a hard maximum of 15 students and overloads will not be possible. However, ExploreCourses may have outdated information about space availability, and other change requests may open up new spaces. Be sure to keep an eye on your email in case we need to consult you.