There are uniform deadlines set by the University for adding and dropping courses.  Deadlines are posted each semester on One Stop.

Adding courses:  Students are encouraged to have a complete schedule prior to the first day of the semester.  Students who need to add a class after the semester has started may do so without permission through the first week of the term (see specific dates on One Stop).  However, many instructors have first day attendance policies so students should always consult with the instructor prior to adding the course.  Instructor permission to add is required after the first week of the term, and college Scholastic Committee permission is required to add after the second week of the term.

Dropping courses:  No approval is required to drop a course during the first eight weeks of classes (4 weeks for 7-week courses); however a "W" will appear on the transcript for any course dropped after the second week of the term.

Permission to drop a course after the deadline must be granted by the Carlson School Scholastic Committee and will only be approved under one of the following circumstances:

• Extenuating circumstances.  Extenuating circumstances are generally those things that are out of the student's control and may include such things as illness, accident, or family emergency.  Documentation will be required.
• One-time-only late withdraw.  All students at the University of Minnesota may, once during their career at the University, petition to drop a class using their "one-time-only" late withdraw.  This must be requested and the course dropped no later than the last day of instruction.  A "W" will appear on the transcript and students will not receive a refund for the course.

Students are not limited in the number of withdraws they may earn, but they should be aware that it will affect financial aid and the strength of the academic record.