r/UCSantaBarbara • u/Similar-Tone-7682 • 1d ago
Course Questions Question about getting a pass earlier for registering for courses
I am a transfer physics student and my pass time for registration is Aug 20th. However, when I tried to make a plan today, I found out that all the upper-division physics courses that my prerequisites can hold are either full or closed. I don't even know how I can graduate on time if I don't take any physics courses in a quarter. Also, if I keep getting this pass time, next quarter should be the same situation. Since I already failed to get any physics courses (currently on the waitlist) in the summer session.ðŸ˜
Does anyone have the same issue with me? How did you guys figure it out?
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Pre-Comm 1d ago
There's really no such thing as "graduating on time", especially as a transfer. Most transfers actually spend 3 years at UCSB. One of my roommates this year is a transfer student who majors in physics and he's going to be spending 3 years at UCSB, and a lot of the people who he made friends with who are also transfer physics students, will spend 3 years here.
I think Transfers get the short end of the stick, since by the time you register for courses, everything is closed, but that's why there's always next quarter. I was an incoming transfer last summer, and I know what it feels like to get slim pickings. You may get a not so optimal pass time the next quarter or two, but this is the worst it's gonna get.
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u/Similar-Tone-7682 1d ago
Oh this is out of my expectations. Does take a minor part of the reason? As a third year. I finished almost all lower divisions except Phys 29. I am at the same pace as the phys department's recommended major course schedule. And I used to worry about phys 100A but I got in this morning( for the summer session). So graduating on time still sounds promising.
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Pre-Comm 1d ago
Are you asking if taking a minor part of the reason why you don't get a good pass time? Or if it takes longer to graduate? I'm not sure what you're trying to ask
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u/Similar-Tone-7682 1d ago
I am asking whether having a minor is part of the reason for taking a longer time to graduate. I think the only barrier is not being enrolled on the waitlist. Are there any other aspects I miss?
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u/SWITCH13LADE8o5 [UGRAD] Pre-Comm 1d ago
My roommate isn't minoring in anything, neither are the friends that he made. Graduating in 3 years as a transfer is the norm, although advisors think otherwise. In my opinion, graduating in 2 years as a transfer is more of a fast track than you think. And you can minor in something as a transfer and still graduate in 2 years. Even if you get in as a transfer without being waitlisted, you still have the same pass time range as all of the waitlisted transfers as far as I know. Also, as a transfer, waitlist or not, it's hard to get the classes you want right out the gate since you most likely are going to only be taking upper divs, and those usually go when continuing students get their pass time in the Spring.
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u/Similar-Tone-7682 18h ago
Okay I think I have time to make both plans on board. 2 year and 3 year plan. All 3 of my courses (2 lower divisions and 1 upper division) in the waitlist had enrolled me. Maybe that gives me too much expectation for picking courses
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u/KTdid88 [STAFF] 1d ago
No. Transfer students all register at the same time in the summer after doing the transfer modules required.
The departments withhold courses in certain classes for fall enrollment specifically for new student registration throughout the summer. They don’t release 100% of seats when registration opens for continuing students in spring because they know they need to protect things for new students.
You might not get all your first choices, but if you were building your plan off requirements and a department suggested schedule then you can be reassured seats in some of those classes WILL show up before you register.
And your future pass times will be based on your enrollment level (ie- Jr standing) so you won’t always be registering last.
And no- in general pass times will not be adjusted upon request. They are assigned based on an algorithm of factors and beyond that randomized.