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FAQs
The information below should act as a first quick-stop for your questions.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Crown advising staff if you need more information or clarification!
WITHDRAWAL/LEAVE OF ABSENCE FAQs
GENERAL EDUCATION FAQs
Which GE’s do I need to satisfy?
Which GE’s does the IGETC satisfy?
How do I satisfy GE’s?
Can I substitute Gen Ed’s?
What is the DC/W requirement?
Can I satisfy my GE requirements at another school?
Which GE’s do I need to satisfy?
That depends! We currently have two sets of General Education requirements and they are dependent on the year you are admitted. The General Catalog has both lists of GE requirements as well as suggestions for which classes will satisfy them.
The best way to know which GE’s you need to satisfy is to run an Academic Advisement Report (AAR). You can run this report by logging onto your student portal at https://my.ucsc.edu and going to My Student Center. Then go to the “more links” drop down menu, pull down to “Academic Advisement Report,” and click “Go”. It will take about 60 seconds for the report to generate. You can now scroll down to check your completed GE’s and other University degree requirements. http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/degreeaudit/ has excellent instructions on understanding a report.
Please note that transfer students admitted Fall 2010 and after are expected to fulfill Fall 2008 GE requirements.
Which GE’s does the IGETC satisfy?
The IGETC satisfies the GE requirements prior to Fall 2010. This is why transfer students admitted in Fall 2010 and afterwards are placed on the Pre-Fall 2010 GE requirements.
Please note that if you are admitted to UCSC and have not satisfied all of your IGETC classes, you will be expected to complete your remaining GE’s at UCSC.
Once you know what your requirements are, you can do a class search to see what open classes will satisfy a GE. Make sure that you only take lower division courses for GE's. Any class number higher than 100 (Example: Psych 101) is aimed at students majoring in that subject and could be too much of a challenge for non-majors.
Please note that more than one of the Pre-Fall 2010 GE requirements can be satisfied with a single class. Also note that the IS and IN requirements must be satisfied with classes from two different departments. The two IH requirements also must be satisfied with classes from two different departments, but only one class can be from the Arts division and one class (or both) can be from the Humanities division.
If you feel that a certain class should satisfy a GE and it does not, it’s possible to petition for a GE Substitution. The process is long, complicated, and not guaranteed. You can find the form, as well as instructions, at the Office of the Registrar’s Forms and Petitions page (http://reg.ucsc.edu/forms.htm).
It is the responsibility of every UCSC student to know the GE requirements and complete them on time.
The W is the writing-intensive requirement from the pre-Fall 2010 GE’s. The DC is the writing-intensive requirement for the Fall 2010 and after GE’s and it is intended to be writing focused on a specific major. Every major has a different DC requirement and you can’t search for DC’s in the class search. To understand a department’s DC requirement, please check your department's web site!
Transfer students are automatically placed on the Pre-Fall 2010 GE’s, which assigns the W instead of the DC. If you believe it is in your interest to switch to the DC, please call the Crown Admin Office and make an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
Can I satisfy my GE requirements at another school?
Yes, you can! Once you have finished the course at another school, you must have an official copy of your transcript sent to the UCSC Office of the Registrar.
There are a few things, however, to consider before you take that class somewhere else:
- Senior Residency Requirement: As a senior, 35 of your last 45 units must be taken at UCSC.
- Transfer Credit Limit: The maximum number of credits you can transfer in from another school is 105.
- Topicals: The topicals from the Pre-Fall 2010 requirements must be satisfied at UCSC.
Assist (www.assist.org) is an excellent resource for determining if a class taken at a California Community College will satisfy a requirement at UCSC. Not all community colleges have articulation agreements with UCSC so be sure to contact us if you have any questions!
ENROLLMENT FAQs
What is a full courseload?
Can I enroll in more than 19 credits?
Can I enroll in less than 12 credits?
Can I change my classes after I enroll in them?
Why can't I enroll in this class?
Don't see your question here? Email crownadvising@ucsc.edu
A full course load is 12-19credits per quarter. Most studentstake three 5-credit courses, for a total of 15 credits. Some classes have additional labs that are 1-2 credits each, bringing the range to 12-19 creditsfor full-time status.
Can I enroll in more than 19 credits?
Yes, you can! If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, you may enroll on your own up to a maximum of 22 credits.
If your GPA is less than 3.0, or you want to enroll in more than 22 credits, you will need to submit a +19 petition for an advisor's approval. You can pick up the petition at the Crown Admin Office or email crownadvising (crownadvising@ucsc.edu) and we'll email one to you. Make sure you list all the classes you wish to take, a short justification for the schedule, and the deadline dates.
Freshmen cannot enroll inmore than 19 credits for their first quarter because they don't have a UCSC GPA yet. Work hard and we'll be happy to consider +19 for your second quarter.
Please keep in mind that students may not enroll in more than 19 credits until the first day of instruction of each quarter.
Can I enroll in less than 12 credits?
You might be able to, however, approval depends on each student's situation. Come to the Crown Admin Office and fill out a reduced course load petition.
Keep in mind that there is no reduction in fees while on a reduced course load. You should also consult with a financial aid advisor to see how a reduced course load may affect your financial aid. You can find instructions on how to contact a financial aid advisor here.
Remember that taking less than 12 credits makes it harder to meet minimum progress. If you are having trouble, please check out the undergraduate part-time program information to see if you are eligible for part-time and reduced fees.
Seniors on their final quarter are also eligible to take a reduced course load for reduced fees. Pick up a "University Part Time Final Quarter Approval" form from the Crown Admin Office and fill out a part-time application for the Part-Time Program, available online at the Office of the Registrar's web site.
Can I change my classes after I enroll in them?
Of course! If there is room in the new class that you are interested in, then you can change your classes through your student portal until the Add/Drop/Swap deadline at the end of the third week of the quarter. Keep an eye on the deadline date here.
Please note that if you are adding a class, you need to be attending this class from the beginning of the quarter. Adding a class late will not help you if you need to make up missing work. You are also unlikely to get a permission code from a professor if you've missed several of the early classes.
If you can't drop or swap a class because it puts you below full time status, please contact an academic advisor. We may be able to temporarily change your credit limit to allow you to swap classes. We can also give you a reduced course load petition if you need to drop below 12 credits for the rest of the quarter.
The first three weeks move quickly at UCSC. Please contact an academic advisor if you feel you may be falling behind in the beginning of the quarter. The only way to drop a class after the Add/Drop/Swap deadline is with a documented emergency. Please contact an academic advisor if you this applies to you.
Why can't I enroll in this class?
There are many possible reasons why you are not able to enroll in classes. In general, the best thing to do is contact the Office of the Registrar or the department that offers the class. Below are samples of enrollment problems and solutions:
-AP test scores. Make sure you have official copies of all AP test scores sent to the Office of Admissions (http://admissions.ucsc.edu/contact/). Allow plenty of time for Admissions to evaluate your scores.
-Placement Exam. You will need a certain score on the related placement exam to enroll in some math (http://www.math.ucsc.edu/undergraduate/prereqs.html) and language (http://language.ucsc.edu/placement/) classes. Check exam schedules and allow enough time for your results to be evaluated before enrolling in the correct class.
-Took prerequisite at another school. Have your school send an official copy of your transcript to the Office of Admissions. Allow plenty of time for Admissions to evaluate your grades.
-Class full. You can contact the department offering the class for options. In addition, you can check your student portal regularly to see if anyone drops the class and a spot opens up. None of these options will guarantee you a spot in the class, so have alternative classes planned.
-Class closed but still has open spots. Some classes reserve spots for certain groups of students. During summer orientation, many classes will open only a few spots for each orientation group. Contact the department offering the class if it shows open spaces and you can't enroll in it. Please note: Crown's Core Course is held at reserve capacity until after the first mandatory lecture at the beginning of fall quarter.
-Schedule conflict. Your student portal won't allow you to enroll in two classes that overlap each other. Unfortunately, you will have to choose a different time or different class to complete your schedule.
-Enrollment holds. If there is a hold on your account, you will not be able to enroll in any classes. Your Student Center will tell you the type of hold and who placed it so that you can resolve the situation.
WITHDRAWAL and LEAVE OF ABSENCE FAQs
What is the difference between a leave of absence, a withdrawal, and an undergraduate cancellation notice?
How do I apply for readmission?
Do I request a Leave of Absence to study abroad?
How do I withdraw from one or two classes, but remain enrolled in the quarter?
Don't see your question here? Email crownadvising@ucsc.edu
What is the difference between a leave of absence, a withdrawal, and an undergraduate cancellation notice?
An Undergraduate Cancellation Notice (http://reg.ucsc.edu/Forms/Cancellation_Notice.pdf) tells the university that you’re planning to not come back next quarter. It’s easy to fill out, goes directly to the Registrar, and can be submitted up until the first day of the quarter you wish to cancel. If you cancel your enrollment and decide that you would like to return later, you would need to apply for readmission.
A Withdrawal (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/loa/index.html) indicates that you are leaving in the middle of the quarter you are currently enrolled in. It requires a signature from a college Academic Advisor and is then sent to the Registrar. A withdrawal in the middle of the quarter that you are currently enrolled in tends to be used in response to an unexpected personal emergency. The date you first contact an academic adviser will be used to determine what refund you may be eligible for. If you withdraw and decide that you would like to return later, you would need to apply for readmission.
A Leave of Absence (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/loa/index.html) tells the university that you’re leaving, possibly in the middle of a quarter, but have definite plans to return at a specific date. Like a withdrawal, a leave of absence is time-sensitive for refunds and requires a signature from an academic advisor. A leave of absence is only granted to students on good academic standing. There is a $70 fee for processing a leave of absence. You can request to have a leave of absence extended if more time is required, however, you cannot return earlier than the requested return date. The maximum time away for a Leave of Absence is two years. Otherwise, if your plans change, you would have to apply for readmission.
How do I apply for readmission?
You can find the readmission application, along with instructions for filing it, here (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/read/). Pay close attention to the readmission deadlines in the instructions, especially if you are hoping for priority enrollment. Contact your college academic advisor (crownadvising@ucsc.edu) to verify your personal readmission conditions and set up an appointment to discuss readmission. Typically, we will need to see an updated plan signed by your major adviser showing that you can complete your major requirements in time to graduate. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to readmit.
Do I request a Leave of Absence to study abroad?
If you’re doing an Education Abroad Program through UCSC, you will not need a Leave of Absence because you will remain an active UCSC student in another country. Check out the Office of International Education for information on getting started on a study abroad program.
If you’re planning to do a non-UC study abroad, you should check out the Office of International Education for instructions and the Non-UC Study Abroad Leave of Absence form. It will take time for an adviser to verify your good standing, so get your LOA form in as soon as possible!
How do I withdraw from one or two classes, but remain enrolled in the quarter?
Check the class drop deadline on the Academic and Administrative Calendar. If the class drop deadline hasn’t passed, you can drop the class on your student portal. If dropping the class would put you below 12 units, pick up a Reduced Coarse Load Petition at the Crown Admin Office.
If you miss the class drop deadline, you will have to make an appointment with a Crown Academic Advisor to request a Petition to Withdraw From a Course (W Grade).
Petition to Withdraw From a Course requests after the W Grade deadline are rarely granted and only considered when a student has experienced a documentable illness or emergency. Bring documentation for your situation when you meet with your academic advisor.
Please note that withdrawing from a class will show up on your transcript, may affect your financial aid, and puts you at risk of not making minimum progress.
TopACADEMIC STANDING FAQs
What is academic probation?
I’ve been disqualified from my major. Can I appeal this?
What is being barred? Can I appeal it?
How do I apply for readmission after being barred?
Don't see your question here? Email crownadvising@ucsc.edu
If you’ve received notification that you’re on Academic Probation or Subject to Disqualification, you already know that something in your current course of study isn’t working properly. To identify the problem and learn more about academic probation, check out the Academic Standing tutorial (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/standing/ast.html)
I’ve been disqualified from my major. Can I appeal this?
Every major has a different disqualification and appeal policy. When you receive notification about your disqualification, you will also be given instructions on how to appeal. If at any point you’re unclear about your major’s disqualification or appeal policies, please contact your department.
Please note that if you are disqualified from your major, you will have a limited amount of time before you must appeal and be accepted or declare a new major. Otherwise, you will be considered “undeclared” and may be subject to an enrollment hold.
If you do not wish to appeal the disqualificaiton from your major, you should plan a meeting with the undergraduate advisor at the new major department you have chosen. If you do not have a choice for a new major, you should contact a Crown academic advisor and schedule an appointment with a Career Center advisor (after using the FOCUS online career assessment tool). You can link to the FOCUS assessment here.
What is being barred? Can I appeal it?
If you have been on academic probation in a previous quarter and your GPA does not improve, you will be subject to disqualification. The academic standing committee will review your transcripts and you may be barred. Being barred from the university means not being a UCSC student for one to three quarters. This includes not being able to enroll in classes at UCSC for the period of the bar.
If notified that you have been barred, you will also receive instructions on how to appeal the bar. If a personal emergency this quarter has prevented you from being successful, now is the time to explain. Please demonstrate in writing how this emergency will not affect you in the future.
If you do not appeal, or your appeal is rejected, the bar will stand. You will receive conditions for readmission that you must satisfy before returning to UCSC. If barred, use your time wisely. Take classes at a community college, identify the source of your struggles and overcome it. Then return to be successful at UCSC.
How do I apply for readmission after being barred?
You can find the readmission application, along with instructions for filing it, here (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/read/). Pay close attention to the readmission deadlines in the instructions, especially if you are hoping for priority enrollment. Contact your college academic advisor (crownadvising@ucsc.edu) to verify your personal readmission conditions and set up an appointment to discuss readmission. Typically, we will need to see an updated plan signed by your major adviser showing that you can complete your major requirements in time to graduate. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to readmit.
GRADUATION FAQs
Am I ready to graduate?
How do I apply to graduate?
Can I walk with Crown even if I’m not a Crown student?
Does my GPA make me eligible for honors?
Don't see your question here? Email crownadvising@ucsc.edu
The best way to find out if you’re ready to graduate is to run an academic advising report (http://advising.ucsc.edu/student/degreeaudit/). You can also find a list and explanation of the various requirements at that page. Here’s the short version:
- University Requirements: AHI, ELWR, 180 credits with less than 25% taken pass/no pass.
- College Requirements: College Core Course.
- General Education requirements: All satisfied with “C” grade or better.
- Major Requirements: All satisfied with “C” grade or better. Verify your major requirements with a major advisor.
- Senior Residency Requirement: 35 of the last 45 credits must be taken at UCSC
Congratulations! You can apply for graduation easily through your student portal. Check out the Registrar’s Graduation FAQ (http://reg.ucsc.edu/faqs/graduation.htm) for instructions.
You can also fill out a paper application (http://reg.ucsc.edu/students/announcerequest/apply_to_graduate.pdf) to graduate if you prefer.
Keep in mind that applying to graduate is separate from walking in a graduation ceremony. To announce your desire to participate in Crown’s Commencement ceremony, check out the Crown Commencement Information page.
Can I walk with Crown even if I’m not a Crown student?
It is possible if you fill out a petition for change of college (http://reg.ucsc.edu/Forms/Change_of_College.pdf). Please note that you will need to be affiliated with Crown for at least two quarters before you can walk in the Crown commencement ceremony.
Does my GPA make me eligible for honors?
Excellent question! Check out the Office of Honors and Awards page (http://honors.ucsc.edu/) for more information about honors.
STUDENT RECORDS FAQs
Where can I get proof that I’m an enrolled student?
Where can I get copies of my transcripts?
Can a parent call the college and find out how I’m doing?
Will it show up in my records if I withdraw from a class?
What if I fail a class and repeat a failed class?
What if I take an incomplete in a class?
What if I take a class pass/no pass?
Don't see your question here? Email crownadvising@ucsc.edu
Where can I get proof that I’m an enrolled student?
You will need a Certificate of Enrollment (http://reg.ucsc.edu/faqs/status.htm), which can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.
Where can I get copies of my transcript?
You can get an unofficial copy of your transcript by logging onto your student portal at https://my.ucsc.edu and going to My Student Center. Then go to the “more links” drop down menu, pull down to “Transcript: View Unofficial,” and click “Go”. On the next page, go to the “report type” drop down menu, pull down to “unofficial transcript,” and click “Go”. It will take about 60 seconds for the report to generate. You can now print an unofficial copy of your transcript.
You can get an official copy of your transcript at the Registrar (http://reg.ucsc.edu/students/ordering.htm).
Can a parent call the college and find out how I’m doing?
Federal guidelines prohibit UCSC from discussing student records without written consent of the student. For more information on the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), read the quick reference guide here: (http://reg.ucsc.edu/guidelines_qr.htm).
If a student makes an appointment with an academic adviser and would like a family member to attend the meeting as well, the student will need to file a confidential release with the college office first. You can pick up this release at the Crown Admin Office.
Will it show up in my records if I withdraw from a class?
Classes that are withdrawn from will show up as a “W” on your transcripts. Classes that you withdraw from will not be calculated into your GPA. However, withdrawing from classes puts you at risk of not being able to graduate within four years.
What if I fail a class and repeat a failed class?
Classes that you fail will show up as an “F” on your transcripts. If you repeat the class and get a higher grade, it will still show an “F” for the first time you took the class. There will also be a message reading “Repeated F” for the first time you took the class. There will be a message reading “Repeat of F – Grade A through D received” where you took the class a second time, and received a grade higher than an ‘F’
If you repeat a class and get a higher grade, the earlier F will not be calculated into your GPA. The F will still continue to show on your transcript. Students may only repeat 15 credits worth of courses in which a D or F was received and have the previous grades taken out of the GPA.
What if I take an incomplete in a class?
If you receive an incomplete grade in a class, it will show up on your records as an “I” temporarily and will not be factored into your GPA. After you satisfy the conditions of your incomplete, you will then receive a grade for the class and it will be included in your GPA. If you do not satisfy the conditions of your incomplete, it will become an F and be calculated into your GPA. You must work out the conditions of your Incomplete with your professor.
What if I take a class pass/no pass?
Classes taken Pass/No Pass will show up as “P” or “NP” on your transcripts. Classes taken pass/no pass will not be calculated into your GPA. However, you can take no more than 25% of your classes pass/no pass in order to meet UCSC graduation requirements.