Registration FAQs

• For rising 2Ls and 3Ls, specific registration appointments will be issued, and students will register for Fall term in mid-to late Spring semester. Registration for Spring term will begin in mid-to late Fall semester
• Incoming 1L students will be registered for classes by the Registrar’s Office
• LL.M., MSLS, and Exchange Students will be given an appointment window to register
• Non-Law Students will be permitted to register during the Add/Drop period (must submit a form for registration)
• Add/Drop registration: For all eligible students, Add/Drop period generally begins one week before classes and continues through the second week. All students (except for 1L students) may make changes to their schedule at this time
• Please review our important dates and deadlines for registration dates. Be aware that your specific appointment window may vary depending on your class status

No, registration appointment times are assigned based on your level of study and cannot be changed.

Your registration window will be open for several days. You will be able to register at any time during your window.

• Full-time JD students typically take 12–17 credits per semester
• LL.M students can take between 10-15 credits per semester
• Maximum credit limits may vary—check with the Registrar’s Office or your academic advisor
• Term credit overload permission may be requested by contacting the Dean of Students Office
• MSLS students can take between 3-7.5 credits per semester

• Log In: Access the Cornell Student Center and log in with your NetID and password.
• Navigate to Enrollment: Click on the “Enroll” tab.
• Select Term: Choose the term for which you want to enroll.
• Add Classes:
  • Click on “Add” under the Enroll tab.
  • Enter the Class Number in the “Enter Class Nbr” field and click “Enter.”
  • Confirm the grading basis and number of units on the Enrollment Preferences page, then click “Next.”
  • The class will appear in your shopping cart.
• Proceed to Enrollment:
  • Click “Proceed to Step 2 of 3” to continue with your enrollment request.
  • Review your selected classes and click “Finish Enrolling.”
• View Results:
  • Successful enrollment will show a green check mark and a success message.
  • An unsuccessful attempt will show a red X and an error message.
• IMPORTANT: Do not log into Student Center from multiple windows, browsers or devices. Doing so may result in class enrollment requests stuck in “pending” status, and the inability to successfully submit requests. If you are inactive in Student Center for more than 30 minutes, you will be logged out.

Waitlists are only offered during the Add/Drop period for courses capped at 40 students.

I’m a non-Law student; how do I register for Law classes?

• Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet any prerequisites or eligibility criteria for the law course you wish to take.
• Search for Classes: Use the Cornell Class Roster to find law courses available for the term.
• Obtain Permission: Contact your School Registrar and/or the course instructor to request permission to enroll in the class. Some courses may require instructor consent or consent from your department.
• Approval Process: Be sure you have completed the Petition for Non-law Student Enrollment in a LAW Class. This form is routed to the instructor electronically for approval and then to the Law School Registrar for review and processing. If approved, the Registrar’s Office will provide authorization to register or will register you directly.
• Enroll via Student Center:
  • Log in to the Cornell Student Center with your NetID and password.
  • Navigate to the “Enroll” tab and select the appropriate term.
  • Enter the Class Number for the law course and add it to your shopping cart.
  • Proceed to enrollment and confirm your selection.

I missed the deadline for enrollment, what do I do?

You will have another opportunity to register for classes during the Add/Drop period.

I am trying to enroll during my registration window but can’t add or drop classes, what do I do?

• Check for and resolve holds. It is the student’s responsibility to check, and resolve holds prior to registration.
• If you do not have any holds on your student record, please reach out to the Curriculum and Scheduling Team in University Registrar’s Office at: coursenroll@cornell.edu or law.registrar@cornell.edu.

I put all my classes in my shopping cart and registered at the start of my registration window, but some classes aren’t showing in my schedule.

• Check to see if you have any holds preventing registration
• Try logging out and back in or refreshing the schedule page
• Courses may be full, and you will need to find alternatives or try again during the Add/Drop period

My computer crashed during registration, and I didn’t get into all my preferred classes. What do I do?

Log completely out of your Student Center and then back in. You can try enrolling again, however if the classes are full; you may need to select other courses or try again during Add/Drop.

I tried enrolling again; the classes were full. Can you register me for the ones that didn’t go through?

Unfortunately, if classes are full, you cannot be registered for them. You will need to select alternative classes or join the waitlist (if available). Waitlists are only available during Add/Drop.

I received a time conflict error, but the first class ends at 12pm and the other starts at 12pm. They don’t overlap-why can’t I take both courses?

The system requires a buffer time between classes to avoid scheduling conflicts. You will need to choose different classes that have a buffer between and/or do not overlap.

Who do I contact for enrollment issues?

• For Student Center technical questions: University Registrar’s Office at coursenroll@cornell.edu
• For course planning and degree progress: Your Academic Advisor
• For course-specific permissions or overrides: Faculty or Instructor for the course and once approved, provide documentation to the Registrar’s Office
• For waitlists (not Clinics), registration forms and general registration questions: Law School Registrar’s Office at law.registrar@cornell.edu
• For Clinic waitlists and registration questions: Clinical Programs at clinicalprograms@cornell.edu

What is the Add/Drop period?

The Add/Drop period is the first few weeks of the semester when you can adjust your schedule without penalty. Specific dates are listed on the Registrar’s Important Dates page.

Can I drop a course after the Add/Drop period has ended?

Generally, no. You’ll need to submit a petition to the Dean of Students and may receive a W (Withdrawn) on your transcript. Approval is not guaranteed.

I would like to add or drop a Clinic but can’t, what do I do?

Contact the Clinical Programs Office for assistance. The Registrar’s Office does not manage clinic waitlists.

Should I contact the instructor to be put on a waitlist for their class (not a clinic)?

No. Waitlists during Add/Drop are managed by the Registrar’s Office, with the exception of Clinics. Clinic waitlists are managed directly by the Clinical Programs Office.

How do I know if a course has a waitlist and how do I join it?

• Classes with a waitlist will have a “wait list if class is full” checkbox on the “Select a Class to Add – Enrollment Preferences” page in Student Center.
• You can also determine if a class has a wait list by selecting the class section details. Under “Class Availability”, see the wait list capacity item. If there is a ‘0’, there is no wait list. A number indicates a wait list is available.
• If a course has a waitlist during Add/Drop, you will have an option to add yourself to it in Student Center.

When will I know if I get into a class (I’m on the waitlist)?

The Registrar’s Office will contact you via email if you have moved into a position to enroll in the class. You will be given a deadline to register for the course. If you miss the deadline, the space will be given to the next student in line on the waitlist. Contact Clinical Programs for clinic waitlist questions.

Where do I find degree requirements to plan my schedule?

Students should review the Student Handbook and familiarize themselves with degree requirements and academic policies. Students can also contact their Academic Advisor for assistance in planning schedules and selecting classes to meet degree requirements.

I was asked to TA/participate in independent study—how do I register for that?

Submit the appropriate registration form for Supervised Teaching, Supervised Writing or Directed Reading. Once approved by the instructor, you will be authorized to enroll by the Registrar’s Office.

I submitted a registration form, when can I register?

Once your registration form is approved by the instructor, you will be authorized to enroll or be enrolled by the Registrar’s Office. You will receive notification with instructions or confirmation of enrollment. All registration forms must be submitted by the designated deadline on the form, no exceptions.

How will I know if my registration form was received and completed?

Once you submit your form, you will receive a ticket number response via your Cornell email. Your form will electronically route to the instructor for approval and is then routed to the Registrar’s Office for processing. You will receive a notification via email from the Registrar’s Office if you are authorized to register or are denied.

I sent a message to your office about my registration form; why haven’t you responded?

Forms are processed in order of receipt. We do not receive notifications when students reply through the original submission. You may not receive communication until your form is the review stage in the Registrar’s Office. It is best contact us directly via a separate email to follow up on forms at law.registrar@cornell.edu. Please include the ticket number from your confirmation email.

Classes are ready to start, and my form isn’t processed, what do I do?

Contact the Registrar’s Office to check the status of your form. Providing the ticket number for your form submission is helpful when checking the status of your request.

Can I take elective courses as a 1L?

First-year J.D. students (1Ls) are enrolled in courses by the Law School Registrar’s Office. 1L students are not permitted to change assigned sections, course schedules, or course sequencing. During their second semester, 1Ls will select an elective along with their required 1L courses.

Can a 1L elective be a Cornell Tech course or clinical course?

No, the elective excludes seminars, Cornell Tech streamed courses, and clinics (with the exception of the 1L Immigration Clinic). The elective cannot conflict with any required 1L courses and must be taken for a letter grade.

I’m a rising 2L or 3L, can I register for Cornell Tech courses?

Yes, as a continuing student, you can enroll in courses at Cornell Tech via online courses offered on the Ithaca campus. The program offers a variety of courses focused on information and technology law, such as privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. You will need to follow Cornell Tech’s registration procedures and schedules. Additionally, you may take courses offered through the Johnson School at Cornell Tech, subject to certain restrictions.

I’m an exchange student; can I take Undergraduate or 1L classes?

• 1L classes are restricted to our first-year students in a JD program.
• Undergraduate classes may not count toward your home institution. You should seek advisement for course selection by contacting International Programs Department at: International.Law@cornell.edu