When we talk about registration, generally we mean the process of signing up for classes. Technically, registration also includes paying for those classes--students aren't officially registered until they've paid. This discussion, however, focuses on the first part of the registration process--signing up for classes.

There are two basic kinds of registration at Northwest: preregistration and general registration. Preregistration involves signing up for classes in advance of the semester. Incoming freshmen usually preregister during the summer, and currently enrolled students usually preregister for the next semester several weeks after midterms.

When a student registers has an impact on the availability of classes. Think of the semester class schedule as a huge potluck dinner with courses instead of food laid out on the table. As you probably know, the people who are first in line have the most choices and get their pick of the dishes. Registration works the same way.

When new students arrive during the summer to register, a number of courses may already be filled. This is rarely a problem, however, because incoming freshmen have many options for classes. They have no shortage of choices -- at least during the initial summer preregistration periods. Towards the end of the summer, as more classes fill, there are fewer choices, particularly regarding which times a course might be available.

As the start of the semester gets closer, scheduling classes gets tighter. General registration, just before the start of classes, can be the most difficult, because by then most students will have picked their classes. Even then, however, classes are available. It's just that students may not have much flexibility in designing a schedule.

The basic rule of thumb is this: the earlier a student registers, the more choice that student has