When do I register for the next semester?
For the fall: returning students register in April. For the spring, registration is in November. Watch your email for detailed instructions on how to register for the upcoming semester–information on the date and time you can begin registration will be included in this email. For general registration dates, refer to the Academic Calendar.
When is the last day to Add/Drop?
Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.
How do I Drop/Add classes in 1600grand?
During the Drop/Add period: in 1600grand select Enter Registration under the Registration header. Select Register for Classes. Select the current term in the Terms Open for Registration drop down box. You can Drop/Add courses using the actions drop down box and submit button in the bottom-right. All course Adds require instructor authorization (registration override). Contact the instructor of the course for a possible registration override. If you are granted a registration override, you must take action in 1600grand to process and complete the registration. Until you do so, you are not registered in the course. Click here for a 30 second video.
When is the last day to withdraw from a class?
Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.
How do I Withdraw from a class?
You can Withdraw from a class in 1600grand after the Drop/Add period has closed through the last day to withdraw from a class (see Academic Calendar). To Withdraw from a class, select Enter Registration under the Registration header. Select Register for Classes. Select the current term in the Terms Open for Registration drop down box. You can Withdraw from a course by using the Action: *Withdraw 1600grand* in the drop down box in the Summary section in the bottom-right. Select Submit to process the course Withdrawal.
Students cannot withdraw from all classes via 1600grand. Please contact Student Affairs is you have questions about a Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the College.
How can I change the grade mode for a course to S/SD/N grading (i.e. “pass/fail”)?
Effective Fall 2021—The Educational Policy and Governance Committee (EPAG) has modified the college policy on S/SD/N grading. The new policy will take effect in the fall semester of 2021.
The number of elective courses students may designate as S/SD/N grading option is unrestricted (in this context, “elective courses” refer to those courses not on a student’s major, minor, or concentration plan). The deadlines for students to select their grading option will be the last day of classes for the semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.
Important Notes:
- Courses taken under this grading option may not be included on major, minor or concentration plans without specific departmental approval.
- Students must earn an S (C- equivalent) in a course for it to satisfy a distribution, general education, or second-language proficiency requirement.
- To be eligible for Latin Honors a candidate must have earned at least half of the number of semester hours (64 credits) required for graduation in courses at Macalester, and may have no more than the equivalent of one course per semester graded on the S/SD/N grading option*. Designating more than 1 course as S/SD/N per semester will make you ineligible for Latin Honors (*Spring 2020 – Summer 2021 (M5) S/SD/N grades as designated are exempt and will not affect Latin Honors calculations.)
- To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have been registered as a full-time, degree-seeking student and may not have been on a study away program. Furthermore, a student must have achieved a semester grade point average of at least 3.75, twelve or more credits on a regular (A, A-, B+, etc.) grading option, no grades below C-, and no withdrawal or incomplete grades for the semester. Grades for activity, practicum, and technique courses in dance, music, and physical education are not factored into eligibility for the Dean’s List. In addition to the requirements above, designating more than 1 course as S/SD/N per semester will make you ineligible for the Dean’s List.
Students can change their grade mode in 1600grand by following these instructions: Adjusting your course Grade Mode in 1600grand. Students may make change to their grade mode up until the deadline posted in the Academic Calendar. Once the deadline has passed, no changes will be made to the grade more and the final designation will stand.
Please note: courses may list grade modes that are not applicable, and the Audit grade mode should not be selected:
| Select one of the following Grade Modes: | This Grade Mode SHOULD NOT BE selected: |
|
• Audit |
Validation is a process by which you resolve any outstanding holds that prevent your ability to make registration changes for a specific semester. The most common validation holds are: (FI)–outstanding Student Accounts balance and (AD)–off-campus address.
Validation generally starts when the related holds have been added to your record. You will receive and email from Macalester Registrar announcing the start of validation. Review your holds on 1600grand and take the required action to resolve the hold. It is important to check back during this time as new holds may be added. Validation ends with the last day to Add/Drop a course for the semester (see the Academic Calendar for important dates). If you fail to validate your registration by the deadline, your registration will be dropped and you will lose your status as a student.
Where can I take action to Validate my registration?
The most common offices involved with Validation includes: Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the Registrar’s Office.
What are the Validation Holds?
A Validation Hold will prevent you from making any registration changes and keep you from validating your registration. See Registration Holds for additional details and contact information on resolving a validation hold.
How do I resolve a Validation Hold?
See Registration Holds for contact information on a specific validation hold. If you have a FI (See Student Accounts Office) hold, this means that you have an outstanding balance on your student account. Contact Student Accounts as soon as possible to resolve this hold. If you have an AD (Contact Update: Off Campus Addr) hold, you can update your off campus (OC) address in 1600grand. Other holds—view the Action Needed column for more details.
How can I find out my network password in order to log onto 1600grand?
You will need to contact the ITS Help Desk at 651.696.6525.
My parents moved. How do I let you know my new home address and phone number?
You can come by the Registrar’s Office and ask for a change of address form that you can fill out and return to us or send us an email at registrar@macalester.edu, including the new information.
And how do I tell you about my summer contact information?
Sometime near the end of the Spring semester, there will be an email request from Mailing Services in the Campus Center. Fill out that form and return it to the Post Office.
What is “Directory Restriction?” How do I get my information restricted? Or get the restriction removed?
Certain information is publicly available unless you request that it be otherwise. For instance, if someone (an insurer, an old friend, a current or potential employer, or anyone who might be curious) calls up and asks if Johan Smith is a student at Macalester, we can confirm or deny that and provide whatever information is available on the college directory, which might include your e-mail address and telephone number. If you are on Directory Restriction, then we will not release any information regarding your status at Macalester. We cannot answer questions about you if you are on Directory Restriction, unless it is for internal Macalester use.
Do you want your directory restriction removed? Come into the Registrar’s Office and let us know.
How do I declare a major, minor, or concentration? When should I do it and is there a deadline?
See your chair or program director to declare a major, minor, or concentration. They will make a note on your DegreeWorks record and the Registrar’s Office will process your declaration.
You should declare your major as soon as you know what it will be, but you will be required to declare one as a second semester sophomore. You won’t be allowed to register for classes for the first semester of your Junior year until you have declared a major.
How do I get an exceptions on my major, minor or concentration in DegreeWorks?
Your audit in DegreeWorks is one of the documents that will determine your graduation eligibility–you will want to keep it up-to-date. If you are making changes in the courses that you want to use in fulfilling your major, you can speak to your chair or program director about an exception, such as using a topical, transfer or study away course for a requirement. They will make a note on your DegreeWorks record and the Registrar’s Office will process the exception.
So, how can I drop a major, minor or concentration?
This is maybe the easiest thing you can do at Macalester College! Come by the Registrar’s Office or email us and tell us you’d like to drop a major. We will not cancel your only major–you have to have one.
Concentrations are interdepartmental programs–among them are African Studies, Critical Theory, and Urban Studies, as examples.
I think I’ve met the second language requirement with coursework taken outside of Macalester. Can I transfer these credits and meet the requirement?
A review of your official transcript is required to confirm if you have met the second language requirement. The competed coursework must be equivalent to a fourth semester (Intermediate II) language course.
Can I get credit for AP or IB?
You can, in many instances, get credit. Head over to our page that is exclusively on the topic and if you have any questions after reviewing that, please be in touch!
Can I get credit for college-level work done while I was still in high school?
Yes. You’ll need for that coursework to meet a few conditions though. The coursework cannot have been used to satisfy any graduation requirements at your high school (there’s a form we use to confirm that) and it must have been offered as regular, undergraduate coursework at the institution you took the course from. The course(s) must have been taught on the college campus–we don’t grant credit for “College in the Schools” programs. If the course meets those requirements, contact that institution and have them send a transcript directly to the Registrar’s Office here at Macalester. You can transfer a maximum of 20 credits to Macalester. If you have other questions, feel free to contact us.
How do I get my grades each semester?
Grades are available in 1600grand. Refer the Academic Calendar for dates grades are available to students.
You and your instructor must fill in the Course Completion Agreement form. Keep in mind that it must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of classes.
When is the last day that I can finish my incomplete?
An Incomplete taken in the fall semester: the work is due no later than the first day of classes of the spring semester. For a spring semester incomplete: work must be done on or before July 1. The instructor may require an earlier completion date.
A J grade is assigned only during midterm grading. It means that the instructor for the course did not have enough information to assign you a midterm grade.
How do I get credit for Music lessons/ensembles?
To receive credit for ensemble or private instruction participation, you must take the same class in two consecutive semesters. Take African Music Ensemble in two consecutive semesters and you get the credit for both at the end of the second semester. You can earn a maximum of eight credits through ensemble and private instruction—additional participation is noted on your record, but not for credit. Completed credit counts in the GPA. Study away does not disrupt a sequence.
The GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points by the number of semester hours attempted on the regular grading system. Transfer work does not factor in the GPA.
Do I qualify for the Dean’s List?
To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have been registered as a full-time, degree-seeking student and may not have been on a study away program. Furthermore, a student must have achieved a semester grade point average of at least 3.75, twelve or more credits on a regular (A, A-, B+, etc.) grading option, no grades below C-, and no withdrawal or incomplete grades for the semester. Grades for activity, practicum, and technique courses in dance, music, and physical education are not factored into eligibility for the Dean’s List. In addition to the requirements above, designating more than 1 course as S/SD/N per semester will make you ineligible for the Dean’s List.
Well, like most things, that depends. As a full-time student, you can take between 12 and 18 credit hours for the regular, full-time tuition charge. You can register for more than 18 credits if you pay a per credit fee (the Expenses section of the College Catalog has a schedule of fees).
Can I audit a class?
Audit registration is not permitted for Fall 2021. Check back for updates on the spring semester.
Students may register for either a one– or two–credit sponsored program, independent study, or internship in January. The deadline is in early December—don’t miss it. There is no Add/Drop in January.
Eligibility to participate in commencement:
If you graduate in December, you are welcome to participate in the following May commencement ceremony. You may also participate in the May commencement ceremony providing you will have no more than eight credits left to complete your overall degree requirements. Please contact us to discuss your eligibility and degree completion plans.
You are eligible to graduate early upon the successful completion of all of the requirements for graduation. Please contact us to discuss these requirements and to ensure you are eligible for an early graduation.
How can I finish my degree or be readmitted after a while away?
Send the Registrar’s Office an e-mail or give us a call and let us know what your plans are. Once you hear from us what remaining requirements you have, you might need to apply for readmission to the college, or finish up by transferring course work in from elsewhere. We’ll know more once we chat about about the details, and can then get you started in the right direction. We work closely with the Dean of Students Office when circumstances warrant a possible readmission, so you may want to touch base with that office too. The application deadline for Fall readmission is July 1 and the deadline for Spring readmission is November 1.
To be eligible for Latin Honors a candidate must have earned at least half of the number of semester hours (64 credits) required for graduation in courses at Macalester, and may have no more than the equivalent of one course per semester graded on the S/SD/NC grading option*. Designating more than 1 course as S/SD/N per semester will make you ineligible for Latin Honors (*Spring 2020 – Summer 2021 (M5) grades designated S/SD/N are exempt and will not affect Latin Honors calculations.)
Head over to our page all about how to obtain a transcript. The information there will get you on your way.
Yes! Current students (requires access to 1600grand) may retrieve their own enrollment verifications for current and past terms from the National Student Clearinghouse. On the Student tab of 1600grand, navigate to the “Order Enrollment Verification” box.
If you don’t have access to 1600grand, please download and print an enrollment verification form by clicking this link (will open as a .pdf). You can submit that in person, through the mail, by fax or email to registrar@macalester.edu. This form must include your written signature! Our contact information is at the top of the form.
Unlike transcripts or verifications of enrollment, we can verify that you graduated from Macalester without a signature–degree information is public information. Give us a call, write us a note or send us an e-mail requesting verification that you did indeed graduate from Macalester College and we’ll take care of that for you.
Are you able to certify my diploma or help me get an apostille?
Sure we can help with that. You should e-mail Julie McEathron (mceathron@macalester.edu) for assistance with this process.
Can I get a replacement diploma?
We would be glad to order a replacement diploma for you. Let’s talk details. We’ll need a request (in writing) for a replacement. It must bear your signature and should also include where you would like us to send it once we have received it from our vendor. You will need to include $30 with your request and then you can mark your calendar–once we receive your request, it will take between six and eight weeks for you to receive your new diploma. You can mail your request to Registrar’s Office at the address at the bottom of this page.
How do I change my name on my academic record?
Check our Names policy page.
Does Macalester have summer school?
We do not offer regular summer classes. Current degree-seeking students may register for independent projects and internships with instructor permission.
Is there a program at Macalester for Senior Citizens?
There is no program exclusively for senior citizens at Macalester College, but there are opportunities that are open to anyone, such as auditing regular courses or taking them for credit. Contact the Registrar’s Office to find out how to go about registering for a course and to check on current fees.
How do I change a grade?
You may not change the grade through 1600grand. Instead, submit the grade change request by e-mail to the Registrar’s Office. The request should include which course, which student, what grade you would like for them to receive and why you would like to change the grade. As mentioned in Macalester’s grade change policy, it is only acceptable to change a grade when correcting a grade calculation error and when a professor locates a student’s work, paper, project, etc. that was previously considered missing.
Registration Overrides: how do I let students into my class?
Registration Overrides–Faculty Resources
Registration Overrides–1600grand
You may give the following overrides on the Faculty tab of 1600grand by clicking the Grant Override button under the Registration Overrides header. They have different purposes:
During registration for the upcoming semester only (the 2-week defined registration period in fall for spring or in spring for fall):
| Permission of Instructor Req | If your course requires permission of the instructor, use this override. |
| Prerequisite/Corequisite Okay | This override will allow the student to register even without the prerequisite(s). |
| Day/Time Conflict Okay | This override will allow a student to register in your course even with a day/time conflict. |
| Approved from Wait List | If your course has previously closed, but a seat has opened and you have a wait list, you can use this to permit a student to register. They must still add the course themselves. |
The Add Okay (start of term) override is available for entry by the instructor approximately 1-week after the registration period defined above. This override includes those listed above and must be re-entered for use at the start of the term (start of the drop/add period).
| Add Okay (start of term) | This override will allow the student to register in your course at the start of the term (start of the drop/add period). This override includes: permission of instructor, prereq/coreq, day/time conflict. |
When are final and midterm grades due?
Check our page of Academic Calendars. Be sure you’ve selected the academic year that you’re interested in.
When is catalog copy due?
Requests for catalog copy are sent out in early November. The Registrar’s Office expects to set a deadline of late February for copy to be entered by departments into Acalog, the college’s catalog publishing system.
How do I add or delete a course from the catalog?
A request to add or delete a course from the catalog should be made in advance to EPAG. Use the course change proposal form and submit that to the Registrar.
What is EPAG?
EPAG is the Educational Policy and Governance Committee. You can find the minutes of their meetings on their webpage.
Who is on EPAG and who is the chair?
See the EPAG webpage.
When is the schedule for next year due?
We’ll send out a request for the next academic year’s schedule in early December and it will include a more specific deadline, usually at the end of the first week of classes of the spring term.
How do I make changes to the schedule?
The chair should summarize and submit schedule changes to the Registrar’s Office. If you are making changes on the spreadsheet of courses for your department, please highlight those changes for us.
How do I reserve a classroom?
If you need the room during official class times, Monday through Friday during the academic year, then email the Registrar’s Office. We only handle reservations for classrooms in academic buildings–for other buildings or rooms during those time frames, contact Campus Reservations (reservations@macalester.edu). For reservations at any other time, one should contact Campus Reservations to reserve a room.
Class Times – Registrar
- Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm
- Monday and Wednesday 7pm – 10pm
- All day on Study Days and Finals
Non-Class Times – Reservations Desk
- Before 8am MTWRF
- After 4:30pm TRF
- Between 4:30pm – 7pm & after 10pm MW
- All day on Weekends
- All day on breaks (fall break, Thanksgiving break, spring break, summer)
Related Policies: Reservations & Event Planning – Policies and Procedures
What kind of technology is in a classroom?
Check out the A/V Services website to see which rooms have what you’re looking for–all classrooms are now “smart” classrooms.