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 Add/Drop classes in 1600grand?
During the Add/Drop 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 Add/Drop 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.
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 complete the Macalester–Student Address Update and/or Student Cell (SC) Phone Update Google Form. You may also come by the Registrar’s Office and ask for a change of address form that you can fill out.
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 the 2022–2023 Academic Year.
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.
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?
You may request a replacement diploma via Parchment for $30.00. Once your order is processed you will receive an immediate digital diploma followed by a mailed hard-copy diploma 7-15 business days later. It is not possible to order a digital or hard-copy only—it is a package deal! If you are unable to place an order online using Parchment, you can mail in a written request and payment ($30.00 US check or cash) to the 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 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.