Originally posted by madamc:
I learned that I won't be graduating this spring because I registered for the wrong courses--they tell me this 2 weeks before classes are over!
Hmmm... this seems like an odd mistake to make - especially for a senior student. What happened? Regardless, I would talk to the dean of the department.
Back when I was an undergrad., I took an upper level history class thinking that it would easily substitute for the much lower level course that every student took. Needless to say, my thoughts were wrong. The instructor was the one to inform me that this substitution would not work - unless the dean approved. So I went to the dean to see if I could substitute the upper level course for the lower level one. He asked if I was graduating that year. I replied "no" - so he said that under these circumstances, he could not make an exception.
HOWEVER, you *are* (or at least were planning on) graduating this year. Therefore, the dean may very well let you make those substitutions. In my example above, had I been graduating, I believe the dean would have made an exception - as such, your dean may make an exception with you as well. Therefore, plead with the dean, but make sure you come prepared with reasons why you failed to take the proper courses. Let him know how the mistake was made and why taking the courses you did benefitted you more. In other words, admit your mistake, but be mature and respectful. In a way, any success you have here may carry over into future interviews you may have.
Of course, my comments only work if you took a substitute course. If you flat out failed to take the required classes and chose something FAR removed instead (for example, I at least took a history course for another history course), then this might not work. That is, if you needed an English course and took a dance class instead, then this could be a problem.
If the dean is unrelenting or if you cannot substitute the classes, can you take summer classes? An extra few months is nothing - it'll go by in a flash. If summer courses aren't available, how about fall classes? It might be a great time only taking 2 classes in the fall while you spend time getting your resume out to various jobs. One of my favorite semesters in school as an undergrad was when I ran out of funds and was only able to afford to go part-time for a year while I worked more to save up extra $$. I took 2 courses one semester and really enjoyed working and studying in a more relaxed setting for a few months.
In a worse case scenario, you might have to wait until this time next year to take those courses (so you can graduate). That does sound bad, but perhaps you could take advantage of the extra semesters and not only finish up those 2 classes, but get a minor in another subject. That always looks good on a resume.
In other words, don't give up yet. There's always hope - and if things don't work out as planned, they may eventually work out better than you hoped because of this extra time!
Good luck to you.
[This message has been edited by doctorwho (edited 04-04-2002).]
