Undergraduate Course Lottery

NOTE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, LAW STUDENTS, GSB STUDENTS, ETC: The lottery is for undergraduates, because our courses are for undergraduates. If you enter the lottery, it creates a lot of extra work for us because we have to filter you out of the database. Please e-mail Ryan Jacobs if you really want to take a course, and let us know your situation, but please understand that our classes are often impacted and undergraduates have priority.

To enter the lottery:

  1. Fill out the lottery form online when the lottery is open (see dates below)
  2. The lottery results are usually posted on the results page within 24 hours of the lottery closing; results are also available in 460-216 during office hours
  3. Make sure to show up on time to your first class; priority is given to students who are present in class regardless of the lottery results
  4. If you need to switch your class section, or you forgot to enter the lottery, please see Ryan Jacobs during office hours (8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 M-F) in 460-216 as soon as possible; any available spaces (often very limited) will be filled on a first-come first-served basis

Please list at least a first and second choice; there are very few instances where a student does not receive at least their second choice class or section. If you do not list a second choice, you run the risk of being waitlisted everywhere. Priority is given to upperclassmen and to those emphasizing or minoring in creative wiriting, and then is determined by chance (there is no advantage to entering the lottery first as long as you enter before the deadline).

Please do not list yourself as a creative writing minor or emphasis unless you have actually been approved. If it is going to matter, we check, and if we have to take time to correct your mistake, the only thing you've accomplished is delaying the posting of the results for everyone. If you are "intending to declare," for the purposes of the course lottery you are undeclared.

If you want to change your selections, simply resubmit your form. Your old selections will be overwritten.

If you have questions about the lottery, please e-mail Ryan Jacobs.

Lottery Dates

Fall Quarter Opens Friday, September 12, 9:00 am
Closes Friday, September 19, 4:00 pm
Winter Quarter Opens Friday, December 19, 9:00 am
Closes Friday, January 2, 4:00 pm
Spring Quarter Opens Friday, March 20, 9:00 am
Closes Friday, March 27, 4:00 pm