University Policy
Questrom School of BusinessPolicy
Undergraduate
Before the Term Begins
Students can add or drop courses on the MyBU Student Portal where seats are available. Those who wish to be added to the waitlist of a Questrom course that is full can submit the Questrom Waitlist Request Form.
Once a course fills for the first time, it is closed on the MyBU Student Portal and any seats that later become available are filled from the waitlist.
After the Term Begins
Please pay attention to the University deadlines for the last day to add or drop a course for courses with standard dates. For courses with nonstandard dates (i.e., Executive Skills Seminars), please see the deadlines listed with the course on the University Class Schedule on the MyBU Student Portal. Generally, students may add courses through the second week of classes and drop courses online through the fifth week of classes without receiving a “W” on their transcript.
Please note: Students only have the first week of class to add or change theirWriting or Foreign Language section, regardless of level. This is before the standard Add deadline, so students must plan accordingly.
Questrom courses are closed to web registration just before the first day of classes each term.
Instructions for Requesting to Add a Course during the Add/Drop Period
- If you wish to add a Questrom course, please submit the Questrom Course Instructor Permission Request Form. This request will go to the instructor, and if they approve, they will be asked to forward your request to the Questrom Registrar’s Office to adjust your schedule accordingly. You will be notified when your schedule is changed, or you will be notified if your request is denied.
- This form can be used to request to add a Questrom course, to request to switch sections, or to request to audit a Questrom course. If you wish to drop a course, you should do so on the MyBU Student Portal. If you wish to request more than one change to your schedule, please submit this form once for each course.
- To request a non-Questrom course, please complete the Add/Drop Form and submit it to registrar@bu.edu.
To Drop a Course
- Drop a course by going to “Academics” on the MyBU Student Portal, until the last day to drop without a “W” (permanent final grade indicating Withdrawal).
- While not mandatory, you are encouraged to discuss the ramifications of dropping a course with your academic advisor in the Undergraduate Development Center (UDC).
Important Notes
- Students may only add courses during the first two weeks of the term with the instructor’s permission. The course instructor has complete discretion over which students are added to the course.
- Students dropping a course should refer to the dates included in the academic calendar to determine whether or not it will be recorded on their transcript.
- Dropping a course could affect the sequencing of courses: i.e., if the course is a prerequisite for another course or if the course is only offered once a year.
- Dropping a course could affect eligibility for financial aid and/or housing. Please note that students are required to complete a minimum of 12 academic units per term during each academic year (not including Summer Term) in order to be considered for renewal of financial aid.
- Droppinga course may affect NCAA athletic eligibility to compete immediately or in the future.
- Dropping a course could affect visa status for international students. International students must complete 12 or more units in order to maintain proper student visa status. “W, I, AU, or MG” grades do not count as completed coursework for visa purposes.
- Dropping a course could affect eligibility to continue in Questrom. Please note that students are required to complete at least 12 academic units per term (not including Summer Term) to be eligible to continue in Questrom.
- It is the student’s responsibility to check during the term that the transaction is complete, if a course is added or dropped.
Graduate
Adding a Course
Students may add most standard courses through the second week of classes on the MyBU Student Portal. However, all courses in the first year of the full-time MBA program, due to the module format, follow nonstandard term dates. For add/drop dates for nonstandard term courses, please see the schedule on the MyBU Student Portal.
Students can add or drop courses on the MyBU Student Portal where seats are available. Those who wish to be added to the waitlist of a Questrom course that is full can submit the Questrom Waitlist Request Form.
Dropping a Course
Students may drop full-term courses on the MyBU Student Portal until the end of the drop period. A full-term course dropped by the drop deadline will not appear on the student’s record. Full-term courses dropped after the drop deadline will be indicated on the transcript with a “W” grade, and the student will be charged for the course. Standard full-term courses may not be dropped later than 10 full weeks after the start of the term. Please note, all courses in the first year of the full-time MBA program, due to the module format, follow nonstandard term dates.
Students in the MSMS, MSMFT, and MSBA programs may not drop any courses without prior permission from the Faculty Director of the program and must consult with their academic advisor in the Specialty Master’s & PhD Center to make the change.
For add/drop dates for nonstandard term courses, please see the schedule on the MyBU Student Portal. Students who drop a core class cannot be cohorted the following term or module.
Dropping a core class has implications and may mean that you cannot continue with your cohorted program. Please check with the MBA Center or Specialty Master’s & PhD Center for program-specific policies.
Overcharges result when full-time students change to part-time status because they are registered for fewer than 12 units. Any extra amount that has already been paid will be credited to the student’s account. The balance will be refunded upon request in person, or in writing, to the Comptroller’s office within Student Accounting Services. If students have received any financial aid, however, the refund must be requested through the Director of Graduate Financial Aid in the Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office.
Students on F-1 or J-1 status may not drop below 12 units without prior authorization of their academic advisor and the ISSO.
Students may withdraw from a course in either summer session using the MyBU Student Portal prior to the first day of the summer session. If the drop is processed prior to the first day of either term, full tuition and fees will be credited or refunded. If the drop is processed on or after the first day of either summer session, but before the drop deadline, the student is responsible for the registration fee only. If the drop is processed after the date published by the MBA Center or Specialty Master’s & PhD Center, the student is responsible for the full tuition and fees and will receive a “W” for the course.
Most students can drop all of their courses, up until the first day of classes, during the summer sessions, using the MyBU Student Portal. MSBA students may not drop courses during summer sessions and must follow the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence procedure outlined below.
Dropping Entire Course Load (September–May)
It is not possible for students to drop their entire course load via the MyBU Student Portal during the academic year. Students who wish to drop all of their courses during an academic year term must complete a Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form, which is found on the Graduate Programs website. Signed and dated written requests to drop all courses can also be emailed to the MBA Center or Specialty Master’s & PhD Center. Students should confirm by phone or email that their requests have been received. The effective date that the courses are dropped will be the date that the student completes the Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form. Refunds are determined as follows for fall and spring terms:
- Prior to first day of classes: 100% tuition and fees
- First two weeks of classes: 80% tuition
- Third week of classes: 60% tuition
- Fourth week of classes: 40% tuition
- Fifth week of classes: 20% tuition
- After the fifth week of classes: 0% tuition
