Course Changes and Withdrawals

After registering for courses, you may wish to make changes to your course schedule. Review the following deadlines, exceptions, and policies before making changes.

Course Changes 

Once registration opens, you may add courses, change credit status, and drop or withdraw from courses by logging into the new DCE Course Search and Registation platform.

Once registration ends, only registered students may continue to make course changes, including course adds, up to the course change and withdrawal deadlines listed below and in the academic calendar. New registration is not permitted after registration ends.

How To Change Your Credit Status 

  1. Log into DCE Course Search and Registration. 
  2. Select the desired course from your primary cart.
  3. Click the “Edit Registration Options” button in the registration notes.
  4. Update your desired credit status if available, and click “Save Changes.” 
  5. Click “Submit Schedule” then “Submit Registration” to complete your credit status change. 
  6. Return to your primary cart and select your course again. Your new credit status will appear in the registration notes. You may also review your course schedule in MyDCE to confirm your credit status change.

How To Drop or Withdraw From a Course 

  1. Log into DCE Course Search and Registration. 
  2. Ensure the correct term is selected in the first drop-down menu.
  3. Select the desired course from your primary cart.
  4. Click the “Drop/Withdraw” button in the registration notes. Your course will be dropped or withdrawn in accordance with the drop and withdrawal deadlines listed for your course.
  5. Click “Submit Schedule” then “Submit Registration” to complete your drop or withdrawal. 
  6. Courses that are dropped or withdrawn no longer appear in your primary cart. Review your course schedule in MyDCE to confirm your course drop or withdrawal.

Exceptions To Making Changes Online

Secondary School Program Students

Students enrolled in the 7-week program can make course changes online through Sunday, June 22. After Sunday, June 22, all course changes, drops, and withdrawals must be approved by the Secondary School Program Office using the course registration changes and Summer School housing cancellation form.

Students enrolled in the 4-week program can make course changes online through Sunday, July 13. After Sunday, July 14 all course changes, drops, and withdrawals must be approved by the Secondary School Program Office using the course registration changes and Summer School housing cancellation form.

Pre-College Program Students

You can make course changes online through Monday, April 28. After April 28, all course changes, drops, and withdrawals must be approved by the Pre-College Program Office using the Pre-College Course Registration Changes form.

International Students

International students who’ve received an I-20 from Harvard Summer School will be unable to make changes to their schedule without first contacting Visas@Summer.Harvard.edu for approval.

Course Change and Withdrawal Deadlines

Deadlines to make course registration changes vary by session. See the calendar for your course or program and review the deadlines that apply to you.

If you register by the appropriate course registration deadline, you are charged no fees to make course changes, but you are responsible for paying any additional tuition that is due.

Course Change and Withdrawal Policies

  • You are responsible for confirming all course changes you make by checking your course registration and schedule in MyDCE. Notify the Registrar’s Office of errors immediately.
  • You are expected to participate online and do all coursework from the day classes begin. Late work may be submitted only with instructor approval and according to instructor policies. Adding or changing courses after registration ends does not warrant an exception to those policies.
  • Not paying, or stopping payment on checks or credit cards, is not a valid method of dropping or withdrawing from courses.
  • You may be assigned a failing grade in a course if you are enrolled for credit, you do not withdraw by the withdrawal deadline, and you do not complete all course requirements or request an extension-of-time (EXT) grade.

Refunds

The amount of tuition refunded when you drop a course and how the course is reflected on your permanent record when you withdraw from a course depend on the date that your drop or withdrawal is submitted online or received at 51 Brattle Street. See Refunds for additional information.

Student Access After Dropping or Withdrawing from All Courses

Dropping or withdrawing from all your courses constitutes official withdrawal from the Summer School, and you no longer have access to Harvard University online resources, including computer services and library e-resources, as a Summer School student.

Unable To Make Registration Changes Online?

If you cannot make your course registration changes online, contact the Registrar’s Office at Registrar@Summer.Harvard.edu for assistance. 

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The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.