Incoming Student Registration
Registration Process
Step 1: Complete the Online Experience
Check your Buff Portal several days before your assigned enrollment window to see if you have any holds that may interfere with your registration.
Step 2: Complete Placement Tests
You are encouraged to complete placement assessments as soon as possible. Not all assessments may be required for you, so please check with your academic advisor if you have questions about which assessments you will need to complete.
Step 3: Check holds and to-dos
A hold prevents you from taking some kind of action. Clear any registration holds before your enrollment dates begin.
Step 4: Connect with PES Advising
Academic advisors help make sure you are on track to meet your academic goals. They can show you how to run a degree audit and discuss what courses you can take to fill degree requirements and explore majors of interest. Information on how to connect with your PES Academic advising team can be found below under "Plan Ahead".
Step 5: Confirm enrollment dates
Your enrollment date is the specific date when you can start registering for classes. After completing the Enrolling in Classes module in the Online Experience, incoming summer-start students can begin registering March 6, 2023.
Step 6: Search for classes
You can place courses in your shopping cart in advance of your enrollment date to help plan your schedule.
Step 7: Register for classes
Once you complete these steps, you will be able to register for your selected classes! Be sure to begin enrolling in classes as soon as your enrollment window opens. Doing so will give you the best chance to secure your preferred courses and class times.
Plan ahead
Talk with your advisor
We are excited to talk with you! Follow these steps to get connected with an advisor:
First-year students
- Complete the Online Experience.
- Attend a PES Group Advising Session to learn more about preparing for registration and advising. All group sessions will be held virtually via Zoom and are in Mountain Time (MDT). To sign-up for a group advising session log into Buff Portal Advising, click on the "View All Calendars" icon to view available dates and times.
- Throughout the summer, students will be able to meet with a member of our academic advising team during our standard drop-in hours. Student will be able to see drop-in availability by logging into Buff Portal Advising, click on the "View All Calendars" icon. Please complete your Online Experience before meeting with an advisor.
Transfer students
- Complete the Online Experience.
- View and schedule an academic advising appointment in Buff Portal Advising.
Need help scheduling an advising appointment?Review our Buff Portal Advising help guide.
Resolve holds and pre-registration items
If you have a hold on your account you will not be able to register for classes or receive a financial aid refund. Check your account in the Buff Portal for:
- Holds & To Dos: A hold prevents you from taking some kind of action. Clear any registration holds before your enrollment dates begin.
- Preregistration Items: You need to review and approve these items every semester before you can register for classes.
- Talk to your advisor right away if you are not sure how to resolve a hold or preregistration item.
Confirm enrollment dates
Your enrollment dates are the specific dates and times when you can register for classes. Everyone will have equal access to classes regardless of your enrollment window!
- You can find your enrollment dates in the Buff Portal.
- Enrollment dates are assigned based on the number of credits each student has earned.
- You will also see the maximum number of credits you can register for.
- If you miss your enrollment date window, you'll need to wait until the schedule adjustment (fall semesters only) or open enrollment period.
Things to know before you register
Credit hours
- All PES first-year students will be pre-enrolled in FYXP 1500, this course is required and cannot be dropped from your schedule.
- Most courses are 3 credit hours, meaning they meet for about 3 hours each week.
- 15 credit hours is the average students take per semester
- To be a full-time student you need a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester
- Plan 2-3 hours of outside study/class preparation for every hour you are in class.
- Review any transferred coursework in your Degree Audit. Make sure the correct information is there and use the system to help determine courses to take.
Course icon meanings
- Check mark, green: You've taken this class before.
- Check mark, gray: You've already enrolled in this class. If you don't want it anymore, you'll need to drop it.
- Hazard sign, yellow: There's a restriction that will prevent you from enrolling in that class. Possible restrictions include schedule conflicts and unmet prerequisites.
- Shopping cart, blue: You've added this class to your shopping cart, but you haven't finished registering for it.
Waitlist information
- Incoming first-year students do not have the ability to waitlist for a course during your enrollment window. You will have the ability to waitlist during Open Enrollment.
- Waitlist tips: Avoid waitlists if possible! It is always better to be enrolled than on a waitlist. That may mean picking a different lecture, lab or recitation. The more flexible you are with your schedule, the less anxiety you will deal with on getting into a course from a waitlist.
- If you do waitlist, be smart about it - choose the shortest waitlist whenever possible.
- Have a backup plan – There is never a guarantee that you will get into a course from a waitlist, even if you are first on that waitlist. Always have additional course options ready.
Course resources
- Class Search: Use this to search and save courses to your shopping cart.
- Registrar Website: For detailed steps and instructions on how to use the registration tool.
- Guest Access: CU Guest Access provides read-only, online access for guests to view specific components of your education records.
Instruction Modes
In Person: The class meets in person, typically on campus, on scheduled days and times (synchronously).
Online: The class is taught online with no scheduled class meetings. Students can complete the coursework throughout the week when it's convenient for them (asynchronously).
Remote: The class meets over Zoom, lecture capture or Canvas on scheduled days and times (synchronously).
Independent Study: A course in which a student is formally enrolled during a period of research or independent study instruction and wherein a faculty member interacts with and directs student projects or other required activities with minimal associated direction. May be delivered in person, online, remote or using a combination of instruction modes.
If a class uses a combination of instruction modes, then it's a hybrid class:
Hybrid In Person/Online and/or In Person/Remote: A combination of in-person and online and/or remote instruction.
Hybrid Remote/Online: A combination of online and remote instruction.
Specialized PES Courses
Academic Support Seminars (FYXP 1100)
The Academic Support Seminar is a one-credit course designed for students in the Program in Exploratory Studies and is taught by academic advisors. In this seminar, students will develop the skills they need to succeed in college. The class focuses on developing learning strategies, improving executive functioning (time management, organization, self-monitoring, etc.), and setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. Students will also identify their strengths and participate in peer-to-peer interaction to foster collaboration and positive outcomes.
First Year Success Seminar (FYXP 1500)
Designed to assist first-year students with their successful transition to the University of Colorado Boulder. Students will learn about campus resources, goal setting, study skills and academic exploration. Participation in weekly self-reflection and engagement in course assignments are essential in this course. This asynchronous and online course will provide a supportive environment for new students to engage with peers, staff and faculty to support their transition to college.
Transfer Success Seminar (FYXP 3000)
This success seminar course is designed to assist you, a first semester transfer student, with your transition to the University of Colorado Boulder. Through this course you will learn about various campus and academic resources applicable to an upper-division student; evaluate your skills, interests, strengths and education as they relate to overall career goals; and establish an encouraging transfer student community. Participation, group work, and class discussions are essential in this course.