Auditing

by Richard Leader

Do you remember being a kid, being entranced by a nature show on PBS--watching intently as a butterfly slowly pulls itself out of its cocoon? Or perhaps a documentary on outer space, reliving in vivid color the birth and death of an entire solar system?
Well, it's not to late too recapture those feelings. Right now is the perfect time and place. It's amazing how much you can learn when you're actually listening, instead of just trying not miss anything in your notes--and how entertaining some classes can be without being pummeled over the head with homework or a "D+" chasing you at every turn.

It's easy: The first week of your semester, attend your classes normally and get a feel for how each day of your week goes. Evaluate on which days and at what times you're sitting around bored. Then, leaf through the Class Schedule and see if there are any interesting courses that are held at those times. Safe bets for beginners are those listed in the sections for African American Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Classics, History, Philosophy, and Women's Studies. English classes can be good to sit in on, though often the fact that you're not reading the texts is a greater handicap than other courses--but like most good English Majors, you can learn to fake it. The department of Media Studies offers many non-technical courses in which you can learn about film making, as well as art and culture, by watching and discussing films--sometimes in actual theatres! Look for classes in the sciences or even engineering that deal with theoretical subjects, and even as a non-major you'll be able to pick up at least some of what's going on. Or maybe even a course that you've already taken--everyone needs a refresher now and then.

Yep, you've missed the first week of class--it's a good thing that you don't have to worry about picking up a syllabus. Besides, half of the other kids missed the first week too. You'll fit right in. Just go on in and sit down, no one need know that you aren't registered for the class, not even the teacher.

But there is a benefit in alerting a professor to your presence. Not only will they be impressed with your scholarly initiative--they might allow you to get in on a special little deal the university has set up, called auditing. Teachers like high enrollment in their classes, or rather, the administration likes teachers with high enrollment. When you audit a class, you add one to that number. That can be extremely important for professors with the new higher number of minimum students each class is required to have.

So what does auditing do for you? Well, for starters, the class will appear on your transcript. You won't get credit hours, and instead of a grade, you will receive an "N" in its place. But it does fill up space. If you start as a freshman auditing one class per semester, you can rack up at least eight additional courses by the time you graduate. Not only will that lengthen your transcript by a good 20%--and that looks good to anyone who sees it (especially if you're applying for grad school) as a bonus, you'll get to meet tons of interesting professors and students that you might never see if you just stuck to your required courses. And you might just learn something.

Now, the details: 1. Ask the professor if they mind you sitting in. 2. If you're taking 16 credits or less, ask them if you can audit their class. 3. Pick up an Audit Request form at a Records and Registration Office (Hayes B or 232 Capen), complete the required information and have your teacher sign it. Then return it to the Office by the end of the SECOND WEEK of the semester. 4. Go to class.