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Trouble Registering?

CONTACT, HOURS & APPOINTMENTS

 

Eight common reasons students are not able to register for a class:

Do you have a current application on file? (for returning students)
If you are trying to register for classes but you have been gone (not registered) for two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring or Spring/Fall) you will need to reapply. If you log into SURF and check the ‘Tasks’ tile you will see this as a ‘To Do’ item:

Are you trying to register for the correct term?

If there are multiple terms available make sure that you have selected the term you really wanted to register for!

Step 4 - Complete Your Pre-enrollment Survey
To see if a class has a prerequisite, click on the Class number link:


Our SURF enrollment system always enforces all prerequisites. If you have taken the prerequisite at a school other than MiraCosta College you can ask for your prerequisite to be cleared by submitting our Prerequisite/Priority Registration form and attaching the transcripts to the form (unofficial transcripts are fine). Clearing your prerequisite takes up to 5 business days so please plan ahead!
Is it a linked course?

Classes with insufficient enrollment will not meet. Notification to affected students will be emailed, phoned or mailed. Students are encouraged to adjust their schedules by picking alternative courses/times as soon as possible. Choices become increasingly limited toward the end of Late Registration. Instructors are not required to accept students who have missed the first week of classes. Therefore, students are urged to act quickly in substituting for canceled classes.

Students who choose not to substitute another class for a canceled class will be automatically refunded their fees.

Is the course reserved for a specific group? (i.e., Athletes, Puente, etc.)
Some classes fill quickly. While you can keep checking SURF for a spot to open in a closed class, we recommend instead that you substitute another class or a different course altogether. If, however, you want to try “crashing” a closed class, you must go to the first class meeting, preferably early. Let the instructor know you are not enrolled and wish to “crash” the class. You will need to wait while the instructor introduces the course and calls the roll. If there are no-shows (enrolled students who don’t claim their seats) or withdrawals (enrolled students who decide the class is not what they want), you may be allowed to enroll. The instructor will issue you a permission number which may be used to process your enrollment using SURF. Be ready to process your add and pay your fees immediately to claim your spot in the class.
Are you maxed out on your units for the semester?

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits the College to release what is called “directory information”. The following items are considered by MiraCosta College offices to be “directory information”:

  • Name of student
  • Address of student
  • Phone number of student
  • Date and place of birth
  • Dates of attendance at MiraCosta College
  • Year of graduation from MiraCosta College
  • Degree received
  • Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Weight and height (applicable to members of athletic teams only)
  • Major field of study
  • Academic honors and awards received
  • Previous educational institutions attended
  • Registration status (full-time, half-time)
  • Photograph
  • Email address

This information may be used for news releases and stories about students and former students, graduation programs, honors lists and other information released to the public.  In addition, employers and companies which perform background checks may verify degree, enrollment status and dates through the National Student Clearinghouse.  Other requests for student information require a signed release from the student or a subpoena.

If a student does not wish any or all of the directory information indicated above to be released, please send a signed request to the Office of Admissions and Records, MiraCosta College, One Barnard Drive, Oceanside, California  92056.

Students wishing to inspect and review their education records should contact the Office of Admissions and Records (Building 3300).  Access will be provided in the Admissions and Records Office at MiraCosta College, Monday through Friday, by appointment.  When possible, this access will take place within ten working days of receipt by the Office of Admissions and Records of a written request, but in no case later than fifteen working days after receipt of the written request.

Students will also be provided, upon request, with copies of any educational record, as defined above, at a nominal cost paid in advance.  Contact the Admissions and Records Office if you have any questions regarding the privacy act.

Is there a time conflict somewhere in your schedule?
SURF will not allow a student to enroll in two classes that are offered at the same time.
(NOTE: if you are waitlisted for a class, that class will also count in your time conflicts. This is a common error. If you want to register for a class for which you are also waitlisted, you will need to drop the waitlisted course before being able to add the new class).
Has the course been taken previously?

You are allowed to take most classes only once, however, there are some instances where you can repeat a course:

    1. If you earn a grade of F, D, or NP you are allowed to repeat the course.
    2. The Maximum number of times (including W grades) you may take a course is 3.
    3. Once you earn a C or better in the course you are not permitted to take it again.
    4. If the course is designated as repeatable you may be able to take the course again.
This is what a repeatable course will look like in SURF:

Are you a high school student?

It is the policy of MiraCosta College that, unless specifically exempted by statute, every course section or class shall be fully open to enrollment and participation by any person who has been admitted to the college and who meets such requisites as may be established.

Limited English speaking students who are otherwise eligible will not be excluded from any vocational education program.

Los estudiantes que estan calificados para entrar en el programa de educacion vocacional no pueden ser excluidos debido a su ingles limitado.

Students who have not successfully completed a course in the above scenarios, may petition for an additional repetition. The student must provide documentation to prove that there were extenuating circumstances beyond their control which resulted in the unsuccessful completion of the class in question. Students may also petition for an additional repetition (even after successful completion) if the course has a recency requirement and that there has been a significant lapse of time since the previous enrollment. The student must submit the petition to the Committee on Exceptions (documentation is required) and allow ample time for review prior to enrollment. Only one petition per course for extenuating circumstances OR significant lapse of time may be approved.
Students who have not successfully completed a course in the above scenarios, may petition for an additional repetition. The student must provide documentation to prove that there were extenuating circumstances beyond their control which resulted in the unsuccessful completion of the class in question. Students may also petition for an additional repetition (even after successful completion) if the course has a recency requirement and that there has been a significant lapse of time since the previous enrollment. The student must submit the petition to the Committee on Exceptions (documentation is required) and allow ample time for review prior to enrollment. Only one petition per course for extenuating circumstances OR significant lapse of time may be approved.