Add/drop procedures

Semester Mini-Course Deadlines

Please visit our useful registration tutorial videos webpage for additional information.

Add/Drop Course (Prior to Add/Drop Deadline)

  • Go to   via the
  • Click Student tab
  • Select 'Registration' menu item
  • Select 'Register for Classes' menu item

Register for classes view

  • Select TERM (i.e., Fall 2023)

Select Term

  • Finally, select 'Continue'

Add course(s)

  • Search the schedule of classes for the course you want to register for.
  • Select “Add” at the right hand corner for the course you want to register for. This will send the course to the summary panel (bottom right of the screen).
  • To register for the selected classes, go to the summary panel and select “submit” to register for your added course(s). You must click 'submit' to register for the course.
  • Reminder: Courses may be added until the add/drop deadline.

Remove or drop course(s)

  • Go to the summary panel, and on the action column,  select 'web drop'.
  • Click submit to update your schedule.
  • Reminder: Courses may be dropped up until the add/drop deadline.
  • The number of credits you are registered for may affect tuition, billing, financial aid, and academic progress.

Note: You cannot drop your last class for fall or spring through this process; summer and winter classes can be dropped through this process, but with date restrictions. If you intend to drop your last class during the fall or spring semester, you must fill out a Semester/University Withdrawal form. View more information about semester withdrawal.

Withdraw, Late Add or Late Withdraw from a Course (after Add/Drop Deadline)

Before withdrawing from a course please consider the following:

  • Talk with your instructor about your ability to succeed in the course.
  • Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss how the course withdrawal might impact your degree progress.
  • Financial Aid recipients – meet with a financial aid counselor to ensure the course withdrawal will not impact your financial aid status.
  • Note: When you withdraw from a course you will receive a 'W' grade on your transcript.

Note: Undergraduates only. Graduate students must visit the graduate school for proper forms

Check here for Academic Calendar and Add/Drop/Withdrawal deadlines

Withdraw from a Course (After Add/Drop Deadline)

  • Go to
  • Click Student tab
  • Select 'Registration' menu item
  • Select 'Register for Classes' menu item
  • Select TERM (i.e., Fall 2023)
  • Finally, select 'Continue'
  • In the summary panel, next to the course you wish to remove, use the drop-down menu to select “web withdraw”
  • Click “submit changes” to update your schedule

Petition to Late Add or Late Withdraw from a Course

  • With approval from the instructor and appropriate Academic Advising or Dean's Office, students may petition to Late Add or Late Withdraw from individual courses. 
  • A twenty ($20) fee per course will be charged to your student account for a Late Add or Late Withdrawal.

Late Add or Late Withdraw from a course after the deadline via BU BRAIN petition:

  • Go to
  • Click Student tab
  • Scroll down to 'LATE Course Add or Withdrawal Petition' menu item
  • Select TERM of the course you wish to LATE ADD or LATE WITHDRAW from

Late Add a course:

  • Enter the CRN in the CRN fields (boxes). If the course has multiple components (i.e. Lecture and Lab) enter the CRNs for all parts of the course. CRNs may be found in the .
  • Click SUBMIT CHANGES
  • In the REASON FOR REQUEST text field, enter the justification for the petition request. Be as specific as possible. You may enlarge the field by dragging down the bottom right corner of the text field.
  • Click Continue with Request
  • Click SUBMIT REQUEST

  • Review your submission prior to submitting your petition request.

 Late Withdraw from a course:

  • Click on the appropriate checkbox next to the course.
  • Click SUBMIT CHANGES
  • In the REASON FOR REQUEST text field, enter the justification for the petition request. Be as specific as possible. You may enlarge the field by dragging down the bottom right corner of the text field.
  • Click Continue with Request
  • Click SUBMIT REQUEST
  • Review your submission prior to submitting your petition request.

 Check the status of your Petition request:

  • Click LATE ADD/WITHDRAWAL to view requests already in progress.  As the petition moves through the approval process, the STATUS, DECISION and SUBMISSION DATE will update appropriately.
  • NOTE: Look for a confirmation email via your BU email account. If your instructor requires additional information, you will be contacted via email.