Requests to Change PWR Section
Changing Your PWR Section
It may not be possible to change your assigned PWR section. Your section can only be changed to a section with availability. Please note, ExploreCourses, Simple Enroll, and Axess DO NOT reflect accurate enrollment numbers for sections, so do not assume you'll be able to move to a section based on information you find there.
We know it can be disappointing, but please keep in mind that not all students will end up in their first choice of section. We ask that students refrain from writing to an instructor asking to be placed in their course. Instructors do not control enrollment, nor are they able to determine whether there is a seat available.
Students may not attend a PWR section they are not assigned to. If we are able to add you to the section, you will be added to the roster and the instructor will be notified. Students not on the roster will not be allowed to stay in the class.
How to Request a Section Change
Note: If you are still within your section preference selection window, you can go back to the PWR Course Assignment website and change your preferences up until the deadline. (see Dates and Deadlines).
- The week after assignment, email pwrcourses@stanford.edu indicating your reason for needing a section change. (Not getting your top choice is not a valid reason for requesting a different section as many students do not receive their top choice.) If there is availability, the PWR office will provide a list of open PWR 1 or PWR 2 sections. (Indicate whether you are inquiring about PWR 1 or PWR 2.) Section change requests are not considered until the following week after assignment.
- Rank your preferred sections from the list provided in an email response back to us. Make sure to include multiple choices, as other students may be switching sections and some seats may become unavailable by the time you respond to our email.
- You will receive confirmation of your new PWR section from our email. Your new section should appear on your Axess/Study list in a few days. Rest assured, upon receiving a confirmation email from our office, you are officially enrolled in the new PWR section you were emailed and you should plan to attend the next class meeting.