FWS Ballot Submission

Overview

Students should aim to satisfy their First-Year Writing Seminar requirement during their first year. Balloting for FWSs is open only to freshmen, sophomores, and first-semester transfer students; juniors and seniors are not eligible to enroll in First-Year Writing Seminars, neither by ballot nor through electronic add/drop.

The FWS electronic ballot can be accessed by clicking here. You will be able to view Spring 2020 FWS classes beginning on November 11, 2020.

Those without a NetID may view current FWS offerings by clicking here.

Transfer students: English 2880-2890, a cluster of writing courses for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, may fulfill a First-Year Writing Seminar requirement for those who need it. Students enroll for these sections through Student Center.

Important Dates

• Spring 2020 First-Year Writing Seminar Brochure will be online by November 11, 2020.
• FWS Balloting begins on November 13, 9:00 am and ends on November 17, at 11:59 pm.
• FWS will appear on your schedule by Monday, November 25.
• Electronic Add/Drop for FWS starts Wednesday, November 13. See directions below.
  *This date applies to freshmen, sophomores, and first-semester transfer students.
• Writing seminars begin Tuesday, January 21.
• The last day to add an FWS is Tuesday, February 4.

Ballot Submission Details

To enroll in a First-Year Writing Seminar, click here (during a submission period) and select five (5) choices for your ballot. There will be pull-down pick-lists sorted by Department and by Day/Time.

The ballot does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. During the submission period, you may enter a ballot at any time, or change your ballot as many times as you like. Only the last submission will count when the submission period closes.  

If you submit a ballot and then decide to cancel your ballot submission, please delete your ballot.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR BALLOT SELECTIONS DO NOT CONFLICT WITH ANY OTHER CLASSES FOR WHICH YOU HAVE PRE-ENROLLED.

If you do not submit a ballot, you may add a FWS beginning at the start of the add/drop period.

If You Are Unable to Enter a Ballot

Matriculated Students: If you are or will be a matriculated freshman, sophomore, or first-semester transfer student in one of the seven undergraduate colleges/schools at Cornell, but the system does not recognize your NetID, e-mail Donna Newton (dlo1) no later than 4pm on the last day of the submission period (you may be in the University's system, but not in the locally-kept database). Be sure to include your NetID (Cornell email address), CUID (7-digit number), Class (freshman, sophomore, or transfer student), and College.

Continuing Education Students: Extramural students must receive permission from the Knight Institute to add a First-Year Writing Seminar starting January 21, at the Office of Continuing Education, B20 Day Hall.

Electronic Add/Drop for First-Year Writing Seminars

FWS Add/Drop enrollment must be done electronically through Student Center. Neither instructors nor registrars can approve additional enrollment into any First-Year Writing Seminar. Caps on enrollment cannot be lifted. There are no wait-lists or forms to sign; do not ask an instructor about adding a seminar. Instructors will not allow any student not on the roster to sit in on a First-Year Writing Seminar.

To find open First-Year Writing Seminars during the Add/Drop period:

• Go to Student Center.
• At the search screen, click on “Additional Search Criteria.”
• Choose “FWS Session” from the “Session” field. This will show you all open FWS classes.

A First-Year Writing Seminar is open ONLY if it appears in this list.  Check frequently, because the list can change.