[the chef]

dude just walk into any freshman-sophomore level class. the classes they have to take are usually pre-requisites and are in huge lecture halls with 100+ kids. the professor isn't going to notice at all.

the only classes i remember taking that were less than 30-40 kids were major specific classes like sophomore bio-labs and shit.

for classes like politics, psychology, sociology, intro to micro/macro eco, you're good.

[UnW]

Used to always crash random subjects at my university and universities nearby, mainly to chill and catch up with friends.

[jmoney29]

I took a few economics classes over the summer at University of Michigan(enrolled) and 5/80 people weren't actually enrolled in the class. The professor and graduate assistant were very willing to share class info and grade exams. I have also had profs who are very finicky about how many students they teach, to the extent of bitching about the # of people waitlisting/attending at the beginning of a semester. Overall,from my experience it varies by the professor

[Adam Michaels]

Just curious: If you just walk in and start taking the class, WITHOUT asking the teacher first, what do you do when its test/pop quiz day?

When you submit your test or quiz, and they have to grade it, wont they realize your name wasnt on their official roster? I sat in on some free tutor sessions and spend lots of time at a local college library, but I never thought it would be feasable to sit in on a class. Lemme know fellas.

PS In small talk, when asked what my major was, I have told Professors/Librarians/students that I dont go to the University but am just there to do my own reading/writing/independent study. Even though thats all I am there to do, not one person has believed me and they all think im there to pick up girls! No one has asked me to leave, but when I tell them I'm just there to read, they just smile and ask me if im sure its not for the girls. Haha im not gonna lie, I have become friends with a handful of girls on campus, but 99% of the time I am dolo on my laptop or reading a book.

Do none of my other fellow RVF brothers never take any heat for this? At the two universities I visit, they wont believe that a young/good looking guy would be there to learn but HAS to be there "for the girls". No one reported me because I was well liked on campus, BUT the campus police did hassle me when I would ask for a parking pass, even though I told them the library was open to the public AND the librarians had no problem with me being there. They would question me everytime I came if I was there for the girls and not for the library. They would always keep an eye on me at campus.

[Handsome Creepy Eel]

I don't know about it when you're not a student, but in my college days, I used to visit some other classes that I wasn't enrolled in but which sounded interesting. I'd usually just sit down if it was a large hall with 100+ people, and ask the professor in advance if it was a smaller class. No one ever refused, and the "worst" reaction I ever got to it was a teaching assistant worried that I was some kind of secret quality control.

I say go for it. But make sure not to disturb the class, of course.

[peterthephoenix]

No one cares if you sit in on the class. Go ahead and do it. There used to be a homeless guy who sat at the front of one of my marketing lectures. He came to pretty much every class.

I completed a commerce degree, and honestly, you could do so much better educating yourself and reading books.

[Berliner]

When you guys say it's completely alright,I hope you realize,that it's very different from uni to uni.I will share my experience of attending half a semester of lectures without being enrolled at the college,which is one of the top5 in Europe in this major.
1.Do your homework beforehand
The first thing you have to ask yourself is "is it worth it attending the lectures vs. learning by yourself.If you are smart,most often sitting in halls is not the best way to spend your time.So first research if the local uni is one of the best in the country in that subject,which are the best classes to take,best professors(quora can help with that).Next,go on the unis website and see how accessible to the public are the lectures' timetable.Decide which classes you want to take and make yourself a schedule.Also think about whether you can handle the classes and what area are they in.In certain subjects,the smaller group practical work has more value than the lectures...If it is CS, don't know if you can attend the practical work,as you will probably have to log in the network or online if you don't bring your laptop or sth has to be looked up.That is where you'll get caught.

After some googling on the subject,the best discussion I came across was on metafilter,which is a great forum with very intelligent people by the way.The conclusion was,even pointed by a few professors,that they would let you sit in,if asked and would kick you out,if they found you attending,without being enrolled or asked them politely in advance.That's definitely the moral thing to do.Attending somebody's class is similar to eating dinner at their house.Most of their emails are easily accessible,so you can either contact them in advance,or wait or them in front of the first lecture in front of the door.The rules I'd stick to are being very respectful,the man is doing you a big favor and putting emphasis on how hard do you want to learn and how committed are you to this.Add that you'll be the first to come,the last to leave class and make sure you make the most out of what's being taught through dedicated and hard work.Even if I just had a healthy child born,I'd still not let you in,if you gave off the vibe or said directly that you find this "a good opportunity to exercise some brain cells I wasted overseas".A lot of unis,especially the American ones,have the opportunity for outside students to take separate classes for a fee.So if you don't come off as very poor,very young and even more hungry for knowledge,you're done.

The downside to asking in advance is some may reply: "you can only attend the first couple of lectures",or "Unfortunately/I am sorry,but....NO". And from there it's probably a no go to come back for lecture 2 if the lecturer has a good memory.That's the reason I chose not to risk it and sneak in instead.

2.Security
Depending on the university,some have personal cards,like UCL,don't know how easy it is to obtain one.It may be go wherever you want,once inside,but there are cameras and security that follow who goes in.At other unis,which were even better,it's a lot easier.
Now you are already in the lecture room.I was usually sitting in the back,you can choose where to sit yourself and whether to keep yourself low key and talk to nobody or be one of the most active in the room, make friends with the students and pretend you're studying there.Again depending on how far you wish to take it,you can just attend lectures and receive free material,or you can try to get into labs too.Be calm,Frank Jr

Again to underline-ask yourself first what lecture is worth attending vs studying at your own pace at home!Which college are you talking about?B or LA?The rest aren't very good for most things.If you want to ask sth or I have anything to add,I will update

[JohnKreese]

(08-24-2012 03:30 PM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

Just curious: If you just walk in and start taking the class, WITHOUT asking the teacher first, what do you do when its test/pop quiz day?

When you submit your test or quiz, and they have to grade it, wont they realize your name wasnt on their official roster? I sat in on some free tutor sessions and spend lots of time at a local college library, but I never thought it would be feasable to sit in on a class. Lemme know fellas.

PS In small talk, when asked what my major was, I have told Professors/Librarians/students that I dont go to the University but am just there to do my own reading/writing/independent study. Even though thats all I am there to do, not one person has believed me and they all think im there to pick up girls! No one has asked me to leave, but when I tell them I'm just there to read, they just smile and ask me if im sure its not for the girls. Haha im not gonna lie, I have become friends with a handful of girls on campus, but 99% of the time I am dolo on my laptop or reading a book.

Do none of my other fellow RVF brothers never take any heat for this? At the two universities I visit, they wont believe that a young/good looking guy would be there to learn but HAS to be there "for the girls". No one reported me because I was well liked on campus, BUT the campus police did hassle me when I would ask for a parking pass, even though I told them the library was open to the public AND the librarians had no problem with me being there. They would question me everytime I came if I was there for the girls and not for the library. They would always keep an eye on me at campus.

If you're that worried about "pop quiz day" you could just take the quiz and not put your name on it. In a 300 person class, the instructor(s) aren't going to try to track down the phantom test-taker. But I wouldn't even go that far; if you're sitting close to the back, which you should be if you're crashing the course, just walk out. Instructors won't care and will see your leaving, if they even notice, as one less quiz to grade.

FWIW, I've actually done what I lay out in each scenario.

[Handsome Creepy Eel]

(08-24-2012 03:30 PM)Adam Michaels Wrote:  

Do none of my other fellow RVF brothers never take any heat for this? At the two universities I visit, they wont believe that a young/good looking guy would be there to learn but HAS to be there "for the girls". No one reported me because I was well liked on campus, BUT the campus police did hassle me when I would ask for a parking pass, even though I told them the library was open to the public AND the librarians had no problem with me being there. They would question me everytime I came if I was there for the girls and not for the library. They would always keep an eye on me at campus.

It's absolutely ridiculous that they're worried that you might be there for the girls. A) Who gives a fuck if you are? and B) Why must everyone be there for the girls?

It says a lot about their level of hysteria that they're more concerned about you visiting to talk to girls rather than you visiting to steal computers, plan a terrorist attack, or abuse drugs in the toilet.

Stupid white-knighting campus policies.

[polymath]

redacted

[chakri]

If possible, start attending from the beginning, just so the teacher gets used to seeing your face in the crowd (if it's a smaller class).
Also, most schools have their class schedules online, so just look that up and go. If the teacher calls you out on it, just be straight up. Tell them you're interested in the subject and are just there to learn. Unless if the teacher is an absolute douche, that should be a breath of fresh air to actually have someone there who truly wants to learn, as opposed to most kids who are just there because they have to be there and are not engaged at all.