Registration Dates
Lottery Opens | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 5 p.m. |
Lottery Closes | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 8 a.m. |
Lottery Results posted | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 by 5 p.m |
Add/Drop opens | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 5 pm. |
Late drop fee begins | Courses dropped within two weeks of the official course start date (always a Monday) are assessed a $45 late drop fee |
Deadline to add a course | Wednesday at 4 p.m. prior to official course start date |
Eligibility
Fall 2025 (October 20 – October 26): MS2s, MS3s, and MS4s
Special Topic courses are one-week mini-immersion courses that allow students to explore topics of interest. Special Topics courses are required for graduation (4 weeks for Regular MD, Rural, and Primary Care Track; 2 weeks for MSTP and OMFS).
Entering Your Preferences in the Lottery
Use the Scheduling Lottery link to enter your preferences in the lottery during the posted timeline (see lottery dates).
Making Changes
Before the lottery deadline
Once the lottery is open, you can make changes to your preferences in the lottery anytime before the deadline – even if you already saved preferences previously. The saved rank order at the time of the deadline is used for the lottery. If you do not enter the Special Topics Lottery, you will not be assigned a Special Topics course.
After the course is posted to your schedule
Use the Online Schedule Change Request system (OSCR) to add the course to your schedule. Once logged in, you will see your current schedule.
- Select “Add Course to Schedule” to search for the desired ST course. If the class says “Class is Full” in the action column, search for another course.
- Select “Add” from the action column for the course you wish to add.
- Review your final schedule to confirm the course was successfully added.
Registration
Use the Online Schedule Change Request system (OSCR) to add the course to your schedule. Once logged in, you will see your current schedule.
- Select “Add Course to Schedule” to search for the desired ST course. If the class says “Class is Full” in the action column, search for another course.
- Select “Add” from the action column for the course you wish to add.
- Review your final schedule to confirm the course was successfully added.
Courses Requiring Permission
Special Topic courses that require written permission are not part of the lottery. You can register for a course that requires permission during the add/drop period only.
Check Course Availability (CAVE) to confirm the availability of your desired ST course. More details about the courses can be found in the Online Course Catalog. Use the Online Schedule Change Request system (OSCR) from the Current Students page to register for a written permission course. You will be required to upload a copy of the written permission from the course instructor.
- Submit an Online Schedule Change Request (OSCR). You must first submit the request before you are able to upload supporting documentation.
- After submitting your request, view your request by navigating to the Home screen in the OSCR system.
- Select “Add or Remove Document” and upload a copy of the email or other written permission for the course.
Student-Designed Courses
Student-designed courses must first be approved by Undergraduate Medical Education. You can find the special topics request form on the curriculum page. When your course is approved, you will receive an email from UME with a copy of your signed course form. Use the Online Schedule Change Request system (OSCR) from the Current Students page to register for your student-designed course. You will be required to upload the approved/signed course form.
- Submit an Online Schedule Change Request (OSCR)
- After submitting your request, view your request by navigating to the Home screen in the OSCR system. You must submit the request first.
- Select “Add or Remove Document” and upload a copy of the approved course form.