What is a registration waitlist?
A registration waitlist is an electronic list of students who are waiting to register for a full class. Students may sign up when they attempt to register for a section at full capacity. The first student on the registration waitlist is notified via email (and via text message IF the student has requested this feature) when a space becomes available. This student then has 24 hours to register for the section. If the student does not register for the section within the 24 hour timeframe, they will be dropped from the Registration Waitlist for that section and the next student on the list will be notified.
How do I get on a registration waitlist for a section?
You may get on a registration waitlist when you attempt to register for a section that is full. When the class drops to the summary section of your registration page, you may select “Waitlist” from the drop down menu under “Action.” If there is no space available on the waitlist for that section, you will not have the option to waitlist, and the Registration Add Error will indicate “This Section is Full.”
How do I know my position on the registration waitlist for a section?
You can see where you are on the registration waitlist for a specific section through the Waitlisted Classes link in RAMweb.
Do I need to meet course prerequisites and restrictions to get on a registration waitlist?
Prerequisites and restrictions are checked before you are allowed to join a waitlist, but possible time conflicts with the desired course are not checked to allow scheduling flexibility.
The section is full, the registration waitlist is full, and I really need this class! What do I do?
You can ask the instructor or department for an override for enrollment capacity. If they cannot give one, keep checking to see if a space becomes available on the registration waitlist. However, being on the registration waitlist does not guarantee you will get in the class.
How will I know when a space becomes available in a class for which I am on the registration waitlist?
An email will be sent to your CSU email, notifying you there is a space available. If you’ve forwarded your email, it will be forwarded to that email address as well. You can also sign up for text notifications through RAMweb. Select “Menu,” “Records,” “Manage Student Record,” and “Text Messaging Options.”
Once the email is sent, how long do I have to register?
You will have until the deadline noted on the email to register for the section, which is 24 hours from the time the email was sent. If you do not register within that time frame, you will be dropped from the registration waitlist. If you miss your registration window but still wish to register for the class, you may register for the registration waitlist again.
I received a notification, but when I try to register, I get an error message saying the class is full. What happened, and what do I do now?
This means an override was given for Enrollment Capacity by the department or the instructor of the section, and the student with the override was able to register before you did. Contact the academic department offering the course as soon as possible.
I received a notification, but when I try to register, I get an error message saying 'Stop Enrollment-See Department.' What does that mean?
A ‘Stop Enrollment’ is placed on a section when the department offering the section is individually managing the spaces in the class rather than using the registration waitlist. Go to the department to request an override of the ‘Stop Enrollment’.
I registered for the registration waitlist when the section was full. Now it is over-full, and I am still on the waitlist. What happened?
The only way someone can register for a full section while people are on the registration waitlist is to get an Enrollment Capacity override from the department or instructor. Contact the course professor or academic department to request an override.
May I sign up for more than one registration waitlist?
Yes! You may sign up for as many registration waitlists as you choose. There is no limit. However, we strongly urge you to remove yourself from all registration waitlists once your registration has been finalized so others may have an opportunity to join a registration waitlist.
If I register for one section of a class and I am on the registration waitlist for other sections, will I be automatically dropped from the registration waitlist of other sections?
No, you must drop yourself to be removed from any registration waitlist.
The section I want to register for doesn't have a registration waitlist. Why?
Some undergraduate sections may not have waitlists for a variety of reasons. For example, some undergraduate sections are reserved for Orientation. Contact the course professor or academic department to see if there is availability in the course.
I got an email telling me a space was available and I could register. I didn't read it in time to register before the 24 hour deadline.
You are responsible for routinely checking your email and/or text messages. If you miss the 24 hour deadline, you must re-register for the registration waitlist if you still wish to register for the course/section.
Am I ever taken off the registration waitlist?
For standard Fall/Spring terms, students remain on the registration waitlist through the University Census Date (12th day of classes). Notification of an open seat is sent through 11:59 p.m. the Sunday before the second week of classes. As of the second week of classes, waitlist data will be available for departments to view; waitlists are removed after University Census.
What if I can get into a lecture that requires a lab/recitation but the lab/recitation I want is full? Can I just register for the lecture and get on the registration waitlist for the lab/recitation I want?
You must register for both the lecture and the lab/recitation that goes with it. If a full lab/recitation fits your schedule better, you may sign up for the registration waitlist for the full lab/recitation. When you are notified a space is available in your preferred lab/recitation, you may ‘exchange’ it (drop the one you are registered for and add the one you want at the same time) with the lab/recitation you are already registered for by using the conditional add/drop checkbox. Information on the conditional add/drop checkbox can be found on our Registration System Help Documents page. Log in with your NetID and NetID password to view the documents.
May I sign up for the same registration waitlist more than once to increase my changes of getting in the section?
No, you may only be on the waitlist one time for a section. If you are dropped from the waitlist or if you drop yourself from the waitlist, you may sign up for the waitlist again but you may not be on the waitlist for a single section multiple times at once.
The "Add" button is grayed out for the class I want to be on the registration waitlist for. What do I do?
When the “Add” button is grayed out, it means the waitlist capacity is at 0. This frequently occurs after the first week of classes is completed, as the second week becomes the “Add with Override” time frame. Since the time to free add a course has ended, the waitlist no longer functions starting the second week of courses. Contact the instructor to see if they can make an exception for you to be added to the class.
I was able to waitlist the lab or recitation, but not the lecture - what should I do?
Waitlists are typically set up on the smaller component of a course, such as the lab or recitation. Since both components must be registered together, once a spot opens in the waitlisted section, you’ll be able to register for the full course combination when you’re notified.
How do I waitlist the lecture section I actually want?
To waitlist a specific lecture, you must find a lab or recitation linked to it. If that lab/recitation is full, you can waitlist it. When notified of an open spot, you can use the conditional add/drop feature to switch from your current lab/recitation to the preferred one. Instructions for using conditional add/drop are available on our Registration System Help Documents page (NetID login required).
