Waitlist for a Closed Class

What WaitlistsÌýAre

When a class is full,Ìýdepartments may offer a waitlist to allowÌýnon-enrolled students to get in line for the next available seat.ÌýWhen automatic waitlist enrollment is active, the first eligible student on the waitlist is automatically enrolled as soon as anyone drops the class.

When you're on a waitlist, you aren't enrolled in the class; however, you do appear on the class roster and you have access to the online class materials until the waitlist cancellation date.

Although a waitlisted class's credit hours are included in your credit-load limit, they don't count toward yourÌýacademic or financial aid enrollment statusÌýor appear on yourÌýbill until you're enrolled.

When You Can Join One

Class waitlists are availableÌýduring the following times:

  • Your assigned enrollment dates (newÌýundergrads aren't allowed to waitlist for fall classes)
  • The schedule adjustment period (fall registration only)
  • The open enrollment period

How They Work

There are two types of waitlists:

  • Automatic waitlistsÌýare first-come, first-served. When a seat becomes available in the class, the person who's been on the waitlist the longestÌýis automatically enrolled if they meet the eligibility criteria.

  • Resequenced waitlistsÌýuse a priority system to determine who is automatically enrolled when a seat becomes available. Priorities are established by the department and are usually based on the student's class standing and/or major.

How to Use Them

How to Join a Waitlist How to Set Up Drop If Enrolled (Optional) How to Check Your Waitlist Position
How to Join a Waitlist

Once you've registered for your backup class (see note below),Ìýfollow theÌýsteps below to join a waitlist and, if you'd like to, set up drop if enrolled at the same time.

  1. Log in toÌýÌýand navigate to the closed class (class search instructions).
  2. Select a section, if applicable.
  3. Click "Add to Cart."
  4. A pop-up willÌýconfirm that you're adding the section to your cart. Click "OK."
  5. In the registration options pane:
    1. Select the grade mode, if applicable.
    2. Set the waitlist drop-down to "Yes."
    3. If you've registered for a backup class to drop if you're enrolledÌýfrom the waitlist, select the backup class from the drop-down.
    4. Click "Save Changes."
  6. The class should now appearÌýin your shopping cart with a blue cart icon.
  7. To finish registering, click "Continue to Enrollment."
  8. If there are classes in your cart that you don't want to add, untick the checkbox to the right of those classes.
  9. Click "Submit Registration."

If it worked, you'll see a message confirming that you've been added to the waitlist. If it didn't, you'll see an error message; read theÌýdescription for details.

Note: If you join the waitlist first, and if your waitlisted and backup classes areÌýdifferent sections of the same course, theÌýregistration system will automatically dropÌýthe waitlisted class when you enroll in your backup class.

  1. Log in toÌýÌýand navigate to the closed class (class search instructions).
  2. Select a section, if applicable.
  3. Click "Add to Cart."
  4. A pop-up willÌýconfirm that you're adding the section to your cart. Click "OK."
  5. In the registration options pane:
    1. Select the grade mode, if applicable.
    2. Set the waitlist drop-down to "Yes."
    3. If you've registered for a backup class to drop if you're enrolledÌýfrom the waitlist, select the backup class from the drop-down.
    4. Click "Save Changes."
  6. The class should now appearÌýin your shopping cart with a blue cart icon.
  7. To finish registering, click "Continue to Enrollment (Classic)."
  8. If you land on a page telling you you've completed preregistration, click "Continue in Portal."
  9. In the registration system, scroll down to the "CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵÌýShopping Cart" sectionÌýand tick the checkbox next to the waitlisted class.
  10. Click "Add Selected Classes."
  11. Confirm your selection(s), then click "Finish Enrolling."

If it worked, you'll see a message confirming that you've been added to the waitlist. If it didn't, you'll see an error message; read theÌýdescription for details.

Click the button below to view our expanded drop-if-enrolled information.

Learn how to set up drop if enrolledÌý

ToÌýgauge your likelihood of being enrolled from the waitlist, follow these steps to check your waitlist position:

  1. Follow this link to Buff Portal'sÌýÌý(you may be prompted to log in).
  2. Select your waitlisted class to open the class details.
  3. Under the "Status" heading, you'llÌýsee the type of waitlist you're on, your position on the waitlist (if your position is 1,Ìýyou're at the top of the list), and the size of the class.

What to Do When You're onÌýa Waitlist

AttendÌýYour Waitlisted Class

If you're still on the waitlist when the semester starts, attend the first class meeting and tell the instructor you're on the waitlist. They may be able to advise you on the likelihood of being enrolled from the waitlist and whether to attend future class meetings.

Stay Enrollment Eligible

If you're at the top of the waitlist and a seat becomes available in the class, you have to meet the following criteriaÌýfor the registration system to enroll you:

  • You have no holds that prevent registration.
  • You aren't enrolled in a different section of the same class (unless you've set up drop if enrolled for that section).
  • You aren't enrolled in a class that has a time conflict with the waitlisted class (unless you've set up drop if enrolled for the conflicting class).
  • You meet the requirements of the class, such as having taken prior class sequences or corequisites.
  • Your enrollment would not put you over the maximum number of enrolled credits for your program (unless you've set up