Wait List Frequently Asked Questions - Student

Office of the Registrar Enrollment Services UW-Madison 9/22/2010

When going through the enrollment process, if a class is closed and the department is maintaining a waiting list, a yellow triangle will display on that section throughout Class Search and the enrollment process in the Student Center. If you would like to be placed on the wait list, while on the Enrollment Preferences page, you’ll need to check the box titled ‘Please Wait List Me’ and continue through the enrollment process to finalize your request.

If you are allowed to enroll for the class section, you will be notified via email. Enrolling for the class is the student’s responsibility.

1) How many classes and/or credits can I place myself on the wait list for? You will be allowed to place yourself on a maximum of three classes totaling a maximum of 12 credits.

2) When is the earliest I can place myself on a wait list? If your enrollment appointment date/time have been reached; a class section is closed; you meet the enrollment requirements of that section; and the wait list capacity has not been reached, you are eligible to place yourself on the wait list for that section.

3) When is the latest I can place myself on a wait list? Through 11:59PM of the add deadline date for the session in which the class is offered.

4) Will wait listed classes appear in Class Search? If a class is closed and the department is using the wait list functionality, class sections will be represented with a yellow triangle within Class Search.

5) Why am I unable to place myself on the wait list?  You have a hold on your record preventing enrollment  Your enrollment appointment date/time has not been reached  You do not meet the enrollment requirements enforced for the class section  Instructor or Department Consent is required to enroll for the class  The wait list capacity has been reached for the class section  No wait list capacity has been determined by the department for the class section  You have reached the maximum number of three courses allowed to wait list  You have reached the maximum number of 12 credits allowed to wait list  Class section is Open  The Last Date to wait list has passed  You are already enrolled for a different section of the same class 6) Will I be able to see my position on the wait list? No. You will receive a message confirming that you have been placed on the wait, but it will not reveal your wait list position number. On the View Results page, the message displayed will read: Message: Class 12345 is full. You have been placed on the wait list.

7) I thought I was on the wait list, but am unable to see the class in my Class Schedule. What should I do? If the class is not displaying in your Class Schedule (represented by a yellow triangle), and you wish to be on the wait list, you will need to attempt to place yourself on the wait list again. If you were on the wait list and the department has determined that you will be unable to enroll for the section, you will be notified via email that you have been removed from the wait list.

8) How long before a department notifies me whether I’ll be able to enroll for this class or not? The length of time it may take for a department to determine who will be allowed to enroll will vary by department. Please read the Subject Notes area for the specific department on the Enrollment Preferences page for further information or contact the department directly.

9) How will I know when I can enroll for a class that I am on the wait list for? Once a department determines that you will be allowed to enroll for the section, you will receive an email notifying you of this and how long your permission will be valid. To enroll for the class from the wait list, you will click on ‘Course Enrollment’ from your Student Center home page. This will direct you to the ‘Add’ tab and your Class Schedule displays at the bottom of this page. You will click on the ‘Add’ or ‘Swap’ button to the right of the class section and continue through the enrollment process to finalize your enrollment.

10) What do ‘requisites’ for a class mean? Some departments may enforce that a specific enrollment requirement be met to enroll for a class section. On the Class Detail page within Class Search, you will see this information reflected within the Enrollment Information frame. If ‘Enrollment Requirements’ does not display within that frame, then there are no enrollment requirements that have to be met to enroll for the class section. You will see this same information on the Enrollment Preferences page when going through the Enrollment process within your Student Center.

11) Can I place myself on the wait list for more than one section of the same class? If you are already enrolled for a section of the class, you will not be allowed to place yourself on the wait list for a different section. If you are not enrolled for a section of the class and the class is a single component class only (for example, class is lecture only and multiple lectures are offered), you may be able to place yourself on the wait list for a maximum of three sections. If you are not enrolled for a section of the class and the class is a multiple component class (for example, classes with lectures and/or discussions and/or labs, you may be able to place yourself on the wait list for a maximum of one section.

12) Will I remain on the wait last after I have enrolled for the class? No, you will be removed from the wait list once you are enrolled for the class.

13) Can I see other students placed on the wait list for a class section? No, you can only confirm whether you are on the wait list. 14) Do all classes have a wait list? No, all classes will not have a wait list. It will be up to a department as to whether a wait list will be maintained. Once a class closes, you will see a yellow triangle within Class Search and throughout the enrollment process indicating that wait list is available for that section.

15) Can I wait list for a class that has a time conflict with another class? Yes, you are allowed to wait list for a class that may have a time conflict.

16) I’m on the wait list for a class and want the department to have more information as to why I need to enroll for this class. What do I do? You can update or change your comments by logging into your Student Center. On the Add tab, your Class Schedule will be displayed at the bottom of the page. Click on the active link in the ‘Class’ column. You will be directed to the Enrollment Preferences page where you can make changes or additions to your comments. When you click on ‘Next’, your comments will be saved and available for the department to view.