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Wait Lists

Once a course section reaches its maximum seating capacity, the Available column (in the Register/Drop Course Sections screen) will be zero (0) and the course section status will be Closed. In the Register/Drop Course Sections screen you can either place your name on the course wait list or remove the course from the list and go back to the Search screen and search/select for another course section. Putting your name on the wait list will change the status from Closed to Waitlisted.

In order to maximize the benefit of the wait list system for everyone, students should not request to be on a Wait List unless they truly want that course for their degree program.  Students are able to remove themselves from a wait-listed course at any time through Manage My Waitlist in WebAdvisor.

WaitlistsI

Before you add your name to the wait list WebAdvisor checks to see if you are eligible to take the course. WebAdvisor checks to see if you have the necessary prerequisite(s) and if you need permission from the Department Chair or the Instructor. If you do not have the prerequisite(s) or permission, please refer to the Prerequisite and Department Approval section.

WebAdvisor does not check to see if the waitlisted course conflicts with another class. Time conflicts will be checked when you get Permission to Register from the automated waitlist processor (which is run Monday and Thursday mornings prior to the start of classes) or if you go to Student Central in the first week of classes to register with written permission from the instructor.

Note: If you have a Hold on your student account (e.g., an outstanding book, library fine, or unpaid tuition fees), you will not be able to register or place your name on the wait list.

Manage My Waitlist

The Manage My Waitlist screen has two sections. The top section is called the Waitlisted Section and lists your waitlisted course section(s). The bottom section is called Registered Section and lists your currently registered course section(s). The information listed in the Registered Section is the same as the information found below.

The Waitlisted Section found on the Manage My Waitlist screen provides you with the following information:

  1. Action:

    1. Remove - removes you from the wait list (does not try to register you in the section),

    2. Register - attempts to register you into the section.

  2. Waitlist Status:

    1. Active - means you are on the wait list,

    2. Permission to Register - means that a seat has become available and you have permission to claim that spot at anytime before the expiry day/time.

    3. Expired - means you have missed your opportunity to claim your seat in the waitlisted course section.

    4. Enrolled - means you have been enrolled in the wait listed course section.

    5. Dropped - means you have voluntarily withdrawn yourself from the wait list.

  3. Expire Date: if you have been given permission to register then this is the date you must claim your seat before it expires. After the expiry date you can either place your name back on the wait list for the same course section or select another course (please see the Search for Courses/Register section).

  4. Term - identifies the Term for which the course is wait listed (e.g., Fall Term 2013).

  5. Section Name and Title - this will show you the course number and course title.  Click on the course section and title and more information will display in the section information screen.

  6. Location - this should normally be UW Campus. Anything other than UW Campus is quite possibly an off-campus course, which could be for another group of students.

  7. Meeting Information - this shows you the class start and end dates, the days and times of the lectures as well as the room number.

  8. Faculty - this column shows you the name of the instructor.

  9. Credits - this column shows you the course section's credit value (3 or 6).

  10. CEUs - this column is not used.

  11. Rank/Wait list - this column will show you your placement on the wait list in relation to the total number of student on the wait list. For example, 15/15 means you are the fifteenth person on the wait list and 1/15 means you are at the top of the wait list.

Note: If you place your name on the wait list, it is your responsibility to monitor your rank or placement in Manage My Waitlist (see Rank/Waitlist in the last column in the sample screen shot above). There are no wait lists held for Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) courses and there are no wait lists held for laboratory components (i.e., labs).

 When a Seat Becomes Available - How To Register

When a seat becomes available, you will receive an email that will provide you with instructions on how to claim your seat in your wait listed course section. The instructions are sent to your University Webmail account. When you access WebAdvisor and select Manage My Waitlist, you will see the waitlist status has changed from Active to Permission to Register. In the Action drop box, select Register. Click “Submit” to be registered in the waitlisted course section. After you have submitted your request you will get a Registration Results screen. This will show you if it was successful or not.

Note: If the waitlisted course section requires a lab you cannot register in Manage My Waitlist. You must go to the Search for Courses/Register screen, search for the course section and an open lab, select the course section and lab, then register in the Register/Course Drop Sections screen. (For more detailed information on the steps to take to search, select and register, please refer to WebAdvisor Instructions).

N.B.: Check your University “Webmail and WebAdvisor on a daily basis. You have 3 days (or 72 hours) to claim your reserved seat in the waitlisted course section.

Time Conflicts and Wait Listed Courses

If you registered for a class that is offered at the same time as the waitlisted course section, you have two options:

1.  Remove or drop the conflicting course section from Manage My Waitlist, then click “Submit” and wait for the results. In the Manage My Waitlist screen select Register from the drop-down box and then click “Submit” to be registered in the waitlisted class. 

OR

2.  Remove the waitlisted course section from your Manage My Waitlist and search, select and register for another class.

After Classes Have Started

After classes have started, if you are on a wait list for your preferred course section, you should attend class.  Keep up with the reading and note-taking and let the instructor know you are on the wait list and wish to be registered in his/her class IF a space becomes available during the Course Add/Drop Period (see Withdrawal Schedule for dates).

You will need a written Permission Form from the instructor to register. If space becomes available and permission is granted, take your written Permission Form to Student Central, first floor, Centennial Hall, before the end of the Course Add/Drop Period.

Once registered you are expected to pay for the class right away; otherwise a late payment fee penalty may be assessed on your student account.