Waitlist FAQ

The waitlist allows students to wait for a course and be enrolled automatically if an open seat is available. By selecting wait list if class is full during enrollment, the student will be added to the waitlist for the course. For detailed instructions on waitlisting a course, please visit the Office of Academic Advising site.

• Before classes begin

  Students are automatically enrolled from the waitlist early each morning. Eligible students are automatically enrolled from the waitlist early each morning into open seats.

  An email is sent to the student’s CSUSM email account notifying them of enrollment in the class from the waitlist.

• First week of classes

  Students are not enrolled from the waitlist once classes begin.

  All students, including those on the waitlist, will need a permission number to enroll in a CLOSED class. See our Add/Drop page for info on how to request a permission number.

• Obstacles to automatic enrollment

  Students not eligible to enroll will remain on the waitlist in the same position, and will not be enrolled into the class. Reasons for not being enrolled include:

  • Student is enrolled in another section of the same course (students cannot enroll in 2 sections of the same course)
  • There is a time conflict with another enrolled class
  • Enrollment in the course would exceed the unit limit
  • Student does not meet requisites for the course (includes catalog pre/co-requisites, as well as requisites for reserved seats)

Best Practices for Students

•  Register for open course sections before waiting for any course sections. The Wait List does not guarantee enrollment in a course section.
• Since the waitlist is automated, students and faculty must actively monitor and manage their wait lists and class schedule in MyCSUSM until classes begin. A student's position on a course section's wait list may change at any time depending on other students who are added or removed or faculty adding seats.
• Review My Class Schedule in MyCSUSM and remove wait list classes that are no longer wanted to avoid being automatically enrolled. If a student fails to remove unwanted course sections from the Wait List, the student risks being automatically enrolled, which could result in enrollment in a class that the student does not want or need.
• Avoid wait listing classes that contain a time conflict with enrolled classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does a student know if they have been enrolled in a class from the waitlist?

  Students enrolled in a class from the waitlist will receive an email notification in their CSUSM email.   Students may also view enrolled classes in their Student Center in MyCSUSM.  

• What if a student is enrolled in a course from their waitlist that they no longer want?

  Students can drop classes through the end of the add/drop period in MyCSUSM (with no academic penalty, though tuition and fees may apply if dropped after the start of the semester). Each student is responsible for managing their enrollment. Students should drop themselves from the waitlist for a class if they no longer desire to be enrolled.

• Is there a maximum number of units a student can waitlist?

  Yes. Undergraduate students are permitted up to 10 units of waitlisted classes.

• Can a student attend a course for which they are on the waitlist?

  Yes. If the class remains CLOSED during the first week, it is recommended to speak with the instructor to request a permission number for an open seat. For more information about crashing classes, visit the Enrollment Tips page.

• How often are students enrolled from the waitlist?

  Students are automatically enrolled from the waitlist into open seats every morning until the semester begins.

• If there is a long waitlist, will another section be opened?

  Departments are able to view how many students are on the waitlist and may use this list to communicate with students regarding new sections or additional seats.

• Can a student add themselves to a waitlist after classes begin?

  No. Students are no longer enrolled from the waitlist beginning the first day of classes. For this reason, students are not able to add themselves to the waitlist once the semester begins.