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. Here is a list of errors that might keep you from getting enrolled.

  Error Messages and Next Steps

  Error Message	What does it mean?	What do I do?
  Reserved seats: the only open seats in this class are reserved for students meeting specific requirements or criteria (see class notes for details). You do not meet the requirements to enroll in a reserved seat.	You cannot be enrolled in the class unless/until the reserved seats are opened up to all students.	Review the Class Notes for date the seats will be available to all students. After this date, you may be enrolled from the waitlist (if a seat opens up).
  Pre-requisites: the pre-requisite(s) for the course are not met. Please see the catalog for the course description.	There is one or more requirement that you have not met in order to enroll (e.g., you must complete PSYC 220 and PSYC 230 to enroll in upper division PSYC classes) Your record must show that you have met or have in progress the requirements in order to be enrolled.	If you believe you have completed the requirements (or they are in progress), please contact registrar@csusm.edu for assistance.
  Maximum unit limit: you are currently enrolled in the maximum limit of units for the semester, and cannot be enrolled in additional units. This limit is typically raised prior to the start of classes (please see the Enrollment Calendar for the specific date).	You will not be enrolled as long as enrollment in this class plus your currently enrolled classes will be greater than the maximum unit limit.	You may drop a class or wait for the unit limit to be increased in order to be enrolled.
  Multiple enrollments: you are currently enrolled in a different section of this course in the same semester (it is not permitted to be enrolled in the same class twice in the same semester).	You will not be enrolled from the waitlist as long as you are enrolled in another section of the same class.	You may drop the other section of the class, and if a seat opens, your spot on the waitlist will remain intact and you may be enrolled.
  Time conflict: you are enrolled in a class that meets at the same time as this class, and cannot be enrolled.	You will not be enrolled if another class meets at this same time (or a part of the time).	You may drop the other class that conflicts, and if a seat opens, your spot on the waitlist will remain intact and you may be enrolled.

   

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

• Can I add myself to the waitlists of two co-requisite courses?
  No. In order to be added to the waitlist of a course with a co-requisite, you must be enrolled in the co-requisite (i.e., you cannot be on the waitlist for both).
• 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.