Waitlist & Hold file
If a course is full when a student registers, the waitlist/hold file option may be available. Most, but not all, courses offer a waitlist/hold file. Names are stored in numerical order based on the day and time a student confirms placement on the waitlist/hold file. Students will be given a seat in a section if a seat becomes available. Being placed on a waitlist/hold file does not guarantee that a student will receive that specific section. The waitlist manages students waiting for a day/time, not instructor or building/room.
Students must process a Waitlist Check-in to officially confirm registration for the course and section.
- Students on a waitlist/hold file must check-in daily during the mandatory waitlist check-in period posted on the Academic Deadlines. If a student does not check-in once a day during the mandatory waitlist check-in period, their name will be removed from the waitlist.
- To be eligible for the waitlist/hold file, a student cannot be registered for any other section of the desired course. A student would have to drop the registered section before placing themselves on the waitlist/hold file. A student will be removed from any waitlisted sections if registered for the same course.
- Students may place themselves on the waitlist/hold file for up to six (6) sections of a course. A student will be given a seat in the first section that becomes available and all other waitlisted sections will be removed.
- Being placed on a waitlist/hold file does not guarantee that a student will receive that specific section. The waitlist manages students waiting for a day/time, not instructor or building/room.
- Courses received from the waitlist that conflict with a student's schedule or exceed the credit limit must be resolved immediately. Time conflicts and credit overloads cannot remain on a student's schedule without Advising College approval.
- Once a student has confirmed a course from the waitlist, it is immediately included on the student's schedule for that semester and incurs tuition charges.
- While on the waitlist or hold file, the student is responsible for the material being covered in class. If the student does not receive the course from the waitlist by the end of the mandatory waitlist check-in period, they may not continue to attend the course.
WAITLIST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's the difference between the waitlist and the hold file?
The waitlist is an option if you meet the established course requirements (specific majors, credit levels, special populations, etc.)
The hold file is a roster of students who wish to register for a course, but who do not meet the course restrictions. These students must be placed on the hold file even though the course may have seats available. At the beginning of the semester, students on the hold file will be placed at the end of the waitlist. Students must then follow the established procedure for waitlist check-in.
How do I get on the waitlist or hold file?
When a student attempts to register for a course (either on Testudo Drop/Add or in person) and the course does not have an available seat, the student will have the option to place themselves on the waitlist or hold file if one is available.
A video on how to add yourself to the waitlist is available here.
When should I check-in to the waitlist?
Testudo Waitlist Check-in is available as soon as you are placed on the waitlist or hold file for a course. You may access it during Testudo's operating hours.
You are encouraged to check-in when you receive notification that you have received a seat in the course and section.
You are required to check-in daily during the Mandatory waitlist check-in period.
What happens if I don't check-in during the mandatory waitlist check-in period?
To remain on the waitlist you must check-in once a day, either through Testudo or in-person, during the mandatory waitlist check-in period available on the Academic Deadline. Students that do not check-in will be removed from the waitlist. If a section has already been assigned, it will be given to the next eligible student.
Should I attend class if I'm on the waitlist?
It is strongly recommended that you attend all sessions held for a waitlisted course if space permits. By doing so, you are able to keep up with the course material. If you are in the top five (5) positions on a waitlist, you will be given access to the course content in ELMS.
The course is showing up in my ELMS course list, do I still need to check-in on Testudo?
Yes, if the course appears in the waitlist section of your course ELMS space, you must still check-in during the mandatory waitlist check-in period to remain on the waitlist.
The course I want does not offer a waitlist. Why is this?
Not all departments offer waitlists for their courses. It is the decision of the department whether or not to offer a waitlist.
If I waitlist for a course, am I guaranteed a seat?
No, being placed on a waitlist does not guarantee that you will receive a seat. It is recommended that you complete your schedule with alternative course choices.
Can I register and waitlist for the same course?
No, to be eligible for the waitlist/hold file you cannot be registered for any other section of the desired course. If you are currently registered for any other section of the course, you must drop that section before you can be placed on the waitlist. If you register for an open section of the same course for which you are already waitlisted, you will be removed from the waitlists.
I waitlisted for multiple sections of a course and received a seat in a section I did not want. Why were my other sections dropped?
You may select up to six (6) sections of a course. The first section to become available will automatically be assigned to you. Since you will now be registered for a section, your name will be removed from the waitlist for any additional sections of that course. If you subsequently refuse the assigned section, it will be given to the next person on the waitlist. Then you may attempt to register again and be placed on the waitlist at the end of the list.
I am waitlisted for a course that meets at the same time as a course currently on my schedule. What happens if I receive the course from the waitlist?
You are encouraged to select a section that fits your schedule unless you plan to drop any course that conflicts with the waitlisted section if it is received.
If you do not drop the course that conflicts, you will be notified to resolve the issue in a timely manner or you will be administratively dropped from the course you received from the waitlist.
Can I get an exception to a time conflict or credit overload for a course I receive from the waitlist?
You must contact your advising college for an exception to policy for a time conflict or credit overload.
I waitlisted for a section of a course but was added to a section that I did not request. Why did this happen?
If new sections are opened with exact meeting times of any of your waitlisted sections, you will be automatically confirmed into the new section. You can then process a Waitlist Check-in to officially confirm your registration.
When is the last day I can receive a course from the waitlist?
Students are required to process a Waitlist Check-in once per day during the schedule adjustment period as outlined in the Academic Deadlines. If you receive a seat on the last day of the schedule adjustment period, you can check-in the day after the schedule adjustment period to officially confirm your registration.
