Wait List FAQ

1 . DO ALL CLASSES HAVE A WAIT LIST? 

No, not every class will offer a wait list. If a wait list is available, an orange “W” will appear next to the section in the Class Schedule. Since not all classes offer a wait list, if a class is full, re-visit Towson Online Services regularly for possible openings or contact the academic department.

2 . WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF ENROLLING IN A WAIT LIST? 

The wait list enables students to be automatically enrolled in closed classes as seats become available.

3 . IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF CLASSES THAT CAN BE WAIT LISTED? 

The limit is set by using units rather than classes. Students have a limit of 10 wait-list units during fall, spring and summer terms. For minimester, you may wait list up to three units. Please note: Regardless of how many units you are wait listed for, you will not be enrolled beyond the maximum number of units permitted for the term.

4 . ARE THE WAIT LISTED UNITS COUNTED INTO THE STUDENT’S TOTAL UNITS FOR THE TERM? 

Wait listed courses are not counted toward full-time status or calculated in bills. However, the wait list will not add a student to a class above the semester unit maximum. For example, if a student is enrolled in 17 units and wait listed for 3 units, once the wait list runs, the student will receive a “over maximum units” error because the system will not allow 20 units of registration.

5 . CAN I WAIT LIST IN MORE THAN ONE SECTION OF THE SAME CLASS? 

No, students are only permitted to register for one waitlisted course at a time.

6 . I WAIT LISTED A COURSE AND THEN ENROLLED IN AN OPEN SECTION OF THE SAME COURSE.  WHAT HAPPENED TO MY WAIT LISTED SECTION? 

If you enroll in an open section of the same course, you will need to drop from the waitlist section from your Student Dashboard. The wait list does not automatically drop students from the waitlist.

7 . CAN I REMAIN ENROLLED IN MY CURRENT SECTION BUT WAIT LIST A DIFFERENT SECTION? 

No, if you are enrolled in a section and remain on the wait list, once the wait list process runs it will give a “duplicate enrollment” error because the system will not enroll a student in the same class twice. The SWAP feature is an option to remove yourself from the enrolled section and add yourself to the wait listed section.

8 . CAN I WAIT LIST FOR A CLASS THAT CONFLICTS IN MEETING TIMES WITH A CLASS THAT I’M ALREADY ENROLLED IN? 

While you can wait list for time conflicted classes, you will not be moved off of the wait list until the time conflict is resolved.

9 . WHEN SHOULD I USE THE SWAP FEATURE TO ENROLL IN A WAIT LISTED CLASS? 

If you are currently enrolled in a section of the same course or are in a course that has a time conflict with the wait-listed course, use the SWAP feature to enroll in the wait listed course. SWAP the enrolled or conflicting course with the closed section, choosing the wait list option. The system will drop you from the enrolled section and add you to the wait list on the closed section.

10 . WILL A HOLD ON MY ACCOUNT AFFECT MY ABILITY TO USE THE WAIT LIST FUNCTION? 

You will be able to sign up for a wait list, but any hold that affects registration, will prevent registration from a wait list. You will receive a “student hold” error if the hold is not resolved by the time the wait lists runs.

11 . HOW OFTEN DOES THE SYSTEM CHECK FOR OPEN SEATS IN WAIT LISTED CLASSES?

When a student drops a closed class with a wait list, the class will remain closed until the students on the wait list have been enrolled or skipped (if class requirements are not met). Auto-enrollments are processed several times a day during registration periods. Once the wait list has processed all students on the wait list, the class will move to open status if there are any remaining open seats.

12 . I WAS IN POSITION NO . 1 ON A WAIT LIST. WHY WASN’T I ENROLLED WHEN A SEAT OPENED? COMMON WAIT LIST ERRORS ARE BELOW: 

The requirements to be registered from the wait list are the same as standard enrollment:

• Multiple enrollment: Student is already enrolled in a different section of the same course.

• Time Schedule Conflict: Select a section without a time conflict with another course.

• Maximum unit exceeded: Drop a course to stay under the 19-credit limit.

• Hold on record: Check your student dashboard to resolve the hold.

• Requisites not met: Pre-requisites for the course are missing.

• Available seats reserved: Open seats have been reserved by the Department.

13 . CAN I TAKE MYSELF OFF OF A WAIT LIST? 

Yes, you may remove yourself from a wait list by following the same process as for a standard drop.

14 . WHAT IS THE FIRST DAY I CAN GET ON A WAIT LIST? 

Wait lists are available once the class has reached its enrollment capacity. For high-demand classes, this may be the first day of registration.

15 .  WHAT IS THE LAST DAY I CAN GET ON A WAIT LIST? 

Wait lists are disabled and students are removed from the wait list one week before classes begin. For example, if classes for Fall 2025 begin on August 25th, wait lists will be disabled and purged on August 18th.

16 . HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ENROLLED OR THERE IS AN ERROR PREVENTING REGISTRATION FROM THE WAIT LIST? 

Students are notified by email to their TU email address if there is a registration error or if they are enrolled in the course.