Wait Lists - Enrollment Policies - UCLA Registrar's Office

A department may offer a class wait list. Being on a wait list does not guarantee enrollment, but can improve a student’s chance of enrollment if another student drops the class.

Some departments establish wait lists for classes that are full. If a student in the class drops, a seat opens up and is filled by a student on the wait list. If a student decides not to take the class, it is up to the student to drop the class before the official study-list deadline.

A wait-list position within 10 percent of enrollment capacity (for example, number five for a class of 50) indicates a good chance of being enrolled. Many students drop a class after the first meeting, at which point other students may enroll in the class or advance on the wait list. Sometimes departments increase the class enrollment capacity, which automatically enrolls additional students from the wait list. Students should check wait-list status before Friday of the second week of classes.

Students should not assume they will be added to a class. Students may move backward on a wait list if a class is over-enrolled through the use of PTE numbers. PTE numbers override wait-list status. For example: A student who is first on the wait list for a class that has an enrollment capacity of 100, and is not over-enrolled, may move from position 101 of 100 to 105 of 100 if four students with PTE numbers enroll. That student cannot be enrolled until five students drop the class and the enrolled number is fewer than the enrollment capacity.

Wait lists are maintained through Friday of the second week of classes unless a department deletes them earlier. This may happen on the first day of classes for some sections, especially laboratories.