Waitlist for Closed Classes

How does a Registration Waitlist work?

The waitlist is electronic and managed through the OASIS registration system. For some high demand courses, departments will turn on the OASIS function that will allow students to place their name on a “waitlist” once a course/section is full. If a seat becomes available, the department can then move the student from the waitlist into the open seat.

The waitlist does not guarantee a student registration into the course. In fact, waitlists are limited in size to avoid misleading students on the possibility of getting into a high demand course. Waitlists are not infinite since few seats will become available. It is important to view the waitlist as a wishlist and not as pending registration.

How do I add my name to a Registration Waitlist?

Only a student may add their name to the waitlist using the OASIS registration system.

The student must attempt to register for a class that is full (closed), or is "open" and has a waitlist associated with it. Normally, a student would receive an error message when attempting to register for a closed course. However, a course with a waitlist will give the student a waitlist message instead of an error message. If there are available seats on the waitlist, you will be asked if you want to be added to the waitlist. If the waitlist is full, the system will inform you.

For courses with multiple sections, like MCB 3020C General Microbiology, a student may only register for one section’s waitlist.

Students are responsible for:

Checking OASIS registration
Registering for waitlist
Obtaining permits if needed

How do I add my name to a Full Registration Waitlist?

If the waitlist is full, you will need to check back later by attempting to register for the course again. If a seat becomes available on the waitlist, then you will be asked if you want to be added to the waitlist.

Waitlists are not infinite since few seats will become available. It is important to view the waitlist as a wishlist and not as pending registration. Therefore, there is no waitlist for the waitlist.

How do I know if a course has a Waitlist?

Most departments will label a waitlisted course on the schedule search. Some departments will identify waitlisted courses on their websites. However, the best way to know is to attempt to register for the closed course. Normally, a student would receive an error message when attempting to register for a closed course. However, a course with a waitlist will give the student a waitlist message instead of an error message.

How do I find closed courses on OASIS so I can add my name to the waitlist?

The class schedule search defaults to show open courses only. Use the drop down menu labeled “Status” and select the option “All”. The “all” search will show you courses offered in the semester that are closed and open.

oasis screenshot

Why does an Open course ask me if I’d like to be added to the waitlist?

This open course appears to have an available seat, but it has an active waitlist. First the course was full. Then students added their names to the waitlist. Now that a seat has become available in the course, it will show as an “open” course on the schedule search. Since the waitlist is still active, the open seats are no longer available. Only the department can move the waitlisted students into the newly open seats. However, students may still be added to the active waitlist so long as it is not full. Remember, waitlists are not infinite since few seats will ever become available.

With this in mind, do not drop off a waitlist on one section because you see a seat in another waitlisted section unless you are willing to lose your slot on the waitlist.

Why was I dropped from a waitlist?

Students will be automatically removed from the waitlist if any of the following registration errors occur:

Time conflicts
Exceeds hours

If you have a time conflict or want to take an overload of hours, you should obtain a permit first (see Permits link on the navigation pane to the left).

Once you are dropped from a waitlist, you will not receive priority in the course any longer. You are welcome to add your name back onto a waitlist once you have resolved the registration issue.

How does the department decide who gets the next available seat?

Students will receive priority** on waitlist based on:

Graduating seniors who need a specific course in order to graduate in the next semester. (If you are a graduating senior with this situation, please see your major advisor. Your major advisor must contact bioadvise@cas.usf.edu in regards to your graduation status and need for the course.)
Specific courses for majors requirements (i.e. Marine Biology for MRN majors - only offered once a year)
# of hours completed by student

What else do I need to know about the waitlist?

Being on the waitlist does not guarantee you a seat in the course because the waitlist may be longer than the number of seats that become available.
Your actual place on the list (i.e. #50 for example) is not your real position on the list. You real position on the list is determined by the criteria stated above. So in reality, #50 could be first on the list and #1 could be last based on the criteria.
The Waitlist will only be in effect until school starts. During the first week of school, all students will have the opportunity to add themselves into a course if a seat opens.