Getting into a full class is now easier. Waitlists will open automatically when a
class fills—and if a seat becomes available, eligible students will be auto-enrolled in order. Open Seat Notification lists have been discontinued.
Your Quick Guide to the New Waitlists
Join the waitlist
Add yourself to the waitlist when a class is full
Waitlists open as soon as a class closes
Waitlists are now capped at 50% of the maximum class capacity
Waitlists close at 11:59 p.m. the day before the class starts
Stay eligible for auto-enrollment You must meet all enrollment requirements at the time a seat becomes available:
No holds on your record
No unpaid fees (including after the payment deadline)
Meet all prerequisites
No time conflicts with other classes
Stay within maximum unit and repeat limits
Waitlist Limits
Fall/Spring: up to 12 waitlist units
Summer/Winter: up to 8 waitlist units
You cannot waitlist multiple sections of the same course
How Auto-Enrollment Works
Student are enrolled in waitlist order (1, 2, 3…)
If you’re eligible when a seat opens, you’ll be automatically enrolled
If not, the system moves to the next eligible student
Important:
If you are enrolled, you must pay by 11:59 p.m. the next day or you may be dropped
If you no longer want the class, you must drop it yourself
Why You Might Be Skipped
Even if you were eligible when you joined the waitlist, your status can change. You
may be skipped if you:
Have a hold on your record
Owe fees
Do not meet prerequisites
Have a time conflict
Exceed unit or repeat limits
If you are skipped, you will get an email telling you why.
FAQ
Yes—if you are eligible at that time.
If a seat becomes available:
Students are auto-enrolled in waitlist order
If you are not eligible, the system moves to the next student
You will receive a notification (email). It’s your responsibility to monitor your
status and act quickly.
You must pay your fees by 11:59 p.m. the next day or you may be dropped from the class.
No. Once you are enrolled, you are no longer on the waitlist.
If you are not eligible at the time a seat becomes available (e.g., hold, fees, time
conflict), the system will skip you and move to the next student. You will also be
removed fromt he waitlist, but may rejoin it if you address the issues for why you
were skipped.
Start with the waitlist. If the class has a waitlist, join it as soon as possible.
If the waitlist is full or closed:
Online classes: Email the instructor from your SMC email to express interest and ask if an add code
may be available
In-person classes: Attend the first class meeting and speak with the instructor
Note: Instructors may not respond until the class begins, and add codes are not guaranteed.
No. The same rules that apply to enrollment also apply to waitlisting. You must meet
prerequisites, have no holds, owe fees, and be otherwise eligible.
Yes. You may waitlist for:
Up to 12 units in Fall/Spring
Up to 8 units in Summer/Winter
However, you will not be auto-enrolled in a class if it causes you to exceed your unit limit. If needed, speak with a counselor about a possible unit increase.
Students may not place themselves in a waitlist if the time slot conflicts with another
course in which they are enrolled or are in the wait pool.
No. You cannot join a waitlist if the class time conflicts with:
A class you are already enrolled in, or
Another class you are waitlisted for
No. You may only be enrolled in one section of the same course and cannot waitlist another section at the same time.
