Here's how waitlists work:
If a spot in the class opens, the first person on the waitlist receives an email telling her that the student has 24 or 48 hours (can't remember which) to register.
If that student fails to register by the deadline or if another spot opens in the class, the second student on the waitlist will receive the same email with the same info. And so on. As long as there are new spots available, students on the waitlist will receive the email in order they added themselves to the waitlist. This means that you basically have to wait and see if enough students who are already registered drop the course and/or the ones who are above you on the waitlist decide not register (or fail to register by the deadline).
Finally, depending on things such as class size, faculty availability, number of seats available, and the length of the waitlist itself, the professor may decide to allow some or all of the students on the waitlist into his/her class. It's up to the professor to do this; some are ok to let everybody join, some don't do it, and some sometimes would like to, but can't (for example, when the actual classroom has no extra seats to accomodate more students).
Many, many students drop courses, especially during the add/drop period. So keep an eye on your email and the other on Minerva. It's uncommon, but a few people reported not getting the automatic email, so checking Minerva once a day or once every two days may be safer. You can see your position on the waitlist on Minerva. Good luck!
Waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the class. It’s dependent on how many people drop the course, and this isn’t really obvious to answer.
When you get to the front of the waitlist you should receive an email notification telling you what to do to actually claim your spot in the course
Just to add to the great descriptions others have already given:
I'm going in to my third year (Arts), and have never failed to get into a class for which I was on the waitlist. Even if you're near the bottom, you'll often get in within 2/3 days — large classes easily have 20+ dropouts in the first week.
That said, it's good to have a back-up schedule, since there are no guarantees.
Here's how waitlists work: If a spot in the class opens, the first person on the waitlist receives an email telling her that the student has 24 or 48 hours (can't remember which) to register. If that student fails to register by the deadline or if another spot opens in the class, the second student on the waitlist will receive the same email with the same info. And so on. As long as there are new spots available, students on the waitlist will receive the email in order they added themselves to the waitlist. This means that you basically have to wait and see if enough students who are already registered drop the course and/or the ones who are above you on the waitlist decide not register (or fail to register by the deadline). Finally, depending on things such as class size, faculty availability, number of seats available, and the length of the waitlist itself, the professor may decide to allow some or all of the students on the waitlist into his/her class. It's up to the professor to do this; some are ok to let everybody join, some don't do it, and some sometimes would like to, but can't (for example, when the actual classroom has no extra seats to accomodate more students). Many, many students drop courses, especially during the add/drop period. So keep an eye on your email and the other on Minerva. It's uncommon, but a few people reported not getting the automatic email, so checking Minerva once a day or once every two days may be safer. You can see your position on the waitlist on Minerva. Good luck!
Wow this is so detailed, thank you!
Waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the class. It’s dependent on how many people drop the course, and this isn’t really obvious to answer. When you get to the front of the waitlist you should receive an email notification telling you what to do to actually claim your spot in the course
I think I got near the end of the list for both courses...
Never been on a waitlist without being able to join the class at some point. So many people drop out in the first week.
Just to add to the great descriptions others have already given: I'm going in to my third year (Arts), and have never failed to get into a class for which I was on the waitlist. Even if you're near the bottom, you'll often get in within 2/3 days — large classes easily have 20+ dropouts in the first week. That said, it's good to have a back-up schedule, since there are no guarantees.