Waitlist FAQs

The waitlist is a feature of course registration in CUNYfirst. If a class is full, you can add yourself to the waitlist in CUNYfirst. When you join the waitlist, you don’t have to check back constantly to see if a seat opens; the system will enroll you automatically when a seat opens.

Be sure to leave the “Show Open Classes Only” box unchecked when searching for classes. Classes with a waitlist have a yellow triangle icon toward the right-hand side. You can select and add them to your shopping cart.

Joining the waitlist works much like regular registration. However, before you add the class to your shopping cart, be sure to select the “Wait List if Class is Full” checkbox. This box is very small, so be careful not to miss it. Note that you can only join the waitlist for one section of a class. 

This is one of the key advantages of the waitlist feature. In CUNYfirst, select the class you are currently enrolled in the “Swap This Class” menu. Then, select the class you’d prefer to take in the “With This Class” menu. Be sure to check the “Wait List if Class is Full” box. CUNYfirst will wait for a seat to open in your preferred class; when your turn comes up on the waitlist, CUNYfirst will drop your current class and enroll you in the class you’re on the waitlist for.

In the meantime, your seat in the original class will be safe, and you will remain enrolled if you never make it off the waitlist for the other class.

Check CUNYfirst often to see if you have been enrolled. Throughout the day, CUNYfirst will look for classes that have an open seat. It will run a process (called auto enrollment) that selects the next eligible student and enrolls them in the class. As students drop out of a class, the system will not let other students jump ahead of anybody on the waitlist.

No, the waitlist period ends the day before the first day of class. Once classes begin, all waitlists are cleared, and a section must be open to secure a seat.

We encourage you to review your schedule on a regular basis before or after the start of the session.

It varies from class to class. Using the waitlist is an excellent strategy to improve your schedule. It might help you to get classes that you want or need. However, there is always the chance that your schedule will remain the same if students don’t drop your desired class(es). It is always good to have a Plan B.

The Schedule Builder system will tell you your position when you join the waitlist. After that, you can check your position by viewing My Class Schedule in your Student Center. You will be able to see all of the courses you are waiting for along with your corresponding position on the waitlist.

Simply log into CUNYfirst and go to the Schedule Builder to request a drop. You will be able to drop yourself from the waitlist just like you would drop a regular class.

No, you are not charged for a class while waiting. Be sure to monitor your CUNYfirst account frequently so that you don’t miss any important payment due dates.

The following issues will prevent you from getting onto the waitlist: 

• You don’t have the prerequisite or corequisite course(s) or meet the restriction (e.g., certain major/plan codes, etc.).
• You have a hold that affects your ability to enroll.  
• You need to wait until your enrollment appointment date and time.  

You will not be auto-enrolled in the class if you have any of the following issues. You will be auto-enrolled only if these issues are resolved:

• The class would have a time conflict with one of your other classes. 
• This class would put you over your allowable credits.  
• You are already enrolled in another section of the same course. You might want to use the Swap feature. This is a good strategy if you want to remain in one section but are hoping to be enrolled into another one. 
• Some of the available seats are reserved for a specific and dedicated group of students.  
• You have previously completed the course or received transfer credit for the equivalent course at LaGuardia.  
• You have a hold that affects your ability to enroll.  
• You don’t have the prerequisite or corequisite course(s) or meet the restriction (e.g., certain major/plan codes, etc.).