Waitlists and Overrides

On this page:

• When students need an override
• Closed courses and waitlists
• How departments admit students from a waitlist
• Courses that need consent or prerequisites
• When an override is granted
• Two common misunderstandings about overrides
• Who to contact

When students need an override

An override is an electronic permission that lets students enroll in a class they couldn't otherwise register for:

• Closed courses (courses that are full)
• Courses that require instructor or department consent
• Courses students don't have the prerequisites for

Closed courses and waitlists

A course is closed once it reaches the maximum number of students the department allows. Closed courses are marked as "closed" in the LSA Course Guide, Atlas, and Wolverine Access.

If a course is closed:

• Students should add themselves to the waitlist in Wolverine Access.
• Students don't need to contact the department after joining the waitlist.
• It's a good idea for students to attend the waitlisted class, even before they're officially enrolled, so they don't get behind on the work if they are granted an override. 

How departments admit students from a waitlist

Each department sets its own rules for admitting students from the waitlist:

• Some admit students in the order they joined the waitlist.
• Others prioritize certain students, such as declared majors or seniors who need the course to graduate.
• Some may add capacity to let more students in.

The method is sometimes noted in the LSA Course Guide. In all cases, once a students is on the waitlist, they don't need to do anything else to be considered. If a spot they're eligible for opens up, they'll receive an override by email (see below).

Courses that need consent or prerequisites

Some courses aren't full but still require an override to join:

• Courses that require instructor or department consent: Contact the instructor or department directly.
• Courses you don't have the prerequisites for: Contact the department directly.

When an override is granted

• If a spot a student is eligible for opens up, the student will get a "Class Permission" email with an expiration date. This is the override. 
  • Note: Receiving this email does not mean the student is registered. They still need to register.
• Students should register for the class by the expiration date or they will be dropped from the waitlist.
• For step-by-step instructions watch this video. 

Two common misunderstandings about overrides

1. Getting the Class Permission email does not mean the student is registered. They still have to register for the class before the expiration date.
2. Advisors cannot issue overrides. Overrides come from the department or instructor.

Who to contact

• For closed courses / waitlists: No need to contact anyone, just join the waitlist.
• For courses that require consent: The instructor or department.
• For courses you don't have the prerequisites for: The department.

Related policies

• Prerequisites