Instructions for Waitlist Function

A course waitlist is a system that allows students to queue for enrollment in a class that has reached its maximum capacity. To be added to a waitlist, a student must first meet all registration eligibility requirements and have completed all pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements. If a seat becomes available, the first student on the waitlist will receive an email invitation to their Kean email account informing them that a seat is available and instructions on how to register for the course.  Upon receipt of this email, only the student who received it can claim the open seat by logging in to their KeanWISE account to register before the expiration time (as stated in the invitation email).  If the student fails to register by the deadline, the invitation to register will expire, and an invitation will be sent to the next student on the waitlist. The process will continue until all open course section seats are filled, or the waitlist is depleted.

A student who no longer wishes to be considered part of the waitlist can log in to their KeanWISE account and drop themselves from the waitlist.

WAITLISTING FOR A COURSE SECTION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENROLLMENT IN THAT COURSE SECTION.  

Waitlisting is NOT course registration. Students can only be billed for those courses for which they are registered.

How do I know that I should waitlist for a course?

The decision to waitlist for a course is a personal choice dependent on many variables. In general, when a student is considering adding themselves to a waitlist for a course section, they should review the full course section list to determine if there are alternative course sections they can register for. It may be possible that additional course sections are available during the same time frame. It may also be possible that additional course sections are available at different times. Students should carefully review all course offerings and availability before waitlisting. Additionally, students should select courses in consultation with their academic advisor or program coordinator. If your advisor or program coordinator advised you to register for a specific course, you may consider informing them that the course has no currently available seats and seek guidance on course alternatives that will also contribute to your academic plan. 

Am I eligible to waitlist for a course section?

Waitlisting is available to all students; however only students who may register for the course section if seats were available may waitlist for the course section. This means that if a student could not register for an open seat in HIST*1062*W01, then the student may not waitlist for the HIST*1062*W01 section. Before being eligible for course section waitlisting, students must have met all registration requirements, co-requisite requirements and pre-requisite requirements. Similarly, all registration holds must be resolved before a student may waitlist for a course section. 

Can I waitlist for more than one section of a course? Or can I register for one section and waitlist for another section of the same course?

No. A student can only waitlist for one section of a course. If you have registered for one section, you can no longer waitlist for another section of the same course.

If I waitlist for a course section, will I be guaranteed a seat in the course section?

No. Registration for a course section from a waitlist is not guaranteed. Students are advised to register for alternative course sections if a desired course section is full. While it may be possible that a seat will open on a full course with a waitlist, there is no guarantee that this will happen. 

Do I get billed for a course section if I waitlist for it?

No. Students are only billed for course sections that they are fully registered for. Being on the waitlist for a course section is NOT being registered for a course section. 

How do I know when a seat is available for me to register if I waitlisted for a course section?

In the event that a seat does open up, the first person on the waitlist will be notified by email through their Kean University student email account advising them that their window to register is open. Typically, students must log in to KeanWISE and register for the course (only they will be able to register once invited) before the expiration time stated in the invitation email. Automated email invitations to register will be sent from waitlistme@kean.edu. 

What happens if I do not register for the course section by the deadline in my waitlist registration invitation email?

If students fail to register for the course in the allotted time, the waitlist invitation will expire and the student will lose the ability to register for the course section. The waitlist will then automatically invite the next person on the waitlist to register with a new deadline. If a waitlist registration invitation expires, the student is removed from the waitlist and must add themselves to the end of the remaining waitlist if they wish to be on the waitlist for that course section. 

How many students can be on a waitlist?

Waitlists are typically set to a maximum of 5 students.

How long can I remain on a waitlist?

Waitlists close five days prior to the start of the semester. For example, since the Spring 2026 semester begins on February 26, 2026 (Beijing time), waitlists close on February 20, 2026 (Beijing time).

When waitlists close, all students who are still active on a waitlist are removed, and registration for any available seats reverts to a first-come, first-served basis. At that time, students are advised to check course availability regularly and register for open seats as they become available.

I just received my invitation to register for an open seat in a course section I was waitlisted for, but I have a hold on my account preventing me from registering. What do I do?

Students must meet all of the registration requirements prior to waitlisting for a course. In the event that a student has a registration hold placed on their account after being able to waitlist for the course, the student must resolve the hold prior to being able to register for the course. If the student is unable to resolve the hold prior to the registration expiration deadline, then the student will not be able to register and will consequently be removed from the waitlist. Once the registration restriction and hold are resolved, the student is able to return to the waitlist or register for the course if a seat is available after the waitlist is depleted. Students are strongly encouraged to review their account and resolve any pending registration holds prior to registration.

If all of the course sections of a course are full and the waitlists are full, will WKU open additional course sections?

The decision to open additional course sections depends on many variables. Program coordinators, college deans and many other administrators at WKU review course registration and section availability data to inform decision-making. Where possible, additional course sections may become available, but students are strongly advised not to rely on additional course sections becoming available before registering. Students are strongly encouraged to register for open seats in open course sections. If students need assistance with identifying alternative courses, they should meet with their academic advisor or program coordinator. 

What happens if seat doesn't become available for me in a course section that I am waitlisted for, and I am absolutely sure I need the course during the upcoming semester to graduate timely?

WKU is committed to helping all students graduate timely and encourages early registration, when possible. If a student must register for a course section that is full to maintain their academic plan to graduate timely, the student is encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss their academic plan to determine options. Each student's academic circumstances are different and the appropriate path to timely graduation can be determined with advisement and consultation of their academic advisor and/or program coordinator.

If I failed to register for the course and could not join the waitlist because it is full, can I apply for the course through the ONCE KU Course Registration Application?

No. During the waitlist period, the course is not available for selection in the ONCE KU Course Registration Application. Once the waitlists close, the course will be added back to the ONCE Application list the following day at 9:00 (for the Spring 2026 semester, this is 9:00 on February 21, 2026, Beijing time).

However, after the waitlists close, any available seats will also reopen for self-registration through Student Self-Service on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are therefore encouraged to check course availability regularly and register directly for open seats as they become available. If you are still unable to register after the waitlists close but have a strong need to take the course, you may then consider submitting a ONCE KU Course Registration Application for further review.

Who do I contact if I have questions about waitlisting that are not addressed on this site?

Please email your questions to registrar@wku.edu.cn. Additionally, students may always contact the Office of the Registrar with questions at +86 577 55870163.

Note: The dates and time mentioned above could be subject to change.

• How to Add Yourself to the Waitlist