CMSC Waitlist Info
The Department of Computer Science uses a centralized waiting list for classes that are at or very near capacity: http://waitlist.cs.uchicago.edu/. The information below does not reflect the practices used for MPCS waitlists.
If you have questions, please first read the information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. If you have remaining questions, contact the CS Waitlist administrators at cs-waitlist@lists.uchicago.edu. Please do not reach out to individual instructors. They will redirect you to the CS Waitlist. Please do not write to the CS Waitlist administrators to inquire about your standing on any given waitlist. We do not release information about waitlist standings as they are fluid and can change rapidly.
General Timelines
The undergraduate CMSC waitlists (1xx- or 2xx-level courses) will open at 9am on the first day of undergraduate add/drop. The graduate CMSC waitlists (3xx-level courses) open on a rolling basis after the opening of graduate add/drop. Please see this page for registration dates by quarter.
Enrollments of waitlisted courses are monitored on an ongoing basis, and we extend offers to students if and when space becomes available. Please note that the waitlists are processed via CS staff members. As such, the time to process (both extending offers and processing registrations of accepted offers) may take 1-2 business days.
For some courses, waitlists are maintained, and offers extended, through the first week of the quarter. In other courses, waitlists are maintained for a longer period. See the waitlist status page for details about waitlisted courses for the current quarter.
Prioritization
Multiple factors contribute to the prioritization process for any seats that become available.
For example, please note that we tend to give preference to more senior students and to students who need classes to stay on track for graduation (see the FAQ below for what we mean by “on track for graduation”).
We also randomize requests from students within any given cohort (for example, fourth-year students), so don’t worry if you don’t have time to put in your request right at 9am on the first day.
Submitting Requests
Be sure to provide all relevant information in your request. For example, if you need the course for a graduation requirement be sure to state that as well as what requirement you need it to fulfill.
The CS Waitlist site pulls information such as declared major/minor/year in program from your University record. If your planned major/minor information doesn’t match what’s officially recorded, you should be sure to note this in your request.
Similarly, if you’re planning on graduating early but haven’t finalized this you should note your intended graduation quarter.
Multiple Requests
You’re welcome to submit multiple requests. However, we ask that you cancel requests you’re no longer interested in due to course conflicts or receiving other offers from the waitlist.
You can use the priority indicators to provide a ranking if you are submitting multiple requests.
Discussion/Lab Swaps
When requesting a discussion or lab swap, you should check that your swap request is feasible.
To avoid any issues, you should check that the discussion/lab time you are requesting to switch into is associated with your indicated lecture time (whether you intend to stay in your current lecture or requested a lecture swap).
Lecture Swaps
When requesting a lecture swap and the course has a discussion/lab attached to it, be sure to provide availability for the discussion/lab time as well.
If the lectures don’t have a discussion/lab attached to it, your request will be processed based on seat availability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Pending Waitlist Request(s)
I’ve been on the waitlist for a while. When will I hear back?
Submitting a waitlist request, no matter when you submit, does not guarantee you a seat.
The CS waitlist strives to ensure that students are given seats equitably, based on need and seniority.
I've had a lab/discussion/lecture swap pending for a while. Why hasn't it been processed?
Discussion/Lab Swaps
When requesting a discussion or lab swap, you should check that your swap request is feasible.
To avoid any issues, you should check that the discussion/lab time you are requesting to switch into is associated with your indicated lecture time (whether you intend to stay in your current lecture or requested a lecture swap).
Lecture Swaps
When requesting a lecture swap and the course has a discussion/lab attached to it, be sure to provide availability for the discussion/lab time as well.
If the lectures don’t have a discussion/lab attached to it, your request will be processed based on seat availability.
If I get instructor consent, will I receive an offer from the waitlist?
Instructor consent for a waitlisted course does not guarantee you a seat in a course when that course’s enrollment is being processed from the CS waitlist.
Are waitlist requests considered on a first come, first served basis?
No. Waitlist requests are evaluated based on need. Please note, we tend to give preference to more senior students and to students who need classes to stay on track for graduation.
I'm enrolled in 2 CMSC courses. Will that impact my chances of getting an offer from the CS Waitlist?
If you already have two CMSC classes and are willing to drop one of them to get a waitlisted class, please note that in your waiting list request. Please note that typically we will only give a student a third course from the waiting list, if the student is a fourth year who is not on track to graduate and if the student has successfully completed two CS courses in a previous quarter.
You do not need to drop one of your CMSC courses prior to receiving an offer. You will have the opportunity to make changes to your enrollment after receiving an offer.
According to Course Search, there are open seats in a course I requested. Can I get a seat?
Note that Course Search does not reflect any pending waitlist offers that are out.
Course enrollment is monitored on an ongoing basis and offers will be sent out as seats open.
If we are able to offer you a seat, you will receive a formal offer via email.
I want to request a course that is cross-listed with both undergraduate and graduate sections. Which should I request?
Undergraduates should only submit requests for the undergraduate section. Similarly, graduate students should only submit requests for the graduate section. Conflicting requests will be removed (i.e., an undergrad requesting a graduate section). This only applies to courses that are cross-listed across undergrad/grad sections.
If you are an undergraduate and would like to enroll in the graduate section rather than the undergraduate section, you are welcome to write to CS Waitlist after receiving an offer to request the graduate section.
I see some courses are over-enrolled. Will all waitlisted courses be over-enrolled?
No. We over-enroll some courses when we are able. However, we are limited by room capacity, staff resources, as well as other factors.
I don't satisfy the course's prerequisites. Can I still get an offer from the Waitlist?
It is possible, but we do prioritize students who satisfy the prerequisites.
Offer Extended - I received an offer from the waitlist but…
I have a conflict I need to resolve. What should I do?
If you will be able to resolve the conflict, accept the offer.
If you aren’t able to resolve the conflict, you should decline the offer.
Note that simultaneous enrollment petitions are only approved when the conflict is with a scheduled evening midterm.
I have a conflict with the lecture/discussion/lab time, but am available for an alternate lecture/discussion/lab time. Should I accept?
No. The sections you were offered to you based on your reported availability. You should decline the offer and update your availability as soon as possible.
Feel free to write to the CS Waitlist to let us know you’ve updated your availability and you’re still interested in taking the course.
My offer timed out before I could accept it. Can you register me?
Once an offer times out that seat is extended to another student.
Your request will need to be reopened. Please write to CS Waitlist to start that process.
I have a hold on my account. Will you hold my seat?
We’ll hold your seat for a limited time if you accept your offer. If your offer times out, please see above.
Other
What does it mean to be "on track for graduation"?
Computer Science considers:
Second-year students to be on track for graduation, if they have completed at least 3 CMSC 1xx courses by the end of Spring Quarter,
Third-year students to be on track for graduation, if they have completed the introductory sequence (4 courses) and at least 4 CMSC 2xx courses for a total of 8 courses by the end of Spring Quarter.
Fourth-year students to be on track for graduation at the end of Autumn quarter, if they have completed the introductory sequence (4 courses) and at least 6 CMSC 2xx courses for a total of 10 courses.
Fourth-year students to be on track for graduation at the end of Winter quarter, if they have completed the introductory sequence (4 courses) and at least 8 CMSC 2xx courses for a total of 12 courses.