How to Request a Seat from the Waitlist

Each school and department may offer a slightly different process to assist you in registering for a course from the waitlist. Please see below for more information.

School/DepartmentProcessTiming for Review of RequestsNotes
AnthropologyFor Anthropology courses, besides putting yourself on the waitlist if you fail to get a seat during open registration, students whose degree progress is seriously impeded by the failure to add a course should email the instructor of that course with a detailed explanation of their need.
BiologyAll students requesting a seat in a particular BIOL class must add themselves to the waitlist for that course prior to submitting this survey.The department will check the waitlists twice weekly until the last day of classes, and then every other Monday through the summer.We will consider all requests, but must prioritize requests from: (1) students in their final semester, (2) students who are not already registered for a course, and (3) students with schedule conflicts with another required course.

For labs, the maximum size is determined by safety considerations and generally cannot increase.
Chemistry and BiochemistryIf you are seeking to register for a CHEM lecture or lab that is currently full, add yourself to the waitlist
and complete the Registration Request form.
The Department will assess needs based on the waitlist pool on April 30, 2026. (Additional adjustments to the needs-based list will not occur until August 2026.)
Seats will be released on May 6, 2026. Seats will be continue to be released as they become available throughout the summer months, based on the May waitlist. The Department will reassess the waitlist pool on August 17, 2026. Seats will be released as they become available throughout the end of add-drop.
CommunicationCommunication majors or minors who are unable to secure a seat in COMN 100 during their registration period must add their name to the waitlist to secure a seat in the course. Students hoping to take COMN 100 as a social science or elective may also add their name to the waitlist. If a seat becomes available, the person listed first on the waitlist will be notified through their student email.

All students may add their names to the waitlist for other courses. Likewise, if a seat becomes available, the person listed first on the waitlist will be notified through their student email.
EnglishFor English and Creative Writing courses, students whose degree progress is seriously impeded by the failure to add a course should email the instructor of that course with a detailed explanation of their need.
Geography and Sustainability StudiesStudents who are unable to secure a seat in a Geography or Sustainability Studies course (GEOG and SUST prefixes) during advance registration should try during open registration.  If unable to secure a seat during open registration, join the waitlist for the course(s).Open registration continues through Add/Drop, so continue to check for available seats.Please direct any inquiries about the waitlist or course seating to the course instructor(s). 
Geological, Environmental, and Planetary SciencesAll students who place themselves on the waitlist for a GSCI course must complete this form.The Department Chair will review waitlist requests every other Monday (beginning April 27), in consultation with the individual instructor for the specific section of the course.Requests will be prioritized by student graduation date, course plans that have been impacted by study abroad, and/or the availability of courses offered by other departments.
Global Languages and Cultures
HistoryFor History courses, students whose degree progress is seriously impeded by the failure to add a course should add themselves to the waitlist and email the instructor of that course with a detailed explanation of their need.
MathematicsStudents who want to enroll in a closed course should join the waitlist for that course, and also notify the Math department by filling out this form.
Performing ArtsPerforming Arts majors unable to enroll in a course required for their degree because the section is full should contact the instructor for permission to register.
PhilosophyAll students who place themselves on the waitlist for a PHIL course must complete this form.The Department Chair will review waitlist requests every other Monday (beginning April 27), in consultation with the individual instructor for the specific section of the course. Philosophy faculty teach courses under other prefixes (e.g., WGST, WRTG). For questions about the management of waitlists for those courses, students should contact the coordinators of the programs associated with those courses.
Physics and AstronomyAll students who place themselves on the waitlist for a PHYS/ASTR course must complete this form.The Department Chair will review waitlist requests every other Monday (beginning April 27), in consultation with the individual instructor for the specific section of the course.Requests will be prioritized by student graduation date, course plans that have been impacted by study abroad, and/or the availability of courses offered by other departments.
Political Science and International RelationsAll students who place themselves on the waitlist for a PLSC course must complete this form.The Department Chair will review waitlist requests every other Monday (beginning April 27), in consultation with the individual instructor for the specific section of the course.Requests will be prioritized by student graduation date, course plans that have been impacted by study abroad, and/or the availability of courses offered by other departments.
Psychology and NeuroscienceAll students requesting a seat in a particular PSYC/NEUR class must add themselves to the waitlist for that course prior to submitting this form. The department will assess needs based on the waitlist pool weekly for the first two weeks of open registration, releasing additional seats on or before April 30, 2026. Additional adjustments to the needs-based list will not re-occur until August 2026.

The standard waitlist procedures will remain in place throughout the summer, and seats will continue to be released as they become available throughout the summer months. 

A final needs-based assessment will be conducted in August; seats will be released as they come available throughout the end of add-drop.
We will consider all requests, but must prioritize requests from: (1) students in their final semester, (2) students who are not already registered for a course, and (3) students with schedule conflicts with another required course.
School of BusinessAll students who place themselves on the waitlist for a School of Business course must complete this formSchool of Business administration will review the waitlist requests every Thursday. Please email sbusadvising@geneseo.edu if you have any questions. 
School of Education
SociologyStudents unable to secure a seat during open registration should add themselves to the waitlist for the course.
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