Q: What is a HOLD FILE?
A: HOLDFILES are a “Waitlist for Waitlists.” Holdfiles "protect" classes for incoming students. To be sure new students have something left to choose from, the University does not "release" at the same time all the seats it has available in popular classes.
· Over the weekend, “holdfiles” will be “dumped” into all remaining openings and a single “Waitlist” is generated.
· Usually, students placed high on Waitlists get the classes they want, provided the "ratio" of seats available to waitlist is good. In other words, a HIST 200 class with 150 students and #15 on the HOLDFILE is a better bet than an Art Studio class of 25 that has 37 on the HOLDFILE. Already, students are returning from Break and moving their schedules around. As soon as they drop a class, the next person on the Waitlist gets in – so you might even get your desired schedule before classes begin!
NOTE: Virtually everyone who wants one, will get a MATH class. The Math department has a sophisticated enrollment management system – do not be discouraged by closed courses! Add yourself to the needed Waitlists, and go to class!
Q: How do I add myself to a Waitlist?
If you try to register for a class, and the computer says “NO OPEN SECTIONS” – here’s what you need to do.
- Find a specific closed section that fits with the rest of your schedule and try to add that specific section.
- The computer will say “No open sections. Add to Waitlist? (or holdfile)?”
- Say “yes.”
- Then the computer will show you all the sections of your desired course… and there will be a little asterisk * next to the sections that conflict with some part of the rest of your schedule.
- Select each class you want to Waitlist. You can then add yourself for up to 6 sections of a particular course.
- Once you have checked the various Waitlists, hit “Return sections” at the bottom of the page. This is an odd way of saying: “put me on the Waitlist for the sections I’ve indicated.” Or maybe it means “Return me to the previous schedule with these courses Waitlisted.” Who knows?! But it works.
Beware: Only add yourself to sections you would take, if you got them. If you decide not to take the one offered when it comes, it’ll drop you from all 6 and you have to start all over again!
RELATED QUESTION: Can I be on the Waitlist AND in a (less-desirable) section of the same course??
- No, you can only be on one or the other; sorry :+(
Q: HOW DO I TAKE MYSELF OFF A WAITLIST?
Go to Waitlist Check-in to DROP the sections/classes you no longer want. http://www.testudo.umd.
- There are probably several students who will be your friend for life because they can now move up the list.
- On their behalf: thank you :+)
Q: Okay, I’M ON A WAILIST, WAITING. Now what do I do?
-- Usually, there will be much movement on the Waitlist the days before classes begin. Sometimes, you'll go directly from the Waitlist into the class! If so, you will see “AW” on your “Unofficial Transcript.”
-- Check TESTUDO here: http://www.testudo.umd.
-- Waitlists are updated only once daily. Even if 400 people drop a class at 10AM, you will not see the update on Waitlists until 7:30 AM the next day. You can access Waitlist Check-in 7:30 AM-11PM daily, except Sunday, when hours are limited to 5:30 PM-11PM
-- If you are high on the Waitlist (#1 or #2 for a small class, or #3 or #4 for a large class) GO TO YOUR DESIRED CLASS FROM THE BEGINNING. Instructors spend a lot of time with the course syllabus (your class expectations, requirements, assignments, deadlines, etc.) on the first day of classes. You do NOT want to miss that class!
REMINDER: When "confirming" classes off the Waitlist, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY.
-- The computer will ask you twice if you want the course: "You got the course. Click here if you want it." Then: "To CONFIRM this course, click here."
-- After "confirming" your class off the Waitlist, print a copy of your "Student Schedule" to be sure you have done what you intended to do. If it doesn't match up – go back in to make adjustments.
Patience is usually rewarded. However, if you have not received a class by the end of the first week of classes, it's best to go with a back-up choice. Beginning a new class after missing 2-3 lectures is usually not advisable.
Q: I’M ON ACADEMIC PROBATION – HOW DOES THAT AFFECT ME?
-- If you are Waitlisting one or more classes, please e-mail me ASAP with your name, UID, and the course(s) you are waiting for. When students are on Probation, each ADD and DROP must be approved on a course-by-course basis. If you e-mail me in advance, I can put the approvals into the computer ahead of time.
REMINDER TO EVERYONE:
-- If you are close to the top of a Waitlist – ATTEND YOUR FIRST WEEK’S CLASSES. The first day of class is often the most important one – That’s when professors spend extra time talking about the syllabus, the course content, his/her expectations, and all the “WAYS TO A’s” in his/her class. You do not want to miss this class!