Reserved seat registration is a process that holds back a number of seats in certain courses for new incoming freshmen and transfer students. The concept of holding back seats for select populations during fall registration is not new to UC Davis. Because new incoming freshmen and transfer students are the last to register, seats are reserved allowing them the opportunity to get into certain courses. This process provides improved transparency for all students who register during Pass One registration.

The reserved seat process is used only during the fall quarter Pass One registration period and not all classes utilize the reserved seat process. The determination of which classes will have reserved seats is made by the colleges in consultation with Budget & Institutional Analysis.

Reserved Seat & Schedule Builder

Under the Course Subject, Number, and Title in Schedule Builder, you will see Open/Reserved/Waitlist followed by a count of seats. The seat counts dynamically update as students register or drop their registration. For example, if a class displays “Open/Reserved/Waitlist: 40/15/0”, there are 40 open seats for returning or new incoming students and 15 reserved seats for new incoming freshmen and transfer students. The waitlist reflects '0' seats, as the waitlist is not available during Pass One. If the reserved seat class will have a waitlist, it will become available during Pass Two registration.

New Incoming Freshman & Transfer Students

For classes that do not have reserved seats, you may register if there is an open seat, and you meet the requirements for the course.

Returning Students

If open seats are not available during Pass One registration, you are not eligible to register for a reserved seat. However, any unused reserved seats will be converted to open seats and may be available to you when Pass Two registration begins.

Error Messages

In attempting to register for a class with reserved seats, you may encounter the error message "You are attempting to register for a course with reserved seating; however, you do not qualify for one of the available reserved seats." If you receive this error message, it means you do not qualify for a seat based on your College and/or Cohort. For example, some classes may be available for new transfer students only. If you are an entering freshman, then you would not qualify for that open reserved seat. Do note that unused reserved seats will become available for entering new students during Pass One Open Registration. Returning students may be eligible for unused reserved seats once their Pass Two registration period opens.