The reserved seat process holds back a number of seats 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 and has been used in previous years. 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.

Reserved Seat & Schedule Builder

In Schedule Builder, under the Course Subject, Number, and Title, 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”, this means that there are 40 open seats for returning or new incoming students and 15 reserved seats for new incoming freshmen and transfer students. If the waitlist reflects '0' seats, the waitlist is not available during Pass One. If the reserved seat course will have a waitlist it will become available during Pass Two registration.

New Incoming Freshman & Transfer Students

Not all classes have reserved seats. If there is an open seat, and you meet the requirements for the course, you may register.

Returning Students

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

Error Messages

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 the error message above, you may attempt to register for another section or course.  Or if any reserved seats remain available after Pass One registration, they will be converted to open seats for Pass Two registration.

Registration error message

The error message indicates that you do not qualify to register for a course. Some course sections are only available to certain students.  For more information about registration restrictions, visit the Enrollment Restrictions webpage. You may be able to register for the course during Pass Two when many restrictions are removed and no longer enforced.