Program and Class Waitlists
Program Waitlist
A program waitlist forms when more students want to enter a program than there are available seats. High-Demand Programs use waitlists to ensure that students can take all required courses in the correct sequence once they begin.
- Students on a program waitlist are waiting for an opening in the program itself.
- Entry into the program depends on space becoming available in all required core courses, not just one class.
- The completion date of your application and your residency status will determine your priority on these lists.
What is the watilist length for my program?
Wait times vary based on program demand and available space. You will become eligible for the waitlist once you complete all admission requirements and are academically prepared for core coursework.
Tentative start dates for core classes are released each December for the next available summer/fall cohort and each July for Spring admits (according to when your program accepts students for each cohort). Be aware that wait times may extend for multiple semesters or even several years.
View the list to see the estimated wait time. If a program is currently on a wait, it is highly recommended to start general education courses right away (when available).
Program Name | Estimated Wait |
1 year | |
2 years | |
2 years | |
1-2 years | |
1-2 years | |
1 year | |
Medical Assistant - Technical Diploma Full-Time | 0 years |
Medical Assistant - Technical Diploma Part-Time Day | 0 years |
Medical Assistant to Practical Nursing Bridge - Technical Diploma* | 1 year |
1-2 years | |
Nursing - Associate Degree Full-Time* | 0 - 6 Months |
Nursing - Associate Degree Part-Time* | 0 - 6 Months |
Nursing - Associate Degree Shawano* | 0 years |
0 years | |
0-1 years | |
0 years | |
Practical Nursing - Technical Diploma Full-Time* | 0 years |
Practical Nursing - Technical Diploma Part-Time* | 0 years |
0 years | |
Practical Nursing to Nursing Bridge - Associate Degree Part-Time Weekend* | 0 - 6 Months |
Practical Nursing to Nursing Bridge - Associate Degree Part-Time Day* | 0 - 6 Months |
1-2 years | |
1 year | |
1 year | |
1 year | |
0 years |
What does "Pre-Program" mean?
Pre‑Program means you’ve completed all admissions steps, but you still need to finish your academic preparedness requirements.
Academic preparedness criteria are the courses, test scores, or skills you need to show you’re ready for the program’s core classes.
Once you meet these requirements, you’ll receive a priority registration appointment.
You can view your requirements by logging in to your www.nwtc.edu/mynwtc and viewing your Academic Progress Report.
How does the waitlist work?
Once you are Core Ready, you will be placed on a waitlist based on your application date and residency status (in-district residents get priority up to a certain date within the year).
You will be notified when a spot opens and must respond within 14 days to secure your spot.
Once accepted into your program, you have the option to defer your start to a later term, if necessary.
When can I start classes?
You can start general education courses right away! In fact, we often recommend completing the general education courses while waiting, this allows you to focus on the core courses once you are off the waitlist.
How many programs can I apply to?
For the most efficient progress toward your academic goals, we encourage students to apply to a single pathway. If you are considering applying to multiple programs or certificates, we recommend consulting with an advisor to explore your options and plan accordingly.
Can I change my program?
Yes, you can change your program, but you must apply to the new program and meet its specific admission requirements. No priority is given for previous program acceptance.
When am I eligible to be placed on a program waitlist?
After you apply to the program, an admissions checklist (may include courses, testing, immunizations, ect.) is generated. Once everything on your admissions checklist is complete, you will log in to your My.NWTC and accept your position on the waitlist.
How is Residency Determined?
According to Wisconsin TCS 10.04, for admission priority purposes, any resident of the state who has maintained a permanent residence within the district before applying at a district school is a district resident. To determine if an applicant is an in-district resident, visit https://www.wtcsystem.edu/detailed-college-map/.
How does Residency impact Admissions to Programs with Waitlists?
Using State of Wisconsin regulations and Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) guidance, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) admits students in the sequence below. Within each group, the date you complete all application requirements determines when you are admitted.
- NWTC District Residents
- Non-District State and Michigan or Minnesota Reciprocity Residents
- Out-of-State Residents
NWTC District Residents
If you reside within the NWTC district, you will have first priority for program admission, provided your application is submitted by the following deadlines:
- January 1 for the following fall semester
- May 1 for the following spring semester
- October 1 for the following summer semester
If you are an NWTC District resident and apply after these priority dates, you will be included in the next group (Non‑District State and Minnesota Reciprocity Residents). You can view WTCS’s district map to confirm whether you live within the NWTC district: https://www.wtcsystem.edu/detailed-college-map/
Non‑District State and Minnesota Reciprocity Residents
If you reside elsewhere in Wisconsin outside the NWTC District, or you reside in Michigan or Minnesota, you will receive the same priority as NWTC District residents who apply after the priority deadlines listed above.
Out‑of‑State Residents
If you reside outside of Wisconsin, you may be admitted after district and in‑state residents if program space remains. Acceptance for out‑of‑state residents is placed on hold until one month before the semester begins to determine if seats are available. Out‑of‑state residents are not eligible for admission to any program that has a waiting list.
Where am I on the Waitlist?
Once you finish all admissions steps and academic preparedness requirements, you’ll be placed on your program’s waitlist based on your application date and residency status.
You’ll be notified when a spot opens, and you’ll have 14 days to accept your seat. After accepting, you may choose to defer to a later term if needed.
Wait times vary depending on program demand and available space. Core class start dates are announced each December (for summer/fall starts) and each July (for spring starts).
To check your status or estimated start date, contact us.
What should I do if the program I am interested in has a waitlist?
Apply early and complete all admissions and academic prepardness courses.
Class Waitlist
A class waitlist applies only to a single course.
- If a class is full, a student can choose to be placed on that class’s waitlist.
- When a student is added to the class waitlist, they receive the next available position number.
- If a seat opens, students are contacted in waitlist order to enroll.
The following questions pertain only to Class Waitlists.
How do students move up on a class waitlist?
When a student requests to be placed on a waitlist they are given the next available waitlist position. As currently enrolled students drop the class, eligible waitlisted students are moved up into the class when the waitlist process runs. The remaining students then fill in the wait list spots the previous waitlist students had.
Can a student waitlist a class if he/she has not met the prerequisites?
Yes, but the student will not be eligible to enroll in the class if the requisite is not met. The student will remain on the waitlist but bypassed when there is an opening in the class.
Can a student waitlist a class if there are co-requisites?
No, students cannot waitlist classes that have co-requisites.
Can a student waitlist more than one section of the same class?
Yes, a student can waitlist multiple sections of the same class as long as they are not already enrolled in a section of the class. Students will be added to the first available open section and will then be removed from any additional waitlists for the class.
Can a student waitlist a class he/she is already enrolled in?
No, if a student is already enrolled in a class they are not able to go on the waitlist for a different section of the class.
Why does a student have to waitlist a class that appears to have an open seat?
The waitlist process is scheduled to run multiple times throughout the day. If a seat opens in a class, the class will remain closed until after the waitlist process has completed. If there are no students on the waitlist, the class will reopen after the process has completed. If there are students on the waitlist, the next eligible student on the list will be enrolled in the class and the class will remain closed.
When will the waitlist stop running?
The waitlist process will no longer run 2 days prior to the start date of the class. Students will not be allowed to add themselves to the waitlist at this point. It will be the student's responsibility to monitor available openings in the class when the 2 day window has been reached.
How does a student know when they have been moved from the waitlist to enrolled in the class?
The waitlist process will automatically send an email to the student's NWTC campus email. Students will not be allowed to add themselves to a waitlist unless they have an email account.
Do students automatically move from the waitlist into a class if the class capacity is increased?
Yes, students will automatically move into the open seats the next time the waitlist process runs.
If my department opens a new section of a class that has long waitlists, will students on waitlist of other sections be notified?
No, it is up to the divisions to notify students when new sections become available.
What happens to the waitlist if the class is canceled?
The students who are enrolled in the class as well as students on the waitlist are dropped. It is the division's responsibility to notify all students of class cancellations.
If a prerequisite is required to take my class and the student is currently enrolled in the prerequisite, can the student waitlist my class?
Yes, the system will allow a student to waitlist a class with a prerequisite as long as the student is currently enrolled in the prerequisite.
For additional questions, please contact Enrollment Services at 920-498-5444.