PTA Policy

PTA Policy and Process 

Requests for PTAs will only be considered after the Pass 2 registration period ends.  The Pass 2 end date can be found on the Registration Calendar.

For Undergraduate Courses WITH Waitlists

  • Reasons Why PTAs CAN Be Issued
  • A PTA will only be issued to a student if ALL of the following requirements have been met: 

    -The course is a core MAJOR requirement. 
    -The student is a graduating senior and has no other options to take the course.* 
    -The student was registered/waitlisted for the course by the first day of instruction.
    -The student meets the course prerequisite requirements. 
    -The course can accommodate additional students. 
     
    *Note: For undergraduate students the department cannot consider graduating early as a reason for issuing PTA numbers. The department only issues PTA numbers if the typical four year timeline is in jeopardy.
  • Reasons Why PTAs CANNOT Be Issued
  • A PTA cannot be issued to a student for the following reasons:

    -Classes dropped due to non-payment of fees.
    -Classes dropped accidentally.
    -Circumventing course registration restrictions (e.g. Pass 1 registration restricted to STA majors).
    -Time conflicts with other classes (unless the course does not have a waitlist and they receive permission from both instructors).
    -Missing Pass 1 or Pass 2 registration.
    -The class is listed on their academic plan for the current quarter. 
    -Completing a Statistics Minor (even if you are a graduating senior).
    -Completing a Major Requirement (if they have other opportunities to take the course and it does not delay their graduation beyond the usual graduation timeline).
    -To graduate early.
    -To repeat a course in which the student has received a passing grade (D- or higher).
    -Completing STA classes for other university requirements (e.g. General Education, Natural Science and Math Requirement).
    -This course is recommended for a job, internship, research position, or admission to a graduate program.
    -To maintain full time status.
    -To meet the minimum progress requirement.
  • PTA Request Process

  • The Department of Statistics cannot guarantee you a seat in the class if you are on the waitlist, so please find a backup plan as soon as possible.  Whenever possible our department tries to expand the capacity of the class, but we are sometimes limited by classroom space and TA and instructor resources. Your instructor will keep you informed about any developments related to enrollment, but please have a backup plan. Requests for PTA numbers cannot be approved by the instructor if the course has a waitlist. Please do not request a PTA number from your instructor if the course has a waitlist.  

    Statistics and Data Science Undergraduate Majors

    Step 1: Review your remaining major requirements and the Statistics course schedule to confirm if you can take the course some other time or if you can enroll in a different course to fulfill your requirement. Please consult with your major advisor as needed.  
    Step 2: Submit the PTA Request Form.  

    Other Undergraduate Majors or Graduate Students

    Step 1: Consult with your major advisor about your options for completing your major requirements.  
    Step 2: Ask your major advisor to provide you with an email or letter of support that confirms that you need the course and you have no other options to take it. 
    Step 3:  Submit the PTA Request Form. You will be prompted to submit the letter of support/email from your major advisor.  Submissions that do not include a support letter/email will not be considered.  

    PTA Request Form


    What Happens Next?

    Step 1: Staff in the Department of Statistics will review your request and issue a tentative decision regarding your eligibility. You will be notified via email. PLEASE NOTE: Decisions may take some time to be issued as the department may be looking into alternative options for managing the waitlist (increasing the size of the class to let all waitlisted students in, etc.). 
    Step 2: If the course can accommodate additional students, you will be emailed a PTA number after the 10th day of instruction.  
    Step 3: You must use the PTA number within 72 hours of issuance or it will expire.  Please also note that the Registrar's Office charges students a $3 fee to your account for using a PTA.  

For Undergraduate Courses WITHOUT Waitlists

  • PTA Request Process
  • PTAs may be needed for a variety of reasons even if a course does not have a waitlist. Students request PTA numbers from their instructors for courses without waitlists.  Requests may only be made AFTER PASS 2 Registration has ended. 

    Step 1: Consult with the instructor to determine if you are able to receive a PTA. 
    Step 2: Request written confirmation from your instructor via email. 
    Step 3: Forward the email confirmation to stat-advising@ucdavis.edu.  
    Step 4: You will be emailed a PTA number by staff in the Department of Statistics. 
    Step 5: You must use the PTA number within 72 hours of issuance or it will expire.  Please also note that the Registrar's Office charges students a $3 fee to your account for using a PTA.  

For Graduate Courses

  • PTA Request Process
  • Step 1: Consult with the instructor to determine if you are able to receive a PTA. 
    Step 2: Request written confirmation from your instructor via email. 
    Step 3: Forward the email confirmation to stat-grad-staff@ucdavis.edu.  
    Step 4: You will be emailed a PTA number by staff in the Department of Statistics. If the course has a waitlist, PTAs are typically issued after the 10th day of instruction.* 
    Step 5: You must use the PTA number within 72 hours of issuance or it will expire.  Please also note that the Registrar's Office charges students a $3 fee to your account for using a PTA.  

    *Note: There may be circumstances where a PTA number may not be able to be issued even with instructor approval (e.g. classroom capacity, etc.).