PTA Policy

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.  If expansion is not possible, your only way to get off of the waitlist is if enrolled students drop the course. Please do not request a PTA number from your instructor if the course has a waitlist.  Requests for PTA numbers cannot be approved by the instructor if the course has a waitlist. PTA numbers are rarely issued for courses with waitlists and only for extenuating circumstances related to graduation. 

Students who request PTA numbers from the department may only do so if they are eligible for a PTA number based off of the PTA Policy stipulations below.  PTA requests for courses with a waitlist can be emailed to stat-advising@ucdavis.edu. Please note that students who attempt to mislead their instructors and/or department staff about their situation in attempts to justify the need for a PTA, will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs.

PTA POLICY

• For Courses WITH WAITLISTS: PTA numbers will only be issued if students can provide documentation of an extenuating circumstance related to graduation.   
  • The only appropriate documentation is an e-mail from the student's major advisor confirming that the student has no other options.
  • Even if documentation is provided, the department may still deny the PTA request if the course cannot accommodate additional students. 
  • PTA requests will also be denied if you were not registered/waitlisted in the class by the first day of instruction. 
  • PTA numbers will only be issued to you after the 12th day of instruction (when the waitlist ends).  
  • Requests for PTA numbers cannot be approved by the instructor if the course has a waitlist. PTA numbers are granted by the department directly by emailing stat-advising@ucdavis.edu with your documentation.  
• For Courses WITHOUT WAITLISTS: Students can request PTA numbers from their instructors for courses without waitlists.  PTA requests may only be made AFTER PASS 2 Registration has ended. Note: Although instructor approval is required, PTA numbers are issued by the department. Please email stat-advising@ucdavis.edu to receive your PTA.  

• Below are NOT acceptable reasons to issue a PTA number: 

  • 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 

  • Completing a Statistics Major (if they have other opportunities to take the course and it does not delay their graduation beyond the usual graduation timeline) 

  • 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