How to Get Into Full Classes at ASU: 7 Strategies That Work

That class you need for graduation? Full. The section with the good professor? Full. The time slot that works with your schedule? You guessed it. If you're an ASU student dealing with full classes, here are seven strategies that actually work to get you in.

1. Register at the Exact Minute Your Enrollment Window Opens

ASU assigns enrollment appointments based on credit hours. Seniors go first, freshmen last. Know your exact window time in MyASU. Set an alarm, preload your class cart, and register the second it opens.

Pro tip: Find section numbers ahead of time using the ASU class search. Have backup sections ready in case your first choice fills in the minutes before your appointment.

2. Build a Complete Backup Schedule

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. For every class you want, find 2-3 alternative sections. Different times, different professors, different campuses. If your Tuesday/Thursday CSE 240 is full, have the Monday/Wednesday/Friday section ready to go.

ASU Online sections can be a lifesaver too. They often have different capacity limits and can save you when in-person sections fill up.

3. Monitor Seats Automatically with a Class Tracker

Honestly? This is the most effective strategy for getting into a full class after registration day. Instead of refreshing MyASU every five minutes hoping to catch a dropped seat, use an automated tracker like PickMyClass to do it for you.

PickMyClass checks the ASU class search every 30 minutes and emails you the moment a seat opens. It's free, and over 2,400 Sun Devils are already using it. You don't have to be glued to your computer. Just go about your day and move fast when you get the notification.

4. Check During Add/Drop Week

The first week of classes is when class rosters change the most. Students are constantly swapping, dropping, and adjusting schedules. This creates a steady stream of openings in classes that were previously full.

If you can't find a seat during regular registration, don't panic. Set up automated seat tracking and be ready to act fast during add/drop week. A lot of students get their preferred classes during this time.

5. Talk to the Professor Directly

Professors sometimes have the ability to issue overrides, especially if you're a senior who needs the class to graduate. Show up on the first day even if you're not enrolled, introduce yourself, and explain your situation.

Be specific and real. “I need this class to graduate this semester and every section is full” is way more compelling than “I just really want this time slot.” Some professors keep their own unofficial waitlists for situations like this.

6. Contact Your Academic Advisor

Advisors can sometimes help with enrollment overrides, especially when a class is required for your major and you can't get into any section. Schedule an appointment and explain what's going on.

They have access to enrollment tools you don't, and they might know about upcoming section additions or capacity bumps before anyone else.

7. Look for Late-Added Sections

ASU departments sometimes add new sections after the initial schedule drops, especially for high-demand courses. These sections often appear quietly, and students who are actively monitoring the class search grab them first.

Keep checking the ASU class search throughout registration, or set up automated monitoring so you don't miss new sections as they appear.

Strategy Comparison: At a Glance

Here's how all seven strategies stack up on effort, timing, and success rate:

The sweet spot is combining low-effort, high-success strategies. Automated seat tracking plus having backup schedules ready gives you the best odds with the least stress.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from other people's failures. Here are the mistakes that cost students their preferred classes:

• Checking at wrong times. Don't expect seats to open at 2 AM on a Tuesday. Peak drop times are Sunday evenings and during the first week of classes.
• Relying on refresh spam. Manually refreshing MyASU every minute burns you out and you still miss brief openings. Use automated tracking instead.
• Not having backup classes ready. If your top choice fills, you need alternatives ready immediately. Don't waste time searching during your enrollment window.
• Giving up after registration day. The real action happens during add/drop week. Stay persistent.
• Ignoring prerequisites. Nothing worse than finding an open seat but being unable to register because of a hold or missing prereq. Check these before your appointment.

When Each Strategy Works Best

Timing matters. Here's when to use each strategy for the best results:

Real Talk

Getting into full ASU classes takes preparation and persistence. Register early, have backup plans, and use tools that actually give you an edge. Automated seat tracking removes the guesswork and means you don't have to obsessively check MyASU every five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions