How to I improve my likelihood to get into a course that I want?

For the Fall semester, I would like to take AIES or NLP (or possibly ICS). I only have 4 credits to my name, so my time ticket is at the end of phase I (Jun 21). I know that these courses fill up quickly. Is there a way to increase my chances to get into one of these? How many courses can I waitlist, hoping that one spot will fill up?

Thank you