No- basically at the end of the competition, teams are asked to fill out a survey about what they liked/disliked about the competition etc. If they fill it out before a certain time, they are automatically pre-registered for the next year... which means Battlecry staff will hold their spot for a certain amount of time and if they register within that time, they will get the spot... otherwise, it'll go to someone on the waiting list.
Most teams from the previous year fill it out.. i know we made sure we did! There are some spots open every year.. if you get online to register right away on May 1st. Team contacts received an email if they are preregistered for the event.. so check with them if you are unsure.
www.wpi.edu/+battlecry <-- more info there soon!