Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

You can meet the requirement by achieving one of the following scores:

• 30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts; or
• 30 or better on the ACT, Combined English/Writing (last administered June 2015); or
• 680 or better on the College Board SAT Reasoning Test, Writing (last administration January 2016); or
• 3 or above on either Advanced Placement Examination in English; or
• 5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Higher Level English A1 exam); or
• 6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Standard Level English A1 exam); or
• 5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Language and Literature exam; or
• 6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Language and Literature exam

The requirement can also be met by earning a grade of "C" or higher in a UC-transferable English composition course from an accredited college or university, prior to enrollment at UCSD (see www.assist.org for UC-transferable English courses).

Students placed in ELWR 1 will have up to three consecutive quarters to complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement. If a student’s AWPE test indicates a need for more English language support, they will be placed in ELWR 2A, the first of a two-quarter course designed to offer students more time to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. Students who enroll in ELWR 2A are required to enroll in ELWR 2B in the subsequent quarter. Students who complete ELWR 2A and ELWR 2B and who do not produce a passing portfolio will be instructed to enroll immediately in ELWR 1. These students will have up to three more consecutive quarters to pass ELWR 1. Successful completion of ELWR 2B or ELWR 1 will satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

The Entry Level Writing Requirement must be satisfied during a student’s first three quarters in which they are enrolled. Exception: Students placed in ELWR 2A/2B may have up to three consecutive quarters of ELWR 1 after they take ELWR 2A and ELWR 2B in which to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement; either way, students must fulfill the ELWR in five quarters.

For further information about the Analytical Writing Program, please contact Grace Aspiras at gaspiras@ucsd.edu or you may visit the Analytical Writing Program office, 227 Literature Building. Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

To enroll in the course, log on to TritonLink and add a class. You will find ELWR courses listed under the MyTritonLink Schedule of Classes.

The Analytical Writing Program will make every effort to accommodate students when they first enroll at UCSD. However, in those instances where the number of students exceeds the available number of seats, it will be necessary to defer enrollment for some students. Students who cannot enroll due to sections being full must contact the AWP program coordinator, who will attempt to help them find an available seat. If there are available seats in our courses, students must sign up or forfeit a quarter of eligibility. If no seats are available, the program will defer enrollment for these students. The program coordinator will record the names of deferred students and share that list with the college advisors. Students whose enrollment has been deferred will not lose a quarter of eligibility.

If all ELWR sections are full, you must see Grace Aspiras in Literature Building 227.  She will confirm that there are no available seats, and forward your name to your college.  If you fail to enroll and do not confirm with Grace Aspiras that all sections are full, you will have wasted one quarter of your eligibility in which to fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

You must then enroll in ELWR in winter quarter.  If you are unable to find an open section, see Grace Aspiras immediately.

Under current Academic Senate regulations, the Analyical Writing courses cannot be counted towards the graduation requirements. The course units do count as workload credit towards the minimum progress requirement and eligibility for financial assistance.