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Analytical Writing Program Analytical Writing Program
  1. AWP
  2. Placement

Writing Placement Process

If you have not met the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR), you must complete the Writing Placement Process (WPP) offered through the UC San Diego Analytical Writing Program before the beginning of your first quarter at UC San Diego.  

WPP Overview

The WPP consists of two parts:

Part 1: You will complete a writing background survey and read some materials about the UC San Diego writing programs. This part is untimed, and you can complete it at your own pace, but we recommend you allocate at least 90 minutes for it. You will have two weeks to complete it, and you must complete it 24 hours prior to your scheduled Part 2.

Part 2: You will be asked to provide writing samples within a 2.5-hour limit on the scheduled date and time. You can only move forward to Part 2 after you have completed Part 1.

Students may only complete the placement process once. 

WPP Registration

Students who have not fulfilled the ELWR will receive a notification from the UC San Diego Analytical Writing Program in May to register for the online WPP that will take place on June 6, 2023. 

Test Dates

The online WPP is typically offered in June and August.

If you do not have any qualifying test scores or composition courses to fulfill the ELWR, you must complete the WPP in June.

If you are waiting for other standardized test results to be released in summer, you must complete the WPP in August. 

If you are taking or plan to take a qualifying college composition course in a community college in summer, you do not need to sign up for the WPP. But if you do not pass the course with a C or better, you must complete the WPP. 

The earlier you complete the process, the earlier you will receive your writing placement result to enroll in AWP 3, AWP 4A, or your college writing course. 

Accommodation

Please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) as early as possible. The Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter must be received by the AWP office three business days prior to the scheduled exam. 

WPP Results

You can find your writing placement results on the AWP website before the fall quarter starts. 

You will be placed in College Writing, AWP 3, or AWP 4A. If you are placed in College Writing, you have fulfilled the ELWR. If you are placed in an AWP course, you must enroll in the course you are placed into (AWP 3 or AWP 4A) during your first quarter at UC San Diego. If a student’s placement result indicates a need for extended English language instruction, they will be placed in AWP 4A. Students who enroll in AWP 4A are required to enroll in AWP 4B in the subsequent quarter with the same instructor and cohort. Earning a grade of C or higher on AWP 3 or AWP 4B fulfills the ELWR. If you miss this enrollment, you will lose one of your quarters of eligibility. 

If you are placed in an AWP course but later receive a qualifying score or passed a qualifying course prior to your enrollment at UC San Diego, you can submit the official scores/college transcript meet the ELWR so you do not have to take the AWP course. Visit the ELWR page for detailed instructions.