Facts about the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR):
- Undergraduate students must demonstrate a proficiency in English composition.
- If you do not fulfill the requirement before starting classes at UC San Diego, you will not be able to enroll in university-level writing classes.
Submit a score or grade that meets the writing requirement:
Students may meet the requirement in any of the following ways, prior to enrollment at UC San Diego:- Score 30 or higher on the ACT, English Language Arts (ELA)
Note: ACT English cannot be used to fulfill ELWR. - Score 30 or higher on the ACT, Combined English/ Writing (last administered June 2015)
- Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (effective only for students who applied to UC in November 2017 and who enroll in fall 2018)
- Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Writing section of the Reasoning Test (last administered January 2016)
- Score 3 or higher on Advanced Placement Examination in English (Language or Literature)
- Score 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Higher Level English A1 exam)
- Score 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Language and Literature exam
- Score 6 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Standard Level English A1 exam)
- Score 6 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Language and Literature exam
Students may also meet the requirement by earning a grade of "C" or better in a UC-transferable English composition course from an accredited college or university, prior to enrollment at UC San Diego (see ASSIST for UC Transfer Admission Eligibility Courses/ UC-E English Composition).
If you can't submit a score before the exam date:
- Take the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam.
- If you fulfilled the writing requirement, but receive a notice to take the exam in the mail, disregard the letter.
If you don't pass the Analytical Writing Placement Exam:
About Analytical Writing classes:
- Students who do not pass the AWPE are instructed to enroll immediately in the AWP course in which they are placed (either AWP 1 or AWP 2A) during their first quarter at UC San Diego.
- Students placed in AWP 1 will have up to 3 consecutive quarters to complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement, whether they enroll or not.
- Students placed in AWP 2A:
- Will have up to 5 consecutive quarters to complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement, whether they enroll or not.
- Must successfully complete AWP 2A within the first 3 quarters.
- Are required to enroll in AWP 2B in the subsequent term.
- Each quarter in which a student does not enroll in AWP courses counts as a lost term of eligibility.
- Earning a grade of C or better in AWP 1 or AWP 2A-2B satisfies the Entry Level Writing Requirement.