English Placement FAQs

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How do I access the English Placement?

You can access the English Placement via your application portal here: 

https://apply.wit.edu/register/EnglishPlacement

  • What is English Placement?

    The English placement is a way for the school to assess your readiness for introductory college courses, specifically with your writing skills. To complete the English placement process, you must complete a survey and submit a writing sample. This survey will help determine which writing sequence is best for you.

  • What’s on the Writing Placement Survey?

    The Writing Placement Survey consists of two main parts. The first part will ask you to provide a writing sample by writing a short academic essay in response to a brief reading.

    The second part will ask you to respond to several survey questions that guide you to reflect upon your experience with academic writing. You will also be asked to review the course descriptions to consider which first course you feel best meets your needs.

    Your writing sample submission and survey responses will then be reviewed by a team of faculty to determine your placement for your first writing course.

  • Is the English Placement timed?

    While this survey is not timed, please budget approximately 90 minutes to complete this survey.

  • Who needs to take writing placement?

    Not everyone needs to take the writing placement.

    However, if you are a newly admitted student with SAT scores in both Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing lower than 530, then you are required to take the writing placement. 

    Similarly, if you have an ACT English/Writing score lower than 20, you are also required to take the writing placement.

    In addition, if we do not have a reported test score from you, you are required to take the writing placement.

     

  • Why do I need to take it?

    This placement will help determine which writing sequence is best for you.

    It’s important to remember that the Writing Placement Survey is not a test and you won’t pass or fail it.

  • How is the Writing Placement Survey used to determine my placement?

    Your writing sample and survey responses will be reviewed by a team of faculty to determine your placement for your first writing course.

  • What are the Writing Sequences?

    The English sequences are a series of writing courses that start in your first year. Students must successfully complete an English sequence in order to enroll in humanities and social science electives. All courses in the English sequence are credit-bearing and count toward your total graduation credits.

    There are four possible writing sequences.

    Sequence 1 begins directly with English I or ENGL 1100 which prepares students for academic writing and research by focusing on critical reading and analysis, critical thinking, information literacy, and writing from sources. Students in this course are expected to have strong critical thinking skills, have control of grammar and vocabulary, and have confidence in researched essay writing, persuasive writing, and the writing process.

    Sequence 1: ENGL 1100 à ENGL 2200

    Sequence 2 begins with English 0900, or English Language Skills, and this sequence is designed to strengthen students’ readiness for college-level study before jumping into English I.  Students who take ENGL 0900 typically need more focus on critical reading, analysis skills, and developing strong written arguments.

    Sequence 2: ENGL 0900 à ENGL 1100 à ENGL 2200

    Sequences 3 and 4 are sequences for multilingual and / or ESL students and support students in their development of English language and writing skills. Students in these courses can also read, write, speak, and/or understand another language.

    Sequence 3: ENGL 0800 à ENGL 1100 à ENGL 2200

    Sequence 4*: ENGL 0700 à ENGL 0800 à ENGL 1100

    *Students who are placed into Sequence 4 are not required to take ENGL 2200.

     

  • When do I need to complete the writing placement?

    The deadline to submit your writing placement survey is May 21. For those who are required to complete this survey, you will not be able to register for your English course until you have completed your submission.

  • What about my AP scores?

    If you score a 3 or higher on the English Language and Composition or the English Literature and Comp AP Exam, you do not have to complete the writing placement survey.

    However, AP scores are usually not available to the Registrar’s office until July (especially if you just took them). If you get an email requesting that you complete the writing placement survey, please complete the survey regardless of whether you are awaiting AP test results.

  • Who can I contact with questions?

    If you have any questions, please Dr. Racelis at racelisj@wit.edu.