FAQs about your placement

Where do I find my placement?

The information about where you placed yourself via the DSP process or test scores  is in your student portal.

What if my scores (AP, etc.) come in after I’ve completed DSP? Will my placement recommendation be adjusted if I become ELWR satisfied after having completed the DSP survey?

If you become ELWR satisfied after completing the DSP survey and receiving your placement recommendation, your placement recommendation  will automatically be updated to Writing 2. Check your student portal for details.

Please note that the Writing Program has no control over when AP and other scores are submitted and recognized by the university, and it’s the student’s job to make sure they are properly submitted.

I completed the DSP survey on time, but I didn’t select my course before the deadline. Can I select it now?

No. If you missed the course selection deadline, you were automatically assigned to your recommended course. 

Why can’t I change my placement?

Your placement via DSP is final. This isn’t done to be inflexible – it’s because your placement is based on your reaction to authentic course materials from the Writing Program in the DSP process. Your reaction to those materials is more important and accurate than other sources of information (such as talking with friends about their placements or wanting to move quickly through college). Also, at most universities, students take at least two quarters or semesters of writing (and note that College 1 is not a writing course), and students frequently forge relationships with faculty in these courses that support them beyond their time at UCSC.

 

I’m ELWR-satisfied, so I have to go directly from College 1 to Writing 2. Why can’t I take Writing 1 if I feel I need it?

Decisions about who is ELWR-satisfied and what courses they can take is  made at the UC-system level, not by UCSC. For this reason, UCSC does not provide  opportunities for ELWR-satisfied students to take Writing 1. The Writing Program hopes this might change in the future, so all students can get the support they feel they need.

 

This is a right-pointing arrow that moves slowly right.Still have questions?