(Our home page explains what DSP is and why UCSC uses it.)
I missed the DSP survey completion deadline. Can I still complete DSP? (And what if I missed the late survey deadline, too?)
Yes, you can still complete DSP into early September – see the key dates page. (If you missed the late deadline, you will be invited to take DSP at the end of fall quarter. You will receive an invitation via email.)
College is expensive. Shouldn’t I just place myself into the most advanced course so I have to take fewer writing courses?
We understand this temptation– college is expensive. However, you’re not helping yourself by placing yourself into a course you are not prepared for. Placing into a course you are not ready for may cause you to struggle and receive a low grade, to fail the course and have to retake it; and/or to struggle in future writing courses. (UCSC requires writing in all majors, known as the “disciplinary communication,” or DC, requirement). Be as honest as you can be with yourself and in the survey.
Do I need to complete the DSP process all in one sitting?
No. You can take as much time as you need to read these pages in Canvas and to complete the survey itself (which is linked on the “Survey” page to come). At any point in this process, you can take a break and come back to finish later if you need to. However, once you have completed the survey, you will not be able to go back and change your answers.
What is the most important part of this DSP process?
There are no right or wrong answers in this placement process. Instead, the most important part of this process is honesty. If you answer the questions honestly, you will be preparing yourself for success in your college career by identifying the course sequence and/or resources best suited to your individual needs and goals.
Which courses do most students who complete the DSP process place into?
The majority of domestic students will place into Writing 1, 1E, or Writing 2, while most international students who are acquiring English will place into Writing 25 or Writing 26. This is because most students benefit from more than one quarter (10 weeks) of college-level writing instruction. Check out the four pathways through the ALC.
What if I need disability accommodations to complete the DSP process?
If you need disability accommodations to complete the DSP survey, please reach out to the Writing Program at writingplacement@ucsc.edu and specify what accommodation you need to be successful. Your request will remain confidential. (Note that there is no time limit for the DSP process, so requests for extended time aren’t needed. Also, there are no “correct” answers– this is not an exam.) If you would prefer, you can work with UCSC’s Disability Resource Center (DRC), which will coordinate with the Writing Program to provide your accommodation.
I’m having trouble understanding the DSP process. Who should I contact?
If you need help, reach out via email to writingplacement@ucsc.edu. (Note that your placement via DSP or test scores is final.)
What happens with the reflective writing I submit during this placement process? Will this writing be assessed to determine my placement?
No, the writing you’ll do in the placement process– marked in the process as “reflections”– will be read by the Writing Program to see what you have to say, but it will not be “assessed” (for writing style, grammar, etc.). These reflections are required so that you really take the time to consider each step of the DSP process rather than rushing through it. Also, note that you should not expect feedback on any of the reflections you write in the DSP process. However, these short-answer responses will be saved and shown to you again with your course recommendation.
What if English is not my primary language?
Learning English is a long and challenging process, and there are course pathways designed specifically for multilingual students. These courses are taught by language specialists, and they offer helpful linguistic and cultural preparation related to writing at the university.
Still have questions?