University Requirements
- Entry Level Writing Requirement
- American History & Institutions
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Jane Teranes Climate Change Education
UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)
The University of California requires all undergraduate students to demonstrate a minimum proficiency in English. This requirement must be met before enrolling in College Writing (Humanities).
For more information, please visit the Analytical Writing Program website.
For more information, please visit the Analytical Writing Program website.
How to Meet the Requirement
The Entry Level Writing Requirement can be met with:
- Score 3 or higher on AP English exam (Language or Literature)
- Score 3 or higher on AP Seminar (effective for the FA23 cohort and onward)
- Score 3 or higher on AP Research (effective for the FA23 cohort and onward)
- Score 5 or higher on IB Higher Level Exam in English (Language A only)
- Score 6 or higher on IB Standard Level Exam in English (Language A only)
- Approved transfer course in English Composition completed with a grade of C or higher prior to enrolling at UC San Diego
While UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions or awarding Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships, test scores can be used for course placement after you enroll. If you have a qualifying test score that satisfies the ELWR that you have not reported to UC, you can choose to do so by logging in to your UC application to self-report your scores and then arrange for the testing agency to send the official test scores to UC San Diego.
- Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
- Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Writing section of the Reasoning Test (last administered January 2016)
- Score 63 or higher on the ACT, English plus Reading (effective for students entering Fall 2021) Note: ACT English alone cannot be used to fulfill the ELWR.
- Score 30 or higher on the ACT, English Language Arts (ELA)
If You Do Not Meet the Requirement
You must complete the UC San Diego Writing Placement Process (WPP) in summer, before your first 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 and can enroll in HUM 1 in winter quarter.
- If you are placed in AWP 3 or AWP 4A, you must enroll in the course you are placed into. If you place into AWP 3, enroll in fall. If you place into AWP 4A, enroll in winter (not offered in fall).
- 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 satisfies the ELWR.
