FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why is it important to satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement before arriving on campus in the fall?

A: By doing so, students can begin their first quarter enrolled in the required English Composition sequence (ENGL 001ABC), thus taking a step toward finishing their undergraduate degrees within four years. There are a variety of ways to satisfy the ELWR before beginning in the fall, several of which are summer opportunities.

Q: Why is it important to take the UC placement examination (AWPE) in May?

A: Testing early gives students placement information in ample time for them to exercise the option of enrolling in summer school if their results are unsatisfactory. It also helps ensure that all students will be able to register for their fall quarter courses when they come to UCR during the summer Bear Facts Orientation.

Q: If I do not pass the AWPE, what can I do to satisfy the requirement during the summer, before I become a full-time student at UCR?

A: There are three sessions of summer school on the UCR campus. If you did not pass the May AWPE, you can enroll in an ELWR course during Summer Session I or Summer Session II of summer school. Session II is deliberately scheduled after most of the Bear Facts Orientation sessions to accommodate students who decide, as a result of their Orientation experience, to satisfy the writing requirement during the summer. Session III of summer school offers a three-week intensive writing course for those who received an ENGL 005 placement.

Q: How do I register for UCR’s summer Bear Facts Orientation?

A: Register online at www.orientation.ucr.edu.

Q: How do I find the summer school schedules for preparatory writing courses available at community colleges and the CSU campuses?

A: Go to the home page of each of your local community college and/or CSU campuses and follow the prompts to the summer schedule. Look for courses in basic writing or preparatory writing. Remember that on this pathway you take a preparatory English course, pass with a C or better, and then retake the AWPE at UCR in September. For complete information about this option, go here.

Q: How do I find what courses will satisfy the ELWR and earn transfer units for the first course in the Freshman Composition sequence?

A: If you are considering taking a course that will satisfy the ELWR and earn transfer units for ENGL 001A, use www.assist.org to identify these courses at community colleges and CSU campuses. For approved courses from other colleges or universities, check with the UCR Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For complete information about this option, go here.

Q: I plan to take, or have already taken, the AP Examination in English. Why do I need to take the AWPE in May?

A: If by April 1 the University has not received evidence that you have passed the AP exam, you will receive a ticket for the May AWPE. We recommend that you take the May test to increase your chances of passing the Entry Level Writing Requirement. A passing score on either exam (the AP or the AWPE) is enough to satisfy the writing requirement. However, a score of 3 or better on the AP examination will enable you to be exempted from one or two of the required Freshman Composition courses (ENGL 001A, ENGL 001B).

Q: Is there a fee for the Systemwide Analytical Writing Placement Examination?

A: Yes, there is a $65 fee for the Analytical Writing Placement Examination. You will receive a fee card by e-mail or in the mail. You will also be able to go online and pay your fee with a credit card. This fee will be waived if you have already received a waiver of your UC application fees.

Q: What if I take ENGL 004 or ENGL 005 and do not earn a “C” or above?

A: You will not have satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement and will need to repeat the course in the following quarter. Register for the same English course again via GROWL during open enrollment. GROWL can be accessed on the web at www.students.ucr.edu/paws.

Q: How will I know if I satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement or if I need to repeat the course next quarter?

A: Check your grades on GROWL. You will be able to see if you passed your English course with a grade of “C” or above. If you receive a “C” or above, you will have fulfilled the Entry Level Writing Requirement and can register for the first course in the Freshman series of English Courses, ENGL 001A (Beginning Composition). If you received a “C-“ or lower as a grade in the ENGL 004 or ENGL 005 course, you will need to repeat the course to try to attain a “C” or above.

Q: What if I do not want to repeat ENGL 004 or ENGL 005?

A: You must repeat the course. Students have a limit of their first three quarters to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement. After this time, students who have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement are not allowed to register for a fourth quarter.

Q: Will financial aid apply to my fees when I repeat my English course?

A: Yes, full-time students eligible for financial aid will have their fees paid in accordance with their financial aid package allocations for the repetition of ENGL 004 and ENGL 005.

Q: What if I need to talk to someone about my schedule?

A: Students who have declared majors should go to the administrative offices of their major department or to the College office. Those students who are undeclared are linked with one of the three Colleges and should go to that College to obtain academic advising.

The locations of the College Student Affairs Offices are:

College of Engineering – Bourns Hall, A159
College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences – HMNSS Building, 3400
College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences – Batchelor Hall, 1140

 

Q: How many times can I repeat ENGL 004 or ENGL 005 if I do not receive a grade of “C” or above? Will I need to pay extra fees?

A: First year UCR students have their first three (3) quarters to earn a satisfactory grade in ENGL 004 or ENGL 005. Students who have not fulfilled the Entry Level Writing Requirement by the end of this time period will not be allowed to register in courses for the following (fourth) quarter. No extra fees will be charged for repeating the course during a student’s first three quarters of enrollment.

Q: Is there some place I can go to get help if I find I am having trouble with ENGL 004 or ENGL 005?

A: You may want to start by talking with your instructor. Also on campus, the UCR Learning Center provides assistance through an English “drop-in” tutoring program. UCR students are available to help you with your work. To check the drop-in tutoring hours, please consult the Learning Center website, www.learningcenter.ucr.edu/tutorial/tutorial.html . The Learning Center website also explains the many programs offered to assist students. They are there to help you.

Q: With whom do I talk if I have financial questions?

A: You can stop by the Financial Aid Office, 1156 Hinderaker Hall, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or call the office during these hours at 951-827-3878. For the UCR policy on remedial and repeated courses, see the Financial Aid website at www.finaid.ucr.edu and select “Maintaining Eligibility.”

The Financial Aid office assists students with meeting educational expenses that cannot be met from personal resources. For more information on grants, loans, employment, scholarships and corresponding application deadlines, go to www.finaid.ucr.edu or e-mail finaid@pop.ucr.edu.

For more FAQs from the UC Office of the President’s AWPE site, go to www.ucop.edu/sas/awep/faq.