Entry Level Writing Requirement

Every candidate for a bachelor’s degree must demonstrate an acceptable level of ability in English composition. Prior to enrollment in your fourth quarter, you must fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement in one of the following ways:

Test Scores and Credits

30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts; or
30 or better on the ACT, Combined English/Writing (last administered June 2015); or
63 or better on ACT English + Reading; or
680 or better on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing for students entering fall 2018 and later (Please note: The digital SAT Reading and Writing section score has not been approved to meet the ELWR.)*; or
680 or better on the SAT Reasoning Test, Writing (last administered January 2016); or
scores of 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English (Language or Literature) or Seminar, or on the College Board Advanced Placement assessment in Research (Note: AP Seminar and AP Research are accepted for students entering fall 2023 and later; or
5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Higher Level English A1 exam); or
6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Standard Level English A1 exam); or
5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Language and Literature exam; or
6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Language and Literature exam.

* Revised: 7/9/24.

Transfer work

The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) may also be met by earning a grade of C or higher in an acceptable English composition course offered by a college or university.

Satisfying ELWR at UC Santa Cruz

Incoming students who have not satisfied ELWR via test or transfer credits will follow a directed self-placement process to enroll in an appropriate writing course at UCSC: WRIT 25, WRIT 26, WRIT 1, or WRIT 1E. Courses are offered in sequence depending on placement. Students who successfully pass WRIT 1 or WRIT 1E will satisfy Entry Level Writing.

All students who enter UCSC as frosh in 2020 or after must demonstrate their command of the English language by satisfying the ELWR before enrolling in their fourth quarter. However, students placed into Writing 25 have until the end of their fourth quarter of enrollment to satisfy the ELWR..

For additional information on ELWR and fulfilling UCSC's writing requirements, please visit the Writing Program's website.