• About
  • Writing in the College
  • Celebrating Student Writing
• Requirements
  • Primary Writing Requirement
  • Upper Level Requirement
• Courses
  • WRT 105 & 105E
  • WRT 105E Extension
  • WRT 108
  • WRT 245/ENG 285
  • WRT 571/ENG 571
  • WRT 572/ENG 572
• Writing Center
  • Resources for Writers
  • Resources for Faculty
  • Resources for Tutors
• Employment
  • Graduate Student Employment Opportunities
  • Undergrad Student Employment Opportunities

College Writing Program

Satisfying the Primary Writing Requirement

Please note: WRT 105 and WRT 105E were formerly CAS 105 and CAS 105E.

Students who enter the University of Rochester without having attended another college or university may fulfill the Primary Writing Requirement in one of 3 ways: by completing WRT 105, by completing WRT 105E, or by petitioning to substitute another UR course for WRT 105. To help you determine the best option for you, we ask that you read and respond to the following information.

Please note: If you are entering the University of Rochester as a transfer student, click here to see additional information on satisfying the Primary Writing Requirement.

Completion of WRT 105

The majority of entering students satisfy the Primary Writing Requirement through WRT 105, Reasoning and Writing in the College.

Click here to view WRT 105 course descriptions.

Completion of WRT 105E

This is an extended version of WRT 105 for students who need more support to meet the demands of college-level writing.

Click here to learn about the differences between WRT 105 and 105E.

If any of the criteria below apply to you, you should complete the assessment process to help you decide whether WRT 105 or 105E would be the best option for you.

• You scored below 580 on the SAT Verbal
• You scored below 26 on the English ACT
• You scored below 650 on the paper-based TOEFL
• You scored below 113 on the internet-based TOEFL
• You did not submit SAT, ACT, or TOEFL scores
• You have any concerns about the demands of college-level writing

The assessment process involves completing an assessment form, submitting writing samples and completing an online timed writing. A representative from the College Writing Program will review your materials and contact you to help you decide whether WRT105 or 105E would be the best option for you in satisfying the Primary Writing Requirement.

Click here to obtain the Assessment Form (PDF format).

 

Petition for Substitution

Students who believe they are already proficient college-level writers who do not need WRT 105 may petition to substitute another UR course for WRT 105/E.

Click here to learn the criteria for satisfying the Primary Writing Requirement with a course other than WRT 105/E.

If you believe that this applies to you and would like to fill out a petition to substitute another course for WRT 105, click here to obtain the petition form (PDF format).