College Writing Program

Options for completing 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.

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 determine whether WRT 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 280 on the computer-based TOEFL
• You did not submit SAT, ACT, or TOEFL scores
• You have any concerns about the demands of college-level writing

The assessment proccess involves completing an assessment form, submitting writing samples and completing an online timed writing.

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

Click here to begin the online timed writing.

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).

Last Modified: Wednesday, 18-Jun-2008 10:57:14 EDT