Subject line: It is time to take your RIT Writing Placement Exam
Dear RIT Student,
As the Director of the University Writing Program, I want to welcome you to the RIT Community!
Although the summer has only just begun, there are still a number of things that need your attention. You are receiving this message because, according to our records, you are required to take the Writing Placement Exam (WPE). The University Writing Program has developed this exam to determine which writing class would be an appropriate first course for you: Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT100) or one of the First Year Writing offerings.
RIT Writing policy states you must take 3 writing intensive (WI) courses before you graduate. Taking First Year Writing in your first year at RIT is essential for completing all three courses on schedule, and before finishing your degree. Please be advised the outcome of the exam has no effect on GPA.
Some important things to know about the WPE:
· You should take the online exam before June 20, so that your program advisor will know which course to enroll you in when they build your fall schedule.
· You will be allowed 15-20 minutes to read two short articles, choose one and plan your written response to the reading you choose. You will then have 50 minutes to compose a 3-4 paragraph essay that quotes from the reading and presents your own views on the material in the reading. Complete instructions are on the WPE MyCourses site.
· You do not need to prepare for the exam, but you do need to take it seriously.
· After your exam is evaluated, your score will be displayed in the "Grades" tab. A score of 1 indicatesthat you should be enrolled in UWRT 100, and a score of 2 indicatesyou should be enrolled in First Year Writing.
To take the exam, log on to MyCourses (https://mycourses.rit.edu/) and use your RIT computer account and password to access the exam. Once you are in MyCourses, you should see the WPE site in your list of sites (it may be the only one since you have not been registered for anything else just yet.)
Information about who should take the WPE:
· If you have questions about SAT/ACT/TOEFL score requirements for the WPE go to the UWP’s website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/writing/writing-placement-exam
· If you expect AP or transfer credit, you should follow the advice posted on the Registrar’s website: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/registrar/transfer-credit.
Please direct any other questions you may have about the exam to the WPE coordinator: . Direct any questions you have about MyCourses to Online Learning ( or 1-800-CALL-RIT (V/TTY)) or about your RIT computer account to the ITS Helpdesk ( or 585-475-HELP (V), 585-475-2810 (TTY)).
We look forward to your arrival at RIT and are working hard to ensure that you are placed in the appropriate writing class.
Best,
David S. Martins
Associate Professor & University Writing Program Director