If the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) has not been satisfied....
...domestic students and international students whose first language is English are required to take the Collaborative Writing Placement (CWP)
...international students whose first language is not English are required to take the Entry Level Placement in English (ELPE).
If you think you need to take the ELPE please visit: https://www.ems.ucsb.edu/undergrad/faq
If you are not sure whether or not you have satisfied ELWR, contact your college (College of Creative Studies, College of Engineering, or College of Letters and Science) advising office.
Fall 2026 CWP Sessions:
Monday, 9/21 through Friday, 10/2
CWP FAQ
If you have not satisfied ELWR, you will receive an invitation for the CWP at the start of the placement session. This placement will help us place you in the best writing course to support your success at UCSB.
International students who have not satisfied ELWR through qualifying grades and/or test scores must take the Entry Level Placement in English (ELPE).
No, if you received confirmation from UCSB records that you have satisfied ELWR, you may enroll in Writing 2.
ACT ELA score: 30+
ACT English + Reading score: 63+,
AWPE score: 8 or higher
AP English (either test) score: 3
AP Seminar/Research score: 3
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing section of paper-and-pencil SAT score of 680 or higher (offered prior to March 2024). Warning: Digital SAT is not approved to satisfy the ELWR
IB High Level English Score: 5
IB Standard Level English Score: 6 or 7
The CWP is conducted online through Qualtrics, an online survey platform. This process involves a survey about your course options and several questions; based on your responses, you will receive a placement result. This program will take about one hour.
UCSB's CWP will be offered twice during Summer Orientation and once a quarter on campus.
The fee for the CWP is $20, which will be charged to your BARC account. This fee is waived for students with significant financial need (e.g. PELL grant recipients).
Students can only take the CWP once. If you would like your placement reviewed, students are allowed to take the CWP Placement Review survey that also includes submitting a writing sample. Students are only allowed to do the Placement Review once. If you decide to do the Placement Review, you will receive an email invitation from placement@writing.ucsb.edu with access to the survey.
Please contact placement@writing.ucsb.edu with any questions.