All incoming UCSC frosh complete the Directed Self-Placement (DSP), as part of summer orientation, to place into their writing courses. Learn more below!
What is DSP?
Why does UCSC use Directed Self-Placement (DSP) to place students into writing courses?
How does DSP work?
What is the DSP process for students? What are the steps and where is it accessed?
FAQs About DSP
Frequently Asked Questions about navigating DSP and writing placement requirements
DSP Deadlines for Frosh Starting Fall 2025
Complete the DSP Survey by July 14 to receive your official writing placement in time for frosh enrollment.
Students that miss the July 14th deadline must submit the DSP survey by the late-taker deadline, August 26th, and will receive their official placements in early September.
Students who miss both deadlines must reach out to writingplacement@ucsc.edu to determine next steps.
DSP empowers you to choose your UCSC Writing course!
Writing 1: Introduction to Composition
Why take Writing 1? Writing 1 is about moving on from high-school writing where you may have only focused on “the five-paragraph essay” and thesis-driven writing. You will learn to write in new forms and to specific audiences (and not just the teacher/professor). Taking two university writing courses—Writing 1 and Writing 2—is similar to what most students take at other universities
When do students take Writing 1? Students take Writing 1 in fall or winter of their first year of college. After Writing 1, students take Writing 2.
Writing 1 meets the Entry Level Writing Requirement.
Writing 1E: Introduction to Composition (for multilingual students)
First read the description for Writing 1 above. Writing 1E meets the same requirement as Writing 1 and is offered during the same quarters
Why choose Writing 1E instead of Writing 1? Writing 1E is taught by faculty with expertise with writers who speak multiple languages (sometimes called multilingual writers).
Writing 1E meets the Entry Level Writing Requirement.
Writing 2: Rhetoric and Inquiry
Why take Writing 2? Writing 2 is about producing complex research projects for specific audiences. Taking Writing 2 as your single writing course means you will have ten weeks of writing instruction at UCSC
When do students take Writing 2? Students typically take Writing 2 in their second year of college. (First years do NOT take Writing 2 in fall of the first year.)
Writing 2 meets the Composition (“C”) General Education Requirement.
Writing 26: Writing About Language (for multilingual international students)
Why take Writing 26? Writing 26 is a course that focuses on becoming more comfortable writing in English. Writing 26 students are typically international, multilingual students.
When do students take Writing 26? Students take Writing 26 in fall quarter of their first year.
Students take Writing 1E and Writing 2 after completing Writing 26.
Questions?
Review our DSP FAQs and if you still have DSP questions, contact writingplacement@ucsc.edu