All students at UCSC must meet what is called the “Entry-Level Writing Requirement” (ELWR). This requirement makes sure you are ready for the writing you will do in college. All students must meet this requirement before the start of their fourth quarter of enrollment at UCSC. (The exception is students who take Writing 25, who must satisfy ELWR prior to their fifth quarter of enrollment.)
Most students satisfy ELWR by taking WRIT 1 or WRIT 1E at UCSC. But there are two reasons you might take a course outside UCSC in order to satisfy this requirement:
- You have decided to take the course outside of UCSC, possibly during summer (or another quarter you are not enrolled at UCSC). Note that if you are enrolled at UCSC, you CANNOT take a course to satisfy ELWR somewhere else at the same time.
- You are on leave from UCSC (due to Leave of Absence, academic standing, etc.). In this case, you may take an ELWR course outside of UCSC in preparation to return to UCSC and transfer the course back in.
Eligibility to meet ELWR outside of UCSC
ALL of the following criteria must be met to satisfy ELWR with a transfer course.
- The transfer course must be taken while you are not concurrently enrolled at UCSC.
- The course must be UC transferable and approved to articulate to WRIT 1. (See below).
- Once the course is completed (grade of C or higher), you must submit your official transcript and submit an ELWR packet. (See below).
Finding an ELWR Satisfying Course
You may view UC transferable courses from CA community colleges on assist.org. See below on how to identify courses. If you wish to stay in the local area, courses that satisfy ELWR are offered at Cabrillo College.
- Go to the middle section, “Search Below for Articulation Agreements”
- In the “Institution” drop-down, select University of CA Santa Cruz.
- In the “Agreement with Other Institutions” drop-down, select the CA community college where you would like to take the transfer course, and click “View Agreements.”
- At the top of the sidebar, set “View Agreement by:” to “Department”.
- Select Writing as the department filter.
- In the main window, view the courses that are articulated to WRIT 1. Any courses listed here may be taken to satisfy criteria II (listed above).
Submitting an ELWR Packet
After taking and passing the course, submit an ELWR packet online. Be sure to also submit your official transcripts to the Registrar.
It will take the Writing Program a few weeks to review your packet. You will be notified via email when the review is complete. If your packet is not approved, an explanation will be given as to why. If you have an ELWR hold, your hold will be lifted upon approval of your ELWR packet.
If you are returning from being discontinued, suspended, barred, or after withdrawing, please also connect with your college advisors on the Return to UCSC process.
