First Year: Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

The University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a reading and writing proficiency requirement intended to ensure that first year admits (freshman admits) at every UC campus have the writing skills necessary to succeed in lower division university-level courses.

All first-year students are required to have the ELWR completed and satisfied by the end of their second semester at their UC school.

 

View the table below to see how you can satisfy the ELWR.

Writing Readiness Review

AP/IB/SAT/ACT Exam Score

English Composition Transfer Credit

UC Merced WRI 001 Course

Open to all incoming first year admits prior to start of first Fall semester

ELWR can also be satisfied if you complete one of the following exams with a passing score and have your official score sent to UC Merced by July 15th

ELWR can also be satisfied if you earned a grade of “C” or better in a UC-transferable English composition course

If you do not complete any of the other options, you must register and complete WRI 001 specifically at UC Merced.

A tool designed to help you engage in a reflective process to determine your placement in a writing course

 

You will have the options to select WRI 001 or WRI 010

AP Scores

-ENGL LANG-

Score of 3 or higher satisfy ELWR

 

Score of 4 or higher satisfy WRI 010

-ENGL LIT-

 

Score of 3 satisfy ELWR

Transferable English composition course must be worth 3 semester or 4 quarter units

You must earn a grade of a “C” or better to satisfy ELWR

Choosing WRI 001 means you prefer additional refresher in your writing skills

 

Completing WRI 001 satisfies ELWR.

 

WRI 010 still needs to be completed

IB Scores

-Higher Level Examination in English (Language A only)-

 

Score 5 or higher

-Standard Level Examination in English (Language A only)-

 

Score 6 or higher

 

Official transcripts must be submitted to UC Merced to receive credit(s)

 

Send transcripts to:

 

UC Merced, 5200 Lake Road, Merced, CA  95343-5603

 

 

Choosing WRI 010 means you feel confident in your writing skills and satisfies your ELWR.

 

WRI 010 will satisfy GE Written Communication

SAT Score

 

-Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of paper-and-pencil (offered prior to March 2024)-

 

Score 680 or higher

 

**Digital SAT will NOT satisfy ELWR**

View course articulation

 

Community College:

Assist.org

 

Other 2/4-year College:

Transfer Evaluation System (TES)

 

Click here to read more about the Writing Readiness Review

ACT Score

-English Language Arts-

 

Score of 30 or better

-English + Reading-

 

Score 30 or better