Students in certain schools will be required to complete an online writing assessment, the EWP Writing Placement Survey. This is required of students who submitted English-language test (ELT) scores as part of their admissions application. This assessment is intended for students in the following schools: the College of Arts and Science; the Rory Meyers College of Nursing; the Silver School of Social Work; the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; the Tandon School of Engineering; and the Tisch School of the Arts. The online writing assessment will determine whether students are placed into Writing The Essay, International Writing Workshop 1, or International Writing Workshop: Introduction.
Placement into “Writing the Essay” or “International Writing Workshop 1”
International students placed into EXPOS-UA 1: "Writing the Essay" have been determined as having near native fluency. “Writing The Essay" is demanding: reading and writing exercises are assigned for every class. Students are expected to be fluent speakers and to be able to write quickly and easily during timed exercises completed in-class.
Some International students placed into "Writing the Essay” may be uncertain about the demands of a fast-paced reading and writing course. For those students, an option is to begin with EXPOS-UA 4, “International Writing Workshop 1,” followed by EXPOS-UA 9, “International Writing Workshop 2.”
The expectations for International Writing Workshop 1 and 2 are the same as for Writing the Essay, but the classes are smaller and there is more time (two semesters) to complete the curriculum. International teachers are familiar with the writing needs of English-as-a-second-language students and the cultural adjustments that students may need to make as writers and students in an American university setting. The common bond that international students share—English as a second or third language—also creates a dynamic atmosphere where people from diverse cultures exchange perspectives as they read and write together. Students find the variety of global perspectives available in one classroom exciting and stimulating. The course texts and curriculum are the same as those used in EWP’s core writing courses, and students learn the same reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. However, the final project has been shortened, allowing more time, week by week, to complete the curriculum.
Placement into EXPOS-UA 3, "International Writing Workshop: Introduction"
Results of the survey may recommend placement beginning with EXPOS-UA 3, "International Writing Workshop: Introduction," followed by EXPOS-UA 4, "International Writing Workshop 1," and then followed by EXPOS-UA 9, "International Writing Workshop 2."
The preliminary course, EXPOS-UA 3: "International Writing: Introduction," is taught in an environment where gaining fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in English is an expected part of the coursework, and offers the international student more time and support for reading, writing and speaking work. In Fall, after successful completion of "International Writing Workshop: Introduction" (EXPOS-UA 3), for the Spring term students take "International Writing Workshop 1" (EXPOS-UA 4), followed the next semester by "International Writing Workshop II" (EXPOS-UA 9).
Following completion of "EXPOS-UA 3: International Writing: Introduction," the next appropriate course is EXPOS-UA 4: "International Writing Workshop 1."
Note: Some schools may not award credits for EXPOS-UA 3 towards graduation. Please consult your advisor if you have questions about this, or email ewp-writingsurvey@nyu.edu for further clarification.
Students not required to complete the EWP Writing Placement Survey
Students who were not required to complete the EWP Writing Placement Survey are automatically placed into “Writing The Essay.” However, NYU recognizes that international students come with varying levels of language competency and fluency and require more time to complete challenging reading and writing assignments.
For help determining whether “Writing the Essay” or “International Writing Workshop 1” followed by "International Writing Workshop 2" is appropriate, try the Self-Diagnostic Test below to see which course or sequence you would benefit from. The test consists of a typical reading and writing exercise that you might be asked to do in a Writing the Essay class. You will need to set aside thirty minutes to complete the self-assessment and to read the results.
Download the instructions to begin the self-diagnostic exercise.
Please contact the EWP Writing Placement Team at ewp-writingsurvey@nyu.edu if you have questions.