Writing Self-Placement and W-I Writing Courses

Some students may be exempt from the W-I course altogether. Students who are exempt from the W-I writing course do not complete writing self-placement and may advance to their W-II writing course. Please carefully read Salem State's full exemption policy.

Students accepted and committed to the Commonwealth Honors Program do not need to complete writing self-placement. They are required to take either ENL 110H: Freshman Honors Writing (satisfies the W-I requirement) or ENL 225H: Advanced Writing in Honors (satisfies the W-II requirement). Most honors students will take ENL 110H, but those who have placed out of the W-I requirement must take ENL 225H.

International students do not need to complete the writing self-placement during orientation. You will register for ENL 109.

If your high school GPA was 2.7 or higher, you will have the option at orientation to choose ENL 110 or ENL 109; both courses satisfy the W-I requirement.

You may prefer ENL 109 if you speak more than one language at home or school (this course is designed for multilingual or ESL writers).

If you would like to speak to a faculty expert who could walk you through the differences between ENL 109 and ENL 110, please email writingplacement@salemstate.edu.

If you do not meet the above requirements, you must complete the Writing Self-Placement Exam. Before starting, please carefully read the instructions for completing the Writing Self-Placement Exam.

Complete the Writing Self-Placement Exam online now!