International Student Placement Exams

In addition to all required, major-specific placement exams, incoming international students are assessed on their proficiency in academic writing in American English. Assessment is based on their total TOEFL score and combined writing and speaking TOEFL sub-scores, as well as IELTS, SAT, and ACT scores. If some or all scores are missing, or if the scores do not meet an adequate proficiency level for us to determine placement, a placement exam will be required. During the placement exam, international students will be asked to respond to several questions in a paragraph format.

Please note: Self-reported scores are not able to be applied towards English writing placement during the admissions process. If TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT scores, etc. are not submitted formally to the University, international students will be registered for and required to take the English Writing for Non-Native Speakers Exam by the placement exam deadline.

English Writing for Non-Native Speakers Exam

Performance will be individually reviewed and evaluated to determine the right placement:

• Students who demonstrate high proficiency in U.S. academic writing conventions are placed into ENGL 101.
• Students who demonstrate mid-to-low proficiency in U.S. academic writing conventions are placed into ENGL 111. This course, equivalent to ENGL 101, is designed to introduce academic writing conventions in the U.S. to non-native English speakers.
• Students who demonstrate low proficiency in U.S. academic writing conventions are placed into ESL 110. For more information on ESL 110, please visit the English Learning Center's (ELC) website.