FAQs about the Drew Writing Requirement

F.A.Q.s about the Drew CLA writing requirement

"Someone told me I could just send a paper to the English Department and that would get me out of writing. Is that true?"

I'm glad you asked, because this rumor is not true. We used to consider petitions to exempt people from writing on the basis of a paper written for another class; however, most petitions were denied, so we discontinued the practice.
It is our belief that everyone can gain something from a writing class. Writing is an essential part of every career, too, so we don't want anyone to miss out.

"I earned a 4 or a 5 on the AP English Literature exam, have I satisfied the requirement?"

If you have submitted your scores to the Registrar's office and they have been accepted, you are exempt. (A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Examination in English Language or Literature exempts you from the Writing Requirement.) To check on this, call Carol Gates (973-408-3247).
By the way, you can still take English 1 or English 2 if you'd like to do so once you get a sense of the expectations at Drew.

"I earned a 720 on the SAT II Subject Examination in English Literature have I satisfied the requirement?

If you have submitted your scores to the Registrar's office and they have been accepted, you are exempt. (A score of 710 or above on the SAT II Subject Examination in English Language or Literature exempts you from the Writing Requirement.) To check on this, call Carol Gates (973-408-3247)
By the way, you can still take English 1 or English 2 if you'd like to do so once you get a sense of the expectations at Drew.

"I took a writing course at another college before I came to Drew, have I satisfied the requirement?"

If the English department has notified you in writing that this is the case. To apply for transfer credits to substitute for the requirement, fill out the transfer form for the course and submit a copy of your syllabus along with the form to the Registrar's office. For more information or to check on the progress of an application, call Sandra Jamieson at 973-408-3499.
By the way, you can still take English 1 or English 2 if you'd like to do so once you get a sense of the expectations at Drew.

"I took a writing course on a college campus taught by my high school teacher while I was in high school, have I satisfied the requirement?"

No. Courses taught by people who are not college faculty cannot be transferred in to Drew (either for General Education credit or to satisfy a requirement).

"I received a letter telling me that I did not have to take English 1 in the fall semester/I was bumped from English 1 in the fall semester, does this mean I don't need to satisfy the requirement?"

No. This simply means that you must reregister for English 1 in the Spring semester.

"I received a letter telling me I could take English 2 instead of English 1, have I satisfied the requirement?"

No. This simply means that you may decide to take English 2 instead of English 1 in the Spring semester. (Please discuss this with your advisor, or feel free to take a writing sample to the Director of Composition for her input--call Sandra Jamieson at 973-408-3499 to schedule an appointment.)

"I took the International Baccalaureate Examination, or some other examination, will that exempt me?"

"I seem to qualify for exemption, but I'd really like to take a writing class anyway. High school writing seems to differ from college writing. Is there a class for me?"

You're right. College papers tend to demand different writing skills than high school papers. You are very wise to decide to take a college-level writing course, and we designed English 2 just for people like you! The course is offered as a module each spring semester, in the first half of the semester and again in the second half. Contact Sandra Jamieson (973-408-3499) for more information.

That's a pretty sorry way to put it, but the answer is yes. You need to have a member of the Drew faculty submit to the English department a research paper of at least six pages, using at least six sources, that you wrote for his or her class. [Exemption request guidelines.]

Last updated, May 8, 2001.