Advising

When advising students, remember that all TCNJ students (who entered in Fall 2004 and after) need to take 3 writing intensive courses:

1. FSP
2. An approved mid-level writing intensive course (often in the major but not always)
3. An approved capstone or other senior-level writing intensive course in their major

In addition, some entering students need to take WRI 102: Academic Writing in the Spring semester of their first year.

How will your advisees know if they need to take WRI 102?

If they do not score at or above 580 in BOTH the verbal and math portions of the SAT they need to take WRI 102.  OR they may gain exemption in one of the following ways:

• Scoring a 4 or better on any AP English (Language or Literature) or any AP History (American, European, or World) exam.  These scores must be reported to TCNJ.

• Taking the Writing Exemption and Placement Exam offered at The College of New Jersey, and scoring above the exemption cut-off.

• Transfer students gain exemption either through their SAT scores, AP scores, or with one 4-credit or two 3-credit first year writing courses (numbered 100 or above) which have been approved as equivalent to WRI 102.  Transfer students are not eligible to take the TCNJ exemption exam.

In addition, some students’ scores on the Placement and Exemption Exam indicate the need for additional assistance, as early as the fall semester, when students are enrolled in their First Seminar.  These students will receive a faculty writing tutorial (WRI 101) to help them through their first year writing tasks.  Students do not register for WRI 101;  rather, they are placed into the course administratively.  A small number of these students may be required to continue this in the Spring as well.

Incoming students who take the Placement and Exemption Exam in May will receive a letter in the mail prior to registration in June indicating whether their score has exempted them from WRI 102, and whether they need WRI 101.  But by November, when they’ll be registering for the Spring semester, they may have lost this letter.  Advisors can access the database on the Shared drive in the Records and Registration Campus-wide Information folder.  In addition, Records and Registration will send a reminder email to all students who are not exempt.

Click here for more advising information.