All incoming first-year students are required to write a placement essay which is facilitated by the First-Year Writing Program. The First-Year Writing Program describes the purpose of the assignment as follows:
“Given the challenging academic programs at Montclair State University, students need to take the writing courses that will enable them to best succeed in their academic careers, beginning with either ENWR100 (Introduction to College Writing) or ENWR105 (College Writing I). We believe that students’ actual writing can give us more valuable information about their writing skills than their performance on standardized tests alone. As part of the placement process, then, all incoming first-year students must complete a writing placement essay before the start of the semester.”
Guidelines for the spring 2016 Placement Assignment
Please note, “Students who are interested in receiving feedback on their essays-in-progress are encouraged to visit the Center for Writing Excellence (CWE), located on the first floor of Sprague Library.” We welcome all writers working on their placement essays to visit the CWE during any stage of their writing process.
The First-Year Writing Program will contact you with information about how and when to submit your essay. However, if you have any additional questions about the assignment, please e-mail writingtest@montclair.edu