GWR FAQs
| When am I eligible to meet the GWR? |
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| Undergraduate students can satisfy the GWR after completing ninety units of coursework, usually when students reach their junior year. Graduate and post-baccalaureate students who do not meet criteria for a GWR substitution should meet the GWR during the first quarter in residence. Those students eligible to fulfill the requirement receive an email explaining how to satisfy the GWR either by coursework or by submitting a GWR Portfolio (*note: the portfolio has replaced the Writing Proficiency Exam). |
| When is the best time to meet the GWR? |
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| Students should attempt to satisfy the requirement immediately after completing ninety units of coursework. If reading and writing skills need development, students then have time to grow as writers before their second attempt to meet the requirement prior to graduation. Graduate and post-baccalaureate students who do not meet criteria for a GWR substitution should meet the GWR during the first quarter of residence; graduate students may not be advanced to candidacy without completion of the GWR. |
| What do I have to do to be GWR-certified in a course? |
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| GWR-approved courses are offered every quarter. Upon enrollment in a GWR-designated course, you must inform your instructor of your wish to fulfill the GWR through the class. Students must earn a C or better on the GWR-specified major writing assignment and earn a final course grade of C or better with at least 35% of the final grade based on the cumulative grade of all writing projects. |
| May I take a GWR course Credit/No Credit? |
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| Yes, GWR-approved courses may be taken credit/no credit, but the earned, or input, grade must be a C or better and students must be certified writing proficient by the instructor. Note: Graduate students must earn the equivalent of a B- to earn credit for the course; they are therefore expected to earn the equivalent of a B- should they elect to enroll in the course as CR/NC and intend to fulfill the GWR in the course. |
| How will I know if I've fulfilled the requirement once I take a course or Submit A Portfolio? |
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| You may verify GWR completion on your PolyProfile page the Friday after grades are due. Your GWR status appears in the Career Program Plans section under Milestones Completed. |
| What if I don’t fulfill the GWR before graduation? |
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| The GWR is a degree requirement and your diploma will be withheld until you have fulfilled the GWR. You can participate in graduation ceremonies, but you won’t receive your diploma. |
| What if I am a returning student after some years out of school and I satisfied the requirement many years ago? |
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| Your fulfillment of the GWR remains valid. |
