Bad Writing Placement Results, what do I do?

Here is my situation:

I recently took UMich’s DSP Test (Directed Self-Placement Test) for first-year writing and got placed in the lowest writing class… WRITING 100 which is meant to transition students into college writing.

In middle school and high school, I was involved in very intense and advanced writing programs which allowed me to finish Honors English 9-12 along with AP Language and Composition and AP Literature and Composition by the end of my Freshman year. I received As in all of my courses, many compliments on my writing from college professors, and a 4 in AP Lang and a 5 in AP Lit.

However, because I flew through classes early on, I have not taken an English course since freshman year, and am quite rusty. I also did not spend as much time or effort on my placement essay as I should’ve…and I think that these two things combined are why I got such a low placement result.

I am conflicted because I want to be a strong writer, so if Umich thinks I should take writing 100, then maybe a refresher course would be the best route. However, I know I am capable of high-level courses and I do not want to risk missing out on the better opportunities I will have by completing the real first-year writing course.

Any suggestions or wisdom for me?

Contact your advisor and see that they can do. Worst case you will be there for 4 years and plenty of time to improve your writing skills with more challenging courses.

I’m confused. Are you saying you complete all the grade 9-12 required English courses, AND AP English Lit, AND AP English Lang/Comp by the end of your FRESHMAN year in high school? That’s six courses. You finished the entire high school English curriculum by the end of 9th grade and NEVER took another English course again? This makes no sense. First, how did the school allow you to do that? Second, if you are such a gifted writer and enjoy English classes, why did you not continue with English classes in grade 10-12?

nm

According to the DSP discussion on the U of M website, for this assessment you wrote an essay and then answered a bunch of questions about your own perceptions of your readiness to write college-level papers. Apparently the essay isn’t used to make the course assignment decision, so you must have shared your feelings about your lack of readiness for college writing. I wonder why the OP would do this and then say, hey, I didn’t realize anyone was going to be taking me seriously. But you can talk to your advisor about whether or not you feel ready for college-level writing.

If you’re planning on doing one of the credit-intensive tracks (engineering, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, etc.), you need to try to pass out of as many classes as you can (writing 100, spanish, etc.). Get out of Writing 100. Otherwise, you have time to take classes like this and it could be enjoyable and worthwhile.

@brantly Yes. Because it was a special program with an advanced curriculum, each class was taught in one semester instead of taking an entire year. My school let me do this because they want as many of the students in their district in this small but county-wide program probably because it makes them look better. I didn’t continue with English classes because my school did not offer any more classes. I chose not to dual enroll either because then I started an accelerated STEM program that conflicted with dual enrollment.

Turns out @CheddarcheeseMN was right. At orientation, my counselor told me no one actually reads the essays and that I was placed in writing 100 just because I was humble and quite unconfident when I rated how well I thought I did writing the essay. I honestly didn’t know where I stood college writing-wise so I didn’t want to accidentally oversell my abilities with overconfidence. However, I thought that someone was actually reading the essay and evaluating my writing before deciding where I would be placed. But, as we know now, that was not the case.

In the end, with the help of my counselor at orientation, I decided not to take writing 100 and signed up for a normal freshman writing seminar. It is also actually an honors class too, so it is capped at 15 students.

My counselor thought that I would be fine and that if I need help because this is a very small and personal class, I will be able to get it.

Thank you, everyone, for your contributions and help in this discussion!

We can probably close the discussion now. However, if anyone else is in a similar situation, feel free to write or get advice here! Thanks again:-)