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<p>Writing is certainly an essential skill for a math major – if a math major cannot write down the proof that s/he is thinking of, s/he will have a hard time convincing others of its validity. Now that paper and computer storage are widely available, a mathematician should not have the excuse that there is not enough room in the margin of the book s/he is reading.</p>
<p>Of course, writing mathematical proofs and the like is extremely different from writing about humanities subjects.</p>
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<p>However, most colleges, including the more selective ones, do have graduation requirements that include college-level writing or writing-intensive courses. That implies that the colleges do not think that the writing skills that high school graduates should have are sufficient for college graduates to have.</p>
<p>At less selective colleges, many students have to take remedial writing courses before being allowed to take the college level writing courses.</p>