Placements

A Writing Placement Essay is required of all incoming students*.

Students must complete the essay and a revision plan at least two weeks in advance of attending SOAR to ensure placement into an appropriate level of writing composition (University Writing Program) course. 

*Please note: Students who score a 3 or higher on AP English Language and Composition Test or the English Literature and Composition Test are not required to complete the write an essay. If you plan to take an AP test this year, you still need to write a Placement essay before May 1 because the AP scores will not be submitted in time for you to be enrolled in your Linked Courses.

To complete the Writing Placement:

• Log on to MyBGSU.  If you do not have a home computer with an Internet connection, access is available at most schools and public libraries.
• Enter your BGSU username and password; click the login button to enter the web portal.
• Click on the "New Student" icon.
• Click the "Writing Placement" link on the left-hand side and follow the instructions.

Once you have successfully submitted your essay and revision plan, you will receive an email sent to your BGSU email account notifying you that BGSU received your essay.  You will learn the results of your essay when you meet with your advisor at SOAR.

• Once at the placement site, you will be directed to print out and read three documents: general information about the composition program at BGSU, directions for taking the Placement, and a short essay of general interest to college students.
• You will be given a choice of three possible writing prompts related to the essay you were asked to read. Read each prompt carefully and then choose ONE you wish to write on.
• While you are expected to spend no more than two hours writing an essay of no more than 800 words in response to the prompt you selected, you will actually have a 24-hour window within which to submit your essay and revision plan. The 24-hour period will begin when you first access the site and will end 24 hours later; you may access the site an unlimited number of times within that 24-hour period, and you may submit your essay at any point within that 24-hour period. However, you may submit only one essay.
• You are encouraged to write your essay using your own word processing software (such as Word or WordPerfect), and cut and paste your essay into the writing placement text box to submit your essay.
• When your 24-hour window for submitting your essay has ended, your access to the site will end, so be sure to complete and submit your essay and revision plan within that 24-hour period.
• If you have computer-related questions, please contact the Technology Support Center at (419)372-0999 or start a live chat now. Technical/computer related questions might include the following situations:  
  • You are not able to enter or locate the placement site
  • Your password is not functioning
  • Your computer system crashes during the placement
  • Placement pages are not loading correctly, or parts of the directions are not visible
  • You do not receive a confirmation email to your BGSU email account within two days after submitting an essay and revision plan.

Is assistance with writing the placement essay permitted? 
Do not obtain any form of assistance while taking the Placement. This includes consulting with a teacher, parent, or friend regarding content of the essay or for proofreading or editing your written essay. It is imperative that you honor this important part of the Placement guidelines. It is to your disadvantage to receive a score higher than your actual abilities. A score that is too high would place you in a course beyond your capabilities with a limited probability of success.

Why am I required to write a placement essay online, by May 1st, or no later than two weeks before my scheduled SOAR date?

• Relaxed setting. When you are in a relaxed environment, such as your own home or another familiar location, your performance may be enhanced.
• Convenience. You can write your placement essay at any time of day.
• Skills. You can write your essay while skills from high school are still fresh in your mind.
• Decreased fatigue. Often after a long drive to campus, fatigue may affect your writing performance.
• Increased opportunities. With your essay amd revision plan completed before you arrive, you can focus on learning more about BGSU as well as meeting other new students, faculty and staff.

For additional information on completing this essay, visit the UWP website.

Incoming first-year students who have an ACT/SAT math score and a high school GPA on record with BGSU will be given an automated math placement code.

The automated math placement is calculated using your ACT/SAT math score and your high school GPA. If BGSU does not have this information on file, or if you would like to attempt to improve your code, can schedule a math placement test. 

This Placement is only required for students with a major or minor in any music program at BGSU.  The exam is given to determine placement regarding the appropriate theory class related to students’ level of knowledge.

For more information and suggested resources to assist with preparation, visit the College of Musical Arts Theory Placement Test website.

As foreign language course requirements vary among academic programs at BGSU, all new and transfer students should discuss Foreign Language Placement requirements with an Academic Advisor.  This will ensure appropriate placement in any required language course, based on students’ level of knowledge and past course-work.

The Foreign Language Placement is completed online.  For instructions on completing this Placement, as well as information about course requirements, visit the World Languages website.