English Requirements

[DentalKitty]

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How flexible do you think most schools are with their '6 credits of English' requirement? I already have my bachelor's (Chem), and the way my school did it was that we satisfied Communications part A and B, not specifically English Literature/Composition. I chose to take a couple ethnic literature classes and writing intensive history classes instead because I didn't enjoy English.

I have called/emailed individual schools, but I haven't gotten many definitive responses. Most just repeat their whole list of prereqs with no mention of my specific questions (if they respond at all). A couple schools (UIC, Columbia) said certain things can be waived as long as I have the other lit/writing intensive humanities classes and good DAT scores.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience with not having "English" and still getting accepted. Would they make me take it over the summer or something? Even if I have a good GPA and (hopefully) good DAT scores? I just think it's kind of silly for me to have to pay to take 2 English courses when I already have a BS and have been successfully in the work force for 7 years now. Opinions, thoughts?

 

[diane07]

I'm sure it's frustrating not getting definitive answers from schools. But I would still check with them directly because it doesn't matter what our opinions are, it matters what the schools think.

It may be the case that the reason they just refer you to their list of required pre-requisites, is that they have hundreds if not thousands of applications. They may not feel the need to make an exception for someone when they have a ton of other applicants who do meet the requirements. Or they might feel that opening the door to making exceptions will cause the floodgates to open with all kinds of other "special" situations.

I'm not saying that's how it is . . . I'm just giving a suggestion for why you're not getting many people over extending themselves to help you. Or maybe schools are just really rigid about their requirements.
Whatever you do, even if you hear about others not having to meet the English requirements . . . don't rely on hearsay alone. Still double check with the schools!

Maybe you'll luck out and find schools that will waive it for you.

 

[koochooloo]

i know that maryland is really strict about having all 6 credits...they put my application on hold because they didn't know the class called "The lives of animals" was a writing class (that was the topic)...but at vcu they say just to satisfy your undergrad college's requirements, so whatever english classes you need to graduate...so it does vary..def call the schools and tell them your situation and see what they say...good luck!