Transfer Student Placement Exam Information

Transfer Students and NYU-Poly’s Writing Requirements

As of September 2012, all incoming students at NYU-Poly are required to take two writing courses – EW 1013: Writing the Essay and EW 1023: Advanced College Essay – administered by NYU’s Expository Writing Program. Thus, incoming transfer students to NYU-Poly will follow the transfer credit guidelines established by NYU’s Expository Writing Program.

This is how the Expository Writing guidelines for transfer students will be applied at NYU-Poly:

1. All transfer students are required to take the Expository Writing Placement Exam. 

2. Students with 21 or more transferable credits who have taken two writing courses at another accredited university or college (Composition 1 & 2) will be given credit for EW 1023, but not for EW 1013. AP credits in composition do not count toward transfer.  The remaining requirement is EW1013.

Since transfer students in this situation are not automatically awarded credit for both courses, they have the option to petition to waive the remaining requirement, EW1013, via portfolio application. Only students in this situation qualify to apply for a waiver. They may contact Elisa Linsky (elinsky@nyu.edu), the Expository Writing Program Administrator, for a waiver application. Students should know that they must submit a body of their written work as part of the waiver application.

3. Students with 21 or more transferable credits who have taken one writing course at another accredited university or college (either Compostion 1 or 2) will be given credit for EW 1023, but not for EW 1013. AP credits in composition do not count toward transfer.  The remaining requirement is EW1013. Students with only one course in transfer are not permitted to petition to waive the core course, EW1013.

4. Students for whom English is a second language, or whose primary language of instruction has not been in English, may be asked to take the English placement exam at the American Language Institute (ALI) at New York University to determine if there is a need for remedial English. Some students may be required to register for part-time noncredit English courses at ALI and in the rare and exceptional case that ALI determines that you require a full-time English immersion program your offer of admission may be rescinded. 

Math Diagnostic Exam

Q: As a transfer student, do I have to take the Math Diagnostic exam?

A: University policy states that all transfer students must take the Math Diagnostic exam regardless of their math transfer credits.* 

NOTE: Even if you have received transfer credit for calculus and upper level math courses,  you still need to take the exam.

* The only exceptions to this policy would be transfer students with AP credit for math. See the AP credit section of the NYU-Poly website for more information.

Q: What is the purpose of the math diagnostic exam? I already transferred calculus and other upper level math courses to NYU-Poly.

A: The math diagnostic exam is used to determine your knowledge of pre-calculus. If you do not score well enough on the diagnostic exam you will be required to register for a pre-calculus course in your first semester in order to strengthen your math skills. 

Q: If I have already taken and passed calculus at my previous school why do I have to take pre-calculus again at NYU-Poly?

A: Our experience shows that students who place into pre-calculus on the diagnostic exam need to refresh their knowledge of the material and benefit immensely by starting with pre-calculus courses rather than regular calculus or more advanced mathematics courses.

Q: How do I sign up to take the math diagnostic exam? 

A: You are not required to register to take the exam but can go directly to the room listed on the website on the day of the exam.  You can find the list of Math Diagnostic dates and rooms on the Admitted Student website. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (718) 637-5955.

If you live at a non-commutable distance from campus, you can register for a math class with a math “place holder” and take the math placement exam when you arrive for orientation.  Results of the exam will determine which course you may then register for.

Q: What do I need to do to bring to the math exam?

A: You should bring a photo ID, pencils, and a calculator (any type of calculator is fine).

Q: Can I take the math diagnostic exam again if I do not do well on my first attempt?

A: Yes, it is possible to take the diagnostic exam a second time. Should you wish to do so, send an e-mail with your full name (and Poly ID number) to Vanita Khosla of the Math Department at vkhosla@poly.edu.

Q: What happens to my transfer credits if I place into a pre-calculus level course? 

A: You will keep all of the transfer credits you have been granted but are required to take the pre-calculus course first.

Q: What happens if I do not place out of the pre-calculus course? Does it count toward my degree?

A: The pre-calculus course does not count toward your degree requirements but it does count toward your full time status and financial aid. For example, if you are taking 9 credits in addition to the pre-calculus course you will still be considered a full time student and will be eligible for full time financial aid.

If you have any questions regarding the Diagnostic and Placement Exams, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (718) 637-5955.