The First Year Seminar (FYS), which all incoming students take in the first year, builds writing and research skills but requires a certain level of writing readiness for success. So that each incoming student can determine their readiness, all incoming students will complete and submit the Directed Self-Placement Survey.
Each of you will assess your own readiness for the FYS course and, if you feel you need additional support to be successful in FYS, will have the opportunity to enroll in First Year Writing Studio (FYW 101), a two-credit course that is taken concurrently with the FYS. FYW Studio is a course that supports you in TCNJ’s writing-intensive curriculum.
Your answers on the survey will help you determine if you would like to place yourself into FYW Studio. We are confident the Studio course will provide you the support you might need or want for the writing assignments in the FYS. If you indicate on your survey that you would like to enroll in the course, you will be directed to submit a writing sample. This sample will help us assess your choice to enroll in FYW Studio.
You will receive access to the Writing Directed Self-Placement Survey via email or in the New Student Orientation course in Canvas on May 4, 2026.
While we encourage you to complete this as soon as possible, the final deadline is Friday, May 29th, 2026.