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English Placement
- Why do I have to take the English placement test?
We want to make sure you take the English course that will do the most
good for you. While we certainly understand the desire most of you have
to move quickly through your courses and programs, we also feel that
it does you no good to be in a course where you may not yet have the
skills to succeed.
- What if I have a question about my English placement?
If you have a question about your English placement, then the person
to call is the English Program Coordinator.
- Will you accept COMPASS English scores from another college?
We do accept actual English&101 placement from Seattle Central CC and
South Seattle CC but not from any college outside our district.
In the Seattle Community College District, of which North is a part,
we consider COMPASS English test scores of 83 and above in Reading and
76 and above in Writing to be at college or English&101 level. These
scores, if received within the last 2 years, will qualify you for
English&101. If one or both of these scores are below these cutoff numbers,
then we ask that you go to our Testing
Center and do the essay portion of our placement test only-no need
to retake the computerized COMPASS test again. If you have recent test
scores from another kind of English placement test such as Asset, we
will consider them as well.
- What if I've lost my developmental English recommendation form
that my NSCC teacher gave me?
First, attempt to contact your developmental teacher. The Humanities
Division Office can often help you locate a teacher. If that is
unsuccessful, then contact the English program
coordinator who keeps a list of developmental placements and should
be able to help you. Students of the North Seattle International ESL Program
should go to the International Programs office for assistance.
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Pre-College English Courses
- Why do developmental English courses have two course numbers?
can I, for example, take English098 by itself?
To answer the last question first -- Can I take English098 by itself -- no. Here at North, our developmental or pre-college classes are offered as a ten-credit block with reading and writing classes together. In practical terms, it is one class even though it looks like two classes on your class schedule. The faculty here at North have long felt that it is a more meaningful experience for students if the two are taught together as the two skills -- reading and writing -- are so interrelated.
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English&101 and &102
- Can I take English&102 at the same time I take English&101? Can I take &102 before &101?
To put it simply--no and no. You must first take ENGL&101 and then take ENGL&102. The skills learned in English&101 form the foundation for English&102.
- If I've taken and passed English&101 at another college, do I still have to take it here?
Generally no if that was a college in the United States, but for this kind of question, the experts at the Advising Center would be the best to ask.
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General Questions
- How do North's English classes transfer to the UW?
Certainly an advisor here at North can help you to answer this question, but you might also want to check this website from the UW Advising Office which shows our classes and the equivalent ones at the University of Washington.
UW Course Equivalencies for Community Colleges in Washington
- What degree requirements does each of our English classes fulfill?
An advisor at the Advising Center can help with answering this question.
- What if I get a bad grade in my English class?
The best way deal with a bad grade is to not get a bad grade in the first place though we all have times when we don't achieve as much as we'd hoped for in a class.
Your first line of defense is to study hard, do all of the assignments on time, use the Loft tutors for help, go to your instructor for help, and closely monitor your own progress in the class. If it looks like you'll end up with a grade that is below what you want, you should look into dropping (withdrawing) from the course by the drop date. Please check with the Financial Aid office and with your instructor before dropping the class, since sometimes withdrawing from a class can negatively affect your financial aid. Also, if you speak with your instructor before you withdraw you might be able to work something out so that withdrawing becomes unnecessary.
However, sometimes, for whatever reason, you might end up with a poor grade in a class. If this happens, you do have options. One option is to request that your teacher give you an "NC" grade (stands for "no-credit"). By taking an NC grade the class will not be factored into your grade point average and it is as if you never took the class. However, by taking an NC grade the class truly counts as no credit, which means you may fall below full-time student status, which might negatively affect your financial aid. It is entirely up to the discretion of the instructor whether or not you receive a grade of NC or a numerical grade (like a 3.5 or 1.7, etc.). After an NC grade is given, you may retake the course only once.
If your instructor doesn't feel comfortable giving you an NC grade, then you will earn a numerical grade. If you want to raise your grade, you are allowed to take the course again (repeat the course) for a higher grade. You make retake a course a maximum of two times. The new grade you receive in the class is averaged with the previous grade to help you raise your grade point average. However, if you want your new course grade to replace your old course grade, you must officially make that request with the Registration Office. Unless specifically requested, the two grades are averaged.
- What happens if I have to take an Incomplete in my English class?
If a situation comes up where you can't do the work to finish your class, it's often best to take an Incomplete rather than drop the class. In this way you can get credit for the work you've already done in the class. To take an Incomplete, you should first talk with your instructor and work out what work still needs to be completed. He or she will have a form that you will fill out together which lists this work to be done and an approximate date when it will be completed. Be aware, however, that some teachers will give an Incomplete only in cases of illness or family emergency and that they are not given without consultation with the teacher. College rules say that an Incomplete must be completed no later than the end of the next quarter, not including summer quarter.
- What happens if I have to drop my English class?
Sometimes circumstances arise which forces a student to have to drop a class. It happens. If it happens to you, the best thing is always to talk with your instructor first. There may be a way for you to stay in the class and do your work in an alternate fashion. It's always better to withdraw than to just stop coming to class. If the teacher never hears from you and you remain on the grade sheet, you may receive a very low grade which may stay on your transcript and affect your grade point average. You might also receive a No Credit which might affect your financial aid status.
- Can I retake an English class?
If you want to raise your grade, you are allowed to take the course again (repeat the course) for a higher grade. You make retake a course a maximum of two times. The new grade you receive in the class is averaged with the previous grade to help you raise your grade point average. However, if you want your new course grade to replace your old course grade, you must officially make that request with the Registration Office. Unless specifically requested, the two grades will be averaged.
- What if I have a question about a grade that I've received on an English paper?
If you've received a grade that you don't understand or one with which you don't agree, it's always better to talk with your instructor about it rather than sit and worry. Consider stopping in to your teacher's office during office and talk about it hours (much better than trying to discuss it in the classroom before or after class). The teacher should be able to explain what went into his or her decision to give you that grade and answer your questions about it. Occasionally, teachers make mistakes in grading a paper and will be willing to take another look at it though, of course, you shouldn't expect this to be the outcome.
- What if I have a question about my course grade for an English class?
If you have a question about your overall course grade, it's always best to go back to your instructor and ask him or her to tell you how that grade was determined. One of the most common reasons for a course grade not being what a student expects is missing work. As teachers, we can only grade work that we've received. That's always a good place to start in your discussion - what work have you turned in and what grade did it receive. If you are not satisfied with your instructor's reasoning, then you can make an appointment to speak with the Associate Dean of the Humanities Division about the issue.
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Creative Writing
- What kinds of writing will I be asked to do in a creative writing course?
You can expect to read, analyze, and discuss in detail published poems and short stories, as well as material about the elements of craft in poetry and fiction. You will write poems and scenes or short stories that give you opportunities to develop for yourself such elements as sensory detail, vivid language, metaphor, sound, rhythm, characterization, plot, setting, and point of view. A new piece of writing is due every week, and student work is discussed by the class and in small groups.
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Independent Study
- What is Independent Study in English?
ENGL296 is a three-credit course where you work individually with an English instructor on an English-related project. You may sign up for this course only with approval from the specific instructor and the Associated Dean of Humanities.
- How do I register for it?
The place to start if you are considering ENGL296 is with a visit with the English program coordinator. She can help you decide whether or not this course is appropriate for your needs as well as help you get connected with a specific instructor.
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