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University Writing Program

Columbian College of Arts & Sciences

WID Exemptions

Eligible students may apply for an exemption for a Writing in the Disciplines (WID) course. This may include students who study abroad, transfer to GW, or complete college-level credit at another institution while enrolled at GW. Please carefully follow the exemption request instructions. Incomplete applications or requests submitted using a Transfer Credit Approval Form will be rejected.

There are no guaranteed WID exemptions. Departments, advisors, and faculty may not grant WID exemptions. Exemption requests are considered only after successful completion of the course(s) in question.

UW1020 Exemptions

Students who are looking to apply for an exemption for a UW 1020 course must complete the UW 1020 Exemption Request process.

How to Request a WID Exemption

 
Transfer Course Exemptions

If you believe a course you took at another institution satisfies GW’s stringent WID Course Objectives — especially in regards to peer review — then you may submit an exemption request so that WID can determine whether or not the course is eligible for WID credit.

Be sure to include all materials in the following checklist order:

  1. A completed UWP Exemption Request Form (PDF), which will act as the cover page to your petition packet.
  2. A Personal Statement describing the work done in the course that meets each of the five WID Course Objectives, and detail where documentation of each objective can be found in either the syllabus or additional documentation (e.g. page number, etc.). Students must acknowledge that, if the petition is denied, they agree to fulfill GW degree requirements.
  3. Unofficial GW Transcript downloaded from GWeb — or, if this is your first semester at GW, a copy of the Statement of Transfer Credit that you received from the admissions office/registrar.
  4. Syllabus & Calendar of Assignments showing how assignments are staged and prompted throughout the semester, highlighting sections or language in the syllabus that corresponds to each of the five WID Course Objectives.
  5. Additional documentation of faculty and/or peer response components, that may not be described in the syllabus (as needed).
  6. A writing sample produced in the course. 

Students may request a copy of their Statement of Transfer credit by emailing [email protected]. This document may be accepted in place of the GW Transcript in Exemption packets.

If the petition request is approved by WID, the course will then be slotted into your DegreeMAP worksheet under the WID requirement, but note that it will not be notated with a W for WID designation on your transcript.

Study Abroad Exemptions

If you believe a course you took while studying abroad satisfies GW’s stringent WID Course Objectives — especially in regards to peer review — then you may submit an exemption request so that WID can determine whether or not the course is eligible for WID credit.

Be sure to include all materials in the following checklist order:

  1. A completed UWP Exemption Request Form (PDF), which will act as the cover page to your petition packet.
  2. A Personal Statement describing the work done in the course that meets each of the five WID Course Objectives, and detail where documentation of each objective can be found in either the syllabus or additional documentation (e.g. page number, etc.). Students must acknowledge that, if the petition is denied, they agree to fulfill GW degree requirements.
  3. Unofficial GW Transcript downloaded from GWeb — or, if this is your first semester at GW, a copy of the Statement of Transfer Credit that you received from the admissions office/registrar.
  4. Syllabus & Calendar of Assignments showing how assignments are staged and prompted throughout the semester, highlighting sections or language in the syllabus that corresponds to each of the five WID Course Objectives.
  5. Additional documentation of faculty and/or peer response components, that may not be described in the syllabus (as needed).
  6. A writing sample produced in the course. 

Study abroad transfer credit requests submitted through the Course Approval Transfer System (CATS) will be rejected. As with other transfer credits, approved study abroad courses will be slotted into your DegreeMAP worksheet under the WID requirement but will not be notated with a W for WID designation on your transcript.

Extraordinary Circumstance Exemptions

We recognize that extraordinary circumstances can derail academic plans and prevent a student from distributing their WID credits as dictated by the university-wide requirement, distributed across at least two terms, after completing UW 1020. Eligible students may apply to have out-of-sequence WID credits reconsidered.

Be sure to include all materials in the following checklist order:

  1. A completed UWP Exemption Request Form (PDF), which will act as the cover page to your petition packet.
  2. A Personal Statement explaining clearly the extraordinary circumstances that prevented you from taking any WID credits to date and/or which prevent you from spreading the WID credits out over two or more terms in your remaining time at GW. Students must acknowledge that, if the petition is denied, they agree to fulfill GW degree requirements.
  3. A Letter from your Advisor documenting relevant details regarding the extraordinary circumstances that prevented you from following the curricular policy. We may also communicate directly with advisors. 
  4. Unofficial GW Transcript downloaded from GWeb — or, if this is your first semester at GW, a copy of the Statement of Transfer Credit that you received from the admissions office/registrar.
  5. Syllabus & Calendar of Assignments (if relevant to the petition).
  6. A writing sample produced in the course. 

How to Submit Your WID Exemption Request

  • Name your PDF packet "LAST NAME, FIRST NAME - WID Exemption Request” 
    • e.g. "Smith, Jane - WID Exemption Request” 
  • Submit the form and all requested attachments combined into a single PDF file to [email protected] with the subject line "LAST NAME, FIRST NAME - WID Exemption Request” 
    • e.g. "Smith, Jane - WID Exemption Request” 

WID Exemption Processing Timeline

Please allow a minimum of 3 weeks for your petition to be evaluated. Our office staff will email both you and your advisor with the decision. If more documentation or information is needed, we will reach out via email from [email protected].

Deadlines for Seniors Planning to Graduate

All WID exemption requests must be received by the following deadlines:

  • Spring and Summer proposed graduation: May 10
  • Fall proposed graduation: November 20