What Are Comparable Courses?
Critical Writing seminars at Penn (e.g., Writing Seminar in Anthropology, Writing Seminar in History, etc.) include at least 40-50 pages of discipline-based writing, emphasize peer-review and workshop skills, and require a process of drafting and revision, and makes the craft of writing its primary focus. In addition, Penn writing seminars include rigorous, discipline-based readings focused on a specific topic, with at least one complete book-length text.

What Materials Must Be Submitted?
Students requesting credit for having fulfilled the Writing Requirement must supply a complete portfolio of their work including a course syllabus and 40-50 pages of assigned writing. Along with final, graded assignments, the portfolio should include evidence of the drafting and revision process: early drafts with instructor comments, completed peer reviews, workshop notes, pre-writing exercises, etc.

Students should submit their writing portfolios for review during their first year in attendance at Penn. The Critical Writing Program will not consider requests for credit from students who have already completed two or more semesters of Penn coursework.

Where Do I Bring My Portfolio?
Portfolios can be dropped off at our offices during regular business hours.


When a review is complete, students will receive an e-mail notification to retrieve their portfolio materials and Transfer of Credit forms. If credit is approved, the Transfer Credit form must be returned to the Office of Transfer and Advance Standing Credit in order for credit to appear on student records. The Writing Program will not return portfolio materials through the mail and cannot assume responsibility for materials that are not retrieved from our offices.

Students should provide a campus e-mail address and should expect the review process to take up to 3-4 weeks during busy periods.