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Dear Members of the Class of 2030:

Welcome to Skidmore! Throughout the next four years, you will use writing as a mode of communication and artistic expression, a tool for investigation and analysis, and a pathway to learning.  That’s why expository writing is a foundation for a successful college education and a foundation requirement at Skidmore. To assure you register for an appropriate writing course—one that matches your abilities and challenges you as a writer—you are required to complete the Directed Self-Placement (DSP) Program for Expository Writing Placement. Directed Self-Placement asks you to write a short essay; reflect seriously and thoughtfully about your essay, your writing process, and your abilities as a writer; and finally choose the expository writing course level that is best suited for you as an incoming college writer.

Here is how Directed Self-Placement works:

1. The DSP program takes about 90 minutes. Once you have begun the program, you cannot stop or exit, so select a comfortable place to work uninterruptedly for about an hour and a half. If you have required extended time for exams based on a documented disability, click on the “Extended Time” button at the start of the DSP.
2. When you are ready to begin, follow the link on the First-Year Experience Checklist.
3. For the first part of the DSP, you will write an essay in response to a short reading. You have 45 minutes to complete your essay. After 45 minutes, you can reread your essay, but you cannot write any more or make any
4. After you have written your essay, you will rate several aspects of your experiences as a writer. You may review your essay as you consider your
5. You will next read several short passages by actual first-year Skidmore students and select the sample which looks most like the writing you
6. Next, you will read course descriptions of our three writing courses. Choose the course description that best seems to address your needs as a writer while also challenging you to develop your writing
7. The Directed Self-Placement program uses no computer algorithms; the placement selection comes directly from With the help of some additional descriptive information about our writing seminars, you are to review and reflect honestly upon the answers you have given and select your writing class level. Then you will choose your course level and write a brief explanation of your selection.
   
   Please note: you must select a writing class level for your DSP to be valid—be sure not to skip this step.

You must complete the Directed Self-Placement by May 22, 2026. If you have any questions about the DSP process, please contact me, Thad Niles (518-580-8114 or tniles@skidmore.edu).   

Best Regards,

Thad Niles
Director, Expository Writing
English Language Learning Specialist for the Writing Center