Harper College
Testing Center

English Placement Discussion

Harper College offers a unique way for you to find the best English class for you with no testing involved.  Sign up to schedule a one-on-one with one of Harper's own English faculty for a brief virtual or on campus meeting to discuss our different English courses and your own writing and reading skills.  See the Frequently Asked Questions section for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions

The English placement discussion is alternative to traditional placement testing for college level English.

You will meet individually with an English faculty member for 15 to 20 minutes to discuss your reading and writing experiences and learn about the classes Harper offers for English.

  1. Schedule an appointment: 

    • You can meet in-person or online for your placement discussion.

    • Online meetings are done through Webex. 

    • Complete the placement appointment request form to schedule your appointment. 

    • You will receive a confirmation by email about your appointment from the person you will be meeting.

  2. Meet for placement discussion:

    • The meeting will take about 15–20 minutes.

  3. Get your placement results:

    • The interviewer will determine your English placement.

    • You may be placed in one of the following:

      • ENG 101

      • ENG 095 + ENG 101

      • ENG 093

      • ENG 087

  4. Register for classes:

    • Students can register for classes based on their placement. 

Nothing but your authentic self!  It's you chatting with an English professor.  You won't be required to write anything or prepare anything in advance.  

If you are meeting online, please make sure you have a reliable internet connection and are able to access the Webex link prior to your meeting for your placement discussion.  Use a laptop for your Webex meeting if possible as mobile phones tend to be less reliable with Webex.

Anyone can complete the form to schedule an English placement discussion.  However, we can not place students who may need English as a Second Language (ESL) support. If English is not your first language and you did not use English as your primary language of instruction your high school or university/college, you should take the written English placement test or contact our Academic ESL Department for testing.

 The English placement discussions are best for students who:

  1. Haven't been in school for awhile and so have no other valid placement measures such as ACT, SAT, or GPA.
  1. Find placement testing is a barrier for them.  They are apprehensive sitting for placement exam.
  1. Would like to meet with an English professor to talk about the possible English courses.

Yes, please contact our Access and Disability Services Department at ADS@harpercollege.edu to ask about services we can provide you.

Last Updated: 6/2/26