Techniques for accessing a wireless communication system are described. A user equipment (UE) sends a random access preamble for system access. The random access preamble may include a random identifier (ID), a channel quality indicator (CQI), etc. The UE may randomly select the random ID or may be assigned this random ID. The UE receives a random access response from a base station. The random access response may include control channel resources (e.g., CQI and PC resources), uplink resources, and/or control information (e.g., timing advance and PC correction) for the UE. The random access response may be sent in two parts using two messages. A first message may be sent on a control channel and may include identification information and possibly other information. A second message may be sent on a shared data channel and may include remaining information for the random access response.