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Schedule an Appointment

All Writing Center appointments are scheduled and managed on WC Online. Online appointments are also held here. Please refer to our WC Online Tutorial for instructions on creating an account and utilizing the platform.

WC Online - Take me There!

What happens in a Writing Center visit?

In 45-minute sessions, Writing Consultants meet with students to discuss the writing and provide feedback and advice on ways to improve. 

Writing Consultants will work with you to help interpret a writing assignment, create and sharpen a thesis statement, organize ideas and research and develop logical arguments, polish your prose and develop overall skill, identify recurring errors, find strategies for revising, and learn citation styles. 

Looking for a tutor with a specific skill set? We highly recommend viewing consultant information before scheduling to find the tutor who is the best fit for you. Click here to learn more about our staff!

How can I be ready for my appointment?

Take a look at our downloadable sheet, Preparing for Your Writing Center Appointment, for more information.

Appointment FAQs

Yes, the Writing Center is accessible to all- both physically and virtually. The Writing Center is located on the left-hand side of the third floor of the Butler Pavilion (Room 310) which features an elevator and an accessible entrance. Virtually, the Writing Center is accessible to all AU students no matter your location via WC Online.

In-person appointments are held at the Writing Center. We are located on the third floor of Butler Pavilion in Room 310. When you arrive, simply check in with the receptionist at the front desk and your tutor will arrive to get retrieve you.

Online appointments are held over WC Online (not Zoom!). When it is time for your appointment, simply log back into WC Online and select your appointment time under "Today's Appointments." Then, click START OR JOIN ONLINE CONSULTATION to begin.

Please arrive at your appointment with your assignment guidelines/syllabus, your draft or other outlining/brainstorming/notes you've done, a good idea of how we can help you, and a readiness to participate in your session! If your appointment is in-person, please bring your assignment on a personal computer, flash drive, or printed copy.

For more information on how to prepare for your appointment, please read Preparing For Your Appointment.

Students may schedule one appointment per day and three appointments per week. Otherwise, there is no semester limit. Remember that all appointments must be scheduled and that we are unable to accept drop-in appointments at this time.

Please see our Appointment Scheduling Policy for more information.

If the day when you would like to schedule an appointment is completely booked, you can join the day's waiting list on WC Online. This is located in the top-right corner after searching for available appointments.

The waiting list will notify you of any appointments that get canceled during the time(s) you have selected. You can also ask to be notified if an appointment with a specific tutor opens. Once you are notified of the availability, you can log in to WC Online or contact us to schedule the appointment.

For more help, please view our WC Online Tutorial.

Please note: Notifications for open appointments will be sent to everyone on the waitlist, so reserving the appointment immediately upon receipt of the notification is key. All appointments are reserved on a first-come first-served basis.

If you are having trouble logging in, one of two things is likely to have occurred- a system error or account deactivation.

System error: sometimes a system error occurs that blocks students from accessing their accounts. If this is the case, please contact us and we will help you reset your password.

Account Deactivation: WC Online automatically deactivates student accounts after 3 missed appointments. If this is the case, please contact us to set up a time with a coordinator to discuss our policy and reactivate your account. Please see our Late/Missed Appointment Policy for more information.

 

Spring 2024 Hours

  • Monday-Thursday: 10 am-9 pm
  • Friday: 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday: 12 pm-9 pm

 

Please note: All times are in EST. We are closed on university holidays & breaks. Hours may vary based on circumstance & consultant availability.

Drop-In Appointments: Unfortunately, we are currently unable to accept drop-in appointments. All appointments must be scheduled in advance through WC Online.

WC Online Tutorial

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Covid-19 Precautions

We are taking precautions against the spread of Covid-19 in the Writing Center through the use of air purifiers & fans, masks, and limitations on Writing Center capacity.

Questions?

If you have additional questions regarding Writing Center appointments, please reach out at writingcenter@american.edu or via phone at 202-885-3360.