Writing Center FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What should I bring with me to a consultation?

What can I expect from a Writing Center visit?

What kinds of writing does the Writing Center help with?

How long does a consultation usually take?

Will the Writing Center edit or proofread my paper for me?

Does the Writing Center offer subject specialists to fact-check my papers?

Does the Writing Center offer translation services?

Is there a limit on how many pages I can expect to cover in a single consultation?

Can I reserve a repeating appointment time?

Can I bring a take-home essay exam to the Writing Center?
Can I make a same-day appointment?

What if I need to cancel or change an appointment?

What if I miss an appointment?
What if I'm late to an appointment?

What should I do if I have difficulties with the scheduling software?

What if I can't find any open appointments on the schedule?

Is there a waitlist for same-day appointments that open up?

What should I bring with me to a consultation?

Most importantly, take some time to think about what you want to accomplish in the session; listing your specific questions for the consultant is very helpful. Bring

Your PRINTED draft ( unless your goal is to brainstorm or create an outline)

The assignment description

Any articles, books, and other references that you're using along with note paper and a pencil.

When you’re reserving the appointment, be as detailed as possible in explaining the purpose of your visit. Try to arrive five minutes before the appointment so you’re ready to start on-the-hour.

What can I expect from a Writing Center visit?

You will meet one-to-one with a consultant who is professionally trained to teach collegiate writing. We’ll discuss your specific writing concerns and provide feedback and suggestions. Writing Center consultations can take place at ANY stage of writing from planning through revision. We work with CU Boulder students, faculty, staff and alumni of all disciplines and skill-levels.

What kinds of writing does the Writing Center help with?

We provide advice and feedback on all kinds of writing: class assignments, thesis and dissertation chapters, scholarly articles, popular articles, business letters, grants, proposals, lab reports, resumes/CVs, cover letters, and personal statements. We also help faculty and teaching assistants to design writing assignments and respond to student writing more effectively.

How long does a consultation usually take?

Appointments begin on-the-hour and last 50 minutes. You’re limited to one appointment per day and two appointments per week to ensure fair availability for all of our clients.

Will the Writing Center edit or proofread my paper for me?

We’re always happy to answer your specific grammar and style questions. We will not, however, edit or proofread an entire paper for you. We will teach you how to recognize your errors and improve your ability to edit and proofread your own writing.

Does the Writing Center offer subject specialists to fact-check my papers?

As the writer, it’s your responsibility to learn and understand the concepts about which you’re writing. The Writing Center is here to help you communicate those ideas more clearly and effectively. If you're having difficulty understanding course material, please visit with the professor or T.A. during office hours for assistance.

Does the Writing Center offer translation services ?

Translation is a specialty outside of our expertise and educational mission; we can only offer support for texts written in English. However, we’re always glad to work with English language learners to improve their communication abilities in English. You may wish to contact specific language programs at CU (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, etc) if you’re in need of a translation service.

Is there a limit on how many pages I can expect to cover in a single consultation?

It depends on what you want to accomplish, but 7-10 pages is the maximum for one session. Keep in mind that whatever reading the consultant does will take place during the consultation. For longer term papers, theses, etc., we recommend making multiple appointments with the same consultant to allow for adequate time to meet your writing needs.

Can I reserve a repeating appointment time?

Due to limited resources and great demand for our services, we cannot guarantee a repeating reservation, but we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs. If you have never had a Writing Center consultation before, we ask that you make one or two trial appointments for two reasons. First, to make sure that what we provide will help you achieve your goals. Second, to allow you to find a consultant with whom you can work productively, on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, over a period of weeks or months. Email wrtghelp@colorado.edu or call (303) 735-6906 with inquiries.

Can I bring a take-home essay exam to the Writing Center?

Yes, but it is your responsibility to observe the CU Boulder Honor Code. Most instructors will be pleased that you’re making the effort to improve your writing, but if you have any concerns about bringing an assignment to the Writing Center, please confer with your instructor before your appointment.

Can I make a same-day appointment?

Sometimes this is possible, but we strongly suggest making your appointments at least a few days in advance. The Writing Center tends to be busiest in the morning and early afternoon. During midterms and finals, appointments should be made well in advance. We don’t offer walk-in hours, but if you stop by and there's a time slot open, you're welcome to make an appointment on the spot.

What if I need to cancel or change an appointment?

If you must cancel an appointment, please try to do so no later than 24 hours in advance. To cancel online, login to our scheduling page and open "My Control Panel." You'll see a list of appointments you've made. Next to each appointment are “modify” and “delete” options . NOTE: Same-day cancellations must be made by phone: (303) 735-6906 or email: wrtghelp@colorado.edu .

What if I miss an appointment?

On rare occasions missing an appointment is unavoidable. If you miss an appointment without canceling it, please send an email to wrtghelp@colorado.edu to let us know what happened. If you fail to contact us, it will be counted as a "no-show." *Two no-shows may result in your appointment privileges being suspended.

What if I'm late to an appointment?

We strongly suggest showing up five to ten minutes BEFORE your appointment so that you're prepared to start right away at your scheduled time. If you're ten or more minutes late to an appointment, we reserve the right to give away your time slot to someone else. If you're running late, please call us at (303) 735-6906. We can hold your appointment for up to fifteen minutes past the start time. Also, if you anticipate being a few minutes late, please note this when reserving/confirming your appointment.

What should I do if I have difficulties with the scheduling software?

Try using the help function on the scheduling site first. If this does not help, call us at (303) 735-6906 or send an email to wrtghelp@colorado.edu . If you're on campus, stop by the Writing Center and we'll be glad to help.

What if I can't find any open appointments on the schedule?

The online schedule shows the current day and next two days, refreshing at midnight. To book an appointment that does not yet appear online, you have to come to the Writing Center in person.

Is there a waitlist for same-day appointments that open up?

If you're near Norlin Library and want to work with us the same day, stop in and ask to be on the stand-by list. This means that you'll get first priority if someone fails to arrive for a scheduled appointment or cancels that day. We will contact you by phone (or, if you specify, by email). Same-day openings tend to come up suddenly, so if you do not answer your phone, we generally will not leave a message. If you're looking for something in the next few days, check the schedule often because it changes frequently. You can often find same-day cancellations by checking the schedule before 10AM.