Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does the Writing Center cost?
A: The Writing Center is a free peer-tutoring service for current GW students. You will have to provide your GWid, but that's all.
Q: Do I need an appointment?
A: Nope. Walk-ins welcome! We tend to see a higher volume of students around midterms and finals and thus cannot guarantee a tutor will be available to see you unless an appointment is made ahead of time. The best way to ensure an appointment is to book one ahead of time using our online system. It's quick, easy, and can be made at any time.
Students can make up to 3 appointments per week, up to two weeks in advance.
Q: What sort of training do tutors have?
A: To qualify as peer tutors, students complete a rigorous process including a highly selective application and interview as well as a three-credit course that includes: studying composition and tutoring theory, responding to written work at various stages of the composing process, examining how writing is taught in different departments, tutoring while being observed and supervised. The semester long Peer-Tutor training course follows the Writing in the Discipline guidelines and each undergraduate has to have taken UW1020.
Tutors are also required to continue their training once working in the center with workshops, small group meetings, and staff meetings throughout the semester.
Graduate tutors have to participate in an intensive 3-day training as well as all the continuing education undergraduates have to participate in. All of our graduate tutors have writing center experience and knowledge from their undergraduate institution as well.
Professional faculty are all UW1020 professors who have either their MFA or PhD.
Q: How do I become a tutor?
A: Each spring our application will be posted on our website. This year, applications are due March 5, 2012. Students must have taken UW1020 before they are eligible for the peer-tutor class.
Graduate tutors: please email gwriter@gwu.edu. We hire graduate tutors at the beginning of each academic year based on our need.
Q: I am a distance learning student, how do I make an appointment?
A: Please schedule your appointment through the online system, indicating on the appointment registration page that you are a distance student. Then, send your paper at least 24 hours in advance to gwriter@gwu.edu. Include the name of your tutor, time of your session, and number you will be calling from at the time of your appointment. There are NO distance appointments on Mount Vernon Campus or in Himmelfarb Library.
Q: What sort of papers do the Writing Center help with?
A: Any writing that needs to be done for a UW1020, WID or other class can be brought in. We don't only help with academic writing however. If you have a cover letter, application, or other piece of writing you need assistance with, we are an available resource.
Q: Do I have to have a draft before coming to the Writing Center?
A: Nope. You can come in at any point during the writing process. Brainstorming to final revisions. Our tutors are able to assist at any point.
Q: Do you hold appointments outside of scheduled Writing Center hours?
A: Unfortunately if the writing center is closed, because the University is closed for a holiday or between sessions, the Writing Center will be closed too. Spring 2012 we provide 275 hours a week of appointments for students!
Gelman Library