Graduate Students

No matter what graduate program you are in or how long you have been an academic writer, a visit to the University Writing Center can be invaluable. Graduate sessions have many of the same essential elements as undergraduate sessions; however, because graduate students are generally more experienced writers, consultants usually focus on slightly different concerns. Many graduate students find that simply having a planned time to work with a consultant on their writing keeps them on track to complete large projects on schedule.

All graduate-level papers are reviewed by faculty consultants.
Graduate-level papers often involve a great deal of research. Faculty consultants can provide some assistance with finding sources, but your best resource for research is the University Library’s Research Librarians.

To make the most of your visit to the University Writing Center:

* Plan ahead:  Schedule a consulting session several days before your writing project is due so you have time to continue work on your assignment(s). During peak times such midterm and finals when everyone has course papers and portfolios due, the UWC gets busy!  To make sure you can schedule a session at a time that’s convenient for you, call 274-2049 or 278-8171 and reserve a session in advance.

* Come prepared:  Consultants help best when you help them understand your writing project.  Bring assignment sheets, class notes, and/or instructor comments with you.

* Bring a draft-in-progress:  Consultants will help you see ways to revise your draft.  No draft yet?  Consultants can talk with you about understanding your assignment and about strategies for getting started.

* Bring realistic expectations:  Long graduate-level papers usually require more than one consulting session.

* Come in while a response from a consultant can help:  UWC consultants specialize in helping students see ways to revise their drafts.  Consultants can offer only limited help on the day papers are due.

* Come ready to work with consultants:  Consultants do not have you all the answers.  The most valuable sessions happen when students and consultants work together to improve a piece of writing.