How do GWC consultations work?
Our consultations usually last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. When you meet, you and your consultant will discuss your work, address your concerns, and walk through their pre-written feedback. For information on what a typical session looks like, read our blog post about utilizing our resources.
What kinds of documents does the GWC help with?
We help with any graduate writing for coursework, professional development, and research. Some documents we’ve helped with include dissertation/thesis chapters, articles for publication, conference papers, job or grad school application materials, grant or IRB proposals, and class assignments. We can help with documents at any stage of the writing process, whether you’re just beginning to outline or have a partial or completed draft.
What appointment times are available?
The GWC knows that grad students are busy, and we value flexibility! Because we are also graduate students who have teaching and research responsibilities, we do not have pre-set appointment times. You consultant will work with you personally to find a time that works best for both of your schedules.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Use our sign up form to request an appointment. A consultant will reach out to schedule a meeting at a time that is conducive to both of your schedules within 24 business hours of your initial request.
How often does the GWC respond to emails?
The GWC Coordinator actively responds to emails throughout the day Monday through Friday during normal business hours, 9am to 5pm. Any emails sent after 5PM will not be seen until the following business day, and we cannot guarantee email responses on weekends or official school holidays.
How far in advance should I schedule my appointment?
If possible, you should reach out to schedule an appointment at least 3 to 4 business days in advance of when you’d like to meet about your paper. We require at least 24 hours with your document, and we cannot guarantee a same-day or even next-day appointment. If you need feedback on your document more urgently, we recommend scheduling a day-of appointment with the University Writing Center here; they are located on the second floor of Moody Library.
Can I schedule an appointment before I’ve finished the draft that I want you to read?
Yes, you can schedule an appointment before you have a document to send us. Once you have scheduled your appointment, your consultant will tell you when they need your document in order to read it thoroughly before you meet.
What do I bring to my appointment?
Students often bring their laptops to follow along with their paper; your consultant will email you feedback right before your appointment so you will have a copy. However, a paper copy of your document is fine as well. *For virtual appointments, you will simply need an internet connection!
Will the GWC help me with my grammar?
We will help with grammar issues as they arise in your appointment. We will not fix all of your grammar mistakes for you. Rather, we will identify any frequent patterns we see and show you tips and strategies for correcting them.
Does the GWC provide ELL resources?
All of our resources, including one-on-one tutoring, workshops, and video tutorials, are available to all graduate students. Other Baylor resources include the following:
English for Academic Purposes course (Grad school)
International Student Academic Support (Center for Global Engagement)
What if I just have general writing questions?
We are happy to meet with you to discuss writing concepts you’re concerned with even if they are not connected to a specific paper. However, it is often helpful to use a sample of your own writing to talk through these issues.
Where is the GWC located?
The GWC does not have a physical location. Most consultations are held either online via Zoom or in-person in the Graduate Research Center in Poage Library, though other locations are sometimes used for the convenience of the student and consultant.
Can I do a virtual/remote consultation?
Yes. We can schedule consultations via Zoom, Skype, or phone. The submission process for remote meetings is the same as the submission process for face-to-face meetings.
How does the Graduate Writing Center differ from the University Writing Center?
The Graduate Writing Center (GWC) operates separately from the University Writing Center (UWC). We are also separate from the Online Ed.D. Writing Center, which is only available to online School of Education students in the LOC program.
The GWC is staffed only by advanced doctoral students from across disciplines, most of whom have publishing experience and are in the dissertation stage of their program. We can help with any and all documents of almost any length, including dissertation chapters. We also spend a significant amount of time reviewing your work prior to our meeting.
The UWC is staffed by undergraduate students across disciplines. They read your work with you in real-time during e-tutoring appointments and also offer asynchronous appointments. If you are in need of a same-day appointment, they often have slots open for that as well. They are best suited for shorter documents (<10 pages).
Was your question not answered here? Email us at gwc@baylor.edu.