Photo of COM building

Frequently Asked Questions

Who uses the Writing Center?

Any BU student can use the COM Writing Center. Most of our clients are COM students because we specialize in communication writing. We assist undergraduate and graduate students. Some students are native speakers; others speak English as a second language. Many of our clients are repeat visitors, which is a testimony to the effectiveness of our tutoring.

What are the Statistics?

The following statistics will give you an idea of just how many clients our fellows have assisted during the past two semesters:

Fall 2006:

  • Total # of students: 393
  • Total # of visits: 845
  • Total # of ESL students: 47
  • Total # of ESL visits: 75
What Can I Expect From a Session?

At the start of a session, the tutor will ask you what you want to work on. You set the agenda. Students come to the writing center at all points in the writing process. Sometimes they work on generating ideas for their topics. Other times students work on developing and structuring ideas or revising for clarity and conciseness or editing for correctness. Every session is different, depending on what you want to accomplish.

Where is the Writing Center located, and where can I sign up?

The Writing Center is located in the College of Communication (640 Commonwealth Avenue) in room B27A. The COM Writing Center now uses an online scheduling system. Free registration is required to use the system.

Can I sign up for a longer appointment?

Yes. If you think that you need a longer appointment, please contact John Hall for permission.