Students

Will the Writing Fellow proofread or check my paper for grammar mistakes?

No. The philosophy of the Writing Center is to help students learn how to be better writers and to have confidence when writing. Therefore, while we will help you with issues of grammar and style, we will not merely proofread or edit your paper.

What will the Writing Fellow and I work on in our session?

Writing Fellows will be glad to assist you in all phases of the writing process. For example, they can help you get started by brainstorming and developing an outline, or to strengthen your thesis statement. Please note that it is extremely helpful for you to have specific questions in mind or issues you want the fellow to address. Avoid coming in merely for a general ‘second opinion.’

What kind of writing can I bring?

Writing Fellows will work with you on any piece of writing related to your academic or professional pursuits while studying at BU. We mainly work on academic essays for BU courses, and we also will read personal essays, generally for application, scholarship, and employment purposes. However, we recommend using Career Services for review of resumes and applications.  We cannot help you with writing (or parts thereof) of which you are not the author.

What about take-home exams?

Please note that University regulations prevent us from working with you on take-home essay exams unless a professor has granted specific and explicit permission to visit the Writing Center.

Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes: Come to the ERC to schedule your first appointment with one of our Writing Fellows.

How early should I make an appointment?

Please be advised that we tend to book early and often, particularly during busy times in the semester—so plan ahead! It’s also best to schedule an appointment for several days prior to your paper’s due date; that way, you’ll have ample time to revise after receiving feedback from the Writing Fellow.

What should I bring with me to the appointment?

Bring a copy of the essay you’d like to work on and any other relevant information or documents—such as the assignment sheet, class syllabus, application form or questions (for personal statements, etc), or previous assignments.

• Please note that Writing Fellows cannot work from a laptop.  You will need to bring a printed copy of your paper to your session; a double-sided copy is accepted.
• For more information on where to print on campus, visit MyPrint

How long does an appointment last?

Appointments are forty-five minutes.