Information for Students

Who can use the centers?

Any actively enrolled NC State student can use the ASC writing services. We do ask that students schedule in the appropriate undergraduate or graduate writing support center.

If you are an undergraduate student taking a graduate course, you may use GWC for that course only, or if you are a graduate student in an undergraduate course, you may use UWC for that course only.

Do I need to make an appointment?

Yes. UWC and GWC are appointment only services.

What kind of appointments are available?

• Appointments are available in 30-minute and 60-minute sessions.
  • Working time for 30-minute session: 25 minutes
  • Working time for 60-minute session: 55 minutes
• All students are allowed 1 hour per day, 3 hours per week
• Appointments can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance

When should I visit the writing center?

You can visit UWC or GWC at any point in the writing process. Consultants can help you brainstorm, outline, organize ideas, read through a draft, revise, and even work through writer’s block. Be sure to check out our available handouts which can help you before or after your appointment.

What types of writing can I bring to the center?

As long as you are an actively enrolled NC State student, you can bring any piece of writing to the center: assignments, application essays, personal statements for scholarships or applications, emails, cover letters, job materials, grant proposals, dissertations, or any other piece of writing you are working on that has a specific audience and purpose. You can visit the center any time you want to make sure that your intended message is communicated clearly to your audience.

For resumes and curricula vitae, writing consultants can help with the content of your document. For more specifics regarding formatting rules and regulations, you should refer to the Career Development Center or your advisor.

Writing consultants can also help with citation formatting, but they cannot help with Electronic Theses and Dissertation (ETD) formatting, Microsoft Office, or other technology support.

Will you proofread my paper, thesis, or dissertation for me?

Neither UWC nor GWC are an editing service. Students must be actively engaged for the entire session. If grammatical issues impact clarity, the consultants will help identify and correct these errors; however, the consultants’ goal is always that you gain the skills to continue this editing work on your own, not to create an error-free document. The Raleigh/Durham area is home to a number of universities and professional presses. If you require professional editing help, a Google search should provide you with several options.

Can I bring a group paper to UWC or GWC?

Yes. In order to work most effectively, however, all members of the group must be present at the appointment.

Who am I working with during my appointment?

As a peer-to-peer service, you will be working with trained undergraduate or graduate writing consultants.

The ASC continually strives to improve our writing services through direct supervision, including session observations of our consultants. In one such session observation, consultants may request to record a session to view their own performance. Please note that these recordings are seen only by the consultant and their direct supervisor. The sole purpose of both recording a session and session observations is to improve the consultant’s performance and skills.

Questions about UWC or GWC?

Email the Academic Success Center or call 919.515.3163.