Bryn Mawr College

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is the Writing Center?
• The Writing Center is located on the second floor of Canaday Library in room 212.

• When is the Writing Center open? What are the regular hours?
• The Writing Center opens for the Fall semester at the beginning of the third week of classes. It opens for the Spring semester at the beginning of the second week of classes.
• The Writing Center closes each semester after the last week of classes. The Writing Center is NOT open during finals week.
• Monday through Thursday: 1pm-5pm, and 7pm to 10pm, Sunday: 2pm -8pm. The Writing Center is closed on Friday and Saturday.

• Is the Writing Center open during Finals’ Week?
• NO. The Writing Center is closed during finals week.

• How do I get a tutorial at the Writing Center?
• There are two ways to get a tutorial at the Writing Center.
• You can walk in during our regular hours and a tutor will help you if she is available. It’s best to walk in at the beginning of an hour (for example, 1pm or 2pm, not 1:25pm or 2:30pm). Because we are often busy, this may not be a good option if you really want to be sure to get help.
• You can make an appointment by calling x5656 from an on campus phone, or by calling 610.526.5656 from your cell phone or other off campus phone. This is the best way to ensure you get the help you need when you need it. Appointments begin on the hour and are NOT on “Bryn Mawr time”.

• How long should I expect my tutorial to last?
• You should plan to spend an hour at the Writing Center.

• What should I bring to my tutorial?
• The most important thing to bring to your tutorial is an openness to work on your writing! Other things that help make a tutorial successful are:
• The assignment sheet ,
• Any class notes or course texts that pertain to the assignment
• Any written work you have done so far.

• I don’t have a draft of my paper; can I still come to the Writing Center?
• Yes! While a draft is helpful, it is not necessary for a tutorial. You are welcome to use your session to brainstorm ideas to help get you started.

• Is there a limit to how often I have a tutorial?
• YES! Our policy is one tutorial per student per day. This is because it is important to have the time to work on your paper between visits and to ensure that tutor hours are disbursed equitably among users of the Writing Center.

• I don't have a phone extension; may I still use the writing center?
• YES! Leave your cell phone number when you make your request for an appointment and someone will call you back.

• What if I need help with study skills?
• There are certain writing related study skills that our tutors can help you with. These include brainstorming to generate ideas about an assignment, learning how to read “actively” (so that you can find evidence for your claims when you write), and helping you to understand the revising process as it pertains to college writing. For other non-writing related study skills (how to study effectively for a foreign language or math class), you should contact the Peer Mentoring Service or your Hall Advisor. If you are having trouble in a particular class, contact the professor and/or your dean.

• I came in to the Writing Center last night and worked with a tutor on a paper and I want to come in right before it's due tomorrow to have a new tutor take a "final look", is this okay?
• Maybe. If you want a writing consultant to look over the final draft of your paper to help you learn how to catch grammatical or copy editing errors, then we are happy to help. However, a tutor cannot “fix” your paper for you before you turn it in.

• Should I have a report sent a to my Professor?
• Most professors appreciate having a report sent. It lets them know that you are taking the writing in the course seriously. It also tells them what it is that you are working on so that they can further assist you.

• How far in advance do I need to cancel and appointment?
• You should call and cancel as soon as you know you cannot make your appointment. At the very least, please call by the hour immediately preceding your appointment so that a tutor can help a walk-in student in your place.

• What if I’m late to my appointment?
• Please call the Writing Center if you are running late. If the center isn’t busy, the writing consultant can wait for you. However, if you are more than 10 minutes late and the center is busy, the writing consultant will take the next person in line in your place.

• How can I make the most of the Writing Center?
• Come as prepared as you can be! This means bring the assignment sheet, any class notes or course texts that pertain to the assignment, and any written work you have done so far.
• And relax! Peer writing consultants are also students, and they have been stressed about writing as well. We’re here to help and are happy to do so.

• What if I have a suggestion for the writing center? Can I tell someone?
• If you have a suggestion, you can fill out a feedback form, which is available on the door of the Writing Center. You can also contact Gail Hemmeter, the Director of the Writing Program (ghemmete, x5301) or Nimisha Ladva, the Assistant Director of the Writing Center (nladva, x5302).

• Can I talk about more than one assignment in an appointment?
• It is usually possible only to work on a single assignment in each tutorial. We take pride in the care we give to each student and her assignment.

• I am a graduate student, post-bac, Haverford student or Bryn Mawr college alum, may I make use of the BMC writing center?
• YES! While the Bryn Mawr Writing Center’s mission is to help Bryn Mawr undergraduate students, if there is an opening, the staff is happy to help members of the larger campus community. Haverford students who are taking a Bryn Mawr class are also welcome to use the center.

• I have a research paper due for a non-humanities class, may I still come to the writing center?
• YES! The Writing Center offers tutorials for writing in all disciplines. All staff members are trained to help students in any major and some, because of their major or other experience, specialize in non-humanities tutorials. Be sure to look at the “meet the staff” page to find out more about our tutors’ special interests.

• My Professor says I really need to work on grammar; will the Writing Center help me with this?
• YES! While the Writing Center is not a copy editing service, we are happy to help students who express a desire to work on their grammar. Often, once a tutorial is underway, the tutor will note issues other than grammar that will also warrant the student’s attention.

• Do you help with non-academic writing?
• YES! We help with all the different kinds of writing tasks that students face. This includes personal statements for graduate or professional schools (law school, medical school, etc.), applications for internships, and applications for funding for internships.

• Do you help with creative writing?
• If you are clear about the kind of help you want with your creative writing, we are often able to help. Some of our staff has a special interest in helping students of creative writing. You can find out who does by looking at our “meet the staff” page.

• Do you help with foreign language papers; how can I make arrangements for this?
• Sometimes we have consultants on staff who can help with foreign language papers. You can find out who can help you by looking at the “meet the staff” page and then making an appointment with the appropriate person.

• I am a strong writer and am confident about my writing. Is the Writing Center for me?
• YES! All writers can benefit from the feedback of an interested reader. In fact, just about all professional writers show their work to others in order to improve it.

• Does the writing center see students who are not freshman?
• YES! The Writing Center sees students at all levels and in all classes.

• I don't have any writing with me, is it still okay to come in?
• YES! Yes! While a draft is helpful, it is not necessary for a tutorial. You are welcome to use your session to brainstorm ideas to help get you started.

• I noticed that the tutor won't write on my paper; why is this?

• We have a strict “no writing on student papers” policy. We believe that the student is the authority on her own writing. She is welcome to take notes on the discussion with the peer consultant, but the peer consultant will not write on her paper for her. Additionally, this policy supports the college’s honor code as it pertains to academic writing by ensuring that only the student’s ideas are in—or on—the paper that she turns in for academic credit.
• For these same reasons, the tutor is not authorized to give you her notes.

• Can I work with the same tutor every time?
• Theoretically, yes, but probably not. You are welcome to request the same tutor for each of your visits and make your appointments accordingly. However, our schedule gets filled up quickly and it is unlikely that the tutor you want will always be available. All of our staff members are nominated by faculty on campus for their strong writing skills as well as their ability to work with others. We’re sure you’ll find the help of other writing consultants useful to you as well.