What to Expect at the Science Writing Center
Scheduling an Appointment
You need a Utah State University WC Online account to schedule an appointment. You can register for an account at usu.mywconline.com. Once signed in, you have access to our Science Writing Center calendars. Each calendar represents a different appointment type or location:
- Science Writing Center(ESLC 044A) — 40-min. appointments
- Zoom—Video / Audio — 30-min. appointments
- Written Feedback — No Meeting
Tutors who work at the Science Writing Center have a science designation by their name on the Zoom and Written Feedback calendars. You may sign up for two appointments per day. In-person appointments can be made at any point in the semester. Online appointments can be made up to seven days in advance.
Note: Same-day scheduling is available at all locations; however, appointments must be made at least 20 minutes in advance.
The Appointment Questionnaire
After selecting an available appointment, you will complete a questionnaire. This form asks for your A#, class, teacher, assignment type, due date, and writing concerns. Attach your paper and assignment description as a Word Doc. If your materials are not ready when you schedule the appointment, you can edit the form later to add the items.
Keep your eye out for your appointment confirmation email. It contains important reminders like the time, date, and location of your session as well as your tutor's name, email, and Zoom link.
In-Person Appointments
Arrive to your appointment in ESCL 044A a few minutes early. Welcome! Your tutor will introduce themselves and walk you to their tutoring station.
The tutor will begin the session by asking about your goals, concerns, and assignment requirements. You'll spend the remainder of your time working towards those goals! This may entail reading sections of your paper aloud, talking about ideas, reviewing resources, practicing revision, outlining, etc.
After your appointment, you will receive two emails from the Science Writing Center: a copy of your tutor's session notes and an invitation to take an anonymous survey about your experience. Please take the survey! If you need credit for your visit, you can use the emailed report form. You can always access past reports on WC Online.
Online Appointments
At your scheduled appointment time, open the link to your tutor’s Zoom room (found in your confirmation email). You will be directed to the tutor’s waiting room where you can test your speaker and webcam. If the tutor does not grant you access to their meeting room within two minutes of the appointment start time, email them!
Your tutor will begin your session by asking you about your goals, concerns, and assignment requirements. You'll spend the remainder of your time working towards those goals! This may entail reading sections of your paper aloud, talking about ideas, reviewing resources, practicing revision, outlining, etc.
After your appointment, you will receive an email with a copy of your tutor's session notes. If you need credit for your visit, you can use the emailed report form. You can always access past reports on WC Online.
Written Feedback (No Meeting)
Select a tutor with a science designation by their name. Attach your paper and assignment description to the appointment questionnaire by your appointment start time. Your tutor will upload their feedback to your appointment form within 24 hours after the appointment. You will receive an email when your tutor has submitted their feedback. If you need help accessing your tutor's comments, please email them or the Science Writing Center.
Example: If you scheduled an appointment for Tuesday at 3 PM, you would need to submit your paper and assignment description by Tuesday at 3 PM. You would receive your tutor's feedback by 3 PM the following day (Wednesday).
Coming Late or Missing an Appointment
Please email your tutor if you're running a few minutes late!
In-Person Appointments
If you are more than five minutes late to your appointment, you risk forfeiting your appointment to another student. You will be marked as absent if you are more than 15 minutes late for a 40-minute appointment at the Science Writing Center.
Online Appointments
Your tutor will wait up to ten minutes for you to contact them or join the meeting. After ten minutes of no communication, the tutor will mark the appointment as a no-show.
If you miss an appointment, don’t fret. Schedule another appointment—we’d still love to work with you!
Still Have Questions?
Contact us at sciencewritingcenter@usu.edu