Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need an Appointment? 

Yes. For our in-person consultations, appointments in advance are recommended. For our online options: online meetings and written feedback, appointments are required. 

Appointments for all types of consultations can be made using the WCONLINE Appointment System. 

What About Walk-In Help? 

Walk-in help is available only in cases when consultants are not otherwise booked. You are always welcome to stop by to see if we can help. 

How Often Can I Make an Appointment? 

You can book one consultation per day and up to three per week. These limits help ensure we can serve as many UTC students as possible. 

Can I Make Multiple Appointments for the Same Paper? 

Of course! We often work with students who bring their paper to us at different stages in the writing process. For repeat appointments for the same paper, we do ask that you take the time to apply feedback from your previous appointment before your next visit. 

How Far in Advance Can I Book? 

You can book up to seven days in advance. 

What If There Are No Appointments Available? 

We do book up often, so this is a common question! If our appointment slots are all booked, you have two options. 

Option One: Waiting List. 

WCONLINE has a courtesy waiting list that will alert you if any cancellations occur. If you receive a notification, you must login and book the appointment to claim the slot. Everyone on the waiting list will receive the same notification, and the open appointment slot will be first come, first served. 

To join the list, simply click on the waiting list link on the bottom right of the day you want the appointment. 

Option Two: Walk In. 

Our scheduled appointments start on the hour, and you are welcome to come by the WCC at the top of the hour to see if we have any last minute cancellations or no shows. 

What If I Have to Miss My Appointment? 

You may cancel by logging into the appointment system and choosing the cancel option. If you are unable to access the online appointment system or canceling less than 10-minutes before your appointment, you can email [email protected] or call us at 423-425-1774. 

If you do not show up (or login) to your appointment within fifteen minutes of the scheduled start time and you have not been in touch with us, your appointment will be marked as missed. Your WCONLINE account access may be restricted if you miss three appointments within a semester. 

Do I Need to Bring a Completed Draft? 

For our in-person or online appointments, you don’t need to bring a draft at all. For example, if you have no idea what to write about, you can talk to a consultant who can help you brainstorm. Our written feedback option is the only option that requires a draft of your paper. 

How Should I Prepare for My In-Person or Online Consultation? 

To get the most out of your in-person or online meeting: 

• Think about what you would like to accomplish during your session and make note of any questions you have about the assignment.
• Review any assignment guidelines or rubrics and be sure to bring them (or attach them) to your appointment.
• If you’ve started planning or writing your paper, bring your notes and/or a draft. You can upload them to the shared whiteboard space during your online consultation. 

How Should I Prepare for My Written Feedback Consultation? 

In order to ensure we can best help you asynchronously: 

• Be as detailed as possible about the help you are requesting. Make note of any questions you have about the assignment or your paper and any details about your writing process that will be helpful to your consultant.
• Include the most up to date version of your draft.
• Include any assignment guidelines or rubrics to best help us understand your project.
• If your paper is on the longer side, indicate what sections are most important for your consultant to review.
• If you have requested feedback on this document before, make sure you have applied the feedback to this new draft. 

Please let us know as soon as possible if you no longer need the feedback or if there is a newer draft that we should consider. Written Feedback appointments that do not have a draft attached when the appointment begins will be canceled. 

What Happens During a Consultation? 

For in-person and online appointments: 

Your consultant will probably begin the session by asking questions about your writing project, and they may also want to go over the assignment/rubric from your instructor. If you have a draft, you’ll read through it together and discuss. Your consultant will likely ask additional questions, make suggestions, and respond as an experienced reader. You will be an active participant in the conversation and should ask questions, think aloud, take notes, and begin your revision process. Your consultant may direct you to resources or provide some in-session time to work. By the end of your consultation, you should have a plan for completing or revising your work. 

For written feedback appointments: 

Your consultant spends up to 45 minutes with your writing preparing detailed feedback. They first read through your assignment guidelines and any questions or focus areas you have provided with your request. Next, they will read your draft and make comments on your paper with suggestions for and questions about your writing. Once they complete these comments, they draft a feedback letter that summarizes the feedback and makes recommendations for next steps. You will receive this feedback letter and commented draft via email, typically at the end of the hour. 

Will You Notify My Professor I Came? 

The WCC does not email professors with proof of your visit. After each appointment, your consultant will email you a “Consultation Follow Up” providing an overview of your consultation. Forward this report to your professor to let them know that you visited us. If you need but have not received your consultation follow up email, you can let us know at [email protected]. 

Can Graduate Students Use the WCC? 

Yes, absolutely! We can help with the following: 

General writing help: 

If you need general help with issues of organization, clarity, grammar, style, and citation, make an appointment with any of our consultants. 

Advanced writing help: Graduate students looking for more specialized writing help (e.g. a more in-depth manuscript like a thesis, dissertation, or academic article) have the option of booking an appointment with our graduate assistants, graduate writing specialist, or faculty. On our schedule, just look for the option to choose ‘appointment level’ and select graduate. 

Thesis and dissertation formatting: 

Our graduate writing specialist is also available to help with dissertation and thesis manuscript formatting. These appointments should be arranged directly via email rather than booked through the WCC, as this is a separate service. 

What Is Your Policy for Generative AI? 

Because instructor policies for generative AI use vary across assignments and classrooms, the WCC takes a flexible approach. WCC consultants do not check student writing for generative AI usage, but we encourage writers to be honest with consultants about their writing process, including use of generative AI. We can work together to ensure you are using AI ethically and in compliance with your professor’s guidelines. We can also help you make a new plan for your writing if generative AI is not permitted on your assignment or if it is not serving you well. One way to determine whether use of generative AI is appropriate for an assignment is to consider whether you are using it as a tool to assist your writing process or as a shortcut to replace the critical thinking and learning skills your assignment is meant to develop. 

You Guys Are Great! What Don’t You Do? 

Aww, shucks! Well, we do not make predictions or guarantees about grades, and we do not take over the writer’s work with our own words or preferences because the work is your own. Nonetheless, if it has words, we can probably help.