Make a Writing Appointment

Setting Up Your Account

To schedule an individual writing appointment, you will need to set up an account through our online scheduler, WCOnline. To create an account:

Click on the “Make an Appointment” button
Use your UW-Madison NetID to create an account

Once your account is created, you will be linked to the online scheduler. If you have trouble registering, please call the Writing Center at (608) 263-1992.

Make an Appointment!

What Kind of Writing Appointment Do You Need?

We help undergraduate and graduate writers at any stage of the writing process—from choosing a topic to drafting and revising—for any writing project. Each year, more than six thousand students from across the university—from first-year through doctoral students—benefit from talking and working with a Writing Center instructor. Learn more about the types of appointments we offer and find out which appointment is right for you.

Learn more about the types of appointments we offer and find out which appointment is right for you. Click for a downloadable PDF showing our services for students.

Our main center is located at 6171 Helen C. White Hall (600 North Park Street). Our forty-minute appointments often book up several days in advance, so please plan ahead. We release same-day appointments at our satellite locations each day, so please check back for openings, or join our waitlist.

In-Person Appointments are recommended if…

You want to meet with a Writing Center instructor in-person.
You want to collaborate and talk with a Writing Center instructor about your writing.
You want ideas on how to improve your writing process.
You want guidance about an ongoing or longer project.

Directions: Helen C. White Hall is across the street from the Memorial Union and Science Hall, on Lake Mendota.

Enter the building to the left of College Library’s entrance.
- The Writing Center cannot be accessed from within College Library.
Take the elevator up to the sixth floor.
At the sixth floor, turn right, and then turn right down the corridor.
The Writing Center is located in room 6171, which is the first door on the left.

Sign up for a forty-minute appointment at one of the Writing Center’s satellite locations by logging into WCOnline using the button above. Appointments may be available on a drop-in basis as well.

Meeting at a satellite location is recommended if…

You want to meet with a Writing Center instructor in-person.
The location and time are both convenient for you.
You’re an undergraduate student, and/or you’re working on a shorter-term assignment rather than a thesis or dissertation.

Our Writing Center satellite locations begin operating in Week 4 of the semester, which means that this semester, satellite appointments start on Sunday, February 9, 2025. These continue through Thursday, May 1, 2025. All Writing Center locations and services are closed for UW-Madison’s spring break, beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 21 and extending through Sunday, March 30. Services resume on Monday, March 31, 2025.

Satellites Across Campus

Locations

Black Cultural Center

You’ll find us in the Red Gym on the first floor. Look for the Writing Center sign!

Wednesdays, 12:15–3:15 p.m. CT
February 12–May 1, 2025

Center for Cultural Enrichment

We’re in Witte Hall, Room 125, off the main lobby. Look for us at a table with the Writing Center sign!

Mondays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT
February 10–May 1, 2025

We are also available to meet in Witte Hall, Classroom 114 on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT.

Multicultural Student Center

We’re at the Red Gym, Room 207. Look for the Writing Center sign!

Tuesdays, 1–4 p.m. CT
February 11–May 1, 2025

Chadbourne Residential College

Find us in the CRC Tutoring Room 112, which is located on the first floor, just inside main doors after you enter the atrium. If you're not sure where to go, ask at the information desk.

Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT
February 9–May 1, 2025

Dejope Residence Hall

We’re in the Tutoring Room 1116. Look for our sign! If you're not sure where to go, ask at the Hall Desk.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT
February 10–May 1, 2025

Witte Residence Hall

We are located in Classroom 114 in Witte. Look for the Writing Center sign! If you're not sure where to go, ask at the Hall Desk.

Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT
February 9–May 1, 2025

We are also available to meet in Witte Hall on Monday evenings, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT, in the Center for Cultural Enrichment (Room 125, which is off the main lobby).

College Library

We are located in the student services area on the first floor of College Library, to the right of the entrance.

Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 5:30–8:30 p.m. CT
February 9–May 1, 2025

Memorial Library

Find us on the 6th floor of Memorial Library, at the round table near the elevators. Note that students accessing this location will need to enter the library through the security gates to reach the elevators.

Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30–5:30 p.m. CT
February 10–May 1, 2025

Virtual Meetings offer real-time, face-to-face, forty-minute appointments in WCOnline, our online appointment system. Virtual Meetings allow us to collaborate with you through:

a whiteboard where you and your instructor can view and comment on your writing
conversation through video/audio
a chat area for synchronous, written conversation

The whiteboard and chat area remain available to you after the appointment.

Virtual Meetings are recommended if…

You’ve enjoyed meeting in-person with Writing Center instructors.
You are unable to attend an In-Person Meeting.
You have a reliable internet connection.

Learn more about Virtual Meetings.

Written Feedback appointments allow you to receive written comments and suggestions from a Writing Center instructor. After uploading your draft into WCOnline, along with information about your assignment or writing project, you will receive written feedback the next business day following your appointment. This feedback will remain available to you after your appointment.

Written Feedback appointments are recommended if…

You have a draft that you’d like to receive feedback and writing lessons on asynchronously
You live in a different time zone that makes scheduling a Virtual Meeting difficult or impossible.
Your internet connection is unreliable.

Learn more about Written Feedback.

We work with writers on everything from thesis statements and organization to grammar and citation methods. We will also be glad to help you learn to edit and proofread your own writing. If you have questions, check out more about what we can do at the Writing Center or read through the questions and answers below. Still have questions? Email us!

What happens during a Writing Center appointment?

During an appointment, we will talk about your goals, review your writing, and have a conversation about what next steps you might take. After your visit, you’ll leave ready to write or revise!

You and your instructor will work together to meet your writing goals
Together, you’ll review the prompt, plan, or project
Together, you’ll read and talk about your draft or ideas
You’ll leave with concrete plans or writing strategies

Who can use the Writing Center?

Any UW-Madison graduate and undergraduate student who is currently enrolled can use the Writing Center.

If you’re a recent alumnus, faculty, or staff member at UW, we’d love to see you at our workshops and other events. We can sometimes offer limited one-on-one writing consultations with alumni, faculty, and staff. Please call us directly to discuss this option.

If you’re a member of the community not directly affiliated with UW-Madison, please visit our Madison Writing Assistance webpage to learn more about the Writing Center’s partnership with Madison libraries

Do I have to pay to use the Writing Center?

No, all of our services are offered for free. Tuition from currently enrolled UW Madison student funds the Writing Center.

How should I prepare for a visit to the Writing Center?

Here’s how to make the most of your visits:

Come early in the semester and come often–make us a regular part of your university experience!
Know what writing concerns you’d like us to work on together
Bring anything that explains the assignment or project
Plan time for revision

What kinds of writing can we work on?

We help writers at any stage of the writing process–from ch

We help writers at any stage of the writing process–from choosing a topic to drafting and revising–for any writing project.

Here are some examples of what we can work on together:

Undergraduate Students

Understanding assignments and expectations for academic writing
Writing for specific disciplines—including History, Biology, Psychology, and Literature—and many more
Using sources, citations, quoting, and paraphrasing
Thesis statements, paragraphing, and organization
Internship and study abroad applications
Planning for writing longer research papers
Resumes, cover letters, and business writing
Applications for graduate and professional school, scholarships
Poster presentations
Plus many more!

Graduate Students

Seminar papers
Planning long-term projects
Revising for publication
Writing and planning for preliminary/qualifying exams
Theses and dissertations
Grant proposals
Poster presentations
Conference presentations
CVs, teaching philosophy statements, and job letters
Literature reviews
Plus many more!

oosing a topic to drafting and revising–for any writing project. Here are some examples of what we can work on together:

Undergraduate Students (New, Transfer, or Advanced)

Understanding assignments and expectations for academic writing
Writing for specific disciplines—including History, Biology, Psychology, and Literature—and many more
Using sources, citations, quoting, and paraphrasing
Thesis statements, paragraphing, and organization
Internship and study abroad applications
Planning for writing longer research papers
Resumes, cover letters, and business writing
Applications for graduate and professional school, scholarships
Poster presentations
plus many more!

Graduate and Professional Students

Seminar papers
Planning long-term projects
Revising for publication
Writing and planning for preliminary/qualifying exams
Theses and dissertations
Grant proposals
Poster presentations
Conference presentations
CVs, teaching philosophy statements, and job letters
Literature reviews
plus many more!

What if I'm working on a longer project?

If you’re working on a short, one-time writing project, coming once or twice to a Writing Center location in order to meet with an instructor usually is ideal.

If you’re working on multiple papers for multiple classes throughout the semester, a dissertation, master’s thesis, or similar writing project, you may want to set up a more formalized writing mentorship with the same instructor every week or every other week through an in-person appointment, Virtual Meeting, or Written Feedback. For more information, please contact the Writing Mentorship Coordinator, Lisa Marvel Johnson.

Where is the Writing Center?

We offer appointments at our main location in 6172 Helen C White Hall. You can make an appointment at our main location using our online scheduler or by calling us at 608-263-1992.

You can also meet with us at one of our satellite locations across campus and online through Virtual Meetings and Written Feedback. These appointments are offered on a first-come, first served basis.

Who are the instructors at the Writing Center?

Your Writing Center instructors are

Graduate level teaching assistants
Trained and experienced writing teachers and writers themselves
Supportive, professional consultants who take their cues from you
Eager to work with you on making your writing projects as successful as humanly possible

Can I bring my laptop/tablet?

Yes! Please do!

How can I use my accommodations in the Writing Center?

If you are registered with the McBurney Disability Resource Center, you have accommodations that you may be entitled to use within the Writing Center. Some common accommodations include, but are not limited to:

Use of adaptive/assistive technology
Assistive listening devices
Recording of sessions
Use of a service animal
Sign language interpretation
Extended time

While many accommodations can be quickly integrated into a Writing Center session, we ask that you provide us with advance notice (ideally two business days) if requesting extended time, use of a service animal, or recording of your session. Please contact wcenter@writing.wisc.edu if you intend to use these accommodations in an upcoming session.

Students who are not registered with the McBurney Center may be able to request similar accommodations in their sessions. Please be sure to communicate directly with your instructor or reach out to wcenter@writing.wisc.edu if you have an accessibility request.

A special note on recording of sessions: recordings of Writing Center sessions may not be shared or published; they are intended for personal use only. If these recordings are shared or published, students may be found in violation of nonacademic or academic conduct codes under UWS Chapter 17.09(15). If you do not already have an accommodation through the McBurney Center, you will need verbal consent from your instructor to record your session.

If you would like to learn more about the Writing Center’s commitment to accessibility, please read our Accessibility Statement. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Will the instructor proofread/edit my paper?

Writing Center instructors are experienced writing teachers who want to help you learn more about writing. Because of our focus on student learning, we don’t proofread (correct all the grammar and formatting errors in a piece of writing), but we do help you learn about grammar, editing, revising, and proofreading on your own!

Here’s what we can do:

You can learn how to revise and proofread your paper.
You can ask any grammar and editing questions.
And you can learn to do this for yourself!

For additional strategies for addressing grammar and style concerns—and much more—take a look at our Writer’s Handbook.

You may be interested in our grammar and style workshops.

You may also find it helpful to start with these links:

Writing Isn’t Easy, but We Can Help!

At the Writing Center, we work with students at all stages, from first-year undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates. Most of these students have found that writing isn’t an innate talent and instead is a skill that they need to consistently develop. Watch the quick video below to hear from Writing Center students about their experiences with writing.