Request a Consultation

Ready to make an appointment? You must use the online appointment system. Follow these instructions for using the system.

Please review our consultation policies

While classes are in session (fall, spring, and summer terms), fellows hold several kinds of consultations; read-ahead and brainstorming consultations are scheduled for 60 minutes and must be reserved in advance through the online scheduling system. During consultations, graduate students can expect to engage in attentive conversation about their writing with a peer. A graduate student can work with a writing fellow to. . . .

Talk through, develop, and organize ideas into clear, coherent prose.
Develop skills in editing and revising.
Learn to interpret the structure, style, and requirements of writing required at the graduate level (including seminar papers, manuscripts, literature reviews, and chapters of longer projects).
Get constructive feedback from a thoughtful reader.

Fellows do not edit a student’s writing; instead, students can expect to work collaboratively with the fellows to develop as a writers.

Read-ahead consultations may be face-to-face, online (synchronous), or eTutoring (asynchronous, via email). These appointments require students to submit writing at least 24 hours in advance. Fellows read and comment on the submissions in preparation for the hour-long consultation.

Brainstorming consultations are ideal for students who are in the planning and development stage of their writing project. These appointments do not require students to submit writing in advance and offer an opportunity to meet with a fellow and brainstorm about a project, review shorter documents (such as cover letters, personal statements, or other documents shorter than three pages), or discuss questions and concerns about style or usage.

Drop-in consultations are best for last-minute requests and for reviewing shorter documents. For the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, Drop-in hours will be held virtually, using Zoom. We will be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 12-3pm EST. Use this zoom link: https://umd.zoom.us/s/4854575635 No advance registration is required. Trouble connecting? Call or email (gradwritingfellows@umd.edu) the GS Writing Center for help!