The Writing Center is now open for the Spring 2026 semester.
USD's Writing Center is an inclusive community serving undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines. In free, 45-minute to one-hour, one-on-one consultations, our experienced consultants provide critical reflection and constructive feedback during the multiple stages of the writing process, from planning to composing to revision. In this process, it is our goal to help students develop strategies for improving their writing, for gaining confidence in their writing and for developing educational independence.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location
Learning Commons
Room 203
What to expect at your Writing Center appointment
Your consultant will ask questions to learn more about your assignment, then you'll discuss any concerns and what you hope to achieve during the session. Your consultant then may ask questions about the work — its structure, flow or content. If you're in the early stages of drafting, you might work on developing a thesis or outlining your argument. If you're in the final stages, you'll likely focus on sentence-level concerns. At the end of the session, the consultant will briefly review key takeaways from your consultation.
It's important to know that the Writing Center is not an editing service. We do not edit, proofread or write papers. Before your appointment, read through our Policies and Ethics.
FAQs
No. Instead we work collaboratively with students, asking questions and having focused conversations. Our goal is to help you become a more versatile and confident writer. To that end, we will work with you through any stage of your writing. We are interested in the process, not just the product. Please see our Policies and Ethics for more information.
No. We only offer in-person appointments. All consultations are held in Learning Commons 203.
Consultations start at the beginning of each hour and last up to one hour. Student writers who are visiting the Writing Center for a class requirement must work collaboratively with a Consultant for at least 45 minutes in order to earn the "white sheet" that confirms their visit.
Not at all. On the contrary, visiting the Writing Center demonstrates your commitment to growing as a writer and thinker. The work we do in the Writing Center isn't remedial; we work with students with varying levels of confidence. Even the most seasoned writers come to the Writing Center and receive suggestions from our consultants. We sincerely believe that every student at the university has something to gain from coming to the Writing Center.
It varies based on where you are in your writing process, but generally, you should bring a draft of your paper, the assignment prompt, any texts you're referencing or responding to, and any notes.
Yes. The services of the Writing Center are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Another resource that may be useful for graduate students is the SOLES Graduate Student Writing Center. Please note that the USD Writing Center and the SOLES Graduate Student Writing Center are not affiliated and operate independently of each other.
You can schedule an appointment online, call us at (619) 260-4581 or stop by in person and speak to a staff member.
If you are not able to make it to your appointment for any reason, please cancel at least 30 minutes in advance through the mywconline scheduling page or by notifying writingcenter@sandiego.edu. If you are more than 15 minutes late, cancel less than 30 minutes before the start of the session, or do not show up, your appointment will be marked as missed. Three missed appointments or late cancellations in one semester will result in your account being deactivated for the remainder of the semester.
You may visit the Writing Center up to three (3) times per week. You may not book back-to-back sessions.
While we have plenty of handouts on various citation methods, our primary task is to help you with your writing process. Therefore we ask you to visit the reference desk in Copley Library for any assistance on citations. They'll be happy to help! We also recommend visiting Purdue O.W.L. for help with citations. This online resource provides guides and examples for citing a variety of different sources in APA, MLA, and Chicago format.
To work in the Writing Center students must be nominated by faculty. At mid-semester, Writing Center Director Sara Hasselbach sends out an email inviting all faculty members to recommend students with strong writing and interpersonal skills. If you'd like to be nominated, reach out to your instructor and see if they are comfortable recommending you. Should you be recommended, you will be notified by email and invited to attend an informational session with the Writing Center staff where you will be able to request an interview. Please note that the Writing Center only hires students at the end of each semester to begin working as a consultant during the subsequent semester.
Questions? Contact
writingcenter@sandiego.edu
(619) 260-4581