FAQs

How do I sign up? Log in at www.rich37.com/uiowa.

What are your hours? We are open Monday through Friday from approximately 9am-5pm. The hours vary somewhat based on tutor availability, so please check the sign-up sheets at W186.

Do you offer walk-in appointments? To best manage both our tutors’ and clients’ time, we require that students sign up for appointments. During peak times, slots can fill up quickly, so please plan ahead as much as possible. You may walk in, but there is no guarantee that the tutors will be available, and it is entirely up to the individual tutor’s discretion as to whether he or she can work with a walk-in.

What should I bring with me? Bring at least one copy of your paper and your full attention. The Business Writing Center is not a “drop-off” tutoring center; you are required to work with the tutor as he or she helps you with your paper.

I’m working on a group project. Is it OK if I come in alone? No. At least two members of your group must attend the appointment. Note that some professors require that the entire group attend the appointment.

I’m a business student, but I need help on a literature paper. May I come in? Yes. We work only with undergraduate business majors, but we will work with papers for any of the classes they are taking.

May I bring in my résumé for review? Yes. Our tutors are trained to work with résumés, cover letters, personal statements, and graduate-school and internship application essays. Sign up as you normally would: just indicate on the sheet what you will be bringing with you.

I have a paper that’s a mess. Is it all right to sign up for two appointments? Yes. The same applies to very long papers (e.g., research papers or honors theses). If you don’t think 40 minutes will be enough, then please sign up for two appointments with the same tutor. Do not, however, sign up for two or more appointments but only show up to one. We do track no-shows, and repeat offenders will not be allowed to make further appointments.

What are the most common problems you see? The most common problems we see across all courses include the following: lack of a main argument or thesis statement, structural disorganization, and language issues (e.g., poor grammar, lack of clarity, overuse of jargon). Our tutors are proven writers, and they are also expert in identifying problems that commonly occur with particular assignments.