If you have questions about the Writing Center, browse responses to some of our frequently asked questions below. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, contact the Writing Center at [email protected] or 610-396-6407.

Anyone from the Penn State Berks community can make an appointment to work with our tutors. Our undergraduate peer tutors assist students, faculty, and staff. Members of the community are also welcome to use the Writing Center, but only on a drop-in basis. All Writing Center services are FREE!

The Writing Center is currently in 146 Franco Building.

You can visit the Writing Center up to two times per week. This limit helps ensure that you are not relying on us too heavily, as we aim to teach you strategies you can use independently.

It is highly recommended that students schedule appointments in advance to ensure tutor availability, especially during busy periods. To schedule an appointment with a Writing Center tutor, create an account or log in at to explore available tutoring options.

Schedule an appointmentRegistration is easy:

  • Click on “Register for an Account.”
  • Fill out the fields under “Create a New Account.”
  • Ensure you sign up for “Send an E-Mail” and “Text Message Options.”
  • Click “Register.”

Once logged in, plan your appointment by choosing the tutor and time that best fits your schedule. Available time slots are shown in white; once an appointment is made, the slot turns blue. Click on the open slot to make your appointment. You will be asked to answer a few simple questions about your appointment to help the tutor prepare for your session.

Students are also welcome to walk into the Writing Center for assistance; however, immediate appointments are not guaranteed.

Every session is tailored to your specific focus, but in general, you can expect:

  • Greeting: When you arrive, a peer tutor will welcome you.
  • Paperwork: You will work with the tutor to complete some basic information about yourself, such as your name, major, and course.
  • Session Goals: The tutor will ask about your goals for the session. Be prepared to discuss what you want to work on, and the tutor will follow your lead.
  • Reading Aloud: You may be asked to read parts of your paper aloud. This helps the tutor understand your work and assists you in catching errors, improving sentence structure, and avoiding repetition.
  • Discussion: The tutor will discuss your ideas with you and expect you to be an active partner in the session. As the expert on your work, you will guide the tutor’s understanding.
  • Summary: You will be asked to summarize what was covered during your session. 
  • Conference Summary: The tutor will offer to send a conference summary to your instructor, which is optional. The summary will inform your instructor of your visit and include a brief overview of what you discussed.
  • Feedback Survey: Finally, you will complete a brief survey about your experience with the Writing Center.

To cancel your appointment, please visit the Writing Center scheduling website. If you do not cancel before your scheduled time, it will be marked as a no-show. If you accumulate three no-shows within the academic year, your account will automatically deactivate, preventing you from scheduling further appointments. We take no-shows very seriously, so please ensure you cancel your appointment in advance if necessary.