Fall Semester 2008
English 402: Internship in Tutoring Writing
Time To Be Announced

The Writing Center is looking for excellent students with a strong background in writing and the ability to work well with other students. 

To become a writing tutor, students must first enroll in English 402: Internship in Tutoring Writing; students enroll in the Internship in Tutoring Writing by permission only. The minimum qualifications are completion of the first-year writing requirement (English 102) and a minimum GPA of 3.2.  Applicants must also submit a letter of interest, writing samples, and recommendations from two faculty members.  The final step is an interview where I look for strong interpersonal skills. If admitted, students enroll in a three-credit course (with reading and writing requirements) that meets 150 minutes a week, as does any three-credit course. Beginning the fourth week of the semester and continuing through the last week of class, students also work in the Writing Center for five hours a week as part of the course requirements.  After completing English 402, students are eligible for a part-time paid position as a writing tutor.

Fall 2008 application procedure:  Before April 25, submit to the English office (Brink 200), a letter of interest, two graded writing samples, and the names of two faculty members willing to provide a strong recommendation. Before this time, applicants must also sign up for and complete an interview. A sign-up sheet will be posted inside the Writing Center—Idaho Commons Room 323.

If you're wondering if it's worth your effort to apply, these comments from students who have completed English 402 might persuade you:

 Working at the Writing Center has been one of my favorite college experiences.  I get to tutor people from all over the world, help them improve their writing and become a better writer myself!  I know that the skills I learned through English 402 and the Writing Center have made me better prepared for my career -- teaching English to high school students.
 ~Miranda Carman

I'm very happy with the whole 402 and tutoring experience. It really changed me, my career path, and well my "life path" too, if that makes any sense. It is a very fond part of my life, and I will always remember it. 
~Rebecca Memmott

The internship in the Writing Center has benefited me in multiple ways. Having the opportunity to work with a variety of students--helping them find their own writing voice--has been a very rewarding experience in itself.  This is not even including the positive effect it has had on my own writing. My experience as a tutor has made writing come alive through other people's perspectives and made me confident in my own writing and grammar usage.
~Sydney Boyd

Tutoring at the writing center is one of the more satisfying things that I have done.  Watching a student progress throughout a semester and knowing you played a part in that progression is something that I would recommend to anyone.  It has provided a solid foundation for my teaching by giving me valuable experience with student interaction and one-on-one instruction. 
~Lucas Brown

I love working at the Writing Center because reading various kinds and levels of papers here helps me in my own academic writing. Plus it also gives me an insight into the requirements and grading patterns of other instructors, which is helpful to the instructor in me.
~Sayantani Dasgupta

Tutoring gives me the opportunity to help others, but it has also strengthened my own writing. 
~Amanda Pellett