ACADEMIC & WRITING SUPPORT
The academic support you need to thrive here at Penn and beyond.
From helping to organize research papers to providing extra support for students with disabilities, SP2’s trained peer tutors and knowledgeable staff are here to help students excel.
Services for Students
SP2 Writing Support
SP2 master’s program students can access one-on-one writing support from peer tutors enrolled in our doctoral programs. Zoom-based sessions help students sharpen skills and leverage best practices in areas such as writing style, organization, editing, APA standards, redundancy, and avoiding plagiarism.
How Do I Arrange Assistance?
To access this service, follow these steps:
- Request a referral from an instructor or your academic advisor. Faculty and advisors may also submit a referral form to the Office of Student Affairs, at which point the office will connect the student to a writing tutor.
- Once students have been connected with a writing tutor, the tutors will work directly with students to schedule a time that is mutually convenient.
- Appointments are 30–60 minutes long. Additional appointments may be scheduled based on tutor availability, but priority is given to students requesting an initial session.
- Sessions take place remotely via Zoom, which does not require any special software; only an internet connection and webcam are needed. If needed, students may contact Student Affairs to use a webcam in the Caster computer lab.
- Students referred to SP2 Writing Support are not required to use the service but are encouraged to do so.
Please note that consultations are by appointment only and must be arranged through the Office of Student Affairs. This resource is not intended for help with proofreading or basic editing.
The Marks Family Writing Center
The Writing Center is staffed by friendly, well-qualified peer and faculty writing specialists who work with other writers, from freshmen to doctoral candidates. We help students navigate many aspects of the writing process:
- Analyze writing assignments or faculty feedback
- Brainstorm topics for a paper or personal statement
- Help you plan, write, stage, or revise a research paper
- Provide feedback on cover letters, applications, and proposals
- Share strategies for writing and organizing lengthy papers and reports
- Show you how to strengthen sentences, paragraphs, transitions, diction
- Provide tips on making your writing more powerful and engaging
- Identify patterns of errors in grammar and mechanics
How Do I Arrange Assistance?
Use our scheduler to make an appointment.
Weingarten Tutoring and Learning Resources Center
The Tutoring and Learning Resources Center provides a set of free services to enhance students’ academic performance:
- Individualized assessment and instruction focused on reading, writing, critical thinking, studying, and time management
- Instructional resources for faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants
- “Academic Plus,” a working series for international students
- “Success at Penn,” a workshop series for returning adult learners
- Programs and services for students with disabilities
- Tutor training
How Do I Arrange Assistance?
Students can schedule 50-minute virtual meetings to discuss their study strategies and approaches to a variety of academic assignments and assessments. Please visit the Weingarten Center portal to access our online scheduling system and schedule a Learning Consultation Appointment. Students will receive an appointment confirmation email and Zoom meeting link.
Student Disabilities Services
The University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities. The Office of Student Disabilities Services (SDS) provides students with disabilities comprehensive, professional services and programs to ensure equal academic opportunities and participation in University-sponsored programs. Our team:
- Coordinates the self-identification process and determines reasonable academic accommodations
- Arranges accessible campus housing, transportation, and parking
- Monitors campus accessibility
- Refers students to other University services and programs
Located in the Learning Resources Center, SDS collaborates with that office to provide comprehensive academic support, including learning strategies that complement accommodations, academic adjustments, and the use of auxiliary aids.
How Do I Arrange Assistance?
Students can schedule 50-minute virtual meetings to discuss their study strategies and To complete a new Accommodation Request, login to MyWLRC, select Accommodation, and click on Accessibility Request.
Contact Us
215 573 9235