The Writing Center has begun scheduling and conducting IM and Webcam appointments through WCOnline.  WCOnline is a web-based application that allows you to schedule a tutoring session online. Once you have registered and logged in, you will be able to view a schedule of available appointment times and tutors. You can view, manage, and schedule all of your appointments in WCOnline. Please read the Center's policies before scheduling your first appointment.

To Register:

1) Click the link above, or go to http://www.rich15.com/depaul/index.php.

2) If this is your first time on WCOnline, click on the link "Click Here to Register."

3) You must fill out all fields on the registration form to continue.

4) Once all fields on the form have been entered, click on "Register."

5) You are now registered! To schedule an appointment, return to the WCOnline main page and log in.

To Schedule an Appointment:

1) Please read the Center's policies before scheduling your appointment.

2) Click on the link above, or go to http://www.rich15.com/depaul/index.php. If this is your first time on WCOnline, you must register (see above).

3) Find the day and time that work best for you.  Not all tutors conduct IM/Webcam appointments.  You can only schedule these appointments with tutors whose names are marked with an asterisk.  It does not matter which campus you schedule your appointment for—if the appointment time you want is booked at LPC, simply select the Loop campus schedule from the drop-down menu to see if there is a tutor available for online consultations at that campus.  The tutors available during a given time slot will have white schedule blocks in the rows beside their names.

4) *NEW FEATURE* The new wait-list feature allows students to receive an email notification automatically when an appointment has been cancelled on a given day. So, if you don't see any openings on the day you want to come in, simply click on the wait-list option below that day's schedule and enter your email address. When there is a cancellation, you will be notified. At this point you will need to sign back into WCOnline and make the appointment as usual (following the steps below) -- the wait-list DOES NOT automatically make an appointment for you. To avoid receiving unnecessary emails, please do not add your email address to a particular day's wait list more than once.

5) Once you know the day, time, location, and tutor you would like, click on the appropriate white block of time. The New Reservation window will now appear.

6) Now, it's time to tell us a little about yourself. Make sure you fill out all of the fields that are applicable. Be sure to check the box that says “I would like an online consultation.”  IMPORTANT: APPOINTMENTS ARE 30-MINUTES LONG BY DEFAULT. IF YOU WISH TO SCHEDULE AN HOUR-LONG APPOINTMENT, MAKE SURE YOU MODIFY THE START AND END TIMES ACCURATELY.

7) Click "Save" to make your appointment.

8)  Shortly before it is time for your appointment to begin, go to your Control Panel and click the red link that reads “Meet Consultant Online” next to the correct appointment. 

9)  This will launch a virtual tutoring space, in which you will talk with a tutor via IM and/or Webcam.  Please read the instructions at the top of this window to learn how to broadcast video, upload your paper, and work with the IM box.

10)  Your tutor will meet you in this online tutoring environment and contact you.

11)  When your appointment is finished, simply close the window and log out of WCOnline.  You will automatically receive a transcript of your IM conversation via email, which you can use as a reference while revising your project.

If you experience any problems during your session, whether technical or otherwise, please call us at LPC (773.325.4272) or the Loop (312.362.6726), depending on which campus schedule you used to schedule your appointment. Below you will find some FAQs regarding common technical issues.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q) When I am scheduling an appointment and select the online consultation box, why does it still say “Face-to-Face (Default)” under Appointment Type?
A) Selecting the online consultation box will not update the scheduling window, so
the Appointment Type will still read “Face-to-Face (Default).”  However, if you select that online consultation box your appointment will in fact be an online consultation, not a face-to-face session.

Q) Why does it say "this page cannot be displayed" when I visit the WCOnline website?
A) WCOnline will occasionally undergo routine maintenance, during which time the page may be down temporarily. This maintenance work is typically conducted during low-volume periods, and lasts a short time. If you receive an error message when visiting the site, please try again soon.

Q) How do I change my password, now that I have registered or been registered by a tutor?
A) To change your password, go to My Control Panel and click on Change My Profile Information/Password.