UC Davis
Hello!
I’m Melissa, an academic editor and writing coach with a dual background in microbiology and English. I am a proud Aggie and have over 12 years' experience teaching writing-intensive courses here at UC Davis.
If you know what you’re looking for, choose one of the service areas below. I offer discounted rates to UCD students, researchers, and alumni. Contact me using the form on this page, or email me at melissa@vitrosc.com.
FAQ
What kinds of docs do you edit? Application documents, research manuscripts, thesis/dissertation/capstone writing, term papers, and really anything academic in nature. I work with writers in all academic fields.
What will this cost? Initial consults are always free. Standard rates are listed on the pages linked above but are discounted for UCD students, researchers, and alumni. If aren’t sure that you can afford to work together, contact me anyway; we can adjust the scope of services to suit your budget.
How soon can we start? Soon! Coaching appointments can usually be set up within a few days. My turnaround time for documents of 6,000 words or less is usually about 5 days. For big projects or tight timelines, be in touch as early as you can.
Is working with an editor or writing coach ethical? Yes. To stay within ethical bounds, we will focus on supporting you in doing your own writing. When working with student writers, my job is to focus on the grammar and language of the document without changing the meaning and without doing the actual work for you.
Shouldn’t I use the on-campus writing services? Yes, you should. The writing center, AATC, and research librarians on campus are fantastic. However, these services can’t fix issues relating to grammar, style, and formatting — those are an editor’s job. An editor also provides increased, 1:1 support.
What can you do that ChatGPT can’t? An experienced editor can spot gaps in logic, make recommendations for improving structure, and improve a piece of writing through their well-trained professional experience. AI can’t do these things at the high level that academic writing requires.
Can you write this thing for me? Nope, not ethical.
Aren’t there online editing services I can use instead? Yes, and I’ve worked for many of them. Advantages of hiring me instead? I offer competitive rates, personalized support, and a friendly face around campus.
Didn’t you teach my class that one time? Probably! If you’re a former student interested in revising something you wrote in one of my classes for publication, all services are free for the lifespan of that project.
