Tutoring Programs
Science & Quantitative Reasoning TutoringResidential College Math & Science Tutoring Program The Residential College Math and Science Tutoring Program offers tutoring at scheduled times five nights a week in the residential colleges. These tutors are available to all Yale College students on a walk-in basis. Tutoring is provided in all areas of math and science as well as in economics. For additional information on the Residential College Math and Science Tutoring Program, see www.yale.edu/mstutor. Science and QR Tutoring Program The Science and QR Tutoring Program offers one-on-one tutoring to students who are experiencing academic difficulty in a specific course. Tutoring is provided in all areas of math and science as well as in economics. Eligibility Any student enrolled in Yale College and experiencing academic difficulty is eligible for up to ten hours of tutoring per course each semester through the program. For eligibility purposes, academic difficulty is defined as currently earning or likely to earn a grade of "C+" or below in a course. The Tutoring Program assumes the cost of tutoring. If more than ten hours are needed, the student may request additional time from the Program Coordinator. Normally, additional sessions are limited to no more than five hours. |
Tutoring ProgramsAdditional Resources |
Requesting a Tutor
Students requesting tutors may obtain applications from their Residential College Dean or from the Coordinator of the Tutoring Program in 25 SSS. The student must complete part "A" and the instructor must complete part "B". Completed applications should be submitted to the Science and QR Center, SSS20-25 (located at the courtyard level of SSS). Assignment of tutors is made by the Program Coordinator and, whenever possible, will be made within one day of receipt of the application. Students and tutors are notified of the assignment by email.
Students should contact the tutor as soon as they receive the email assignment. Sessions are scheduled by the tutor and student at a mutually convenient time and place, although all students must be tutored on campus.
Tutors are advanced undergraduate, graduate, or professional school students. These members of the Yale community are invited to apply to be a tutor (please see "Applying to Be a Tutor"). Tutors in the program have a demonstrated expertise in the subject area they wish to instruct and experience communicating relevant related material.
Please note that the assignment of a tutor cannot be guaranteed when a request is received after midterm.
Applying To Be a Tutor
To apply to be a tutor, pick up an application from the Yale College Dean's Office, SSS 110. The application form requires approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Director of Graduate Studies in the area the applicant wishes to tutor.
For More Information
If you would like additional information, please contact Frank Robinson (frank.robinson@yale.edu), Coordinator, Science and QR Tutoring Program, SSS 110, (203) 432-7128.
Foreign Language Tutoring & Conversation Partners
There are many reasons students studying foreign language at Yale may wish to seek outside-of-class assistance. While traditionally the common model has been for a student experiencing academic difficulty to meet one-on-one with a tutor, this is not the only instance in which such help might be beneficial. For example, a student preparing to go abroad or recently returned from studying abroad might practice with a native speaker to maintain advanced-level proficiency. Or a student at the elementary or intermediate level who is not experiencing difficulty with class assignments might seek out a tutor with language experience in a particular subject area to get practice discussing a favorite topic. Likewise, students looking for conversation practice at any level might seek a conversation exchange partner (e.g. "I'll talk with you for a while in Language X, if afterward you'll talk with me in Language Y"), or even more complex practice arrangements, such as group conversation meetings.
For more information:
Writing, Humanities & Social Science Tutoring
(For help with Economics, contact the Science and Quantitative Reasoning Tutoring Program)
Given the challenge and variety of a Yale education, you will probably want extra help with one or more courses during your time at the College. Your first step should be to attend faculty and teaching fellow office hours. These teachers can help you get the most out of your coursework, and talking more deeply with those who are passionate about a field is one of the signal pleasures of attending a liberal arts college.
In addition to office hours, you may find that you want more focused help with one or more classes, especially when you’re exploring a new subject or are moving from introductory to advanced courses in a discipline. If you would like a second reader for one of your papers, or if you’re having trouble with a course in the humanities or social sciences, follow the instructions below to find a tutor. Depending on the course and your needs, you may be able to arrange one-time, frequent, or even weekly tutoring, free of charge.
Difficulty with writing papers
The Yale College Writing Center offers tutoring to any undergraduate who needs help starting, revising, or improving a paper. Very often getting help with a paper assignment helps you clarify your questions and ideas about the course material, too. To learn about the varieties of tutoring available for writers, please see the Writing Center website. (Unlike the tutoring described below, Writing Center help is available regardless of your grade in a course.)
Difficulty with readings, lectures, or exams
If your difficulty in a course is not related to writing papers, go to the Writing Center Web site and download and complete the form to request a course tutor. Course tutors are undergraduate and graduate students chosen both for expertise in your subject and for their helpfulness. They will meet with you one-on-one to discuss readings, lectures, and exam preparation. Please note: tutors must normally be requested before the seventh week of the term, and in order to qualify for this kind of tutoring, you must be able to demonstrate academic difficulty. (Usually, this means you are on track to receive a grade of C or lower in the course.)
For more information:
