Resources for Students

Tutoring FAQ

1. Who is eligible to receive tutoring?
2. What qualifications do CTL tutors have?
3. When is tutoring available?
4. What can a tutor help me with?
5. Does the CTL provide private tutors on a long-term basis?
6. Why should I go to tutoring?
7. So if I go to tutoring, I'll get an A, right?
8. Why can some tutors help with more than one subject?
9. How do I choose a tutor?
10. When should I go to tutoring?
11. Can I make an appointment?
12. How do I cancel my appointment?
13. How can I contact my tutor?
14. Does the CTL offer Computer Science tutoring?
15. Can I send you comments about a tutoring experience I had?
16. What is AARC tutoring?
17. I have a question about TutorTrac. (go directly to TutorTrac FAQ page)
18. I have a question you didn't answer. What now?

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1. Who is eligible to receive tutoring?
CTL Peer Tutoring is available for all undergraduates.

2. What qualifications do CTL tutors have?
We choose only those tutors who are judged to have above-average abilities in their field(s), as well as strong interpersonal skills. Furthermore, all tutors attend CTL 120, a one-unit course, in which they learn and practice the rudiments of tutoring on the college level. By the time they complete the tutoring course, we are confident that our tutors are of the highest caliber.

3. When is tutoring available?
Residential tutoring drop in hours are available at various residences Sunday-Thursday nights, 6 p.m. to midnight. These drop-in hours focus on Math, Chemistry & Physics. Not all subjects are represented in every location at every time; for more information on specific days and times, please see our schedule. Tutoring starts the 1st Sunday of the quarter, and continues through dead week. Tutoring is not available during Finals Week.

Individual tutoring is available by appointment for over 175 courses. Again, for specific days, times & courses, please see our schedule. You must make appointments at least 6 hours in advance.

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4. What can a tutor help me with?
Tutoring is offered in the following subjects:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Engineering: CHEMENG, CME, EE, ENG, ME
• Foreign Languages: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish
• Human Biology
• Math
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics

Resident tutors can help with introductory classes in Biology, Chemistry, Econ, Math, and Physics. Appointment tutors can help with more advanced courses in their subject. To search for tutors for a specific class, click here.

Most students go to subject tutors to clarify unclear course material, to work through problem sets and practice exams, and for pre-exam review.

Our foreign language tutors are available to help with conversational practice. If you need help with writing for a foreign language course, please see your instructor.

Tutors are not allowed to help with programming courses or take-home finals. Such help violates Stanford's Honor Code.

5. Does CTL provide private tutors on a long-term basis?
The CTL Tutoring Program offers private tutoring as an alternative to drop-in hours. If you find a good fit with a tutor, you are free to meet with her/him throughout the quarter.

6. Why should I go to tutoring?
You should go to tutoring because you feel you can benefit from a tutor's help. Generally students go to subject tutors for help with concerns about problem sets or practice exams, or with general concepts.

7. So if I go to tutoring, I'll get an A, right?
Unfortunately, we can't make any guarantees. In most disciplines subjective criteria account for some part of the grade. Tutors will help to the best of their ability, but ultimately the grade is up to the professor, not the tutor.

8. Why can some tutors help with more than one subject?
Tutors may tutor any subjects for which they are properly qualified. Often, because of the curricula of their majors, tutors may have extensive experience in more than one subject. For example, physics majors are required to take a great deal of math; in many cases we consider them to be qualified to tutor those math classes as well as physics. Similarly, biology majors are required to take several chemistry courses, and so are often qualified to tutor those as well. However, not all math tutors are physics tutors, and not all chemistry tutors are biology tutors, so examine the schedule carefully to make sure you've selected a tutor who will be able to help with your particular questions.

9. How do I choose a tutor?
Many students choose a tutor on the basis of times and locations; they simply look at the schedule to choose a tutor in their subject whose office hours are at a convenient time and location. But if you want to make sure that your tutor has exactly the expertise you need, you can also check tutor bios. If you have any questions not answered by the tutor bios, feel free to email tutors directly.

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10. When should I go to tutoring?
It's up to you, of course. Common sense suggests that earlier is better. Many students choose to go the night before their problem set is due, but "putting out the fire" doesn't enhance deep learning, which is the goal of tutoring. Although we certainly understand procrastination and last-minute all-nighters, it is advantageous to see a tutor as soon as you suspect that you need clarification or reinforcement.

11. Can I make an appointment?
Yes! Appointment tutors are available to tutor in many subjects. See the Find a Tutor link to find an appointment tutor for your course.

12. How do I cancel my appointment?
If you are canceling an appointment with short notice, please contact your tutor directly. You can find his or her email address on the Tutor Bios page.

1. Go to TutorTrac.
2. Click on the appointment you want to cancel.
3. At the bottom of the appointment details you will see a button to "delete" this appointment. Your tutor will receive an email letting him or her know that the appointment has been cancelled.

13. How can I contact my tutor?

1. Go to the Tutor Bios page.
2. Find your tutor and click on his or her name.
3. At the bottom of his or her bio, you will see an email link.
   

Alternatively...

• When searching for availability in TutorTrac, you can click on your tutors name to send an email.

14. Does the CTL offer Computer Science tutoring?
We currently offer tutoring in CS 103A and 103B. The CS department provides assistance through their Section Leading program, which staffs the LaIR several times per week. You can find their schedule here.

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15. Can I send you comments about a tutoring experience I had? Absolutely; your comments help us with the hiring process for next year, alert us to any problems with tutors, and let us know whom to commend for good work. Email your comments to tutoringhelp@stanford.edu.

16. What is AARC tutoring? AARC stands for Athletic Academic Resource Center. AARC tutoring, intended primarily for athletes, is arranged by request. Contact AARC directly.

17. I have a question about TutorTrac. Go to our Find a Tutor page for a brief description of how to make an appointment or find the time and location of drop-in sessions. If this doesn't answer your question, see our TutorTrac FAQ page.