College Peer Tutor Program

The College Peer Tutor Program is designed to support undergraduate students enrolled in introductory quantitative and scientific coursework. A list of the priority courses for the Peer Tutors can be found further down on this page, and the tutor schedule is posted above. Tutors may be willing to help students in advanced courses, but they are not required to do so and the intended users of the program always have priority.

Our tutors are upper class students in the College with exceptional academic records in the subject area(s) in which they tutor. To become a Peer Tutor, students must have completed coursework in the subject area that is equivalent to the priority courses listed further down on this page, as well as the patience, compassion, and inclusivity needed to support fellow students in meeting their goals. Often, they are pursuing a major or minor in a subject area that requires a high level of understanding in the subject are in which they are tutoring.

Prior to speaking with a Peer Tutor, be sure you know the course number and title for which you need help; you will be asked for this information before tutoring begins. Prior to your visit, you should:

• Carefully study the course material you have been assigned in order to grasp the concepts as much as you can on your own.
• Attempt to do any homework assignments on your own before you come see a tutor. The goal of tutoring is to develop your ability to solve problems without assistance. Tutors can assist you most effectively when you present them with specific questions or difficulties you encounter with the course material.
• Bring your textbook, class notes, and other relevant supplies, such as a calculator, if appropriate.
• Tutors are most helpful when you are not under extreme time pressure. Don’t wait until the night before a due date or test to visit a tutor as demand for tutors may be very high then, especially in large, centralized courses such as organic chemistry.

Students receive assistance from Peer Tutors on a first-come, first-served basis. Some nights are busier than others, so you should expect a short wait until a Peer Tutor is available. With this in mind, you are encouraged to use a nearby table to continue studying the course material, or pursue work from other classes, while you are waiting. Tutors may place you in a separate, designated area while they help other students.

Beginning mid-quarter in Autumn 2026, Peer Tutoring will be shifting to appointment-based tutoring sessions. Tutors will still accept drop-ins, but appointments will be the primary method for connecting with a Peer Tutor. Stay tuned!

Average help times can vary based on demand for a certain subject area throughout a given evening. During periods of high demand, Peer Tutors may limit their session with a single student to 30 minutes. Sometimes a Peer Tutor may encourage students reviewing similar material to study in small groups to ensure more students receive assistance. In periods of low demand, Peer Tutors will try to be available for as long as a student needs. 

Tutors are expected to help mostly with material studied in class (e.g., concepts and principles) as opposed to focusing on particular problems assigned as homework. Tutors will often assist students by explaining conceptual materials in new ways, using analogies or visuals, considering applications, and/or working through sample problems. A Peer Tutor's goal is to foster increased comprehension that will support a student in taking the next step of completing the assigned homework or preparing for an exam on their own. They will not, however, look over your homework or do your problem set for you.

Peer tutoring provides students with a low-stakes environment to tackle problem sets and break down course concepts outside of when course instructors and teaching assistants are typically available. Students can learn from advanced undergraduates who have already gone through, and succeed, in the course. It can be helpful to seek guidance from students who have "been there" themselves.

You should first see your course instructor and TA to discuss any problems you’re having with course material. In addition, educational counselors are available through the Academic Skills Assessment Program. A.S.A.P. counselors help students assess and strengthen writing and study skills by focusing on time management, reading comprehension, test strategies, and other academic concerns. For more information, contact the Student Counseling and Resource Service at 773.702.9800 or look at the A.S.A.P. website.

The College Peer Tutor Program values providing students with the best possible support with their studies. The program is under the oversight of the College Academic Resource Center. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Alyssa Bralower, Assistant Director of Academic Support Services at abralower@uchicago.edu.

Priority courses in the Biological Sciences consist of the following:

• 20170 Microbial and Human Cell Biology
• 20171 Human Genetics and Developmental Biology
• 20172 Mathematical Modeling for Pre-Med Students
• 20173 Perspectives of Human Physiology
• 20175 Biochemistry and Metabolism

Students seeking assistance in the Advanced Fundamentals Sequence should reach out to their instructor for guidance. Tutors may be willing to help students in advanced courses, but they are not required to do so. The intended users of the program, as outlined above, always have priority.

Priority courses in Chemistry consist of the following:

• 10100-10200 Introductory General Chemistry I and II
• 11100-11200-11300 Comprehensive General Chemistry I, II, and III
• 12100-12200-12300 Honors General Chemistry I, II, and III
• 22000-22100-22200 Organic Chemistry I, II, and III

Tutors may be willing to help students in advanced courses, but they are not required to do so. The intended users of the program, as outlined above, always have priority.

Priority courses in Economics: Specialization in Business Economics consist of the following:

• 10000 Principles of Microeconomics
• 10200 Principles of Macroeconomics
• 11010 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Economics
• 11020 Introduction to Econometrics

Economics Peer Tutors are prepared to explain concepts of economic analysis and to demonstrate how to solve problems. They will generally not assist with mathematics. Tutors may also be willing to help students in advanced courses, but they are not required to do so. The intended users of the program, as outlined above, always have priority.

Priority courses in Mathematics consist of the following:

• 13100-13200-13300 Elementary Functions and Calculus I, II, and III
• 15100-15200-15300 Calculus I, II, and III
• 18300-18400-18500 Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences I, II, and III

Students seeking assistance in MATH 15250, 15910, 18600, 19620 or either of the Honors Calculus sequences should reach out to their instructor for guidance. Peer Tutors are not permitted to assist with these courses per the MATH department.

Priority courses in Physics consist of the following:

• 12100-12200-12300 General Physics I, II, and III
• 13100-13200-13300 Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism; Waves, Optics, and Heat
• 14100-14200-14300 Honors Mechanics; Honors Electricity and Magnetism; Honors Waves, Optics, and Heat

Tutors may be willing to help students in advanced courses, but they are not required to do so. The intended users of the program, as outlined above, always have priority.