College Core Tutor Program

The College Core Tutor Program is designed to support undergraduate students enrolled in introductory quantitative and scientific coursework, whether for the Core or other foundational coursework in a particular area of study. A list of the priority courses for the Core Tutor Program can be found further down on this page. 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 upperclassmen in the College with exceptional academic records in the subject area(s) in which they tutor. To be a Core Tutor, they 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 Core 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 Core Tutors on a first-come, first-served basis. Some nights are busier than others, so you should expect a short wait until a Core 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.

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

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 Core Tutor Program values providing students with the best possible support with their studies. The program is under the oversight of the College Academic and Student Services Office. If you have questions or feedback, please reach out to Alex Silverman, Assistant Dean of Students/Associate Director of Curriculum and Assessment at adsilverman@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
• 20188 Fundamentals of Physiology

Students seeking assistance in the Fundamentals or 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:

• 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
• 23000-23100-23200 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 consist of the following:

• 10000 Principles of Microeconomics
• 10200 Principles of Macroeconomics
• 20000-20100-20200 The Elements of Economic Analysis I, II, and III
• 20010-20110-20210 The Elements of Economic Analysis I, II, and III Honors

ECON Core 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
• 19620 Linear Algebra

Students seeking assistance in MATH 15250, 15910, 18600, or either of the Honors Calculus sequences should reach out to their instructor for guidance. Core 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.

Priority courses in Statistics consist of the following:

• 20000 Elementary Statistics
• 22000 Statistical Methods and Applications
• 23400 Statistical Models and Methods

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.