Peer Tutoring
The ARC connects Harvard students with a network of trained peers who can support their learning. Peer Tutors can provide an extra layer of academic support for students by reviewing critical concepts and materials from class, clarifying points of confusion, and developing study strategies for upcoming exams.
Two ways to find a Peer Tutor
By signing up for a tutoring appointment or submitting a request, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the ARC Peer Tutoring Policies.
Policies
Please read the ARC Peer Tutoring Policies prior to signing up for Peer Tutoring.
- Students (i.e., Tutees) may sign up for two 60-minute, one-to-one sessions per course each week. Group tutoring does not count toward the weekly two-appointment per course weekly limit. A week is defined as Sunday to Saturday. Exceptions to the limit may be considered; please contact the ARC for approval.
- Tutees are expected to come to peer tutoring prepared with questions and having reviewed the material. Peer tutors do not have access to the answers for assignments and are not permitted to check answers or work directly on homework (see Homework Policy section in the ARC Peer Tutoring Policies).
Cancellations and Missed Appointments
Students must notify their Peer Tutor about a cancellation at least 24 hours prior to appointment start time.
Students who miss three scheduled appointments (either by not showing up or by cancelling with less than 24 hours' notice) may lose access to participating in the tutoring program for that course for the remainder of the term and must consult with the ARC program staff to regain access.
Eligibility and Fees
Peer Tutoring at the ARC is available to currently enrolled Harvard degree candidates.
Harvard College students can receive Peer Tutoring services free of charge.
Graduate students should speak with their program director or adviser to determine eligibility for financial support. If a graduate student is not offered funding by their program (and if a Peer Tutor is available) then the student will be charged the following rates for Peer Tutoring:
-
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
- $19/hour
-
Harvard Kennedy School (HKS)
- $19/hour
Harvard Extension School admitted ALB and ALM degree candidates and Pre-medical Program participants should complete an ARC referral form and send to Sue Albrigo for additional guidance.
FAQs
Q: What courses have Peer Tutors available?
A: Peer tutors are typically available in select introductory STEM and problem-set courses. We encourage students to first check the ARC Scheduler to see if there are available tutors for their courses. However, students may also submit a request for any course they are registered in on the Tutor Matcher.
Q: What if I don't see my course listed on the ARC Scheduler?
A: Students may submit a request for any course they are registered in on the Tutor Matcher. Not every request can be accommodated as ARC makes matches only when a qualified tutor can be identified.
Q: Do Peer Tutors provide writing or editing help?
A: No, ARC Peer Tutors do not. College students should contact the Harvard College Writing Center to schedule a conference with undergraduate tutors who provide writing support. Graduate students should contact the Fellowships and Writing Center for writing support.
Q: How much does Peer Tutoring cost?
A: Peer Tutoring is free for Harvard College Students. Eligible graduate students may be able to receive funding for Peer Tutoring. Please review the Eligibility & Fees drop-down for more information.
Q: Is there a limit on tutoring sessions?
A: Harvard College students can book up to two hours of Peer Tutoring per week per course.
Q: Who are ARC Peer Tutors?
A: Peer Tutors are Harvard Students who have excelled in their course and are interested in supporting their peers as they learn the concepts.
Q: How should students prepare for a Peer Tutoring Session?
A: Prior to a Peer Tutoring session, students should review content and bring questions regarding the course material. Bring any and all materials that may be helpful to the tutor in helping the student review what was presented during class.
Q: Where does Peer Tutoring take place?
A: Currently all Peer Tutors meet with students via Zoom. Students receive their Zoom link after scheduling their Peer Tutoring session.
Q: What should students expect in a Peer Tutoring session?
A: Students should expect to discuss course topics and mains ideas, methodologies, problem solving steps and mechanisms.
Q: What should students NOT expect in a Peer Tutoring session?
A: Peer Tutors will NOT: do homework, write on the student’s papers or type on their computers, have the answers for homework, tell a student what grade they will receive, or provide material from previous semesters.
Q: I'm interested in becoming a Peer Tutor. How do I apply?
A: When Peer Tutoring opportunities are available, they will be posted on the Student Employment page.
Additional Campus Resources to Support Your Coursework
Instructor Office Hours
Students are encouraged to make use of all course resources. Before signing up for tutoring, students should take advantage of faculty and TF office hours (they are the experts in the field!) and look into help offered by the course and/or department.
Harvard College Writing Center
The Writing Center is a place for Harvard undergraduates to get help with any aspect of their writing. Tutors offer one-hour conferences (by appointment) and drop-in hours. The Writing Center’s English Grammar and Language tutor is available to work with students who have questions about grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and U.S. conventions of academic writing.
Learn More
Departmental Writing Fellows Program
The Writing Program’s Departmental Writing Fellows provide discipline-specific writing support to undergraduates in specific concentrations. The DWFs are available for drop-in hours and by appointment to consult with students about argument, structure, and clarity in their writing for courses in the DWFs' departments (Anthropology, English, Government, History, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology).
Learn More
Economics
The Ec Question Center helps concentrators with questions about micro, macro, and econometrics.
Learn More
Math
The Math Question Center invites students of Math M, 1a, 1b, 21a, and 21b to come together to work on problem sets. Staffed by Course Assistants.
Learn More
Language Tutoring Center
A free service offered to any student currently enrolled in a Department of Romance Languages and Literatures course. Students may schedule one 30-minute tutoring session per week in French, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish.
Learn More
Language Tables
Offered by the Romance Languages and Literatures department. Share a meal and keep up your language skills outside of class.
Learn More
Statistics Research
The Department of Statistics offers free, drop-in consulting on statistical issues arising in research to anyone in the Harvard Community.
Learn More
Accessible Education Office (AEO)
The AEO meets with students to discuss accessibility concerns and barriers, reviews disability documentation to support a student’s need for accommodations, collaborates with faculty and staff to implement reasonable accommodations, and leads diversity efforts on campus to promote disability equity and inclusion.
Learn More
The Institute for Quantitative Social Science (IQSS)
IQSS provides and hosts a wide array of data science resources to facilitate and accelerate social sciences research. Services are available to faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates writing a senior thesis. They do not provide support for coursework. Offers trainings, workshops, and IQSS computer lab.
Learn More
If you need additional help not addressed above, please contact us!