Tutors

The Tutoring Program provides individualized support for students across a wide range of subjects. Working with a tutor can help you navigate the block plan and better understand class concepts. Our content tutors are recommended by faculty members and have successfully completed the courses they tutor. If you feel you are not understanding the material, it is good to sign up for a tutor right away!

Content Tutors

Content Tutors help students with the majority of courses at Cornell, including foreign languages. 

• The exceptions to this include writing and math classes. For writing classes, students should make an appointment at the Dungy Writing Studio, and for math classes, students should visit the Quantitative Reasoning Studio. 

• In addition, some courses, such as physics, chemistry, and business economics, pair tutors directly with courses. Students should work with tutors paired with courses before contacting the Office of Academic Support.

Our office can provide a tutor if students need additional support after using these services.

To request a free, private content tutor, please use the Tutor Request Form. It is best to complete this form as soon as possible, as the availability of tutors varies. The coordinator of academic support will respond to your request after checking on tutor availability.

Request a tutor

Expectations for Students Using Tutoring Services

Students who request to work with tutors should

• Come prepared with class materials, such as notes or textbooks. It is always good to have a goal in mind for your sessions.

• Arrive on time and attend sessions with tutors. Your tutor’s time is valuable, so please be there for your appointments. Tutors will wait approximately 15 minutes before the session is considered a no show.

• If a student cannot attend a session with a tutor, they should cancel as soon as possible, ideally within four hours of the session. Three no shows will result in your tutor being reassigned to another student. If you request tutoring again, you may be rematched with a different tutor depending on availability. However, you will be placed at the end of the waiting list.

Become a Tutor

Interested in becoming a content or study skills tutor? Please use the information below to see if you’d be a good fit for our program!

Requirements

• Content tutors must have high academic achievement in your subject area and/or courses. This achievement must be documented at the college level, either at Cornell College or through transfer credit.

• A recommendation from a faculty member in your subject area

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills 

• A desire to help other Cornell students improve their academic performance 

Responsibilities

• Complete required training with the Student Success Center. Basic tutoring guidelines can be found on the Tutor Training page.   

• Respond to communication from tutee(s) in a timely manner

• Respond to communication from faculty and staff in a timely manner

• Manage a tutoring schedule (this includes tracking and setting up appointments)

• Display professional behavior: Arrive on time and prepared and provide notice to tutee(s) if a session is canceled or rescheduled.

• Provide guidance to help students become more effective learners.

• Promote active learning in tutoring sessions by allowing the tutee to determine the goal and pace of the session.

• Keep records of tutoring sessions to track student progress and document time.

• Submit a record of tutoring sessions biweekly to the coordinator of academic support to facilitate timecard approval.

• Submit a biweekly timecard for approval from the coordinator of academic support.

• Maintain confidentiality of student performance, accommodations, and personal information.

Tutors are paid by the hour and work on an as-needs basis. To apply, please a staff member in the Student Success Center. In your email, please indicate which subject and courses you wish to tutor. The coordinator of academic support will review your information and contact faculty members directly for recommendations.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Chelsea Plunkett cplunkett@cornellcollege.edu