Harvard Summer School Academic Tutoring

Academic tutoring begins Sunday, June 28, and runs through Thursday, August 6.

By scheduling an appointment with an academic tutor and/or submitting a request for a tutor, students agree that they have read and understand Academic Tutoring Expectations, Course Availability, and Homework Policy as outlined below.

SUM_StockPhotoMomandStudentonLaptop

Academic Tutoring Course Availability

  • HSS Academic Office provides academic tutoring for 7-week and 4-week courses.

  • Tutoring may not be available in every subject or course.

  • For writing assistance and tutoring in courses within the departments of Creative Writing, EXPO-S, Journalism, Literature, and other writing-centric subject areas, contact the Harvard Writing Center at wricntr@fas.Harvard.edu or visit the Writing Center website.

  • We are unable to offer tutoring for profession-oriented courses such as those in the departments of Accounting, Digital Media and Design, Drama, Information Systems Management, Legal Studies, Management, Marketing, and others.

  • We do not offer preparation services for any standardized test (i.e., SAT, ACT, MCAT, GRE, etc.), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

  • The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Accessibility Services Office (ASO) is responsible for providing accommodations to students with disabilities. The support offered by Summer School tutors is supplemental to course instruction and does not replace student engagement with the course and teaching staff. Academic tutoring is not an accommodation.

Policies and Tutee Expectations

Expectation of Tutees

Tutees are expected to:

  • Adhere to Academic Tutoring policies and expectations.

  • Share relevant material with the tutor in advance of the appointment, such as specific questions, course materials, sample problems, information related to an upcoming assignment, etc.

  • Communicate in a timely manner with the tutor and Academic Office staff.

  • Complete their own work in accordance with the academic integrity and collaboration policies defined by course instructors and Harvard Summer School.

  • Notify the tutor and the Academic office at least 12 hours in advance should the need for cancellation or rescheduling arise.

  • Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Harvard Summer School policies and regulations.

Tutees will assist in their own learning process by:

  • Preparing adequately for the tutoring session.

  • Reflecting on and communicating with their tutor about their needs and goals.

  • Utilizing other HSS resources available for support. For example: instructors, teaching assistants, office hours,  Harvard Library, and the Writing Center.

Expectations of Tutors

Tutors are expected to:

  • Host one-on-one appointments and as needed, group tutoring sessions.

  • Help students clarify their learning goals and needs.

  • Communicate proactively with tutees.

  • Come prepared for the tutoring session.

Tutors will assist students in the learning process by:

  • Reviewing course material.

  • Clarifying difficult concepts.

  • Helping with exam preparation.

  • Sharing knowledge of their respective disciplines or field of study.

  • Developing study skills (e.g., time management, effective notetaking).

  • Recommending additional resources for support.

Homework Policy

  • Academic Tutors may refer to homework problems during tutoring sessions, but they will not assist tutees on homework directly, unless permitted by the course. Instead, Academic Tutors will review concepts and may work on practice problems like those commonly assigned as homework and exams.

  • Specific homework help should be sought out with the course/department directly, e.g., office hours.

  • Tutees should provide similar or sample problems for the tutoring meeting, which may be found in course material or by request to the course instructor(s). 

  • Still have questions?

    If you need assistance or have additional questions, please email the Academic Office at Tutors@Summer.Harvard.edu.