Frequently Asked Questions

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Q-Tutoring FAQs

What is Q-Tutoring?

Q-Tutoring is what we call our drop-in peer tutoring for quantitative subject areas. Q-Tutoring is supported by Q-Tutors. These are students who have done well in quantitative analysis (QA) courses and who want to help their peers succeed in those courses. They are trained and motivated to help you work through quantitative materials in a wide range of science and QA courses.

What courses do you offer help for?

In principle, we offer some form of support for all courses that satisfy the QA requirement. Our Q-Tutors generally offer drop-in support in Math, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, and Biology but are able to help with many other quantitative questions. Additionally, Supplemental Instruction Leaders (SIs) lead weekly study sessions and hold regular office hours in the Q-Center for select introductory courses.

Who is the Q-Center for?

The Q-Center is for ALL students. Q-Tutors are available for extra support in QA classes and facilitate a low-stress learning environment where all students are free to ask questions. Students also visit the Q-Center to reinforce their knowledge by reviewing materials with a Q-Tutor and/or their class peers.

What if I have a question about a quantitative concept but I’m not taking a QA course (e.g. I’m doing research, data analysis, my senior thesis, etc.)?

You’re welcome to drop by the Q-Center! We are here to encourage quantitative reasoning across disciplines and throughout your time at Vassar. Just as writing skills have lifetime importance, so do QR skills.

Where is the Q-Center located and when is it open?

The Q-Center is open Sunday–Thursday, 3 p.m.-11 p.m. It is in the Thompson Memorial Library. Math and Physics tutoring is located in Room 122, adjacent to the Writing Center. Chemistry, Economics, and Biology tutoring is in Room 88,* downstairs, near Special Collections.

Do I need an appointment?

No. Our Q-Tutors are available on a drop-in basis. Just make sure you check the schedule online first to make sure there is a Q-Tutor working in your subject at that time.

Where can I find the Q-Center schedule?

Schedules are posted and regularly updated on our Vassar webpage. You can use this to find a Q-Tutor best suited for your needs. It’s a good idea to check the schedule before dropping by to check for any updates or changes. The schedule is also physically posted in the Q-Center.

What should I bring to the Q-Center for tutoring?

Bring your textbook(s), class notes, calculator, and any materials you think might help the Q-Tutor assist you, such as recent homework assignments or tests. Q-Tutors may need to refer to your texts or notes since they may have had a different instructor or books may have changed.

Supplemental Instruction FAQs

What is Supplemental Instruction?

Supplemental Instruction is intended to give students in select courses extra opportunities to learn and practice course material. It is led by Supplemental Instruction Leaders, or SIs. These are students who have done well in QA courses and who want to help their peers succeed in a particular one of those courses. They are assigned to a section of a course and attend it. Then they help students in that course by preparing and running review sessions and holding office hours weekly.

What courses do you offer SI support for?

SIs typically cover introductory Math and Chemistry courses such as Calculus I and II and General Chemistry, Chemical Principles, and Organic Chemistry. SI or similar support is occasionally offered for Calculus III, as well.

How do I find out if I have an SI and who it is?

SIs introduce themselves to the class at the beginning of the semester, usually on the first day. They will email you or contact you through Moodle to introduce themselves, as well. You can also email the Q-Center at qrc@vassar.edu to find out if you have an SI and who that person is.

What can I expect from an SI review session?

An SI review session is a weekly one-hour review session developed by your SI that is tailored to your section’s needs. Generally, an SI will write a problem set for you to work through and discuss during the session. The problem set is focused on the concepts your professor has covered in the last week. Collaboration is encouraged as this is a great way to learn about other peoples’ strategies or how they think about a concept. It is suggested that you arrive at the beginning and stay for the full hour but you are not required to do so.

What can I expect from an SI’s office hours?

SI office hours are weekly one-hour sessions that your SI will hold in the same Q-Center space where drop-in tutoring is held. The SI is available on a drop-in basis during this time to answer your questions.

Where do I go for SI support?

SI review sessions are usually held in classrooms in Rockefeller Hall or the Bridge for Laboratory Sciences. Math SI office hours are held in the Thompson Memorial Library, Room 122, adjacent to the Writing Center. Chemistry SI office hours are held in the Thompson Memorial Library, Room 88,* downstairs near Special Collections. Check with your SI for the time and exact location or our online schedule.

What should I bring to an SI session?

Bring the same things you would bring to class. Something to write with and on, your textbook(s), class notes, calculator, and any materials that could help the SI assist you, such as recent homework assignments or tests.

If I have an SI, can I still go to a Q-tutor?

Yes, absolutely! An SI is an additional support for you. You, just like any other Vassar student, can still seek the support of a Q-Tutor, but better yet, you have the opportunity to work with both.

Employment FAQs

Review of Applications for Fall 2025 Q-Center Employment will begin on August 7, 2025.

What types of positions are available at the Q-Center?

There are two primary positions at the Q-Center: Quantitative Tutor (Q-Tutor) and Supplemental Instruction Leader (SI). Q-Tutors offer help to students for a wide range of quantitative questions on a drop-in basis. SIs are assigned to a single section of select introductory courses and generally focus on helping only in that class.

What subjects are covered?

In principle, we offer some form of support for all courses that satisfy the QA requirement. Our Q-Tutors primarily focus on drop-in support in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Economics, and Biology. Math SIs typically cover courses in the calculus sequence through multivariable and Chemistry SIs typically cover general and organic chemistry.

What are the qualifications?

Q-Tutors are expected to have performed well in introductory classes in the field they tutor. Usually, this means they must have earned a B+ or better in foundation courses or their equivalents (such as AP exams). SIs are expected to have taken the course for which they are assigned. Usually, they must have earned an A- or better in this course. All Q-Center staff are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater. A Federal Work-Study award is preferred but not required.

What are the responsibilities?

Q-Tutors are responsible for holding regular hours each week. In addition to one-on-one and group tutoring, Q-Tutors help students develop good study skills and habits. SIs are responsible for attending their assigned courses regularly, developing and leading review sessions, and holding office hours. Q-Center staff are occasionally asked to take on additional responsibilities such as administrative tasks and participating in community outreach programs.

How many hours will I work each week?

Q-Tutors typically work four two-hour shifts each week. SIs typically work about eight hours each week. Their time is spent in their assigned class, developing and delivering a one-hour review session, holding a one-hour office hour shift, and performing some other administrative-type tasks.

How much will I be paid?

Students are paid based on Federal Work Study guidelines. Currently, the standard rate is $13.90 per hour.

How do I apply?

Our application is available online. Please have the names of two professors, with at least one in each field you are applying to tutor/SI, who are willing to provide references.