The Program for Academic Skills and Success (PASS) is an academic support service designed to teach students the necessary learning strategies to succeed at The Boston Conservatory.

This service is FREE for all Boston Conservatory students desiring assistance with a class they are taking at The Boston Conservatory.

About the tutors
How does the program work?
Who should participate in the PASS program?
For what classes are there tutors?
What if I need a tutor in a subject that is not listed above?
Hints on getting the most from you tutoring experience

About the tutors
The tutors are Boston Conservatory students who have been selected for their demonstrated expertise and success in their subject area. All tutors have been recommended by Boston Conservatory faculty or the Dean of the Conservatory.

Tutors are trained and evaluated each year. The tutors are all students who have a genuine desire to assist their fellow colleagues.

How does the program work?
Students wishing to be assigned a tutor must first complete a Tutorial Request Form and obtain their faculty's signature. These forms are located with the Assistant Director of Student Programs in the Student Affairs Resource Center at 24 The Fenway. Once the form is received, the Assistant Director of Student Programs will review the request, make the appropriate match with a tutor, and contact the tutor. The tutor will then contact you directly. The typical processing time is three days. Once a tutor has been assigned to you, it is up to you and your tutor to set a time and location to meet.

Please note: Students may only work with tutors in subjects they are currently enrolled in at the Conservatory.

Once sessions are scheduled you must respect your tutor's time. If you must cancel a session with your tutor, you must do it 24 hours in advance of the scheduled time. Any student who cancels or doesn't show up to three scheduled sessions will not be allowed to continue working with tutors through the PASS program.

If there are any problems with the match, the student should contact the Assistant Director of Student Programs at (617) 912-9159.

Please note that mid-term and final exams are very busy times. If you wait until the day before an exam to request a tutor it is unlikely a tutor will be able to meet with you before the exam.

Who should participate in the PASS program?
Any Boston Conservatory student needing a little or a lot of assistance with a class. Some students will work with a tutor just a couple of times to brush up on some skills. Other students will work with a tutor weekly for assistance with difficult subjects.

Tutoring is most effective when you get help early in the semester. Getting help early will assure that you will have enough time to work with a tutor on the subjects with which you need assistance.

For what classes are there tutors?
Dance History, Diction, Ear Training, French, Form & Analysis, German, Harmony/Counterpoint, Italian, Keyboard Skills, Liberal Arts, Music Fundamentals, and Piano Class.

What if I need a tutor in a subject that is not listed above?
If you need tutor in another subject, tell the Assistant Director of Student Programs and a decision will be made as to whether it is an appropriate subject for tutoring. If so, then all attempts will be made to find a recommended tutor. This type of request will take longer that our usual three-day turn around period. In some cases it may not be possible to include this subject in the PASS program.

Hints on getting the most from your tutoring experience

• Be specific. Let your tutor know the types of problems you need help with before the day of your session, so that they can be better prepared to help you.
• Come prepared. The more you have studied beforehand and the more you articulate your own questions, the more productive your session will be.
• Respect you tutor's time. Remember, your tutor is a student too. Show your respect by keeping appointments and finding out when the best times to contact them are.
• Communicate! Give your tutor exam dates and important deadlines so the two of you can plan ahead if you need extra time.
• Don't expect perfection. Remember that although peer tutors have excelled in the courses they tutor, they don't have all the answers.