Resources

Learning Resource Center

The BAC Writing and Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides a variety of academic support services for all students. Tutors are fellow students, alumni, or specially hired professionals knowledgeable in their relevant subject matter.

We offer two types of tutoring:

  • Drop-in -- No appointment is necessary for drop-in tutoring. You simply show up at the designated time and place. Due to the nature of this type of tutoring, if there is excess demand in a given week, tutoring may have to take place in small groups or in individual sessions capped at 15-20 minutes.
  • By appointment -- If you want more in-depth assistance than you feel you can get out of drop-in tutoring, individual sessions are also available. You will be given the contact information for a BAC tutor then it is your responsibility to contact this person and set up meeting times. (Please keep in mind that tutor times can be limited. Tutors are meant to be a resource, but are not "on call".) If you need help in any class, please contact the LRC at 617-585-0174. All services are free.

Present tutoring services include:

Writing
Writing support is offered year around. Regular hours are scheduled during the spring and fall terms. During the summer, all session are by-appoint. Trained consultants offer professional appraisal of all written material and can make suggestions to improve presentation and clarity. Consultants are available year round, with regular schedules during the spring and fall. Please note: This service runs by appointment only. Call ahead to schedule a session. You can drop in only if an available session has gone unfilled.

Writing consultants can assist in any of the following ways (with all services being free for degree students):

  • One-on-one Consultations: All writing consultants have extensive writing and teaching experience. They provide a professional eye to critically analyze your writing and suggest improvements. It's an interactive process that can benefit you at any stage of the writing process, from organizing ideas, to revising drafts, to putting the finishing touches on an essay. Sessions are booked in one-hour segments, and generally each person is limited to one hour a day.
  • Resumes & Cover Letters: Learning Resource Center consultants provide a variety of resume and cover letter counseling. They can help you update your resume and more completely catalogue your skills. They can also provide much general job search information. (For specific practice-related issues, contact the Practice Office directly.)
  • Tip Sheets: If you are not interested in scheduling a consultation session, but are interested in improving your writing, the Center offers numerous tip sheets on a variety of writing and research subjects. Click on the Tip Sheet link above to see a full list or drop by the Center.
  • Thesis Support: The Center provides advanced help to those in Thesis Seminar or Degree Projects. Consultants can help you with focus, organization, analysis, as well as any research issues that might arise. Even if you have nothing written, but want to bounce your ideas off somebody, feel free to schedule a time.
  • Portfolio Support: Consultants can help you assemble your studio and practice work for Portfolio Review. They can give feedback on the clarity of your writing and how clearly your concepts come across to the reader. They can also help you lay out your work in a logical, sequential fashion, so that anyone can follow the "story" of a given a project. If you want some assistance, schedule a time. If you are submitting your portfolio, be aware of the deadline and don't wait till the last minute to schedule.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Support: If English is not your first language, the Learning Resource Center can provide assistance. If you are having trouble understanding difficult theory, arrangements can be made to work with someone familiar with the material. If you have papers to write, all writing consultants are experienced working with ESL students. Just call 617-585-0174, or email writingcenter@the-bac.edu.  (Please note: The LRC can no longer provide general ESL tutoring. All tutoring must be in connection with a class.)
  • Math, Physics, Structures I & II: Tutoring for these courses is offered fall and spring. Please call to inquire about summer availability. Students seeking help are asked to first attend drop-in sessions. (Drop-in hours are posted at the start of each term.) If you find drop-in is not sufficient and you need more intensive help (or if you cannot attend the sessions), contact the Director of the LRC to see if any one-on-one tutoring, outside of regular LRC hours, is available.

Students can use drop-in for an unlimited number of hours each term. Any additional tutoring, however, is capped at one hour a week to a total of eight (8) hours for the semester.

CAD
The LRC and Design Computing provide two primary support services for students taking (or who have taken) CAD. If you have brief questions:

Applications Support Specialist
An Applications Support Specialist is on-call several days a week in the Computer Labs. If you are working in the fourth-floor labs and have specific questions, he is available to answer them. To find him, simply go to the Education Technology Office (Room 402).

If you need more intensive support:
One-on-one CAD Tutoring is available through the Learning Resource Center. If you wish to get extra help, please contact the LRC to make arrangements. Individual (LRC) CAD tutoring is capped at a maximum of two hours per week and five hours per half-semester class. However, you can wok with the Applications Support Specialist as much as he is available.

Please note: CAD tutoring cannot replace a class. If you have not taken CAD but seek assistance, unfortunately, the LRC will not be able to offer you anything. While you can work with the Applications Support Specialist, he will only be able to provide limited help. You will be asked to take a class.