TutoringZone is an educational services company dedicated to improving students’ performance in the classroom by enhancing their mastery of the curriculum and familiarity with the tools for success in this challenging university environment.

A number of professors have begun to reference TutoringZone in their syllabi or in their classes.   We certainly appreciate their vote of confidence…However, as faculty turnover occurs and as we continue to offer new tutoring sessions in new disciplines, there are a number of professors who are unfamiliar with TutoringZone. 

TutoringZone was founded in 2001 by a former UF instructor; we began by offering tutoring sessions for students in a few selected business classes.  Since that time, we have expanded to offer tutorial programs for over 30 undergraduate classes at UF;  Mathematics (Calc and Pre-Calc), Pre-Med (General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics), Spanish…and of course, nearly ALL of the general Business Classes. 

TutoringZone opened at the University of Georgia in the Fall of 2006 and quickly grew in popularity with students.  In our two years in Athens, we have grown to offer tutoring for 17 undergraduate courses as well as a number of graduate entrance exams (LSAT, GMAT and GRE).  We have tutored over 10,000 UGA undergraduate students during this time.  Our goal is to provide effective tutoring in small groups, leading to success in the classroom at an affordable price.  Our emphasis is on personal interaction; in our experience, students learn best when they can work with an instructor and perform numerous practice exercises. 

We hire and train exceptional instructors who can engage the student and challenge them to perform while also entertaining and encouraging them.  We are an effective supplement to the classroom; students who go to class, read the book and attend TutoringZone perform much better than their peers.  TutoringZone is NOT a substitute for class.  We do NOT show students how to cheat, encourage them to skip class, or otherwise engage in conduct detrimental to the learning process.    

So why are we dedicating a page on our website to you?  First, we would like to explain exactly what we at TutoringZone do.  We believe that if we clearly illustrate our role as partners in the learning process then the University community will consider us when they encourage students to avail themselves of each and every resource for their course.  Private tutoring, discussion sections and athletic tutoring all provide substantially similar services as TutoringZone.  The original idea for TutoringZone was to bring the benefits of a small, elite, private university to students at a large, public university at a fraction of the cost.  If students spent $25,000 per year on tuition, then they would expect a discussion section to be included…TutoringZone is dedicated to fulfilling that role at larger public universities.  TutoringZone provides students with access to a professional tutor in a constant learning model as you would find at much more expensive institutions.  If a student can benefit from this type of interaction, then it is available in a fun and friendly environment at a reasonable cost.  If they are more self-motivated and do not wish to utilize our services then they benefit from the absolute lowest tuition available anywhere. 

We have heard a number of individuals proclaim that ‘students should not have to pay’ for this type of service.  Although this is a reasonable goal, it is simply not possible...in Economics they refer to the principle of TANSTAAFL.  There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.  If the University provides discussion sections or ‘free’ tutoring, then there is a commensurate increase in costs.  As a result, tuition is increased for ALL students.  Essentially, students that do NOT use the ‘free’ tutoring are paying for those that do.  We believe that our learning model could be employed at hundreds of public institutions nationwide and usher in an era where a public-private education partnership emerges.  Our model allows students the choice of whether or not they need additional help instead of forcing them to pay for it through higher mandatory fees.

Our second goal is to distinguish our services from those of some of our ‘competitors’.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery….and any visitor to campus can attest to the fact that these days there are a huge number of services competing for the students’ money.  Why are we different?  TutoringZone is an educational institution that is dedicated to partnering with the University to help students in a responsible and conscientious manner.  In addition to expertise in their field, all of our tutors undergo a minimum of 3-6 months of training before they tutor their first student.    

In addition, TutoringZone believes it is important to ‘give back’ and actively encourages all of our employees and customers to become active and informed citizens of their local communities.  If you are so inclined, please take a look at some of the links on the ‘What is TZ?’ webpage.  TutoringZone has been featured in the Florida alumni magazine as well as numerous local and regional newspapers.  In addition, TutoringZone was named the 2005 Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.  The reason for this is because we are successful AND we focus on community involvement.

• Financial Assistance – We do NOT want money to be the reason a student can’t get the help they need…so, we offer a ‘pay it forward’ approach for the student to receive all of the tutoring they want, for free!  The student signs up to be a tutor/mentor with a local non-profit (such as CHAMPS or Big Brothers Big Sisters), and we in turn provide all the tutoring they want. 
  
• FREE MONEY! – We offer a couple of chances for students to get some of their money back from us:
  
  • TZ Scholarship – two prizes (1^st and 2^nd).  We do NOT consider things like GPA or activities.  The winners are selected based upon their response to a short essay.
    
  • TZ Business Idea Competition – As entrepreneurs, we love to encourage the entrepreneur within everyone.  The business idea competition asks students to write down a 2 – 3 page description of an idea for a business that they would consider opening.  The entries are judged by our panel, which includes a UF professor of entrepreneurship, distinguished alumni and venture capitalists.  We offer this program in conjunction with the UF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  Last year’s winner competed in the finals of the CEI’s Business Plan Competition and has just opened for business.  They are well on their way to success! 
    
• Real Life 101 – TutoringZone has created a unique and innovative internship through the Honors Department at UF.  Each semester 10 interns participate in our “Real Life 101” Internship.  They learn about various aspects of running a small business and in the process gain valuable experience for their job search.  Real Life 101 is a combination of classroom and hands-on experience designed to teach the unique lessons that apply to an entrepreneurial start-up.
  
• Standardized Test Prep – we offer innovative and affordable test prep for the GRE, GMAT and LSAT exams.

Thank you again for taking the time to read more about who we are and the role that we play in undergraduate education.  We are active members of the university community and are anxious to enhance the learning experience for all students.  As far as we know, TutoringZone is the first educational company to bring the benefits of a small private school (personalized learning) to a large public institution at an affordable price.  Together, we can help to achieve the goal of imparting valuable skills and knowledge to the student body, and help to prepare them for the next stage in their journey. 

We certainly value any feedback or suggestions you might have.  Please feel free to  e-mail us with your comments This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it