Have questions about cothinkers? Let us help!

How do I pay for a session?

When you schedule a single session or monthly tutoring package, you will first receive a brief confirmation email, followed by a second email with a payment link. By paying (either through PayPal or with a major credit card), you will authorize the session in advance.

What is the cancellation policy?

For sessions canceled 2 or more hours in advance, clients will receive a full refund or an opportunity to reschedule the session for a different time. For sessions canceled within 2 hours of the scheduled start time, clients will not receive a refund for the missed session.

What do you do with students' personal information?

cothinkers asks for basic student information (name, grade level, email address, and video chat username) in order to communicate effectively via video and shared documents during our sessions. All information belonging to both students and parents is kept confidential and is not used for any purposes besides direct, essential communication. cothinkers values your privacy, and is committed to protecting it.

What if no available sessions fit my schedule?

cothinkers is committed to providing exceptional academic assistance to every student who seeks it, so we try to work with every family interested in our services to find a way to work together. If you cannot find a time that fits your schedule, you can fill out a session interest form so that we can figure out a plan that works for you.

What happens if there are technical issues?

cothinkers recognizes that no technology is perfect, and issues arise from time to time that hinder effective communication. Tim is proficient in the programs that our services utilize, and also exercises patience and efficient troubleshooting when a technical problem occurs. Most of the time, issues amount to small glitches and dropped connections that resolve themselves quickly. However, in the case of a more significant malfunction that prevents a full session or the majority of a session from taking place, you will receive a full credit to apply to a future session.

How can parents/teachers receive information about student progress?

Tim is committed to providing every one of our families with thorough feedback and recommendations for students' progress. Feedback is available upon request; all correspondence is facilitated by the administrative team, but Tim may supply any information upon request that can help parents and teachers assess a student's academic standing. Feel free to email cothinkers to request any student feedback!

How does writing feedback work?

With the writing feedback feature, students receive proficient and meticulous comments on drafts of academic writing assignments. Requests must be submitted through this form ≥48 advance of the time by which feedback is needed, with the draft either attached as a file or linked to a Google Doc—we recommend leaving sufficient time before the assignment's deadline so that the student can apply the suggested edits. A payment link is included in the final email with the comments on the draft. Students must always remember to cite their cothinkers tutor as a consulted source whenever applicable.

How do monthly tutoring packages work?

Student and parents may choose to set up regular sessions every week instead of scheduling sessions one at a time. cothinkers offers packages of one or two sessions per week, which can be renewed every month. Sessions are scheduled by the week, at a regular time or at various times that fit into both the student's and Tim's calendars. Even though the session times throughout the month are pre-determined, Tim recognizes the unpredictability of students' schedules, and tries to be as flexible as possible when scheduling changes are necessary; cothinkers asks that rescheduling requests be submitted ≥48 hours in advance if possible so families can work with Tim to find a convenient alternate time slot.

Do you only offer online sessions?

No, in-person sessions are available for students who live in parts of the Southern New Hampshire or Northern Massachusetts areas. Primarily, cothinkers provides an online service specifically tailored to connect each student with a teachers through the power of technology. In Tim's experience, remote sessions enabled by only a video chat and a shared document equal and even augment the effectiveness of in-person meetings between students and teachers. cothinkers is inspired by the internet's potential to revolutionize the accessibility of education, and Tim is thrilled to offer a service that brings expert educators to your screen.

What grade levels do you tutor?

At present, Tim's primarily works with students from middle school to college. However, Tim can expand the range of ages that he specializes in working with. cothinkers encourages families with children of all ages who are interested in seeking Tim's services, and you may contact cothinkers with questions about how he can meet your child's needs.

What if I don't have an account in one of the recommended communications services?

cothinkers conducts sessions' video chats via Skype, Google Hangouts or FaceTime, because of these apps' ubiquity, simplicity and reliability. However, if a student does not have access to one of these accounts, Tim will accommodate by finding an alternative that works for the student. You do not need a Google account to access the shared Google Doc during a session—any email address will allow you to view and edit it. If a student or family prefers, sessions via phone call are also made available.

How does the Referral Program work?

If you refer someone who signs up for any sessions, you will receive one free session or 50% off any package. They just have to list you as their referral source on the Session Interest Form, Request an Academic Tutoring Package Form, or Request an Application Essay Package Form. The discount is offered only to clients who have already purchased any plan(s) or session(s), and will be applied once to a plan session or package for every new client an existing client refers.