Grader Applications

A grader is a student that is hired by the Mathematics & Statistics Department to assist faculty and instructors with homework assignments, quizzes, projects, etc. Graders may also be asked to input grades into a software system. While solutions to materials should be provided in most cases, you must know the material and be able to provide feedback if applicable. Please note that every faculty/instructor has different requirements, and it is up to the faculty/instructor as to how much and how often you will be given work to grade. Some faculty/instructors will have weekly assignments, others may not.

To be considered as a grader for the Mathematics &  Statistics Department you must be enrolled in courses for the upcoming semester as a student at Boston University. If you have graduated you are no longer eligible, unless you are continuing on at Boston University for a higher degree. You must have a grade of at least B+ for the course you are assigned to. Other qualities we look for in potential applicants are students who will be reliable, responsive, honest, good communicators, and work autonomously.

An assignment is equal to 35 hours of grading for the entire semester (40 hours for the summer semesters). If you are allotted one assignment you would be responsible for up to 35 hours, two assignments would allot you 70 hours, three assignments would allot you up to 105 hours, and so on. It is NOT one homework assignment. You will be responsible for keeping track of your hours weekly with information such as what the assignment consisted of and how long it took you to complete it. Once hired, at the beginning of the semester you will be given a spreadsheet where you can fill out the information weekly and turn it in at the end of the semester. You must not go over the allotted hours of the assignment(s). If you find that you have reached 10 or fewer hours remaining for the semester and feel you will run out of hours before the end of the semester, you must contact the department to report such information. At that time you will be required to present your spreadsheet containing the work you have performed for the semester and a decision will be made at that time as to whether more hours will be allocated.

Grading pays a flat rate of $525 per assignment for course levels 100-300 and $575 per assignment for course levels 400 and above. The amounts will be paid weekly during the course of the semester. Direct deposit is highly recommended. However, it will commence once you receive your first paper check, which will be mailed to you at your local address on file.

You may apply by completing a grader application. Applications can be found at the top of this page.

You may apply at any time, however, it is best to apply about a month prior to the start of the semester. Please note that you must fill out a new application for each semester you are applying for.

Typically, you will be notified during the first or second week of the semester if you have been hired as a grader.

If you are an international student and have not previously worked in any capacity for Boston University and do not yet have a Social Security number, you will be eligible to apply for a Social Security number once hired (details and instructions will be provided at that time).

Undergraduate graders should not grade midterm exams or final exams, nor should record the grades of these exams.

In extreme situations, when a lecturer has multiple large classes or very tight schedules near the end of finals week, an exception can be made as long as the following three conditions are met:

• The undergraduate grader is available to help grade, i.e., it does not interfere with the grader’s own exams, studying, or travel plans during break;
•  The lecturer or TF is in the room assisting the undergraduate graders when they are grading exams, ready to help with any questions or issues, and to spot check the work of the grader;
• The grader has hours remaining to grade.