Mentoring & Advising
The College of Medicine provides students with a supportive network of mentors and advisors. From upperclassmen to faculty members and administrators, there are many options for school and career guidance.
Academic Support for MD Program Students
The Student Academic Support Office offers a variety of resources to help MD Program students learn more efficiently and effectively. The academic load in medical school can be a difficult and demanding. Students may seek academic assistance for a variety of reasons. Our goal is to support all students as they adapt their study skills, test taking strategies and personal habits to the demands of the medical curriculum.
We understand that the amount of material and the pace of the curriculum can present difficulties for many students. Our office is committed to working with students through those challenges.
The director of academic support is available to meet with students individually or in a small group to identify their learning styles, analyze their study habits and test taking techniques, and to discuss any difficulties that they may be experiencing in their classes.
We also provide resources to students for the purposes of course preparation, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exam preparation or remediation, and other academic matters.
All incoming first-year medical students are assigned a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor will meet individually with the student to give academic and personal support and guidance. Students will also meet with other advisees in small groups to discuss common experiences and learn from each other. Medical students are also assigned a preclinical and clinical peer mentor.
Academic Coaches help students thrive and succeed academically during medical school. They meet with students on a regular basis to review material and draw connections between lectures, conduct lab demonstrations and prepare for exams.
The Big Brother/Big Sister Mentoring Program is a student-run peer advising organization designed to smooth students' transition into medical school by matching members of the incoming class with a second-year student. These student mentors, who are referred to as "Bigs," give support, answer questions and share information from a student's perspective. Students meet with their Bigs during the first week of school and periodically check in throughout the year.
The Career Development Center provides career counseling and resources to guide medical students in making informed decisions and successfully plan their careers. Career advising is available on an individual basis and through a variety of programs, workshops and specialty interest groups. The Career Development Center also keeps students informed of research opportunities.
Academic Support for Graduate School Program Students
Students enrolled in Graduate School programs receive academic support through a variety of mentoring and advising resources. Our goal is to support graduate students in their academic studies and help guide them for success in their future careers.
Program directors are available for each program in the Graduate School as a resource to students in their respective programs. They are available to students to assist with course selection, academic concerns related to courses, career advice, course requirements, thesis requirements and mentoring.
Graduate students who are performing research will be in direct contact with their principal investigator who may act not only as a research mentor but also as a resource for advice related to career planning, concerns regarding experiments, authorship and thesis preparation and defense.
Each division in the Graduate School has its own divisional office with academic administrators who can assist students with academic concerns related to courses, course registration, program requirements, thesis preparation, fees, stipends and more.
The College of Medicine’s basic science departments have offices with administrators who can provide similar assistance. Department administrators are also uniquely available to assist students with questions regarding equipment, stipends and administration of funds from fellowships, awards and grants.
The Center for Learning & Academic Success Services (CLASS), located on the first floor of the New College Building, provides a variety of academic support resources to students. They offer course-specific tutoring for students enrolled in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies, as well as workshops on topics such as study skills, time management and test-taking strategies.
The center also provides peer and professional academic coaches who provide one-on-one assistance for any student at Drexel. The CLASS has a computer lab, printing, anatomical models, supplemental texts and a study space you are welcome to use.
You can find more information about utilizing services or becoming a peer educator on the CLASS website.
The Graduate School provides regular professional and career development series to inform graduate students about various career options. Graduate students should refer to the Professional and Career Development website of the Graduate School for more information.
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