Office of Academic Excellence

The Office of Academic Excellence (OAE) is here to foster a better learning environment for and provide academic support to all students at New York Medical College.

We can help you adapt or modify your study habits and test-taking skills in order to keep up with the volume and pace of the medical school curriculum, and we support students with disabilities ensuring all students have equitable access to achieve academic excellence.

Our office works to identify students who need assistance as early as possible. We work closely with first- and second-year course directors, and we monitor student exam grades as they are posted. During the clinical curriculum, clerkship directors are also in contact with OAE and may express concerns about M3s in need of support during a rotation. In addition, third-year NBME clinical subject exam scores are monitored by OAE and the deans in student affairs. We reach out to M1, M2, and M3 students who don't achieve passing scores to discuss ways to improve studying and test-taking strategies. That’s what we do, but you don't have to wait until you need help to reach out to us.

Our programs are designed to help students study more effectively and become more self-sufficient and proactive in their learning. Our services include:

Workshops on study strategies, time management, USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK preparation, and more
A Peer Learning Partner Program for one-on-one, subject-specific support
One-on-one academic support appointments in person, on Zoom, or by phone
Exam and class accommodations for students with disabilities
One-on-one writing support for coursework, CVs, and ERAS personal statements

Study Strategies

We provide one-on-one advisory meetings and workshops on transitioning successfully from undergraduate to medical/graduate school coursework, time management, test preparation, and more. You can contact us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.

To schedule academic coaching appointments in person, on Zoom, or by phone, email us at academicsupport@nymc.edu.
SOM Students: Login to LEO/LCMS+ to access the Academic Support Repository.
GSBMS & SHSP Students: Go to the Academic Support course on Canvas (accessed through the TouroOne portal)

Workshops

Our workshops teach useful study strategies and help you successfully navigate the M.D. program. Here are a few of the topics our workshops cover:

How to transition from undergraduate to medical/graduate school coursework
Time management & scheduling
Conquering test anxiety & the multiple-choice standardized exam
Getting the most out of study groups
Preparation for Step 1, NBME Shelf exams and the Step 2CK
Writing assistance

Tips and Resources

Everyone learns differently; you may find certain suggestions more helpful than others. View the SOM Students' Peer-to-Peer Resources.

Peer Learning Partners

Peer-to-peer support is provided for a variety of courses in SOM, GSBMS, SHSP, and TCDM. You are allowed two hours per week. Peer learning partners (PLP) are at least one year ahead and are paid an hourly rate by NYMC Academic Support for their services.

To view PLP availability and to book an appointment, please visit NYMC WCOnline.

First-time users need to register for an account. Only the white boxes represent available appointments. Sessions cannot be booked on the same day to allow PLPs time to prepare. Online consultations are available directly through this system.

Accommodations and Accessibility

We are committed to supporting students with disabilities. We navigate barriers and provide reasonable accommodations through an individual interactive process to ensure all students have equitable access to achieve academic excellence.

NYMC SOM prohibits discrimination against any individual on the basis of physical or mental disability. It is also the policy of the College to provide reasonable accommodations, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American Disabilities Act (ADA), and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (the "ADAAA"), to qualified students, with a diagnosed and documented disability, who have identified themselves to the College in a timely manner, as individuals with a disability so that such qualified students will be capable of completing the full curriculum of required courses and electives under College policies and in accordance with applicable technical standards for admissions and enrollment. Such reasonable accommodations shall be provided on an individualized basis and shall serve to alleviate an impairment created by a functional limitation unless such accommodations would impose an undue burden or fundamentally change the essential educational environment of the program involved or adversely affect the safety and welfare of other students, faculty or patients. Furthermore, it is the policy of the College to require qualified students with disabilities to meet the same academic standards as students with disabilities.

To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity. In order to respect your privacy and ensure a thoughtful interactive process, please contact the Disability Designee(s) to make an appointment.