The Learning Skills Office, in collaboration with the basic science course directors, sponsors a supplemental, peer tutorial program primarily for the benefit of medical students experiencing academic difficulty in their coursework. Other students may participate under special circumstances, e.g., illness, death in family, etc. The program's main goals are:

1. To enhance student learning
2. To facilitate student adaptation to challenging coursework
3. To promote retention-to-graduation

Participation is free-of-charge to the student. The amount of tutoring provided is based upon individual differences and may vary from short-term assistance in one subject to long-term assistance across numerous subjects. The tutors are advanced medical students, with an interest in helping fellow students, who have also demonstrated a high level of competency in the course(s) to be tutored.

Tutoring is provided in two forms: individual tutoring sessions and informal, small-group sessions. Individual sessions are conducted once to twice weekly with a tutor who is selected to work with a specific student on relevant course work. Small-group tutorials are open only to students-at-risk who have been invited to attend. Typically, formal small-group tutorials begin immediately following the posting of grades from the first exam in most basic science courses. In some circumstances however, e.g., when a student is required to repeat a school year, tutoring may commence as soon as a course begins.

While participation is voluntary, participating students are expected to:
a) Assume responsibility for initiating contact with their assigned tutor(s),
b) Attend class, i.e., not use tutoring as substitute for going to class, and
c) Not use tutoring as substitute for consulting with course faculty.

Students who qualify for small-group formal tutorial assistance will be notified by the Student Affairs Office. Contact information regarding the tutoring program can be obtained through the Student Affairs Office; (310) 206-0430.