Creating a place of encouragement, self-discovery, and academic success is a vital part of the mission of the Office for Medical Student Affairs. During their first week at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, our students begin understanding how to maximize their learning potential. Individual and group sessions explore topics such as adapting to the rigors and pace of medical school, creating a plan for board examination study, selection of academic resources, higher-efficacy study and memory strategies, time management plans, and more. 

Academic Counseling staff also provide counseling and support for students who are interested in other pathways to graduation offered at the Icahn School, including dual degrees, pursuit of scholarly work, an academic plan that allows for remediation, life events, and other important needs.

Peer Educator Program

Our peer educators are students in good standing at the Icahn School who have been trained to recognize learning barriers and help students develop tools to improve their performance. They can assist students with course content, study strategies, as well as clinical skills and reasoning. Tutors may also suggest additional resources and preparation for exams, including the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Step 1 and 2 CK.

United States Medical Licensing Examination Preparation

To support second-year medical students in their Step 1 preparation, the Office for Medical Student Affairs provides comprehensive study resources at no cost to students. Each second-year student receives a two-year subscription to the AMBOSS question bank Osmosis high-yield video series. Additionally, students are given a voucher for a free NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA) practice exam to use when they begin their dedicated study period.

For Step 2 CK preparation, the Office ensures that every third-year student is equipped with a 12-month subscription to the AMBOSS question bank and a free NBME CCSSA practice exam to use when they begin their dedicated study period.

Office Hours

To further support student success, the Director of Programs and Resources for Academic Excellence, Lauren Linkowski, EdD, and the Learning Coach, Kelley Lassman, PhD, regularly host available office hours. We encourage anyone interested in learning more to connect with Dr. Linkowski or Dr. Lassman.