FAQ about Academic Support | Basic Science Examination Reviews | Study Tips for USMLE Step I

OASC Support in the 3rd & 4th years | Can MSTP or PhD students come to the OASC?

The OASC's mission is to provide an environment for students that promotes learning and individual growth. Part of this mission includes helping students to access available resources that will enhance their learning experience and foster independence in achieving their personal and professional career goals.

The OASC offers the following:

Dr. Segal is available to meet with students to discuss any of the above services or any related concern.  You can contact Dr. Segal at 430-3154 or by E-mail: jsegal@aecom.yu.edu.

FAQ about Academic Support

What do I do if I'm concerned about my grades?

If you are concerned about your grades, you may consider academic advising.  Academic advising in the OASC is one-on-one, confidential, and tailored to a student's academic strengths and weaknesses, learning style, and particular challenges.  It's a collaborative process.  Tutoring may be recommended.  If learning issues are suspected or identified, a student may be given a brief learning inventory and/or be referred for a learning evaluation.  Your academic progress will be tracked and you will be encouraged to follow-up with Dr. Segal.  Additionally, students are encouraged to get help early and consult with upper class students, faculty, and administrators as needed.

Since exams are sequestered, can I still see my failed basic science exam?

Yes you can see your exam.  It can be very disappointing to fail or barely pass an exam...but it does happen.  It's important to keep the failure in perspective, especially if it's your first...ever.  Scheduling an exam review appointment can be helpful to pinpoint what actually happened.  Did you "feel" more comfortable with the material than you actually were?  Did certain question styles throw you off?  Was your command of the details insufficient?  Did you have trouble with case-based items or have trouble applying your knowledge clinically?  Did test anxiety get the best of you?  Exam reviews offer you an opportunity to see the exam, learn from your mistakes, and come up with a game plan of what to do differently.  Students are encouraged to come to the Office of Academic Support & Counseling for an appointment (Belfer 206C), or to call (718) 430-3154.  Please also review our Basic Science Exam Policy. More specifics are provided below:         Top

Basic Science Examination Reviews

ELIGIBILITY

First and second year students who fail an exam or receive a borderline score are eligible to review their exams.  A student who fails an exam is typically sent a standard letter via E-mail recommending that they schedule an exam review session. Students who receive E-mail notification of their failed score are encouraged to contact the office and schedule an exam review as soon as the grades are posted. Students can also wait up until 2 weeks before their scheduled make-up exam (see guidelines section) to review their exam. A student who receives a borderline passing score (2 points above the passing score) will be responsible for contacting the office if interested to schedule a review.

PROCEDURE

Basic science exams are sequestered.  Low score exams are pulled from the Office of Instructional Support Services (i.e., the Teaching Office) and placed in the Office of Academic Support & Counseling.  These exams remain there until a student successfully completes the course that academic year.

EXAM REVIEW

Exam review sessions are witnessed and take place in Belfer 206C.  Students have up to 1 hour to review their exam.  During this time, a student typically checks their scantron, test booklet, and reviews the content.  A student will be asked to consider all possible factors contributing to the low exam score (i.e., fund of knowledge, ineffective study strategies, test-taking errors, reading, comprehension, or attention issues, poor time management, personal problems, etc.).  Students will be advised to schedule follow-up appointments to discuss these issues and/or may be given appropriate referrals.  Students will also be encouraged to sign up for tutoring if they have not already done so.

Tutors or friends will not be allowed to join a student reviewing an exam.  The use of notebooks, texts, lecture materials, pens/pencils, etc. will not be permitted.  Students will not be allowed to write on, mark, or photocopy the exam or test booklet.  Borrowing or taking the sequestered exam out of the office will not be permitted.  The use of calculators, palm pilots, camera phones and other devices will not be allowed.  A student may request an exam review worksheet to track wrong answers, careless errors, difficult questions, etc.  The worksheet will be collected at the end of the session and kept with the student's exam.  Worksheets cannot be photocopied or taken out of the office.  If a student continues to struggle academically, worksheets may be reviewed periodically with the student to track their progress.    

GUIDELINES

Eligible students are permitted to review their failed exams ONLY once during the academic year.  Multiple exam reviews will not be scheduled.  Eligible students may EITHER review their exam upon notification OR wait until closer to their scheduled make-up exam date.  The review, however, should take place no later than 2 WEEKS (i.e., 14 days) before the scheduled make-up.  For example, if a student fails CV Physiology and the make-up is scheduled for June 15th, the last day to review will be June 1st.  In the event that the make-up date closely follows the end of the course (i.e., typically 2nd year courses in late Spring), a student will be permitted to review their exam as soon as it becomes available.  No reviews will be scheduled the day before the make-up.

The above procedures and guidelines regarding basic science exam reviews are subject to change at the discretion of the Office of Academic Support & Counseling director or the Office of Student Affairs.  Thank you.

For important details regarding academic progress, the make-up exam policy, grading, and other Einstein guidelines, please see the by-laws of the Committee on Student Promotions and Professional Standards online at www.aecom.yu.edu/ooe/students.  Hard copies are available in Drs. Baum & Katz's office - Belfer 210.  Students are also welcome to meet with Drs. Baum & Katz to discuss Einstein's sequestration policy, by-laws, grading, or any other matter.  Appointments to see Drs. Baum & Katz can be made by calling (718) 430-3060.     Top

Any study tips for USMLE Step I?

For more information on Step I or to discuss any of the above study tips, contact Dr. Segal.           Top

How can the OASC support me in my 3rd & 4th years?

Students are encouraged to check in periodically in their 3rd and 4th year of medical training.  During their clerkship year, students are welcome to drop in between rotations, in the middle of their lecture day when they are on campus, after their shelf exams in Forchheimer, to discuss the wards, their clinical work, shelf exam preparation, reactions to their clerkship evaluations, or any other concerns they may have.  In the 4th year, students may come in to discuss their senior year, residency applications, career concerns, USMLE Step II preparation, and life after graduation.

Coming soon - info on:

I'm an MSTP or PhD student, can I come to the OASC?

Absolutely.  Students in the combined MD-PhD program or Sue Golding Graduate Division are welcome to either drop-in or schedule an appointment to see Dr. Segal.  Students in these programs are generally either self-referred or are referred by their program directors or faculty advisors.  Common concerns include their graduate school coursework, juggling the demands of research and working in the lab, re-entry into the medical school (i.e., starting clinical rotations for MSTPs), "issues" with their mentors, colleagues, or advisory committee, and sustaining momentum and completing either the PhD or combined degree program.              TOP