Academic Advising

Academic advising is a multifaceted program designed to advance students to graduation and residency successfully. The program also oversees Bear Buddies (Near Peer Mentoring) and individual and group sessions in career counseling and academic advising sessions. Academic Success Counselors are available to help if students need additional academic support.

Bear Buddies (Near Peer Mentoring)

Students receive and provide mentorship in their assigned Bear Buddies Groups. Sessions are held each semester of Years 1, 2, and 3 for a minimum of six sessions. These sessions are designed to provide students with resources and mentorship strategically placed in their curricular path to optimize assistance. Bear Buddies Groups provide a forum for students to develop mentoring skills as they mentor underclassmen.

Bears Prepare Student Affairs Sessions

Bears Prepare sessions, designed by the Office of Student Affairs, address topics relevant to medical students during each semester of Years 1, 2, and 3. Sessions include academic advising, ethics/professionalism, career counseling, financial planning, and wellness.

Academic Success Counselors

MUSM’s Academic Success Counselors offer individual appointments for all students. Regardless of academic status, all students are encouraged to meet with counselors to discuss learning strategies, learning styles, and academic needs. The Academic Success Counselors provide a longitudinal series of group sessions during the Bears Prepare Sessions designed to optimize study skills, USMLE Step study, and general academic success. These counselors can help with things like:

• Study skills
• Organization strategies
• Time management
• STEP prep