SWAGƵprovides peer tutoring free to first and second year students. The tutoring program is coordinated by The Center for Institutional, Faculty and Student Success and the Medical Education Department and is facilitated by the students chosen as peer tutors. Tutoring is offered in a study-group format. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. The content of the peer tutoring session is designed to assist students in understanding concepts covered in the curriculum as well as to prepare for the upcoming examination. Peer tutors receive support and guidance from the Course Director who may provide the peer tutor with a list of important or frequently confused topics to cover, additional study materials, practice questions, etc... Students should come to the peer tutoring session prepared to participate by being aware of their areas of strength and weakness in relation to the curriculum and bringing suggestions for topics or questions.
Who can attend a tutoring session?
Any student, regardless of academic performance, may attend a tutoring session. Any student who scores less than 70% on an exam is identified as needing academic assistance and is referred to The Center for Institutional, Faculty, and Student Success. Among the many supports that are provided, these students are usually required to attend the tutoring sessions for that subject. Students who score less than a 75% on an exam are encouraged to attend peer tutoring before the next exam.
Schedule of Tutoring Sessions
The dates and times for peer tutoring sessions are posted on Scholar. Additionally, information can be found on the shared block calendar published by Med Ed or by emailing the Center for Institutional, Faculty, and Student Success or the Medical Education Department.
Do you want to be a tutor?
First and second year students serve as peer tutors for their respective class year. This is important to ensure that the tutor is up to date on the curriculum being taught as well as being familiar with the current faculty expectations and teaching styles. Tutors must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or greater, score an 86% or greater on the exams for the course they are tutoring, pass all courses and portions of courses with a 70% or greater and not have to remediate a course or portion of a course, and maintain a minimum of a 70% in all courses or portions of coursed during the block.
Any students interested in becoming a peer tutor must complete the “SWAGƵPeer Tutor Application Form”, which details expectations of the tutors. A meeting for tutors is held once in the fall (for orientation) and once in the spring (for continued training). Orientation is provided by The Center for Institutional, Faculty, and Student Success. Tutors must participate in orientation prior to their first tutoring session.