MD Program
Student Experience

Academic Support

Application Information

Your Partner in Success

The KSOM Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) unit provides an array of services and resources to help medical students master the curriculum. The LEAD team consists of Dr. Melissa Lopez, Director of Academic Support Services; Dr. Andrew Abayan, Medical Education Learning Specialist; and Nina Crosby, Student Services Advisor.

We can be contacted at KECKLEAD@usc.edu. The services provided by this office are only available to Keck School of Medicine MD and PA students.

Woman looking out window in white coat.

LEAD Services

LEAD offers a number of support programs for our students at each stage of their medical school career. Student resources are available on LEAD’s SharePoint, which may be accessed only by KSOM MD and PA students logged into their @usc.edu accounts.

  • Students at all levels (years 1-4) may meet with a Learning Specialist for individualized assistance to review and improve study strategies and techniques as well as prepare for USMLE board exams.

  • Students at all levels (years 1-4) may request an Academic near-peer tutor with Keck Peer Instruction Program (KPIP). Tutors provide one-on-one meetings covering curricular content tutoring or Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam preparation support. 

     

    KSOM MD and PA students may request a KPIP tutor using this link.

  • Services for First-Year Students

    First-Year resources are available on LEAD’s SharePoint under “Tools & Materials,” which may be accessed only by KSOM MD and PA students logged into their @usc.edu accounts.

    • First-Year Pre-Matriculation Meeting
      • During this meeting, students will meet with either Dr. Abayan or Lopez to discuss goals and learning needs before the start of orientation.
    • Workshops
      • Sessions provide tips on how to be a successful medical student such as accessing available academic support resources, self-directed learning, and effective study strategies.
    • Peer-Led Review Sessions with KPIP
      • Keck Peer Instruction Program (KPIP) review sessions are provided before each pre-clerkship course exam to offer opportunities for content review and question and answer sessions.
    • Gross Anatomy Tutoring
      • Sessions with gross anatomy tutors and TAs are available to help students be successful in practicals. 

  • Services for Second-Year Students: 

    Second-Year resources are available on LEAD’s SharePoint under “Tools & Materials,” which may be accessed only by KSOM MD and PA students logged into their @usc.edu accounts.

    • Step 1 Workshops & Panels
      • Workshops discussing study and preparation strategies, led by Learning Specialists and KPIP tutors 
    • Step 1 Planning Meetings
      • 30-minute, one-on-one consultation meetings with Dr. Abayan or Lopez that take place during the summer in between S2 and S3 to discuss summer goals and studying 
    • Resources for Step 1 

  • Services for Third and Fourth-Year Students: 

    Third and Fourth-Year resources are available on LEAD’s SharePoint under “Tools & Materials,” which may be accessed only by KSOM MD and PA students logged into their @usc.edu accounts.

    • Clerkship subject exam support 
    • Step 2 Checks
      • Brief one-on-one consultation meetings with a Learning Specialist
    • Resources for Clerkship and Step 2 

 Timeline of LEAD Events

MS1   
July of matriculating year  Pre-Matriculation intake meetings with LEAD 
August orientation week  Enhancing your academic experience with LEAD and Curriculum 
Semester 1&2 Keck Peer Instruction Program workshop session to approaching medical science modules 
End of Semester 2 Step 1 in the Horizon workshop at the end of Reproduction Module 
May-June  Step 1 planning Meetings with LEAD 

 

MS2   
Year 2 orientation  Step 1 reminders and strategies 
Integrated Case Series Study schedule for Step 1 due. CBSE exam administration 
Jan-Feb  Step 1 dedicated study period 

  

MS3   
Transition to Clinical Practice Introduction to shelf exam prep and Step 2 
Intersession  Starting to think about Step 2 
December   Step 2 planning meetings with LEAD 
Jan-June 30  Step 2 study period