Academic Assistance

The Clinical Skills Tutoring Program (CSTP) is a peer tutoring resource that is available to UCSF medical students (MS1 through MS4) for additional practice and coaching on clinical skills.
 Students are paired with an MS4 who has been trained in coaching and providing feedback on clinical skills.  The CSTP is available by referral from a faculty member (e.g., Bridges coach, clerkship director). For students who are interested in learning more about the program, please reach out to CSTP Co-director Abbi Phillips: [email protected].

Student Life’s Learning Resource Services provides assistance with strategies that can enhance learning, test performance, and mastery of material for all UCSF students. This unit also works with students to obtain and interpret formal psychoeducational testing for learning disabilities. Contact: Jamey Cheek or visit http://learn.ucsf.edu.

Student Disability Services serves, supports, and empowers UCSF students with disabilities by ensuring equitable access in alignment with State and Federal Law and best practices to fully and holistically participate in all areas of the university experience. To learn more about how to apply for accommodations at UCSF, please visit the Student Disability Services website or contact [email protected] for a confidential information session.

The One-on-one Tutoring Program offers free, individualized, near-peer content tutoring to students in Foundations 1 and 2. Students interested in receiving tutoring assistance can make a request using the One-on-One Tutor Request Sheet. Please allow 3 business days for a response.

If you have any questions about the tutoring program, or if you would like to sign up as a tutor, please reach out to Heather Yaden.

The Peer Teaching Program, or PTP, is a peer learning resource in which MS2s and MS3s lead interactive and fun reviews of medical content for MS1s. At sessions held twice weekly, PTP instructors teach four 30-minute lessons on recently covered or upcoming topics in the curriculum and develop weekly summary sheets. PTP also fosters interclass community and mentorship by providing MS1s with easy access to peers further along in their medical journey. Many MS1s find PTP to be extremely helpful for identifying key, high-yield content and distilling new frameworks for application of concepts. Each spring, twelve MS1s are selected to become PTP instructors in the following year to deepen their engagement in medical education, develop their clinically relevant pedagogical skills, and build relationships with teaching faculty. PTP is guided by MS3 and MS4 coordinators who bridge faculty and PTP instructors to ensure that content is relevant and up-to-date. Information about PTP sessions is sent via email weekly. 

PILLAR (Program of Learning for Lifelong Approach to Review) is an opportunity for a small cohort of students to receive additional support during three stages of the Bridges Curriculum.

PILLAR Summer: In PILLAR summer, students spend time solidifying their Bridges Curriculum Foundations 1 medical knowledge during the summer between Foundations 1 year one and Foundations 1 year two. This program will advance participants’ readiness for the second year of Foundations 1, Clerkships and for subsequent assessments, including standardized exams.

PILLAR Winter: The PILLAR winter program offers additional structured academic preparation for the Step 1 exam. The program, that consists of weekly group sessions and individual mentoring, is designed for a selected group of students who will require additional structured academic time in order to prepare adequately for the Step 1 exam.

PILLAR Spring *Pilot*: The PILLAR spring program will be piloted Spring 2027 to provide structured content review and test taking strategies to prepare students for Step 2.

For program details, application deadlines, and other information, please contact, SOM Learning Specialist, Heather Yaden.

For general questions about the program, please contact Dr. Marieke Kruidering, Director of PILLAR Summer and Winter, or Dr. Jesse Ristau, Director of PILLAR Spring.

The UCSF School of Medicine Learning Specialist offers one-on-one consultations to help students develop effective strategies for learning, studying, test-taking, executive functioning, and academic success. The Learning Specialist also connects students with School of Medicine academic support resources and assists with the implementation of approved disability accommodations within the curriculum. Schedule an appointment with Heather Yaden here or contact Heather Yaden via email at [email protected].

Peer Step Study Coaches provide academic coaching to students preparing for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. Peer Step Study Coaches can review study plans, instruct students on best uses of study tools, support development of study goals, and provide mentorship, accountability, and encouragement during dedicated period. Peer Step Study Coaches host weekly drop-in hours during dedicated period or are available by request throughout the year. Please contact Heather Yaden for more information and refer to our USMLE Board Exams webpage for more on licensing exam preparation and timeline.