The Office of Advising Resources assists Harvard medical and dental students with difficulties they may be experiencing in their preclinical and/or clinical performance. Students may be referred by Society Masters and Associate Masters or self-refer to the Director of Advising Resources, who will meet with students for an initial screening interview to help determine what factors (situational, emotional, learning, etc.) may be contributing to their difficulties. When emotional issues are involved, the Director of Advising Resources will provide short-term performance counseling, when appropriate, to help students function optimally in their current courses and/or help refer students to the appropriate resources both inside and outside HMS, as necessary. When learning issues are involved, students will be referred to an education specialist for further screening and assessment. If necessary, referral for outside neuropsychological testing can be arranged for a formal, comprehensive assessment. If this testing determines that a student has a documented learning disability, the student may be eligible for accommodations within their learning setting, to be determined and arranged, when appropriate, by the Disability Coordinator at HMS (See Section 10.03). The Director of Advising Resources also helps preclinical course directors, clinical clerkship directors, and/or students find and fund tutors, as needed, for students having academic difficulties. These tutors are drawn from a senior medical student pool or the second-year Student Teaching Corps or are recruited by preclinical course directors or clerkship directors. The Office of Advising Resources also organizes Step I and Step II National Board preparation for second- and fourth-year medical students, including diagnostic tests, subject reviews, study materials, and individual tutoring, as needed.

The Office of Advising Resources is located in the TMEC on the 2nd floor above the Peabody Society.