Thread: AEP: Academic Enhancement Program

Since this question comes up, here are some FAQ.
Please note: While I have tried to be as accurate as possible, you should contact Bay Shore to confirm any of the below.

What is AEP?

SGU's Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) is a program of tutilage* for students that are felt to be potentially viable candidates for medical school, but who have a aweakness in their "numbers" (GPA, MCAT), for whom English is a second language, or who have been away from school for a long time, are thus are felt to be at risk for poor performance in classes or (more importantly) on the USMLE.

Typically, but not exclusively (see above), these students have a strong GPA but a weak MCAT score. By the assessment of the admissions committee, these students are felt to be inherently capable of handling the rigors of medical school, but are in need of supplimental teaching, generally aimed at helping them "learn how to learn" (my words).

Requirements for AEP enrolled students

1) Shortly after your arrival in Grenada, at Freshman Convocation, you will attend an AEP Orientation Meeting. More details regarding the program are outlined at that time. At your first meeting you will be given a diagnositic exam to determine where your weaknesses in studying and test-taking lie. This will help tailor the program for you.

2) At the beginning of the term, at midterms and occasionally at other intervals as need be, you will meet with members of the Department of Educational Services. They will review your progress and tweek your tailored AEP program prn (as needed in med-speak).

3)Review groupss are peer-faciliated (i.e. senior students) While all students may attend these sessions, it is highly encouraged that AEP students attend.

4) The duration of AEP is terms one and two manadatory and determined PRN thereafter.

Outcomes for AEP enrolled students?

Most AEP students do as well or better than traditionally enrolled students. In fact feedback is so good many non-enrolled students opt to take these reviews.

What if I just don't go to the reviews?

They keep track of attendance and if you dont go, (which is unusal as its traditionally a strong program) the Dean of Students will be notified. The outcome will be case dependant..

* The program used to involve mandatory tutilage but now its optional. However according to folks from bayshore, if one doens't avail of the services they wind up up for review with the dean. This is obviously more vague than the previous incarnation of the program. Below, please see the former terms (in green) which as of 11/1/03 are not in effect.


a)In AEP you must attend a minimum of 3 review groups per week which are peer-faciliated (i.e. senior students) While all students may attend these sessions, you must attend 3 q week as an AEP memeber and you have preference in seating as such.

b) [The Schoo] keep[s] track of attendance and if you dont go, (which is unusal as its traditionally a strong program) the Dean of Students will be notified. As your admission to SGU SOM is based upon the provision that you partake in AEP, this potentially can result in dismissal.

Other Department of Educational Services (DES) initiatives

DES is well established and works quite well for most students. Aside from running AEP, other programs include

Learning skills program
For all students with one on one or group meetings.

English Communication skills
For those to whom English is a second (or third, or fourth) language, and
for anyone looking to improve writting or speaking skills.

English Medical Communication Skills course
A six-credit course for SOM/SOVM students for whom English is
not a first language. This course is concomminant with enterence
to the Alternate program in the SOM or Individual Enhancement Program in
the SOVM.

Individual Tutorials
For individualized help in a course.

Course review questions
Regularly printed material made in coordination with Medical school
and veterinary school course directors. Designed to suppliment your
studying int he first two years. New questions weekly on line at qp2.sgu.edu/desresources
and in the DES reception area.

Group Review sessions
Peer tutor teaching. Scheduled at a variety of times and places. There
are approximately 1,200 such sessions per term for MD, DVM and A&S programs.

Pre-Med and A&S Supplimental Instruction

Hey guys.
What is the alternate and the DES program? Details would be appreciated.

Originally Posted by NJ14

Hey guys.
What is the alternate and the DES program? Details would be appreciated.

AEP program is a way of helping you out adjusting to med school. if you have a low GPA or have been away from school for awhile or did not do a science degree it mandates that you must attend a certain number of tutor hours.

DES are responsible for arranging tutors and timings. they work hand in hand.

most people go to these DES sessions AEP student or not. you have to learn how to learn in med school.

i hope they dont kill it. i think it did need some improving with scheduling and content but otherwise its a great idea

hi,

Does anyone know how the students are been evaluated in this Academic Enhancement Program? Will there be a grading system? Also, will this program show up on the student's final transcript??

Originally Posted by studentoflife

hi,

Does anyone know how the students are been evaluated in this Academic Enhancement Program? Will there be a grading system? Also, will this program show up on the student's final transcript??

i believe it is evaluated the same as a normal student. and dont think it would show up on any transcripts

Dear AEP students,

For all who are accepted into SGU with the stipulation that you are in AEP, please be reminded that this is a mandatory program and that your continued enrollment in SGU depends on your participation in the program.

As of today, December 7, 2005, AEP has differing requirements between the MED and VET schools, and they change every semester.

What is mandatory for everyone is meeting with your assigned coordinator, attending the orientation and a small-group study skills and time management workshop. Reveiw group attendance is usually mandatory, but the amount of times per week varies depending on your school (Med/Vet). Meeting with your academic advisor is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

In regards to the needs assessment exam, this DOES NOT exist any more. It has been eliminated and has been for a few years now.

If a current or future student wants the latest information, call Grenada's Department of Educational Services at 1-473-444-5008 and ask for Althea.

Best wishes, and good luck!

ah, yes the AEP program.

in theory, it's a great idea. but, the logistics of actually going to them after a full day of classes - not so great. those classes take up a lot ot time. what are you reviewing if you haven't even read your notes for the first time? so, here's how to get out of them. you go to the class, you sign in, you leave. the tutors won't stop you. i was in the AEP program and was stressed out everyday because i knew there was no time to study for myself after classes because i had to go to these sesssions. now, some of them are really good. but, unfortunately, they do take out time from your studying on your own. this is what i had to do to survive. i did better without the program.

hope this helps somebody.

Hi
I've just been accepted into the AEP and not sure if I should accept the offer. I had a couple of questions and was hoping someone could help me out:

1. Is it really worth spending one extra year at St. Georges when I've been accepted into the 4yr MD program at St. Matthews?

2. What are the chances of me being accepted into the the MD program at St. Georges after the first year? In other words is it hard to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the MPH Program?

3. Am I going to be labelled as the stupid one that couldn't get into the 4yr MD program at St. Georges?

I have to make some decisions and was hoping that I could get some feedback from students.

Thanks.

t2s

Originally Posted by t2s

Hi
I've just been accepted into the AEP and not sure if I should accept the offer. I had a couple of questions and was hoping someone could help me out:

1. Is it really worth spending one extra year at St. Georges when I've been accepted into the 4yr MD program at St. Matthews?

2. What are the chances of me being accepted into the the MD program at St. Georges after the first year? In other words is it hard to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the MPH Program?

3. Am I going to be labelled as the stupid one that couldn't get into the 4yr MD program at St. Georges?

I have to make some decisions and was hoping that I could get some feedback from students.

Thanks.

t2s

AEP isn't a longer program - just extra work - like going to DES tutor sessions and such.
AEP is for people accepted to the MD program -4 years (or 4.5 if you are jan term)

Are you confusing this with the MPH program?

Umm... I tried looking on the sgu website for AEP review times, and they are not listed.
http://www.sgu.edu/website/sguwebsit...tPlacement.htm Does anyone have an idea of what the current ones are like and how frequent they are and for what subject(s)?

Originally Posted by drinmotoracer

Umm... I tried looking on the sgu website for AEP review times, and they are not listed.
http://www.sgu.edu/website/sguwebsit...tPlacement.htm Does anyone have an idea of what the current ones are like and how frequent they are and for what subject(s)?

AEP is just a program where you have to attend EITHER an anatomy OR biochem DES session every week for the entire semester. the session lasts for 1 hr long and its not that bad. many people attend the DES sessions the AEP just makes sure u attend one.