MSPE Q&A

What is the MSPE?

The MSPE (Medical Student Performance Evaluation, formerly known as the Dean’s Letter) is a letter of evaluation describing performance in medical school—not a letter of recommendation. It contains a summary of a student’s academic activities, clerkship narratives, and awards. The MSPE is intended to be supportive in nature, but it also provides the residency selection committee with an accurate picture of a student’s ability.

Why do we have a MSPE meeting? How do I schedule them?

Your first meeting with your Career Advisor lasts approximately one hour, and is intended for your advisor to gain an understanding of what specialty you're applying into and review your premedical section, noteworthy characteristics and clerkship narratives. This happens later in the spring, from May through June. Please note that your career advisor has no evaluator role in the MSPE. They can not edit the content of your clerkship narratives.

Do I get to read my MSPE?

Yes! Your MSPE will be ready for your review at your meeting with your career advisor. If you have any edits, you can let your advisor know. Small edits, such as grammar, spelling, punctuation and timeline (such as doing X during first year instead of second year) can be made without any backup documentation. Larger factual edits may require verification from your CV. Please note that we cannot add any information or comments.

If a student is elected to Gold Humanism Honor Society, will that information be included in the MSPE?

Yes. The Selection Committee meet in late July and students are notified shortly after that. This is sufficient time to include this information on applications and in the MSPEs summary paragraph.

Does the MSPE discuss my specialty choice? Board scores?

The MSPE does not stipulate the specialty you have chosen. It is intended to be generic, since some students may be applying in more than one specialty; it is also used by graduates who are reapplying for other specialties. The MSPEs are not rewritten at that time. However, you are welcome to mention specialties in your noteworthy characteristics and premedical section. When the Office of Medical Student Affairs creates a summary statement for the end of the MSPE, specialty specific information or activities may be mentioned if mentioned in the noteworthies.

The MSPE does NOT mention your board scores.

Who sends out the MSPE?

Office of Medical Student Affairs will upload the MSPEs will upload all MSPEs to ERAS, SF Match and ResidencyCAS on the national MSPE release date in late September (exact date changes year to year). No MSPEs will be released before that date.

What clerkship comments are included in my MSPE?

The Clerkship Directors for each required Clerkship Review all comments and decide which comments will go into your final clerkship narrative. Students can see their clerkship narratives 6 weeks after the last day of the clerkship in Empower. Students should check those as they are released and discuss any concerns with the Clerkship Director.