Procedures for the MSPE The MSPE (Dean’s Letter) is a letter of evaluation from the Brody School of Medicine. The letter itself is a combination of narration, check boxes and graphs, which follow a standard format. However, each letter is individualized based on a student’s academic performance and extracurricular activities. The format of the letter is as follows:
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The first two sections of the letter are Identifying Information and Unique Characteristics. In this section, the student’s accomplishments prior to matriculation are reviewed. Distinguishing leadership and extracurricular activities are discussed. In addition, if the student had significant hardships or challenges during medical school, this is an opportunity to mention these.
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The next sections are Academic History and Academic Progress. The Academic History section is a check box format which contains date of matriculation, date of graduation, information about dual, joint or combined degree programs and an explanation of any extensions, leave(s) of absence, gaps or breaks in the student’s educational program. The Academic Progress section contains narrative information regarding the student’s overall performance in the preclinical/basic science curriculum. There is also narrative information regarding the student’s overall performance in each core clinical clerkship.
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The final narrative paragraph of the MSPE is the Summary section. This is a statement of the student’s comparative performance in medical school, relative to his or her peers, including information about any school-specific categories used in differentiating among levels of performance. This paragraph also describes the student’s strengths and provides a statement indicating the school’s confidence in the ability of the student to complete residency and practice as a competent physician.
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Appendix A and B are graphic representations of the student’s performance, relative to his or her peers, in each preclinical/basic science course and each core third-year clinical clerkship.
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Appendix D is a graphic representation of the student’s overall performance in medical school, relative to his/her peers.
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Appendix E is the Medical School Information page and will be identical for every student. This page highlights specific programs, strengths, missions or goals of the medical school, unusual characteristics of the educational program, average length of enrollment, information about the utilization of narrative comments from clerkships, information about the process by which the MSPE is completed, description of the evaluation system used, the medical school’s requirements regarding USMLE and information about the utilization of the OCSE in the assessment of students.
As you can see by this description, the MSPE is a letter of evaluation, not a letter of recommendation. You will obtain letter of recommendation from faculty members or community physicians as proscribed by the programs you are applying to. The MSPE will be released on November 1, 2008. In order to facilitate the process, please read and follow these procedures:
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Schedule your Dean’s Letter appointment/interview in Student Affairs. Dr. Renegar and Dr. Savage will have set aside time during the period of August 2008 to October 2008 to meet with students. Make your appointment several weeks in advance to give Dr. Renegar adequate time to prepare. Appointments made after October 13, 2006 will not give them and staff time to complete your letter by November 1, 2008.
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Bring a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) to your appointment. The CV can be in draft form and can be printed from your ERAS application if you like. The CV includes information concerning your educational background, honors, awards and extracurricular activities such as volunteer work and community service projects. You should also include information about membership and leadership position you have held.
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Bring a copy of your personal statement even if it is in draft form. Dr. Renegar can assist you in critiquing and improving the content of your statement.
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You will have the opportunity to read the draft MSPE before the final copy is scanned into ERAS. Drafts of the MSPE cannot be faxed or e-mailed to anyone and no letter will be released prior to November 1. Since this is a letter written about you, no one else can have access to your letter. You will be able to obtain a copy of the final MSPE for your files at a later date.
Here is a helpful hint for Letters of Recommendation (LOR). Since Program Directors put a great deal of importance on LOR, choose faculty members who worked directly with you and can attest to your strengths as a student and future physician. You can make it easier for those who are writing a LOR by providing ERAS instruction for writing a LOR and submitting copies of your CV and personal statement to each person you have asked to write a letter. Some people may also ask you for a list of programs you are applying to.
Note: If you are applying to an early match or non-ERAS programs, contact Students Affairs for details. Application procedures are different for these programs.
