That is, it cannot be more than 7 pages long, but it’s almost never fewer than 7 pages as well. The AAMC’s guideline for length states that the MSPE can be a maximum of 7 pages in 12-point font, but for the most part this maximum is simply the default length. Because of this, those writing your MSPE are asked to conform as closely as possible to the AAMC’s recommended format.įollowing the AAMC guidelines, the MSPE is comprised of 6 sections. While the MSPE (and Dean’s Letter even more so) used to be a more subjective evaluation-often using inexact terms like “good” or “bad” in relation to a student’s skills or performance-the AAMC has since offered significant updates to its MSPE Guidelines to improve both standardization and impartiality. Your letters of recommendation are meant to offer convincing narratives and detailed analysis from your writers, but the MSPE is a concise and systematic presentation of your accomplishments and abilities. In contrast to the ERAS letters of recommendation, the MSPE attempts to be as objective as possible. Think of it as a cumulative snapshot of not only your quantitative performance indicators (test scores, grades, class standing, etc.) but also the more nuanced aspects of how you’ve executed your rotations, clerkships, preceptorships, and extracurricular activities. It allows a panel of faculty and/or administrators, usually one or more deans or assistant deans of your medical school, to standardize and present your performance as a medical student up to that point to both help you contextualize your achievements and help residency programs determine if you’re a good fit.

The MSPE or Medical Student Performance Evaluation is the current version of what used to be called a Dean’s Letter. However, you’ll need more than a basic understanding in order to ensure that yours stands out to residency programs.

If you’re in medical school then you probably already have an idea of what the MSPE is and that you’ll need this document to apply for residency.

Noteworthy characteristics mspe sample