Discuss failed year in MSPE and/or Personal Statement?

[Smiths11]

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I've heard different things about this from different people. I had to repeat my 2nd year of Med School as I failed multiple courses in the first semester. I was going through personal issues at the time and was diagnosed with adjustment disorder.

My school asks students to submit a 3-5 paragraph biography for our MSPE/Dean's Letter. Should I mention my failures in it?

Should I mention it in the personal statement?

To mention in both, one of them, or neither?

Obviously residency programs will have access to my transcript so it's not like I can avoid it, and I'll have to address these issues in interviews when asked. But I have heard various theories about this and so am lost at what to do.

Thanks in advance

 

[gutonc]

Both. It's going to be in your MSPE. Get out in front of it and explain how you got over it and how it made you stronger. No excuses, just explanations.

 

[Smiths11]

Both. It's going to be in your MSPE. Get out in front of it and explain how you got over it and how it made you stronger. No excuses, just explanations.

Thanks for your reply!

In regards to the MSPE - the paragraphs that the students have to submit are to be written in third person. Meaning, I have to write it as if my school is writing it for me. So it would be weird for me (as the school) to talk about how the failure has made me stronger, etc. So I'm just a little confused on how to approach that. What would you recommend?

 

[Smiths11]

Thanks for your reply!

In regards to the MSPE - the paragraphs that the students have to submit are to be written in third person. Meaning, I have to write it as if my school is writing it for me. So it would be weird for me (as the school) to talk about how the failure has made me stronger, etc. So I'm just a little confused on how to approach that. What would you recommend?

Never mind, I figured it out. We write in third person, but the PD's will know that it's coming from the students directly.

Seems strange but I suppose that's what I'll do.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

There is also a question on the ERAS application asking if your education was extended. If you answer yes, you get a small block of text to explain the situation.

 

[Smiths11]

There is also a question on the ERAS application asking if your education was extended. If you answer yes, you get a small block of text to explain the situation.

Hm ok, thanks for the heads up.

So would you say then I shouldn't mention it in the MSPE or PS?

 

[0ncogene]

Hm ok, thanks for the heads up.

So would you say then I shouldn't mention it in the MSPE or PS?

I would just mention it in the ERAS portion asking if your education has been extending.

Otherwise you shouldn't mention in your MSPE introduction paragraph. I wouldn't. I would use the MSPE portion and my PS to highlight my strengths. If they ask about it during the interview, then explain to them why you had to repeat a year and what you got from it.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Hm ok, thanks for the heads up.

So would you say then I shouldn't mention it in the MSPE or PS?

There is no "right" answer. It depends upon how much there is to talk about, and how much of a focus you want to make this.