mspe letter concern

[harmnot]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I don't know if I should be concern about my dean's letter. Overall the comments are positive. However, I did have a couple of tragedies during my med. studies and therefore it affected my basic science grades and I had to take a leave of absence once. My basic science grades are satisfactory and clinical grades are outstanding. I did mention on my ps about the personal losses and what I did to overcome and excel. I have gotten a couple of interview offers already but am concerned if once the PDs read the mspe letter that this may hurt my chances to match. Due to the increasing competitiveness of last year's match, I am really paranoid now. BTW, I did not apply to a competitive specialty. Should I be worried?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Probably not. If your problems were in the basic sci years and now your performance is fine, and if this tragedy issue is in the past, I doubt many PD's will care.

 

[dragonfly99]

Agree with above...less competitive specialties are less competitive about all aspects of things, including the preclinical grades. If you are getting interviews that is a good sign. If you passed all the USMLE steps, etc. and did well during clinical years that is definitely more important. If the problems get brought up during your interviews, just have a good answer ready that does not sound too defensive, like you are whining or making excuses.

 

[theunderdog]

Agree with above...less competitive specialties are less competitive about all aspects of things, including the preclinical grades. If you are getting interviews that is a good sign. If you passed all the USMLE steps, etc. and did well during clinical years that is definitely more important. If the problems get brought up during your interviews, just have a good answer ready that does not sound too defensive, like you are whining or making excuses.

i've gotten majority HP and Honors in my clinical years.

but on two of my rotations, i got maybe 2 sentences of negative comments saying that my knowledge needs improvement.

however, they are in rotations that are not IM -- which is what i am going into.

anything to worry about?

 

[chitown82]

i've gotten majority HP and Honors in my clinical years.

but on two of my rotations, i got maybe 2 sentences of negative comments saying that my knowledge needs improvement.

however, they are in rotations that are not IM -- which is what i am going into.

anything to worry about?

Nothing you can do about it so don't stress. Have an explanation of what you did to correct yourself and how these comments were isolated (hopefully to your earlier rotation). Blow them away in your interview 👍

 

[Ariee]

i've gotten majority HP and Honors in my clinical years.

but on two of my rotations, i got maybe 2 sentences of negative comments saying that my knowledge needs improvement.

however, they are in rotations that are not IM -- which is what i am going into.

anything to worry about?

Hi underdog,

I don't think the comment is that bad at all. In medicine everyone can improve their knowledge, which is the first thing I thought when I read your comment. The 2nd thing I thought, was maybe you didn't read enough and therefore you could state that as your weakness when asked during your interview and couple it with a good reason and what you did to improve. So, something like: I went above and beyond and spent a lot of hours in the hospital and so when I got home, I would fall asleep at the books, I'm improving by waking early to put in study time, etc, etc...this is just an example, I would stay honest whatever your reasons may be 🙂!
G'luck!!!

 

[harmnot]

From my original post I forgot to mention that I had to remediate during my basic science studies because of personal losses. My mspe letter does mention that leave of absence and repeat. Will this prevent me from getting interviews?

 

[chitown82]

From my original post I forgot to mention that I had to remediate during my basic science studies because of personal losses. My mspe letter does mention that leave of absence and repeat. Will this prevent me from getting interviews?

At some (mostly top) programs, yes. Can't do anything to change what happened so don't stress out. You can still match into a great program given the rest of your application is good.

 

[Nicholaus]

Should I be optimistic to receive some interview invitations after November 1st when MSPE's are released? To date, I have not received any invites 😡

 

[chitown82]

Should I be optimistic to receive some interview invitations after November 1st when MSPE's are released? To date, I have not received any invites 😡

I believe one should always be optimistic. 🙂

Ask yourself these questions:

When did you submit your application? Is your application complete other than MSPE (LORs, transcript, etc)?

How competitive are you? (Step 1/2 scores, your performance on rotations - esp IM and Sub-I, AOA status, research, leadership, extra-curricular activities)

Did you apply to a programs within your range? (If you applied to just the top programs, most will invite after 11/1).


There are many reasons you may not have received any invitations yet. More information about your application could help.

 

[Nicholaus]

I believe one should always be optimistic. 🙂

Ask yourself these questions:

When did you submit your application? Is your application complete other than MSPE (LORs, transcript, etc)?

How competitive are you? (Step 1/2 scores, your performance on rotations - esp IM and Sub-I, AOA status, research, leadership, extra-curricular activities)

Did you apply to a programs within your range? (If you applied to just the top programs, most will invite after 11/1).


There are many reasons you may not have received any invitations yet. More information about your application could help.

My app is complete and was submitted on the first week of Sept. I have not received any interview invites yet, and was holding out hope that many of the programs I haven't heard from yet are waiting on the MSPE (i.e. November 1st)!

Quick stats: Step 1 (multiple attempts) 🙁, CK/CS (passed on 1st attempt), EXCELLENT LOR's, All HONORS on rotations with excellent evals, and 4 current research studies (2 abstracts submitted already with the remaining 2 being submitted in less than 2 weeks).

 

[theunderdog]

How are your scores those? How many is multiple attempts? And did you improve with CK?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Nicholaus,

Reviewing your past posts, your history appears to be as follows:

Carib IMG
Failed Step 1 three times, passed on the fourth try.
Was dismissed from your original medical school for too many LOA's / Step 1 failures. Transferred to another carib school.
Passed CK and CS on your first try (scores unknown).
Applying for General Surgery, Prelim Surgery, possibly TY and PM&R.

Given the complete picture, your lack of interviews at this stage is not totally unexpected. Your application is not likely competitive enough for a GS residency, nor for TY's. I would apply for some anyway (as least the GS, as you never know) but I doubt you will have much success there. Your best shot (if interested in GS) is a prelim surgery year, although that is not an easy path and can be a road to nowhere. A prelim surgery year can fulfill the prelim year need for PM&R, which tends to be less competitive.

So:
1. As an IMG with three Step 1 failures, and a transfer to a less well known medical school, you application is already on the weak side for most residency programs.

2. Becuase of the residency transfer, many programs may be waiting for your MSPE. Perhaps they are worried about a professionalism issue.

3. Just passing CK and CS is obviously better than failing them, but if your scores are low it's going to limit your competitiveness.

4. A few states will not license you because of 3 failures on Step 1. Most will, however. You can review the list here.