negative comments on MSPE

[rhiannon777]

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I couldn't find a really good thread on this from the past, so I figured it's worth starting one. How much will a handful of isolated negative comments in the MSPE affect residency chances?

As a bit of background to my particular situation, our school is notorious for super-long MSPEs because they put every comment you received all three years on them. I have tons of positive comments, but on my second rotation (neurology), there are a few negative comments about needing to improve my history and physical exam skills. My classmates don't really discuss things like this, so I don't know...does everybody end up with a few negative comments? Will they hurt my changes at a residency? I'm planning to do psychiatry, so there is a tenuous link with neurology.

 

[Rzarecta]

I couldn't find a really good thread on this from the past, so I figured it's worth starting one. How much will a handful of isolated negative comments in the MSPE affect residency chances?

As a bit of background to my particular situation, our school is notorious for super-long MSPEs because they put every comment you received all three years on them. I have tons of positive comments, but on my second rotation (neurology), there are a few negative comments about needing to improve my history and physical exam skills. My classmates don't really discuss things like this, so I don't know...does everybody end up with a few negative comments? Will they hurt my changes at a residency? I'm planning to do psychiatry, so there is a tenuous link with neurology.

I got the impression that the majority of people who looked at my MSPE only read the last sentence which described my class rank. However, be prepared to discuss any of the negative comments.

I don't think that a few negative comments about history taking and physical exam skills will hurt you that much. If there are negative comments about professionalism or I would be more worried.

 

[Aphasic]

I couldn't find a really good thread on this from the past, so I figured it's worth starting one. How much will a handful of isolated negative comments in the MSPE affect residency chances?

As a bit of background to my particular situation, our school is notorious for super-long MSPEs because they put every comment you received all three years on them. I have tons of positive comments, but on my second rotation (neurology), there are a few negative comments about needing to improve my history and physical exam skills. My classmates don't really discuss things like this, so I don't know...does everybody end up with a few negative comments? Will they hurt my changes at a residency? I'm planning to do psychiatry, so there is a tenuous link with neurology.

My school keeps our MSPEs really short and only puts the good stuff in. But regardless, I don't think a couple comments will hurt you, esp not in psych.

 

[GuzzyRon]

But regardless, I don't think a couple comments will hurt you, esp not in psych.

I second these comments and in addition, the OP can spin it around to make it look more positive if asked by saying something like "that happened during my 2nd rotation of 3rd year and I worked very hard on that and all subsequent rotations to address that defect until it was no long an issue."