During the fall of the senior year, a Dean's MSPE (formerly known as Dean's Letter) is finalized based on coursework for which evaluations have been completed and received in the Student Affairs Office. The MSPE is written as part of a student's credentials for applying for residency training. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide the residency directors with an overall assessment of performance in the medical school coursework and the status of other graduation requirements, i.e., III and USMLE.
The MSPE summary paragraph usually describes a student's overall performance as outstanding, excellent, very good, good, or satisfactory. This assessment is based on basic science and clinical grades and progress in the level of competency as evidenced through the evaluation comments in the basic science courses, the required clinical clerkships, and the major clinical electives. The percentage of grades given in the required basic science and clinical courses and the percentage given in each of the summary words are included in the appendices which accompany the Dean’s MSPE when it is sent to the residency programs to which the student is applying.
In the past five years, 15-20% have been described as outstanding, 25-30% as excellent, 35-45% as very good, 5% as good, 1-2% as satisfactory, and 5-7% with different assessments for the basic science and clinical performances (e.g. outstanding in the basic sciences and very good in the clinical curriculum). In addition, there will be an appendix describing the School’s curriculum, evaluation system, and other information related to our educational programs and policies.
The Dean's MSPE is written by Dr. Carol F. MacLaren, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students are emailed rough drafts of their MSPE before it is finalized and scanned into ERAS. This typically occurs during the month of September; more information will be provided as this time nears.
Any questions regarding this process should be directed to Dr. MacLaren's assistant, Michelle Fleming, by calling the office at 206-543-5561 or emailing her at flemingm@u.washington.edu.