2.22 Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) is the official institutional assessment of a student’s performance in medical school and a required component of the residency application. It is an objective, narrative summary of the student’s academic and professional progress at HMS, structured according to Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) guidelines. Standard sections include identifying information, Noteworthy Characteristics, academic history, academic progress (preclerkship and clinical), professionalism, and an overall summary.

MSPEs are released to residency programs on the AAMC-designated national MSPE release date each year.

MSPE Preparation and Letter Writers

In early spring of the penultimate year of medical school, information about the MSPE process is sent to all students who anticipate graduating the following year. Students are asked to provide biographical and other information for inclusion in the MSPE, including drafting their three Noteworthy Characteristics. Students also receive guidance on how to prepare for their MSPE meeting and how to submit relevant materials.

In late spring and throughout the summer, each student applying to residency meets individually with an assigned MSPE letter writer. MSPE letter writers are non-evaluative faculty members (i.e., they do not serve in roles that grade or formally evaluate the student). They use the student’s academic record, Noteworthy Characteristics, and information from the MSPE meeting to compose the summary narrative and other sections of the MSPE. Students may request reassignment to a different MSPE letter writer at any time and for any reason; no explanation is required.

Students applying to early matching specialties are encouraged to schedule their MSPE meetings in May or early June. All students should complete their MSPE meetings by August 1. Students are strongly urged to schedule as early as possible; there is no benefit to waiting, and it is not necessary to have finalized a specialty choice to begin the MSPE process.

Oversight of the MSPE process is the responsibility of the Dean for Students. The Dean for Students or Associate Dean for Students and the Dean for Medical Education co-sign all MSPEs. The Office of Student Affairs ensures that all MSPEs, written by faculty letter writers with input from individual students, are accurate, consistent across the School, and submitted to ERAS by the national release date. Society Advisors remain available to advise students on all aspects of the residency application and Match, and staff in the Office of Student Affairs and the Academic Societies are available to answer questions about the MSPE and residency application process.

Student Review and Appeals

In accordance with AAMC policy, the MSPE is part of the student’s academic record and is available for student review before release to residency programs. Students may review their MSPE and request correction of factual errors (e.g., dates, course titles, grade notations). Evaluative statements, including judgments about performance and professionalism based on institutional records, are not subject to revision.

If a student believes that a factual error remains after discussion with the MSPE letter writer and/or Office of Student Affairs staff, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean for Students by the deadline communicated each year. If the concern is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, a further written appeal may be submitted to the Dean for Medical Education, whose decision is final.

Additional MSPE Policies

HMS does not rank students in the MSPE. The MSPE does not include formal rankings or “code words” in the closing summary to place students into tiers. HMS also does not identify in the MSPE the specialty or specialties to which a student is applying, allowing the letter to be used flexibly (e.g., for preliminary years or dual application strategies).

In accordance with accreditation and AAMC requirements, the MSPE must note any interruptions or extensions of the MD program, including leaves of absence, periods of academic probation, and required remediation related to academic performance or professional standards. In doing so, HMS provides concise, neutral context and, when applicable, documents successful return to good standing.

Support for Graduates Applying in Subsequent Cycles

For graduates who apply to residency in successive Match cycles after graduation, HMS will:

• Provide the MSPE and other official documents (including transcripts and letters of verification) upon request through the School’s established channels; and
• Offer one advising meeting per application cycle to review residency application strategy and provide guidance, for up to three years after graduation.
• Beyond this period, HMS will continue to provide official documentation as requested but will not provide ongoing one-on-one residency advising.

Last updated 9/24/26

Reviewed and approved by PME Administration.