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Keck School of Medicine Medical Student Performance Evaluation Policy

Policy Statement:

The Keck School of Medicine uses the AAMC recommended template for the creation of the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE). The MSPE is not a letter of recommendation, but an objective summary of a student’s performance throughout medical school in accordance with nationally defined guidelines.

The MSPE is prepared by the Department of Medical Education, reviewed, and signed by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. A student may request that the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs author their MSPE if there is a substantial reason that the Associate Dean for Student Affairs should not sign the MSPE.

Policy Requirement:

The MSPE contains six sections: (1) Identifying Information; (2) Noteworthy Characteristics; (3) Academic History; (4) Academic Progress; (5) Summary and (6) Medical School Information, supplemented by appendices. Other information may be included if appropriate.

Procedure:

Content of the MSPE:

  1. Information included: The MSPE will include all final summative clerkship, Introduction to Clinical Medicine and elective/selective evaluations which are received in the evaluation system no later than one month prior to the national release date for the MSPE. The national release date is determined by the AAMC.
  2. Inclusion of Negative Information: The MSPE may contain negative information about a student’s cognitive performance and personal attributes. As per the AAMC recommendations, the purpose of the MSPE is to “provide an honest and objective summary of the student’s personal attributes, experiences, and academic accomplishments based, to the greatest degree possible, on verifiable information and summative evaluations.”
  3. Noteworthy Characteristics: The characteristics are submitted by the student and are edited by Student Affairs personnel prior to placement in the letter.
  4. Narrative Assessments: Although the clerkship narratives may be edited for grammar, spelling, etc., the AAMC states that, “narrative assessments should be based on summative evaluations that are not edited for content.” Students who feel that their narrative comments are not a true reflection of their performance can appeal the comments through the formal grade appeal process which is time restricted.
  5. Academic History: The Academic History is required to include information about irregular progress through medical school, such as leaves of absence, the Deans Research Scholars Program, repeated coursework, etc.
  6. Professional Performance: The MSPE requires that we report on a student’s professional performance throughout medical school. Unprofessional behavior citations as well as commendations for exemplary behavior (as defined by the KSOM), may be included in the MSPE. Professional behavior probation will be included in the MSPE.
  7. Summary: Keck School of Medicine students are recommended for postgraduate training as Acceptable, Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding, based on a formula computing the percent of Honors/High Pass/Pass achieved on required clerkships received by the time the letter is written. Neurology and Internal Medicine Sub-Internship clerkship grades are excluded from this computation, as not all students will have taken these rotations by the time the MSPEs are composed. The summary adjective is not “pro-rated” based upon the number of core clerkships completed at the time the MSPE is prepared.

The minimum criteria are as follows:

  • OUTSTANDING: minimum of 40% of Honors; no grades of Pass
  • EXCELLENT: more than 60% of High Pass
  • VERY GOOD: 50% of High Pass and 50% of Pass
  • GOOD: more than 50% of Pass

Student Review of the MSPE:

Once the MSPE has been drafted, students are encouraged to review their MSPE and may request changes prior to the final printing and distribution of the MSPE in accordance with Student Affairs procedures. Every student will be invited to review the content of their MSPE. No substantive changes to the narrative evaluations will be made as part of this review process. If a student feels that inaccurate or misleading statements are present, the student may complete a Request for a Change Form, identify the specific changes requested, and provide any evidence the student feels may support the appeal. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will review the request and the student will be notified when a decision is made. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs’ decision is final.

MSPE Release Date

MSPEs are released on the national release date established by the AAMC to all programs, including Early Match specialties. MSPEs cannot be released to anyone (including the student) before the national release date. A student’s MSPE will not be released without the student’s signed consent. Once released, the MSPE becomes a part of the student record.

MSPE Addendum for Residency Re-Applicants

  1. KSOM Graduates

An MSPE addendum will be written and submitted for all graduates who re-apply to residency. The addendum will consist of all grades and evaluations received after the release of the MSPE, and it will also include any changes in enrollment status that occurred after the release of the MSPE. In addition, the MSPE addendum will include information regarding academic and professionalism issues that occurred after the release of the MSPE.

  1. Current Students

Current students who delay graduation after applying for residency and release of their MSPE will have an updated MSPE written and submitted upon their re-application to residency. The updated MSPE will consist of all grades and evaluations and changes in enrollment status that occurred after the release of the first MSPE. The revised MSPE will include any information regarding academic and professionalism, including issues that occurred after the release of the first MSPE.

Reviewed and Approved: September 20, 2023

Medical Education Curriculum Committee

University of Southern California
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