How to Stand Out in Your MSPE: Crafting Powerful Noteworthy Characteristics

The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), also known as the "Dean’s Letter," is a critical component of your ERAS residency application. This document offers a comprehensive summary of your performance throughout medical school and is carefully reviewed by program directors and residency selection committees.

One of the most influential parts of the MSPE is the Noteworthy Characteristics section. This is your chance to highlight your most impactful attributes, accomplishments, and life experiences — qualities that may not be captured in transcripts, clerkship grades, or test scores.

What Makes the Noteworthy Characteristics Section Unique?

Unlike evaluations or grades, this section humanizes your application. You’re limited to three bullet points, each no longer than two sentences or 300 characters, so every word must count. It’s not a place to list accolades but rather to reveal dimensions of your character, personal journey, or service to others.

Why This Section Matters

This brief but powerful section often influences first impressions. It adds a layer of narrative to your application, helping you stand out in a sea of academically competitive peers. Especially for those applying to competitive medical specialties, well-written Noteworthy Characteristics can strengthen your residency candidacy.

How to Prepare: Collaborating With Your MSPE Team

While your school’s Dean’s Office or Office of Student Affairs will finalize the MSPE, students typically draft this section themselves during their third year. Work closely with your advisors, providing thoughtful insights into your experiences, then refine them into crisp, compelling bullet points.

What to Include: Key Themes to Consider

• Leadership in service learning or student organizations
• Unique clinical experiences, including international internships (such as through Go Elective’s global health programs)
• Overcoming adversity or personal challenges
• Cross-cultural exposure or multilingual skills
• Research, advocacy, or public health initiatives
  
  

How to Write It Right: Sample and Strategy

Avoid vague language like "great team player" or "committed to medicine." Instead, provide concrete examples. For instance:

Strong Example "During a global health internship in Kenya, Alia organized a mobile health initiative that served over 500 patients, fostering her passion for equitable care delivery."

Weak Example "Alia is passionate about helping underserved communities and hopes to work in global health."

Highlight Resilience and Growth

Sometimes your most defining moments stem from setbacks:

• "Omar returned to top academic performance after recovering from a spinal injury, using his experience to mentor students navigating health challenges."
• "Lina overcame language barriers as an international student and later co-founded a peer support group for non-native speakers."
  
  

Use a Thematic or Narrative Approach

Your three bullet points can align with a narrative arc or highlight distinct themes. For example, if you’re applying in emergency medicine:

• Leadership: "Led a student response team during a simulated mass casualty event, coordinating efforts across five departments."
• Clinical Excellence: "During her trauma rotation, Brianna was praised for her composure under pressure and effective communication with patients and families."
• Community Engagement: "Coordinated weekend health screenings at underserved shelters in Atlanta, improving local hypertension follow-up rates."
  
  

Formatting Guidelines

• Third-person perspective
• Maximum of 300 characters per point
• Use factual language supported by evaluations or data
• Avoid speculative or evaluative phrasing (e.g., "will be a great doctor")
  
  

Additional Examples for Inspiration

• "Carlos collaborated on a multilingual patient education tool now used in three clinics across New Mexico."
• "Fatima conducted malaria prevention outreach during her elective in Tanzania through Go Elective, impacting over 1,000 rural patients."
• "Rahul published a meta-analysis on pediatric antibiotic use, cited in a national prescribing guideline revision."
  
  

FAQs

What if my school doesn't let me write the section? 

Work closely with your advisor and provide a well-organized draft to ensure your input is included.

Can I talk about international experiences?

Absolutely. Highlighting Go Elective’s immersive internships abroad shows adaptability, resilience, and global awareness.

Should I mention setbacks? 

Yes, if you frame them in terms of growth and resilience.

Is research worth including? 

Yes, especially if it led to publications, presentations, or meaningful insights.

Final Thoughts

Your Noteworthy Characteristics section can elevate your entire ERAS application by presenting a human story alongside academic metrics. Through thoughtfully selected examples — such as service in underserved areas, cross-cultural internships, or resilience through adversity — you can stand out as a future resident who brings more than just credentials.

For aspiring physicians interested in gaining meaningful pre-residency experience, Go Elective offers immersive healthcare internships in Kenya and Tanzania. These opportunities not only build clinical exposure but can powerfully enrich your MSPE and residency applications.

Whether you’re preparing your MSPE, writing your personal statement, or exploring medical internships abroad, Go Elective is here to support your journey toward a fulfilling, globally conscious medical career.

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: May 14, 2025