How do competitive programs select applicants?What is the role of MSPR?

[nolongerpremed]

Say you are interested in ENTor anesthesia... how do programs select/compare applicants? Is it based on MSPR? How much role does MSPR  in candidate selection? What is it based on?

Sorry if the question is naive.. I just don't understand how Carms work?

[Aetherus]

The MSPR serves almost no role at all. Purely there to look for red flags. Every school has such a different MSPR that’s it’s useless to use to compare applicants. 
Electives, research and connections are way more important.

[bearded frog]

I mean they will look at it, but its qualitative not quantitative like you would see in the US for instance, ie unless you have failures then the grades don't really matter. Instead carms will be based on CV and LORs for the most part. Ie people who are involved in the field through research projects for instance, as well as positive letters of recommendations, especially based on rotations at the specific institution.

[ballsortahard]

On 7/4/2020 at 8:26 PM, Aetherus said:

The MSPR serves almost no role at all. Purely there to look for red flags. Every school has such a different MSPR that’s it’s useless to use to compare applicants. 
Electives, research and connections are way more important.

What kind of red flags would typically show up on a MSPR (aka a deans letter right?)?

[Guest2020_]

On 7/5/2020 at 4:12 PM, bearded frog said:

I mean they will look at it, but its qualitative not quantitative like you would see in the US for instance, ie unless you have failures then the grades don't really matter. Instead carms will be based on CV and LORs for the most part. Ie people who are involved in the field through research projects for instance, as well as positive letters of recommendations, especially based on rotations at the specific institution.

Who do applicants usually get their recommendation letters from? Can research supervisors provide recommendation letters for Carms if they are MD's?

[DrOtter]

8 hours ago, Guest2020_ said:

Who do applicants usually get their recommendation letters from? Can research supervisors provide recommendation letters for Carms if they are MD's?

Pretty sure it's strongest if it comes from staff preceptors at your electives - they have the clearest idea of what kind of resident/doctor you'll make

[IMislove]

6 hours ago, DrOtter said:

Pretty sure it's strongest if it comes from staff receptors at your electives - they have the clearest idea of what kind of resident/doctor you'll make

You would be corrects. Extra good if it’s a preceptor you’ve also done research with. 

[lolz3]

12 hours ago, ballsortahard said:

What kind of red flags would typically show up on a MSPR (aka a deans letter right?)?

Professionalism issues, academic misconduct, repeated years (depending on program...), etc.

[ballsortahard]

Thanks, didn't realize deans letters had bad stuff on them too. Always thought they were kinda like a reference letter.

[lolz3]

17 hours ago, ballsortahard said:

Thanks, didn't realize deans letters had bad stuff on them too. Always thought they were kinda like a reference letter.

It may depend on the school. There was recently a movement to standardize MSPRs across the country to make them more useful/valid, but I'm unsure if there's been any progress on that front.