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Deb Rusk, MD, assistant dean of Student Affairs, offers insight into three critical Match materials—the MSPE, Noteworthy Characteristics and the Personal Statement—and invites Phase 3 students to attend a May 21 Zoom on the topic.

Match on My Mind: Preparing your Match materials

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Class of 2026: It's time to start your documents to prepare for the Match applications! See last week's MOMM edition for MSPE information.

Noteworthy Characteristics for MSPE

Noteworthy Characteristics are a chance to give the program directors reading your application laser focus on what makes you unique. You can highlight your accomplishments, personal attributes and traits, experiences, specific challenges you have faced, etc. You have so many options!

The NCs should be three bulleted points consisting of 3-4 sentences written in third person. Consider organizing your NCs around particular themes. Your lead advisor will work with you to refine your NCs and your MSPE dean/director providing the final review will give input as well.

Your Noteworthy Characteristics are due to your lead advisor now! Contact them if you are having any difficulty. NCs are an important part of your residency application!

The Personal Statement

The Personal Statement is used by residency program directors to glean information that cannot be found elsewhere. It is a chance to show your character, express your professional aspirations and motivations and highlight interesting details about your journey. Use the PS to focus on qualities and experiences that are relevant to the specialty you are choosing. 

Be sure to join Debra Rusk, MD, assistant dean for Student Affairs, for "Match Season Documents," a May 22 virtual session, to hear more. It is at 7 pm ET.

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Medical Student Education

The Medical Student Education team includes student affairs, curricular affairs and student support professionals across the state who support medical students at every step of their journey.

The views expressed in this content represent the perspective and opinions of the author and may or may not represent the position of Indiana University School of Medicine.