How to avoid the SOAP 2017

[SilverCat]

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So, I know I'm thinking about this really early on, but I just finished reading the SOAP thread 2013, and I'm terrified. I understand that late apps, applying to competitive specialties without a good app and scores tended to lead to people forced into the SOAP, but I also saw some good DO applicants ( 245+ Step scores, good grades) in the SOAP as well. After having failed to get into med school on the first try, and being wait listed/ rejected at most schools, I'm afraid I'm going to be in the SOAP in 4 years.

Now I know these questions may come off as stupid, especially from a pre-med, but how can you avoid being in this position? If you're interested in a more competitive specialty, how can you apply for residency and be almost certain you'll match, and not have to worry about not ranking at any program? I would like to keep my options open with regards to specialties, but when I see great candidates rejected from competitive specialties I almost think I shouldn't even bother considering those fields if I want a job in future.

I'll be honest, I'm like most pre-meds; I started off with golden dreams of going to med school, ranking first in my class, getting a 260+ on boards, acing rotations, turning down residency positions at top hospitals because I have so many offers from other great places, etc. Now, I realize that everybody thinks this going in, and most wind up accepting that they will do just average and are satisfied with it.

So I guess I'm just asking what realistic expectations I should have going in, without lowering them all the way to only expecting to just get by?

 

[preDoGuy24]

So, I know I'm thinking about this really early on, but I just finished reading the SOAP thread 2013, and I'm terrified. I understand that late apps, applying to competitive specialties without a good app and scores tended to lead to people forced into the SOAP, but I also saw some good DO applicants ( 245+ Step scores, good grades) in the SOAP as well. After having failed to get into med school on the first try, and being wait listed/ rejected at most schools, I'm afraid I'm going to be in the SOAP in 4 years.

Now I know these questions may come off as stupid, especially from a pre-med, but how can you avoid being in this position? If you're interested in a more competitive specialty, how can you apply for residency and be almost certain you'll match, and not have to worry about not ranking at any program? I would like to keep my options open with regards to specialties, but when I see great candidates rejected from competitive specialties I almost think I shouldn't even bother considering those fields if I want a job in future.

I'll be honest, I'm like most pre-meds; I started off with golden dreams of going to med school, ranking first in my class, getting a 260+ on boards, acing rotations, turning down residency positions at top hospitals because I have so many offers from other great places, etc. Now, I realize that everybody thinks this going in, and most wind up accepting that they will do just average and are satisfied with it.

So I guess I'm just asking what realistic expectations I should have going in, without lowering them all the way to only expecting to just get by?

Pre-med is way too soon to be worried about this as everyone else will say. My advice I have gotten is to be realistic and honest with yourself about your grades, scores, and chances of matching. The student who matches Derm with a 415 Comlex is not going to be You, period. Work hard, take your step 1, do as well as you can, find out what you are interested and then go from there. If it's uber competitive have a plan if you don't match (including a year off for research, another specialty, etc.)

Thats my insight as a MS-II

 

[NeurologyDO]

When I was pre-med, I didn't even really know what USMLE/COMLEX was O_O

You're going to overwhelm yourself if you worry about this kind of stuff years in advance. Right now, focus on relaxing before med school starts, and when it does start, focus on the upcoming exams 🙂 Leave this stuff till 3rd/4th year! 🙂

 

[SilverCat]

Thanks guys. Just out of curiosity, when did you select your specialty? I went to an interview, and my interviewer advised shadowing in 1st year and possibly before to get an idea of what I want to do, in case I want to o a competitive specialty and need things like research in the specialty on my residency app.

 

[rc4ch]

I agree with everyone here. Focus on relaxing right now. Focus on 1st and 2nd year exams when they happen. Then focus on rocking the boards. Forget about the SOAP until 4th year.

And being realistic is the best way to avoid the SOAP.

 

[Deceptacon]

i disagree with everyone. if you're going to take internet advice i'd probably make sure it's from people who are in the top of the class and have done well.

i'm about to graduate, but from what i remember 2 years ago when i took the usmle/comlex most people who score VERY well on step 1 start studying early. you can find many people like this on the 'usmle step 1 official experience' thread in the clinical rotations section, and in it some will post their entire study schedule down to the day.

no one knows what the match will look like in 2017, but i think you're right to be a little scared of soap'ing in 2017. reading that thread is more than a little humbling, especially considering some family practice spots have 500+ applicants per spot.

4 years ago when i was in your position i listened to what the majority of people are saying here and i wish i wouldn't have. i slacked off my first year and did well, but did not work anywhere near to my full potential.

 

[bleeker10]

And being realistic is the best way to avoid the SOAP.

This. Knowing what and where you are competitive will work in your favor. When you get to 4th year, be honest with yourself about your chances and apply accordingly. Try to do your best. My philosophy was to study as hard as I could, learn the material as best as I could and do the best I could on rotations. If for some reason I wasn't top of my class, that's ok because I tried my best. It just meant there were other people, people who I have no control over, that did better. Luckily for me I did well in school and matched to my specialty of choice.

Nobody knows what the match/SOAP will be like in 2017. With the impending ACGME/AOA merger, nobody really knows how it will play out. You are better off asking how to avoid the SOAP (or an alternate version they use in 2017) before you apply for residency in 2016.

Worrying about it now will only add to your stress level. You don't want to have any stress starting out, because med school will give you all the stress you could ever want. Enjoy your time now until you start. I start residency in two months. My goal until then is to watch a new movie each day, finish 6 more weeks of insanity (on week 2), and just enjoy life. If I could go back to undergrad before I started med school, I would've spent even more time with my close friends because I barely see them now. You should just enjoy it while it lasts because soon you will be slammed with stuff.

One last thing: not everyone wants to do their residency at the House of God. Some want to do it at Hollywood Upstairs Medical College.

 

[sylvanthus]

i disagree with everyone. if you're going to take internet advice i'd probably make sure it's from people who are in the top of the class and have done well.

i'm about to graduate, but from what i remember 2 years ago when i took the usmle/comlex most people who score VERY well on step 1 start studying early. you can find many people like this on the 'usmle step 1 official experience' thread in the clinical rotations section, and in it some will post their entire study schedule down to the day.

no one knows what the match will look like in 2017, but i think you're right to be a little scared of soap'ing in 2017. reading that thread is more than a little humbling, especially considering some family practice spots have 500+ applicants per spot.

4 years ago when i was in your position i listened to what the majority of people are saying here and i wish i wouldn't have. i slacked off my first year and did well, but did not work anywhere near to my full potential.

I am at the top of my class, rocked all 4 board exams and agree with the others in this thread. Now, is it somehow legit advice?

 

[rc4ch]

Thanks guys. Just out of curiosity, when did you select your specialty? I went to an interview, and my interviewer advised shadowing in 1st year and possibly before to get an idea of what I want to do, in case I want to o a competitive specialty and need things like research in the specialty on my residency app.

I was dead set on IM for the majority of med school. Switched to anesthesia after doing a rotation my last month of 3rd year. I was fairly late to the game. But I remained realistic to my chances, had a back up plan, etc. Matched into my number 1 spot.

I would recommend shadowing just to see if you like a particular specialty so you can rule them in or out.

 

[Deceptacon]

I am at the top of my class, rocked all 4 board exams and agree with the others in this thread. Now, is it somehow legit advice?

nah, you weren't 260+

 

[sylvanthus]

nah, you weren't 260+

🙄

 

[cliquesh]

I think taking the usmle and doing about average (220+) is the best way to avoid the soap.

 

[NeurologyDO]

Thanks guys. Just out of curiosity, when did you select your specialty? I went to an interview, and my interviewer advised shadowing in 1st year and possibly before to get an idea of what I want to do, in case I want to o a competitive specialty and need things like research in the specialty on my residency app.

I picked my specialty when I was about 10 years old...true story 🙂

However most med students seem to pick their specialties in 2nd year, and then change their minds in 3rd year during rotations 🙂
Personally, I'd suggest contemplating possibilities during 1st year and start to cross things off during 2nd year.

 

[PeepsLove]

An easy thing to do is implement the board study in your classes while studying for their test. Meaning use the first aid for boards book to supplement your current class exam study, that will help. Also one way to avoid scrambling is to not limit yourself. A lot of people that I know who scrambled applied narrowly. By this I mean that they applied for programs based on location. For example wanting to stay in Columbus Ohio so only ranking Ohio State University. The best thing you can do is make yourself an excellent candidate and apply broadly. This is especially true if you are not a competitive applicant.

 

[felix2929]

My goal until then is to watch a new movie each day, finish 6 more weeks of insanity (on week 2), and just enjoy life.


Good luck dude! Month 2 is killer