SOAP 2014 Thread

Panacea Financial Contract Review
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Which field are you trying to SOAP into?

  • Total voters
    60
  • Poll closed .
FYI the list updated! I'm done for this year!! Good luck next year! Don't give up!
 
the more frustrating part at this point is not having the ability to call till 5.
 
Reading between the lines, could we have contacted programs through the ERAS message center?

Applicants express preferences by applying to programs using ERAS®. Applicants are prohibited from using any means other than ERAS to apply to and contact programs. Found that on the NRMP page.
 
I went through the scramble (aka SOAP) last year. At the stroke of 5pm I contacted those programs that were listed as still having remaining spots open, or didn't participate in the SOAP process. They said that they already filled, sorry...or had a recording saying they were already filled. Makes me suspect that many people violated the rules and contacted the programs before the allowed 5pm time-frame. Not telling anyone to violate the NRMP rules, but I suspect (and only suspect, don't have proof) that people violate this rule.
 
LifetimeDoc said:
I went through the scramble (aka SOAP) last year. At the stroke of 5pm I contacted those programs that were listed as still having remaining spots open, or didn't participate in the SOAP process. They said that they already filled, sorry...or had a recording saying they were already filled. Makes me suspect that many people violated the rules and contacted the programs before the allowed 5pm time-frame. Not telling anyone to violate the NRMP rules, but I suspect (and only suspect, don't have proof) that people violate this rule.
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Thanks for the response. But, my question is during the soap process (i.e. before 5 pm today) could applicants contact programs using the ERAS message center instead of other means i.e. email/fax/phone. In other words what does contact programs mean/referring to? (refer to the post above - bold words, please)
 
Sorry! found the answer to my question. ERAS message center can only be used to contact ECFMG or EFDO for IMG's and fellowship applicants.
 
I'm not calling any programs, not now or after 5PM. I waved the white flag. Game over.
I won't condone breaking any rules, but as Bob Dylan once sang, "when you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose."
Kind of ominous that the song was about a rolling stone, though.
 
a little less than half surg prelim spots are still available? are we that much unwanted?!!
 
SOAPapian said:
a little less than half surg prelim spots are still available? are we that much unwanted?!!
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110 hours per week, as if it's some kind of trophy (only log 79.5 or all hell breaketh loose) and zero respect for your years of dedication, at $48k per year. I admittedly haven't done the math, but I'm taking a pretty serious guess that becoming an assistant manager at Target makes a lot more sense financially and considering one's own mental health.

I used to be naive, but then I stopped caring about medicine. This isn't a perception that the grapes are sour. They actually tasted sour to me, and I have a diverse and experienced palate.
 
When will the list of available spots be posted? I know it's probably futile, but I am still trying to maintain some hope.
 
And then there is another round after the one the one currently going on? Gosh this is a harsh process....
 
LifetimeDoc said:
I went through the scramble (aka SOAP) last year. At the stroke of 5pm I contacted those programs that were listed as still having remaining spots open, or didn't participate in the SOAP process. They said that they already filled, sorry...or had a recording saying they were already filled. Makes me suspect that many people violated the rules and contacted the programs before the allowed 5pm time-frame. Not telling anyone to violate the NRMP rules, but I suspect (and only suspect, don't have proof) that people violate this rule.
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Did you get a spot? If not, what did you do the rest of the year?
 
xylinus said:
Did you get a spot? If not, what did you do the rest of the year?
Click to expand...
No spot from the SOAP last year, but matched this year! The SOAP is hell, good news for some, terrible news for others, lukewarm for even more. Though I hear it's still better than the "scramble" from years gone by.
 
LifetimeDoc said:
I went through the scramble (aka SOAP) last year. At the stroke of 5pm I contacted those programs that were listed as still having remaining spots open, or didn't participate in the SOAP process. They said that they already filled, sorry...or had a recording saying they were already filled. Makes me suspect that many people violated the rules and contacted the programs before the allowed 5pm time-frame. Not telling anyone to violate the NRMP rules, but I suspect (and only suspect, don't have proof) that people violate this rule.
Click to expand...
What are the consequences for the applicant if they try and contact a program prior to SOAP ending?
 
xylinus said:
What are the consequences for the applicant if they try and contact a program prior to SOAP ending?
Click to expand...

The NRMP could hunt you down and have your head. But then again, it's Thursday in the SOAP.
 
sella turcica said:
110 hours per week, as if it's some kind of trophy (only log 79.5 or all hell breaketh loose) and zero respect for your years of dedication, at $48k per year. I admittedly haven't done the math, but I'm taking a pretty serious guess that becoming an assistant manager at Target makes a lot more sense financially and considering one's own mental health.

I used to be naive, but then I stopped caring about medicine. This isn't a perception that the grapes are sour. They actually tasted sour to me, and I have a diverse and experienced palate.
Click to expand...
I hear you.. I am an old graduate, IMG with GC, solid surgical experience but probably no one wants that in a resident! even though I am ready to start at prelim!!! I am seriously considering a surgical first assistant career!
 
I discovered the consequence and so I will just have to wait: the applicant may be barred from subsequent NRMP Matches and/or identified as a Match violator to participating programs for one to three years or permanently, as determined by the NRMP.
 
so if we're trying post soap program contact, do we have to do that thru eras, or is it best to call the programs?
 
Debussy said:
so if we're trying post soap program contact, do we have to do that thru eras, or is it best to call the programs?
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I believe, if I remember right, you just contact them any way you can. Phone, email, show up at their door (not being serious about that one), have attendings or people that know people at the program contact them on your behalf, etc. I think it basically reverts back to the old scramble free-for-all after 5pm today. Of course everything is outside the match rules after 5pm today, so be careful and watch your back. Get a contract signed before you make any big financial decisions as the program could cancel their offer since it's outside the match.
 
List was updated again... I don't see many unfilled programs :/
 
SOAPapian said:
I hear you.. I am an old graduate, IMG with GC, solid surgical experience but probably no one wants that in a resident! even though I am ready to start at prelim!!! I am seriously considering a surgical first assistant career!
Click to expand...

That or a mid-level practicioner if you're still into clinical work. Your interest in clinical vs non-clinical work is going to determine your search and outcome.
 
sella turcica said:
That or a mid-level practicioner if you're still into clinical work. Your interest in clinical vs non-clinical work is going to determine your search and outcome.
Click to expand...
whats a mid level practitioner? and how do I get licensed for that?
 
SOAPapian said:
whats a mid level practitioner? and how do I get licensed for that?
Click to expand...

I think one option is Physician Assistant. There are lot of schools for those. It's 2-3 years and you can make basically 100K. You do stuff like being first assist in surgeries and also clinic work as well. So it's a"mid level" since it's somewhere below a MD but above say a medical tech/assistant.
 
Are you guys able to see the list? I am getting an error when I try to access it.
 
I can't get into the system to see the list either. Not like it makes a difference, everything is basically gone. =(
 
PGY1 completed/ re-failed to SOAP:
post SOAP-plan C,D,E? Good posts/ insight regarding open spots, residency opening spots going forward, activities to do in the meantime?

Thanks
 
CAtoOH said:
PGY1 completed/ re-failed to SOAP:
post SOAP-plan C,D,E? Good posts/ insight regarding open spots, residency opening spots going forward, activities to do in the meantime?

Thanks
Click to expand...
few pages ago, someone posted a guideline of things a student can do in the meantime.
 
Ok so that was finally the last round, am I correct??
 
you mean there will be unfilled positions out there that are not somehow already promised??
just saying!
 
can anyone explain this:
5:00 p.m. ERAS SOAP-mode ends
8:00 p.m. NRMP List of Unfilled Programs can be updated by program directors and accessed by all SOAP-eligible applicants except those who have obtained concurrent-year positions

Is that 8pm after round 5? or after the post soap scramble? or..?
 
Debussy said:
can anyone explain this:
5:00 p.m. ERAS SOAP-mode ends
8:00 p.m. NRMP List of Unfilled Programs can be updated by program directors and accessed by all SOAP-eligible applicants except those who have obtained concurrent-year positions

Is that 8pm after round 5? or after the post soap scramble? or..?
Click to expand...
I don't see what's unclear about that. At 5p, SOAP is over. At 8p, the list becomes available for anyone still w/o a spot to do with as they wish.
 
I assume this means that after 5PM the unfilled list is again updated automatically based upon the last round results. Then, at 8PM, the list becomes editable by PD's -- i.e. I can log in and just change the number of open slots (presumably because I filled outside of SOAP). because the nature of the list changes (from an NRMP generated list to a user updatable list) they may take it down from 5 until 8 while they change it over (not sure about that, we will see). Otherwise the list will remain viewable from 5-8, and then editable at 8PM
 
SOAPapian said:
you mean there will be unfilled positions out there that are not somehow already promised??
just saying!
Click to expand...

There's always something somewhere, though programs fill from outside the match and the list becomes outdated quite quickly. You'll just have to email or call them directly to find out. Also before and through July, there are openings here and there due to various reasons (IMGs not getting visas, people dropping out, life challenges) that pop-up. Like I've said before, you are in the wild-west after 5pm. Don't make major life changes just because you get an offer. You aren't protected until you get a legal, signed contract. The NRMP match rules don't apply and they won't force programs to give you a spot if they give you one then pull the rug out from under you later (outside the match and SOAP that is).
 
So get this, I actually just called a program that I saw unfilled and the young lady told me that the position was no longer available, BUT ITS STILL ON THE LIST!!! She also added: you should not contact us bc the soap is not over, oooooopppssss my bad. I was confused with the hr shoot me, its only 15 minutes.
 
Well, most places are closed or filled. So I guess we get to try again next year.

Till then.
 
badnewstime1 said:
Also lied to in the main match. Was told they would be ranking everybody. Low and behold we are both in the SOAP. I was always 100% honest throughout and didn't play games. The sad thing is, had I sent #1 emails to all my programs and lied about how much I wanted to be there, pretended to be someone I wasn't, and played the games, I might have matched. That will teach me to be a straight shooter and honest. At least I have my dignity.
Click to expand...
You lied. The programs didn't technically lie unless there are some unfilled spots for SOAP. They may have ranked you, but not high enough to match at those programs.
 
Ilka said:
So get this, I actually just called a program that I saw unfilled and the young lady told me that the position was no longer available, BUT ITS STILL ON THE LIST!!! She also added: you should not contact us bc the soap is not over, oooooopppssss my bad. I was confused with the hr shoot me, its only 15 minutes.
Click to expand...
some how I saw this coming!!! Im pretty sure once the PDs get their hands on the editable list then whatever is left of the "available" spots will quickly become history🙂 Ill just walk away with pride!
 
cognitus said:
You lied. The programs didn't technically lie unless there are some unfilled spots for SOAP. They may have ranked you, but not high enough to match at those programs.
Click to expand...
Err...if they had ranked him/her, he/she would have matched as they ended up having unfilled spots... one does not have to be ranked "high", they just need to be ranked period...and the alogrithm goes down the list.........

Please correct me if I am wrong. If I am, my sincere apologies.
 
dune89 said:
Err...if they had ranked him/her, he/she would have matched as they ended up having unfilled spots... one does not have to be ranked "high", they just need to be ranked period...and the alogrithm goes down the list.........

Please correct me if I am wrong. If I am, my sincere apologies.
Click to expand...
I didn't get the sense that those same programs also ended up having unfilled spots. If they did, then they lied too.
 
dune89 said:
Err...if they had ranked him/her, he/she would have matched as they ended up having unfilled spots... one does not have to be ranked "high", they just need to be ranked period...and the alogrithm goes down the list.........

Please correct me if I am wrong. If I am, my sincere apologies.
Click to expand...

Well it makes perfect sense according to how I believe the algorithm works. If the program is in the SOAP (i.e. has open, unmatched spots) and ranked 100% of their interviewed applicants, than none of their interviewed applicants should be in the SOAP as long as those applicants ranked them somewhere on their own lists.

Either the applicant failed to put them on their ROL (rank order list), or the program lied (or made a mistake in their ROL).
 
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