SOAP 2016 Thread - questions, advice, support

[mcl]

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Potentially relevant info from the NRMP regarding what happens after SOAP ends:

At 6:00 p.m. ET tomorrow (Thursday), NRMP will post in the R3 system an updated List of Unfilled Programs. That List will include any remaining SOAP positions as well as the unfilled positions in programs that did not participate in SOAP. Student(s) will have access to that information and can contact programs however s/he chooses. [I'm assuming these are only the applicants still unmatched, not all applicants who started in SOAP, but I could be wrong about that.]

Under the terms of the Match Participation Agreement, positions can be created after SOAP only for partially-matched applicants, i.e. those who have an advanced position but need a preliminary year, or those who have a preliminary year but need advanced training. The rationale is that those partial matches should be honored wherever possible.

 

[playingfrombehind]

Didn't match into psychiatry. 12 invites, 10 interviews, 10 ROL. Applied 100 places. Applied 10 FM places, 2 Interviews, additional 2 on ROL. I am USIMG.

No calls, so unless I get a random offer with no phone calls. Don't know to throw in a towel. With 12 on ROL, I chalk it up to my lack of interpersonal skills. I understand psychiatry was fierce this season, but obviously there was something on my application that was positive enough to get interviews. So I boil it down to maybe to my interview skills.

Don't know whether to reapply next year into FM and IM, since they have more spots. Right now thinking of pursuing a nonprofit job through connections, so I can get my 380k student loan wiped clean in 10 years when I do income based repayment. Because if I reapply next year and get 10+ interviews again next year, what stops me from bombing the interviews again and not matching? Because man did I try really hard to practice for my interviews.

Check my post and Family Medicine form for a more detailed answer. But I think the interview at the end of the day is really being able to have a conversation. You are going to be presenting every day to the faculty for the next three or more years so the residents and faculty have to be able to have a conversation with you. It should be a back-and-forth rather than a Dynamic where the interviewer asks a question and you answer. It also helps to view the interviewer as a colleague rather than an authority figure. Medical school and life prepares you for residency interviews. Also it's very important to know that you are being watched the entire day . 1 underrated question ask it during the brief walk to the interview room the askew how are you doing if you give a lethargic tired and so it really sets the tone for the entire interview. Last thing you should be prepared with a lot of questions because I had interviews where all I did was ask questions. Please see my post on Family Medicine forum I wrote down all the pearls that I I could remember from my interviews in Family Medicine. Good luck

 

[goone2524]

Potentially relevant info from the NRMP regarding what happens after SOAP ends:

At 6:00 p.m. ET tomorrow (Thursday), NRMP will post in the R3 system an updated List of Unfilled Programs. That List will include any remaining SOAP positions as well as the unfilled positions in programs that did not participate in SOAP. Student(s) will have access to that information and can contact programs however s/he chooses. [I'm assuming these are only the applicants still unmatched, not all applicants who started in SOAP, but I could be wrong about that.]

Under the terms of the Match Participation Agreement, positions can be created after SOAP only for partially-matched applicants, i.e. those who have an advanced position but need a preliminary year, or those who have a preliminary year but need advanced training. The rationale is that those partial matches should be honored wherever possible.

Thank you for that info. I am an AMG who is matched into an Advanced program but needs a Preliminary year. How do we go about finding or looking for these positions that can be created if SOAP does not pan out. Thanks.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Thank you for that info. I am an AMG who is matched into an Advanced program but needs a Preliminary year. How do we go about finding or looking for these positions that can be created if SOAP does not pan out. Thanks.

Your advanced program would be probably most helpful with your medical school being second.

 

[manara123]

>US grad
>Passed all shelfs and STEPs on the first try, mostly average scores
>Applied to psych
>All interviewers said I "would be able to get my first choice anywhere with this application"
>didn't match
>only 7 psych spots left open in the entire country.
>Applied to all of those plus every prelim program and lots of IM
>24 hours after submitting my application, and not a single email, call, or message from any program
>Me right now:

Thank you for the laugh during this whole BS.

 

[wilberforce72]

Hey guys. We got this! Had many FM interviews during SOAP (due to applying to FM during main mach after EM). We can do this! This week has been a huge rollercoaster of emotions, but we can't let it get to us. We are all in medicine for the long haul and we will overcome!

 

[SLC]

Anyone refreshing R3 like a madman yet?

 

[MCATbound]

Anyone refreshing R3 like a madman yet?

Yes.

 

[matchingfor2016]

Just to warn everyone. Last year it took over 20 minutes to generate the first round of offers. Don't go crazy if you don't see anything at 12:00 EDT sharp.

 

[SLC]

Just to warn everyone. Last year it took over 20 minutes to generate the first round of offers. Don't go crazy if you don't see anything at 12:00 EDT sharp.

Took about 50 minutes for mine.

You'll know when you either have an offer, or you get a message telling you you have no offers.

Also, if you get an offer and still have the "offers are being generated" message, feel free to wait a bit and see if you have more than one that comes through and choose the one you want most. Just don't miss the deadline to accept.

Finally: I and others had trouble accepting offers through Safari web browser last year. Use Firefox or chrome. If you don't have it, I'd get it quick.

 

[metches]

No offers here. Says next round is at 3pm.

 

[Bluejay87]

No offers. 🙁 On to the next round!

 

[ThePCH]

yep. On to the next round.

 

[webgenius]

I didn't receive an offer.
I feel sad 🙁

 

[MCATbound]

Why am I still refreshing the page even after it says I have no offers?

 

[DrMeowMeow]

I received 8 interviews for FM and got 2 offers this round. One of which is my top choice so I have accepted. Yay!

 

[SLC]

I received 8 interviews for FM and got 2 offers this round. One of which is my top choice so I have accepted. Yay!

Congratulations!

 

[zzlaf]

Guessing that the list of unfilled spots will update at 2 pm when the round is over?

 

[CaliAtenza]

No calls and no offers for me; onto to the next one I guess. Man this process really blows.

 

[speedtoinfinity]

Did anyone receive phone interview for neuro? Apparently only 55%+ of US grads matched the specialty last year, and a big number taken by IMG's.

 

[Motley]

Nothing for me either.....(sad depressed sigh)

 

[CaliAtenza]

Did anyone receive phone interview for neuro? Apparently only 55%+ of US grads matched the specialty last year, and a big number taken by IMG's.

I went on 2 IV's for neuro this year, at pretty low level programs, and the majority of applicants were AMGs. There has been a definite uptick in interest for neuro by AMGs this year. I applied for the unfilled positions in SOAP but I have zero hope at this point

 

[MCATbound]

Does anyone have information on AOA unfilled positions post-ACGME-Match & SOAP for DOs? In other words, as a DO, do we still have a great shot at AOA residencies (specifically for Fam/IM/**Psych) if we are unlucky during the SOAP?

 

[wd730]

Do programs do phone interviews in between rounds?

 

[Law2Doc]

... Apparently this system doesn't support current trend in the healthcare, where is the shortage of physicians in several areas. Keep thousands as me people unemployed ...)

Shortages (real or perceived) don't really come into play for residency -- it's a fixed number of spots with a greater number of people that want them.

... Anyway keep up the good fight everyone -- with each round of SOAP closing, those left standing become that much more attractive to the yet unfilled places. (Basically it's last call at the bar - the lights have come on, and nobody left is a model, but programs will still want to go home with someone).

 

[Prog86]

Does anyone have information on AOA unfilled positions post-ACGME-Match & SOAP for DOs? In other words, as a DO, do we still have a great shot at AOA residencies (specifically for Fam/IM/**Psych) if we are unlucky during the SOAP?

Not sure if this would help but I notice a lot of PGY1 vacancies posted in multiple specialties in the past couple of days on residentswap. Maybe you could try those if you can't get anything in the SOAP? Good luck.

 

[stephenpeters2]

I am grateful that i am participaing in SOAP. This medical journey has had its up and down. I survived everything. To be able to participate in SOAP is a blessing on itself.
Still has not received any offers in SOAP but am still hoping for a spot in Family medicine or internal. Unto Round 2.
We need to stop panicking and stay Calm. Some have been here before us and more will come after us. It always works out in the end.

 

[CaliAtenza]

Not sure if this would help but I notice a lot of PGY1 vacancies posted in multiple specialties in the past couple of days on residentswap. Maybe you could try those if you can't get anything in the SOAP? Good luck.

Do those PGY1 positions start this year?

 

[j4pac]

Interesting question. If an applicant matches to an advanced program but doesn't match prelim...is it a match violation to contact the advanced program PD to ask for assistance. Not for me...for someone else.

 

[tariql353]

Not sure if this would help but I notice a lot of PGY1 vacancies posted in multiple specialties in the past couple of days on residentswap. Maybe you could try those if you can't get anything in the SOAP? Good luck.

you gotta pay for membership! thats such bs

 

[wd730]

Do programs do phone interviews in between rounds?

I just got a call after receiving no offers in the first round!!! Keep the hopes up everyone! And good luck!

 

[JeninMD]

Not sure if this would help but I notice a lot of PGY1 vacancies posted in multiple specialties in the past couple of days on residentswap. Maybe you could try those if you can't get anything in the SOAP? Good luck.

It's a scam. They posted all the exact same spots SOAP posted. Don't waste your money. And under each posting they have - it says "Apply through ERAS/SOAP".

Wish I knew this before I threw a hundred dollars away. May God give us success. <ameen>

 

[JeninMD]

I just got a call after receiving no offers in the first round!!! Keep the hopes up everyone! And good luck!

congrats!!

 

[Prog86]

Do those PGY1 positions start this year?

Sorry I am not a member. I was just looking at the list of openings in the last ten days. If you scroll down the page there is a list.

 

[MCATbound]

Not sure if this would help but I notice a lot of PGY1 vacancies posted in multiple specialties in the past couple of days on residentswap. Maybe you could try those if you can't get anything in the SOAP? Good luck.

Very helpful. I'll check out RSwap after the SOAP period ends.

 

[Prog86]

It's a scam. They posted all the exact same spots SOAP posted. Don't waste your money. And under each posting they have - it says "Apply through ERAS/SOAP".

Wish I knew this before I threw a hundred dollars away. May God give us success. <ameen>

Sorry I did not know that. I was just trying to help.

 

[thrownawayx2]

Be smart with your dollars, folks. Now's the time all these services that promote information on available residency spots or third-party externship/observership opportunities go into overdrive offering special rates and deals. Do your own research before you throw away any cash.

 

[mcl]

Interesting question. If an applicant matches to an advanced program but doesn't match prelim...is it a match violation to contact the advanced program PD to ask for assistance. Not for me...for someone else.

YES It would be a Match violation! Per the NRMP at 12:31 today:
Partially-matched applicants can call the NRMP and/or the school [meaning the applicant's medical school Dean's Office] can give them the city of the matched program. The programs cannot be notified about the partial match, however.

 

[matchingfor2016]

Interesting question. If an applicant matches to an advanced program but doesn't match prelim...is it a match violation to contact the advanced program PD to ask for assistance. Not for me...for someone else.

If you read gutonc's posts earlier in the thread on page 5, he advises that it is NOT a match violation to contact the PD of your advanced program. Apparently, you are only disallowed to contact programs who are participating in SOAP. The wording of the rules states that any program that is participating in SOAP, or any program that is NOT participating in SOAP that has open positions, may not be contacted.

Using this as a guide, your friend should be contacting his mentors, his school, and the advanced program he/she matched into for assistance.

 

[ngasrod]

Let`s all be hopeful! God is with us and will choose what is best for everyone. Next round will be better, you`ll see!

 

[CaliAtenza]

It's a scam. They posted all the exact same spots SOAP posted. Don't waste your money. And under each posting they have - it says "Apply through ERAS/SOAP".

Wish I knew this before I threw a hundred dollars away. May God give us success. <ameen>

Oh wow, get your money back!

 

[bballfandoctorgirl]

Did anyone receive a first round offer despite no phone interviews yesterday or today? Just wondering.. Congrats to all who have received offers!

 

[mcl]

If you read gutonc's posts earlier in the thread on page 5, he advises that it is NOT a match violation to contact the PD of your advanced program. Apparently, you are only disallowed to contact programs who are participating in SOAP. The wording of the rules states that any program that is participating in SOAP, or any program that is NOT participating in SOAP that has open positions, may not be contacted.

Using this as a guide, your friend should be contacting his mentors, his school, and the advanced program he/she matched into for assistance.

The NRMP thinks otherwise (it was the President/CEO of NRMP that posted what I relayed above).

 

[lilpyxie]

I am wondering the same thing about the unknown number. I received a call earlier from a program, and within less than 30 seconds of the conversation the call was disconnected or I was accidentally hung up on. I tried calling the same phone number back immediately but it said "you have reached a non working number" and the person I was speaking to never called back. Kicking myself at the moment.. :'(

I just got a call after receiving no offers in the first round!!! Keep the hopes up everyone! And good luck!

That right there is a miracle! Ok, can you plz share with us the following:
1)How long did they interview?
2)What is it just basic whereabouts or detailed questions from application during the interview?
3)Do they disclose the Program and specialty in the start of the conversation or do they wait till they know your interests?
4)Did you apply for this Program today or right in the start? Thanks! Congrats on the call!

 

[CaliAtenza]

Did anyone receive a first round offer despite no phone interviews yesterday or today? Just wondering.. Congrats to all who have received offers!

Nope, I got nothing.

 

[ThePCH]

How is your PM&R SOAP going on?

Applied to FM mainly and anything logical for my stats on the west coast primarily. The PM&R SOAP programs are no where near where I want to be; I know it's not the time to be picky about location, but if I'm stuck in this process I'm going to at least fight for a place relatively near family. How's it going for you?

May change very quickly after this next round though...lets see wtf happens. This whole thing has been so God damn discouraging.

NEXT ROUND LETS GO!

 

[soapingit]

Nothing here. But I'm glad to see some on here are getting calls and even offers!

 

[stephenpeters2]

Nothing for me so far. Still waiting.
Congrats to those that made it.. Hopefully the forces will turn in our direction

 

[mrhenry]

We don't re-apply for round 2 right? All of our previous apps are still in? Is there a "I'M STILL AVAILABLE. PLEASE LOVE ME." button I'm supposed to press?

 

[ABQ9988]

Ortho applicant this year that didn't match. Applied to 45 prelim ten surg spots in the SOAP this year. Received calls from 6 places yesterday, 4 with significant contact. Was offered 2 spots at great programs. One will be out there next round. Keep your head up everyone!