SOAP - New PS?

[Torsades42]

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So I think this was asked last year, but no one seemed to know the right answer since SOAP was new. I applied for IM, ranked a good number of programs (14 to be exact). Just to cover all my bases, if I do end up not matching and I need to participate in SOAP...what's my play? I'd assume the best plan would be to apply for a TY, Prelim-Med, or a Prelim-Surg position (which has the most unfilled of the three) and then try my luck again next year for IM. I'm dead set on IM (my application, LoR, and PS reflect that heavily) so I was wondering if I need to write a new PS for this "Plan B". Since all of them are one year positions as it is, do we really need to write a new PS and try to actually convey interest in those specialties? I would guess we aren't fooling anyone by just changing the PS. I also assume that PDs of pre-lin programs that are in SOAP would be well aware of this too.

 

[Residentcool]

So I think this was asked last year, but no one seemed to know the right answer since SOAP was new. I applied for IM, ranked a good number of programs (14 to be exact). Just to cover all my bases, if I do end up not matching and I need to participate in SOAP...what's my play? I'd assume the best plan would be to apply for a TY, Prelim-Med, or a Prelim-Surg position (which has the most unfilled of the three) and then try my luck again next year for IM. I'm dead set on IM (my application, LoR, and PS reflect that heavily) so I was wondering if I need to write a new PS for this "Plan B". Since all of them are one year positions as it is, do we really need to write a new PS and try to actually convey interest in those specialties? I would guess we aren't fooling anyone by just changing the PS. I also assume that PDs of pre-lin programs that are in SOAP would be well aware of this too.

I would imagine that if you want to do IM, it would be difficult for you not to match with 14 IVs, especially if you are a US grad. I would also imagine there would be leftover IM categorical positions in the SOAP. If you are applying for something completely different, say peds or something, it would make sense for you to write a new personal statement but it's less likely you'd match in a specialty where you've never shown interest before. If you do prelim medicine, obviously it's medicine so Idon't think you need a new PS. Prelim-surg-as long as you have an MD and a pulse you are good to go.