SOAP process question

[LouisianaDoctor]

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Hi all,

I've read the emails and watched the videos on SOAP, but still have a few questions. Specifically how to apply to programs that have open positions. As I understand, it works like this:

1. Log in to NRMP and I will be able to view programs with unfilled positions.
2. Would I then open a new browser window, and then login to the ERAS website, and then apply to programs just like I did initially for interviews?
3. Then wait till the first round of offers at the appropriate date/time on the NRMP website?

Will the list of programs that I applied to be erased on Match day in ERAS? Will I be able to re-apply to a program if it has unfilled positions, but they did not offer an interview?

Thank you

 

[gutonc]

Hi all,

I've read the emails and watched the videos on SOAP, but still have a few questions. Specifically how to apply to programs that have open positions. As I understand, it works like this:

1. Log in to NRMP and I will be able to view programs with unfilled positions.
2. Would I then open a new browser window, and then login to the ERAS website, and then apply to programs just like I did initially for interviews?
3. Then wait till the first round of offers at the appropriate date/time on the NRMP website?

Most of these questions are answered in the PDF on the ERAS site but the answer to all of them is yes.

Will the list of programs that I applied to be erased on Match day in ERAS? Will I be able to re-apply to a program if it has unfilled positions, but they did not offer an interview?

Thank you

I imagine that your prior list in ERAS is already gone. I'm not sure how it would help you at this point anyway though.

You can apply to any program with an open spot in any specialty regardless of your prior application/interview/rank experience. I would argue that, for programs that declined to interview you and have open spots in the scramble, you'd be better off spending your spots on other programs (assuming there are some) in your specialty. If your specialty has (for example), 40 open spots and you interviewed at 8 of them, I'd personally pick a different 30 to apply to this time.

 

[umz]

I imagine that your prior list in ERAS is already gone. I'm not sure how it would help you at this point anyway though.

It's not gone yet, as of last night when I signed in to look out of curiosity.

 

[DoctorPardi]

What does everyone think will happen with applying to a different field? What if you have all letters/PS in one field and then your field has no openings? Or only a few.

Do you just throw some applications to radiology or ER (or whatever) and hope they don't mind that you clearly didn't primarily apply there?

Maybe one hour is a long enough period of time to write a shoddy PS but certainly not enough time to get a LOR.

 

[cofcemt]

Maybe one hour is a long enough period of time to write a shoddy PS but certainly not enough time to get a LOR.

From what our dean said, they have gotten good LORs within an hour for people in the scramble in the past. Sounds very organized.

They have a bunch of physicians from different specialties that will meet with students, talk, and then write a LOR for them; all within an hour.

They even went so far as to say, dress professionally on Monday and be ready to Skype our interviews with potential programs.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

What does everyone think will happen with applying to a different field? What if you have all letters/PS in one field and then your field has no openings? Or only a few.

Do you just throw some applications to radiology or ER (or whatever) and hope they don't mind that you clearly didn't primarily apply there?

Maybe one hour is a long enough period of time to write a shoddy PS but certainly not enough time to get a LOR.

I agree that PD's may think twice about taking applicants who originally applied to other fields, but it depends. The key is whether you can convince them that you plan to finish the residency and that you've thought this out.

One year, I was in the scramble and got a resident who applied to Rads and didn't get a spot. The "bottom of the Rads barrel" is quite good, and she became a star resident.

Also, many of the open SOAP spots will be prelim IM and GS. No one is going to care what field you originally applied for in those cases.

 

[Law2Doc]

...

Also, many of the open SOAP spots will be prelim IM and GS. No one is going to care what field you originally applied for in those cases.

to add to this, for the prelim spots, the gems of the scramble for programs are generally going to be those folks who already have advanced spots lined up (the "designated" prelims) because they won't be seeking time off to interview or be hitting the administration up for letters etc to line their next position up.

 

[15MD]

How will programs know that you have an advanced spot? Do you need to include it in your PS or will it be part of your SOAP application? (no info about this on the nrmp website)

 

[deleted103644]

How will programs know that you have an advanced spot? Do you need to include it in your PS or will it be part of your SOAP application? (no info about this on the nrmp website)

How will prelim programs know you have an advanced spot? They won't unless you tell them - not sure why it would matter much though.

You will not be eligible for categorical programs if you have an advanced position (and obviously you can't apply to more advanced programs).

 

[15MD]

How will prelim programs know you have an advanced spot? They won't unless you tell them - not sure why it would matter much though.

You will not be eligible for categorical programs if you have an advanced position (and obviously you can't apply to more advanced programs).

Aren't candidates a lot more appealing for prelim spots if they have already matched their categorical? I am just wondering if there will be a way in the SOAP application to tell them you have an advanced spot because we obviously can't initially contact them any way other than SOAP.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

It turns out that this information will be in ERAS for SOAP applicants. I just checked my ERAS system, and I can run a query on your "SOAP Eligibility", which can be Prelim only, Advanced Only, or Prelim / Categorical / Advanced. So, I can ask ERAS to show me all of the SOAP applicants who already have matched to prelims (i.e. they would be SOAP "Advanced Only". I don't know if they'll update this after each round of SOAP or not (but that's a minor issue).

 

[deleted103644]

It turns out that this information will be in ERAS for SOAP applicants. I just checked my ERAS system, and I can run a query on your "SOAP Eligibility", which can be Prelim only, Advanced Only, or Prelim / Categorical / Advanced. So, I can ask ERAS to show me all of the SOAP applicants who already have matched to prelims (i.e. they would be SOAP "Advanced Only". I don't know if they'll update this after each round of SOAP or not (but that's a minor issue).

Does your residency offer both advanced and preliminary/categorical positions?

I wonder if advanced only programs will have that option (I would think not, but who knows).

 

[Law2Doc]

Aren't candidates a lot more appealing for prelim spots if they have already matched their categorical? ....

your terminology is off/confusing. Categorical tends to be programs inclusive of PGY1. You mean advanced (ie a program that starts in PGY2).

And yes, prelims will at least slightly prefer folks who already have already matched into advanced paths because (1) they won't seek time off to interview, (2) they won't need administrative help with letters, etc to find a subsequent residency, (3) it enhances the program if they can point to a larger percentage of people who go on to prestigious residencies/careers, and (4) psychologically every program likes someone better if they know another program already wants them.

 

[pooh86]

Can anyone who went through last year's SOAP process give an insight on how everything went? any glitches and any advises?