THE SOAP 2013 Thread

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runawaycorpus said:
I had strong connections in the program and after all the love letter exchanges (it was handwritten thank you notes FROM THEM), I was dead sure I would matched. They played me. It really is a game for programs.

But then, I can only hope for the best for now. Good luck for both of us and everyone.
Click to expand...

Wow. Same thing happened to one of my students. The PD had even left her a voicemail a couple of days prior to the ROL deadline, reassuring her of how excellent a candidate she was, etc.

Wonder if you guys got played by the same program.

Doesn't matter.

I wish you all good fortune at the end of this hellish process.
 
just got another call..... fingers crossed to the point of loss of circulation.
 
molten said:
I'd like to know that as well. It's just not clear from the website. Also, if some of the first 30 you applied to are still unfilled, can/should you reapply to them or is your prior SOAP application still valid.

I don't even know why I'm doing this. I have more chance of winning a lottery ticket.
Click to expand...

You can only submit an application once to a program during SOAP (i.e. you cannot resubmit an application twice during SOAP). They will still have your prior application on file.
 
sashee said:
I got a call from one program yesterday and haven't heard anything since this morning. The program that called me could essentially be my dream residency program, I could really see myself happy there. I know its kind of a last stitch effort but I wanted to know if anyone was planing on sending thank you emails out or does that count as a violation?.
Click to expand...

You can send a thank you email. It is my understanding that once they initiate communication, there is no more violation. You can communicate.
 
joesephine said:
6 calls? lucky couple...
Click to expand...
from your lips to your keyboard to a PD's ROL today 😳

I really think the couple ranking system kinda screwed us over, as we could only put a few combinations of programs, thus staggered ranking might have affected one or the other.
 
We sent thank you emails and also received one that beat us to the punch, don't see harm in that.
 
NuckingFuts said:
Wow. Same thing happened to one of my students. The PD had even left her a voicemail a couple of days prior to the ROL deadline, reassuring her of how excellent a candidate she was, etc.

Wonder if you guys got played by the same program.

Doesn't matter.

I wish you all good fortune at the end of this hellish process.
Click to expand...

Might be the same program. The most ironic part is that I am reapplying to the same program for prelim spots now. Still no communications.
 
Thankfully don't have to SOAP; my heart really does go out to you guys. This must be hell.

This whole process seems so weighted in favor of the programs, while the applicants (aka the ones who pay ridiculous fees for ERAS/NRMP and spend lots of money and time going on interviews) are the ones who get shafted into a job market with an unenqual distribution of information.

We basically have no information on the inner workings of programs when we apply while our entire academic history is laid out to be dissected by all. We have no access to our LORs.

Why can nobody besides those SOAPing have access to the list of unmatched programs? Seems like this should be public knowledge, especially for future applicants (maybe this is made public later?)

The whole "don't call us, we'll call you" SOAP rule is bogus.

I've heard some pretty unbelievable accounts from people who went unmatched that received calls, letters, emails spewing false love. If we're gonna make some more rules, why not make one that prohibits any kind of post-interview communication (including thank-yous). From my understanding, that's what the folks in plastic surgery and it sounds great.

Easier said than done, but really try to keep swimming through this. The hell will end soon.
 
EM2013 said:
Why can nobody besides those SOAPing have access to the list of unmatched programs? Seems like this should be public knowledge, especially for future applicants (maybe this is made public later?)

.
Click to expand...

It is.
 
Got my first call from a program during lunch. Not in the specialty I applied to but I'm just grateful any program will consider me at this point, not to proud tp be unhappy in family medicine for the rest of my life and very relieved that I'm not getting completely shut out. Hopefully more to come.

For those who haven't gotten a phone call yet, good luck. I had just about given up hope and was almost floored walking around the supermarket and my phone goes off from an unknown number.
 
:barf:Still no contacts today--it's 12:55 pm and I only had one small email from a transitional program yesterday without any follow-up! I can't believe there are NO calls today--I figured this would be prime-time for SOAP interviews.

Maybe it's because I am DO; I had to apply NRMP because I'm doing psychiatry and there are very few AOA positions. It could be programs don't like that I only have COMLEX. I also only have 2 LORs as one never came through, and didn't pass step 2 until my third try. HOWEVER, when I did pass, I was >100 points beyond step 1 (424/527).

This is absurd! What happens if we don't match this week? Anyone know? All I know is my school said to contact them if that's the case.

My nerves are beyond frayed :barf:
 
Ogenki said:
Got my first call from a program during lunch. Not in the specialty I applied to but I'm just grateful any program will consider me at this point, not to proud tp be unhappy in family medicine for the rest of my life and very relieved that I'm not getting completely shut out. Hopefully more to come.

For those who haven't gotten a phone call yet, good luck. I had just about given up hope and was almost floored walking around the supermarket and my phone goes off from an unknown number.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. Did you tailor your PS to FM? Did you have LORs for FM?
 
I applied to TY's as well with no contact. Something is better than nothing.
 
My number one categorical IM program has open spot for Prelim. I had amazing vibe from program and interview was best I had

Did you email the program faculty? isnt that not allowed in soap?

Because I feel very comfortable with my inerviewer and would love to communicate with them to try and get that prelim spot and try impress them for the categorical next time

but i thought we are not allowed to reach out to them

plus, isnt that prelim spot (even though it is in the Scramble) even harder to get than the categorical i didnt match into, because all the anesthesia, radio, etc high board scores are competing for it. Its a university prelim spot so you'd think so, but its in the SOAP unfilled???

Should I email/text chief resdient, we had a great vibe
 
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0529710 said:
:barf:Still no contacts today--it's 12:55 pm and I only had one small email from a transitional program yesterday without any follow-up! I can't believe there are NO calls today--I figured this would be prime-time for SOAP interviews.

Maybe it's because I am DO; I had to apply NRMP because I'm doing psychiatry and there are very few AOA positions. It could be programs don't like that I only have COMLEX. I also only have 2 LORs as one never came through, and didn't pass step 2 until my third try. HOWEVER, when I did pass, I was >100 points beyond step 1 (424/527).

This is absurd! What happens if we don't match this week? Anyone know? All I know is my school said to contact them if that's the case.

My nerves are beyond frayed :barf:
Click to expand...

My wife is an AMG who has already graduated and she's in the same boat. No calls yesterday or today and she's trying for psych primarily but also wrote statements for medicine, family and peds. She left her previous program which I understand is not desirable (apparently in medicine life changes and stressors are not allowed) but I can't believe she didn't receive ONE call or email so far.

Hang in there. :scared:
 
molten said:
Thanks for sharing. Did you tailor your PS to FM? Did you have LORs for FM?
Click to expand...

I did rewrite my PS (took me an hour with proof-reading and having a couple doctors at my hospital go over it.) Sent it out at 2:30pm yesterday (Eastern time)

My LORs were all "XXX will make a great resident in Anesthesiology." I know cause all 3 of LOR writers couldn't figure out how to upload to ERAS and gave them to me to upload. Research, electives, etc. in Anesthesiology. My board scores are 200-210 range which is why I probably didn't match. I think my problem was seeing all the statistics of AMGs matching with similar board scores so I figure I'll see if I get interviews and if I didn't, I'd change my app focus towards family med. Instead I got 14 interviews out of 25 or so applied, and many seemed to really like me (I'm sure there's a bunch of similar SOAP stories)
 
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applied yest at 2PM sharp...one of the two programs that were yet to download my application has finally downloaded it today at 1PM...thoughts on the delayed download? i mean besides that fact im overanalyzing the downloading of an application...
 
tachycardia44 said:
applied yest at 2PM sharp...one of the two programs that were yet to download my application has finally downloaded it today at 1PM...thoughts on the delayed download? i mean besides that fact im overanalyzing the downloading of an application...
Click to expand...

one of my calls was actually to book a phone interview later in the evening. I believe the programs are systematically reviewing applications and making lists and THEN will start calling people. This is my story and I am sticking with it, it sure explains the radio silence to me and calms our nerves.
 
First, my heart goes out to all of you SOAPing this year. I did it last year and it was terrible. It was the first year that SOAP existed so it was fraught with technical problems (not being able to get USMLE scores immediately) and the angst of it being a novel for PDs, med school advisors, students etc.

I didn't get any offers despite 2 interviews last year.

I did a post doc and reapplied to the match this year and was blessed enough to match.

I really want to convey the following to people SOAPing this year:

I know it sucks having gone through all of medical school to have it end like this. It really hurts a lot. But know that this is not the end of the road. Life is continuous, it seems discrete to you now but believe me the earth will still turn and this pain and uncertainty will eventually go away and things will be OK.

If you don't get an offer this time around I would highly advise that you find a constructive use for the next year (post doc or otherwise), do a great job there, and reapply next year. That is what I did, and I made sure that I played absolutely all of my cards in the regular match in this year to ensure I wouldn't have to go through this again and fortunately it worked out for me.

It seems like a failure now, but a year really isn't that long (it seemingly gets shorter as you get older). For me it was a complete blessing because not only did it expose me to the working world (which since I have been in school since I was 6 years old was completely novel to me), but also changed my perspective on medicine which has blossomed into a whole new career path.

I never post on forums, I am a chronic lurker but this experience was significant enough for me to write this meandering message to all of you who are having this experience now. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, this will pass and things will be OK.

Much love to all of you.
 
vectorsum said:
First, my heart goes out to all of you SOAPing this year. I did it last year and it was terrible. It was the first year that SOAP existed so it was fraught with technical problems (not being able to get USMLE scores immediately) and the angst of it being a novel for PDs, med school advisors, students etc.

I didn't get any offers despite 2 interviews last year.

I did a post doc and reapplied to the match this year and was blessed enough to match.

I really want to convey the following to people SOAPing this year:

I know it sucks having gone through all of medical school to have it end like this. It really hurts a lot. But know that this is not the end of the road. Life is continuous, it seems discrete to you now but believe me the earth will still turn and this pain and uncertainty will eventually go away and things will be OK.

If you don't get an offer this time around I would highly advise that you find a constructive use for the next year (post doc or otherwise), do a great job there, and reapply next year. That is what I did, and I made sure that I played absolutely all of my cards in the regular match in this year to ensure I wouldn't have to go through this again and fortunately it worked out for me.

It seems like a failure now, but a year really isn't that long (it seemingly gets shorter as you get older). For me it was a complete blessing because not only did it expose me to the working world (which since I have been in school since I was 6 years old was completely novel to me), but also changed my perspective on medicine which has blossomed into a whole new career path.

I never post on forums, I am a chronic lurker but this experience was significant enough for me to write this meandering message to all of you who are having this experience now. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, this will pass and things will be OK.

Much love to all of you.
Click to expand...

troll imo
 
Not at all. This experience sucks, I really empathize with everyone going through this.

addendum:

I don't mean to make anyone feel bad, I was truly trying to ease the qualm that I at least felt last year at this time.
 
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haha that's the worst. real mail pretending to be spam. usually it's spam pretending to be real mail.
 
Well since my spirit is broken, just need to ask. What are options for those who don't scramble? And what is the likelihood of getting an offer when you don't get correspondence first?
 
...still not hearing anything new over here either. Two interviews yesterday and one informal (but real) rejection.
 
rgnysp0333 said:
Well since my spirit is broken, just need to ask. What are options for those who don't scramble?
Click to expand...

I worked in retail for $8 an hour this year (no, I'm not trolling). Places wouldn't hire me for real jobs because they were afraid I would quit and go back to residency. They told me that.
 
Three phone interviews yesterday, nothing today. Keep your heads up guys, the day is still young.
 
Complete silence. No emails or phone calls. I know I'm doomed at this point. This is so ridiculous, over $200,000 in debt from a degree that is useless, I can't get a job without residency.
Has anyone heard of someone receiving offers without an interview?
 
skatalite said:
Complete silence. No emails or phone calls. I know I'm doomed at this point. This is so ridiculous, over $200,000 in debt from a degree that is useless, I can't get a job without residency.
Has anyone heard of someone receiving offers without an interview?
Click to expand...

From what I understand, it's highly unlikely that anyone will get an offer without at least some kind of contact. I hear you on the debt issue. I'm guessing that this debacle is going to cost me about 10 years to bounce back from (financially).

I've been telling myself that others have it worse. I don't have terminal cancer, I'm not going to prison, I'm don't have locked-in syndrome. Life's good, right? 🙄

Realistically though, my only solution would be to do something that my MD serves as a nice addition to. ie: go back to school for biomed engineering/etc. I'm already thinking about ways to handle this. Sure, I'll be poor for a while, but at this point I'm going to be poor no matter how hard I work for a few years.
 
rgnysp0333 said:
I'm interviewing for Rads. I graduated from an American Allopathic school last year and am doing research right now, so idk what category I fall into.
Basically it was a bit of both. Tell me about yourself, what are you looking for in a program. I was caught so off guard that well...****. Partly the program is kind of located in the middle of nowhere (not a deterrent at all), so part of it was they wanting to see if I'd be ok there.
Click to expand...
I know this was several pages back, but I think it's worth emphasizing that this will probably be a common theme in almost any SOAP interview. MAKE SURE you can answer that question, and even if you can't know the ins and outs of all 30 places you applied to, make sure you've got a good answer you can give to a rural program vs. academic program, or a program in an undesirable location, or even programs in different specialties. Remember, there is no "making a list" in this round; if a program has 2 spots open, they get to make exactly two offers in the first round, and they don't want to waste it on someone who is unlikely to take it as then they will likely miss out on their next top X candidates, who will probably accept an offer elsewhere during the first round.

topscorer said:
My number one categorical IM program has open spot for Prelim. I had amazing vibe from program and interview was best I had

Did you email the program faculty? isnt that not allowed in soap?

Because I feel very comfortable with my inerviewer and would love to communicate with them to try and get that prelim spot and try impress them for the categorical next time

but i thought we are not allowed to reach out to them

plus, isnt that prelim spot (even though it is in the Scramble) even harder to get than the categorical i didnt match into, because all the anesthesia, radio, etc high board scores are competing for it. Its a university prelim spot so you'd think so, but its in the SOAP unfilled???

Should I email/text chief resdient, we had a great vibe
Click to expand...

I also know it's been said several times know, but it bears repeating that initiating contact with a program that hasn't contacted you is a violation, and I would strongly recommend against it. To be blunt, if you're SOAPing it goes without saying that you'd be thrilled with any of the programs you applied to at this point, so a "love letter" really at best tells them nothing and at worst tells them that you can't follow the rules or think they don't apply to you. Yes, it sucks to just sit by and feel like you're doing nothing, but I really don't think a love letter will do anyone any good at this point.

So sorry you guys are going through this, best of luck to everyone!
 
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This might be the in wrong thread but I need suggestions and insights on how to nail prelim IM interview questions just in case I get the call. I have interviewed at this particular IM univ program.
Any advices and insights are greatly appreciated.
 
I sent an email thank you letter yesterday, never received a reply in return. Wondering if I should email again?
 
Has anyone applying to the Ob/Gyn unfilled positions heard anything? I'm an IMG, sent application out at exactly 2pm yesterday but have heard nothing. No emails, no calls.
 
0/29 at the 25th hour of round 1... angry birds no longer able to distract me
 
sella turcica said:
From what I understand, it's highly unlikely that anyone will get an offer without at least some kind of contact. I hear you on the debt issue. I'm guessing that this debacle is going to cost me about 10 years to bounce back from (financially).

I've been telling myself that others have it worse. I don't have terminal cancer, I'm not going to prison, I'm don't have locked-in syndrome. Life's good, right? 🙄

Realistically though, my only solution would be to do something that my MD serves as a nice addition to. ie: go back to school for biomed engineering/etc. I'm already thinking about ways to handle this. Sure, I'll be poor for a while, but at this point I'm going to be poor no matter how hard I work for a few years.
Click to expand...

yeah. I guess that's the smartest thing to do at this point. I suppose it would be exciting to look for a job, to finally receive a paycheck 🙂
 
I'm also 0/30 at this point. You are not alone.
 
joesephine said:
I sent an email thank you letter yesterday, never received a reply in return. Wondering if I should email again?
Click to expand...

Don't do that if it didn't bounce back to you. They are too busy, you'll look neurotic. I was lucky that one of my two interviews responded to a follow up email, but honestly, it probably means nothing and I know that.
 
sella turcica said:
Don't do that if it didn't bounce back to you. They are too busy, you'll look neurotic. I was lucky that one of my two interviews responded to a follow up email, but honestly, it probably means nothing and I know that.
Click to expand...

0/30... cant run the temple anymore... monster keeps eating me now... 🙁

Hate to bring up stats... but last year there were about 9000-13000 unmatched people. For this year lets round it off to 10000. Now each send 30 applications, that is about 300000 applications for the seats available. I am not going to thru numbers from NRMP, but it is is close to 500 apps/seat give or take a few. Now going thru that takes time, lot of time. (i think i should put in a clause - these numbers are approximate and do not reflect NRMP...lol)

Now... we all we can do is wait....
 
sair said:
0/30... cant run the temple anymore... monster keeps eating me now... 🙁

Hate to bring up stats... but last there were about 9000-13000 unmatched people. For this year lets round it off to 10000. Now each send 30 applications, that is about 300000 applications for the seats available. I am not going to thru numbers from NRMP, but it is is close to 500 apps/seat give or take a few. Now going thru that takes time, lot of time. (i think i should put in a clause - these numbers are approximate and do not reflect NRMP...lol)

Now... we all we can do is wait....
Click to expand...

I think I just had TIA looking at it.
 
As much as I hate the SOAP process, I'm glad it's not the scramble like it used to be. At least there's some kind of order to this mess. The scramble had no organization at all.
 
Has anyone received interviews for Prelim surgery or psychiatry
 
vectorsum said:
First, my heart goes out to all of you SOAPing this year. I did it last year and it was terrible. It was the first year that SOAP existed so it was fraught with technical problems (not being able to get USMLE scores immediately) and the angst of it being a novel for PDs, med school advisors, students etc.

I didn't get any offers despite 2 interviews last year.

I did a post doc and reapplied to the match this year and was blessed enough to match.

I really want to convey the following to people SOAPing this year:

I know it sucks having gone through all of medical school to have it end like this. It really hurts a lot. But know that this is not the end of the road. Life is continuous, it seems discrete to you now but believe me the earth will still turn and this pain and uncertainty will eventually go away and things will be OK.

If you don't get an offer this time around I would highly advise that you find a constructive use for the next year (post doc or otherwise), do a great job there, and reapply next year. That is what I did, and I made sure that I played absolutely all of my cards in the regular match in this year to ensure I wouldn't have to go through this again and fortunately it worked out for me.

It seems like a failure now, but a year really isn't that long (it seemingly gets shorter as you get older). For me it was a complete blessing because not only did it expose me to the working world (which since I have been in school since I was 6 years old was completely novel to me), but also changed my perspective on medicine which has blossomed into a whole new career path.

I never post on forums, I am a chronic lurker but this experience was significant enough for me to write this meandering message to all of you who are having this experience now. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, this will pass and things will be OK.

Much love to all of you.
Click to expand...

thanks so much for posting this. I haven't gotten any calls and am devastated
 
So do u think if I were to go to the bathroom without my phone and if they call, they would leave a msg? Someone did mention he got a call from an unknown number..

I think we are still better off, atleast in our match they use computers... right now the pope is being chosen and they are using black or white smoke...
 
hola27 said:
Has anyone received interviews for Prelim surgery or psychiatry
Click to expand...

I have not head anything for psychiatry. US med student here - did not expect to be in this situation. Ranked 9 places, had several tell me that they ranked me highly, blah blah blah.

🙁
 
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