Glad to hear this.
SOAP 2016 Thread - questions, advice, support
- Thread starter NotAProgDirector
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Glad to hear this.
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thank you, i dont really want to count on the "create" thing. still work hard to get a position through SOAP, but seems nothing i can do during SOAP. any advises after SOAP?
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Yes...the "create thing".
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Don't drink yet. Scramble is tomorrow, and you need to be as ERAS ready as you were on Monday.
Can you please explain what the scramble is?
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Scramble is when you, or if you're not alone, any attending who is willing, apply to every program left after SOAP on ERAS or otherwise and call the PDs (or most likely program administrators) begging for a spot. Everyone is doing this at the same time and programs are rushing to snap up the few remaining qualified applicants, hence the name.
Do we have to reapply for the scramble to programs already applied to?
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Thank you! I'm a US-IMG, Step 1 220s, CK 230s, no failures on Step1/CK/CS. It's all incredibly competitive at this point, but I feel like I've done my best and I'm at peace with whatever tomorrow brings. Good luck to you as well!
Another FM and IM position available for any DOs who don't have luck in SOAP...good luck!!
We have 5 residency spots available in our Osteopathic Internal Medicine program and 5 residency spots available in our Osteopathic Family Medicine program. We are located in Searcy, Arkansas, 45 miles north of Little Rock.
We ask that you share the attached flyers with your unmatched students (or forward this e-mail to the person who helps them find residency spots).
The documents we require for application are listed below.
Students can send them through ERAS (easiest option), or e-mail them directly to me.
Application Cover Letter (attached)
Personal Statement
Recent Photograph
Curriculum Vitae
COMLEX Transcripts
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (directly from school or ERAS)
Medical School Transcript (directly from school or ERAS)
We request the student notifies us if he/she applies directly through ERAS.
Thanks!
RachaelSowers
GME Coordinator
Unity Health | White County Medical Center
3214 E Race St. | Searcy, AR 72143
P (501) 380-2299 | F (501) 380-2282
www.Unity-Health.org
We have 5 residency spots available in our Osteopathic Internal Medicine program and 5 residency spots available in our Osteopathic Family Medicine program. We are located in Searcy, Arkansas, 45 miles north of Little Rock.
We ask that you share the attached flyers with your unmatched students (or forward this e-mail to the person who helps them find residency spots).
The documents we require for application are listed below.
Students can send them through ERAS (easiest option), or e-mail them directly to me.
Application Cover Letter (attached)
Personal Statement
Recent Photograph
Curriculum Vitae
COMLEX Transcripts
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (directly from school or ERAS)
Medical School Transcript (directly from school or ERAS)
We request the student notifies us if he/she applies directly through ERAS.
Thanks!
RachaelSowers
GME Coordinator
Unity Health | White County Medical Center
3214 E Race St. | Searcy, AR 72143
P (501) 380-2299 | F (501) 380-2282
www.Unity-Health.org
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I don't remember, but you do have to pay again for programs you haven't applied to yet. And you'll be calling them as well, though they'll probably just have a voicemail or program coordinator saying, "Just make sure we have your application and we'll contact you."
This may be a different story if your attending calls or emails the PD or someone who knows the PD saying, "hey, I've got a fantastic student here!"
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i guess we went through the stages of grieving, now it is acceptance. i feel more at peace than i wan this morning, good luck everyone!
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jesus christ, theres like nothing left in the SOAP
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I believe you can back out of anything, as you're not an indentured servant, but then you would be in violation of the Match and ineligible to apply again for some number of years. I don't remember the exact number, but I'm sure you can look it up in NRMP.
Anyway, that wasn't why I posted. I'm actually posting to beg you to reconsider what you're doing. Maybe this is cold, but unless your mother-in-law is not expected to recover, the current crisis -- no matter how large it seems to loom -- will pass. Don't forget that training doesn't start until June/July. Between now and then a lot can happen, and while your significant other (and you) might be completely panicked today, things might seem a hell lot smoother in a week, a month, 3 months. But if you gave this up now, I think there's a huge chance you'll regret it and possibly even resent your family for it, especially as you would be shut out of the match for several years, which is effectively "forever" unless you really want to do a second residency.
Since you can't "cancel" your match now without being in violation anyway, I think you might as well hold off and see how things go over the next couple weeks or months. It's sort of a dick move, but you can always drop out of the new residency closer to the start date.
Anyway, that wasn't why I posted. I'm actually posting to beg you to reconsider what you're doing. Maybe this is cold, but unless your mother-in-law is not expected to recover, the current crisis -- no matter how large it seems to loom -- will pass. Don't forget that training doesn't start until June/July. Between now and then a lot can happen, and while your significant other (and you) might be completely panicked today, things might seem a hell lot smoother in a week, a month, 3 months. But if you gave this up now, I think there's a huge chance you'll regret it and possibly even resent your family for it, especially as you would be shut out of the match for several years, which is effectively "forever" unless you really want to do a second residency.
Since you can't "cancel" your match now without being in violation anyway, I think you might as well hold off and see how things go over the next couple weeks or months. It's sort of a dick move, but you can always drop out of the new residency closer to the start date.
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I think a lot turns on how bad a heart attack we are talking. There are plenty of people walking around out there who had a heart attack years ago. Three months from now she may be back to baseline.
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Its 11.59 and am up thinking how far i have come along and still waiting for a break. It was a good experience and i would not trade it for anything else. #Non-American IMG.
Tomorrow is another day. I feel better knowing some people from this thread matched . Rejoicing in other people success has a way of attracting success to you.
Tomorrow is another day. I feel better knowing some people from this thread matched . Rejoicing in other people success has a way of attracting success to you.
Sorry new member, I've lurked from time to time, but please let me know if I've done anything wrong with my post.
It's been a rough week and hoping to just get some insight and direction from some of the senior members. I am a US grad Class of 2015, currently in a prelim surgery position. Unfortunately was not successful in the main match for surgery and am now going through the SOAP. There were only 2 categorical surgery spots so I gave them a shot as well tried for anesthesia. Unfortunately didn't get any offers Round 1 & 2, but didn't use all 45 SOAP apps at the time.
Honestly, in between a state of numb and panicked, but I am open to any specialty and have since filled out apps for open prelim surgery as well as internal or family. I know it's pretty much a waiting game and to see how I'll come out on the other side tomorrow. But does anyone have any words of encouragement or suggestions/recommendations as to how to get through this hopefully successfully?
It's been a rough week and hoping to just get some insight and direction from some of the senior members. I am a US grad Class of 2015, currently in a prelim surgery position. Unfortunately was not successful in the main match for surgery and am now going through the SOAP. There were only 2 categorical surgery spots so I gave them a shot as well tried for anesthesia. Unfortunately didn't get any offers Round 1 & 2, but didn't use all 45 SOAP apps at the time.
Honestly, in between a state of numb and panicked, but I am open to any specialty and have since filled out apps for open prelim surgery as well as internal or family. I know it's pretty much a waiting game and to see how I'll come out on the other side tomorrow. But does anyone have any words of encouragement or suggestions/recommendations as to how to get through this hopefully successfully?
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That's what I don't get. WTF will there be for us tomorrow after 3 rounds if we weren't called? I just looked at that list, again - it really is pathetic.
I'm an AMG who had to delay residency for a spouse, so I have the dreaded previous grad status. If there are enough people left without jobs, what the hell happens? Class action? Should we start our own residency program in rural Missouri?
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Bro, In every position you are in life whether its residency or every other aspect of life, there is someone out there who would do anything imaginable to be in your shoes. I know its hard to make sense of it now, i am in the same boat. It will work out, keep ya head up. Tomorrow is another day and all you need is ONE phone call. Just ONE
I feel you. I think a lot of us right now feel the same way. Put in a state of complete despair finding out we initially didn't match; then pulling yourself up to apply to more spots, maybe get some phone interviews, get hopeful again, then get knocked right back on your ass when "you have no offers this round". But it's not over, you pick yourself up again only to get pounded back down the next round.
This whole process has been incredibly frustrating. But there are still some spots available. We just have to come to the reality that we may end up in the middle of nowhere but I'm confident most of us will grab up a spot somewhere. And whatever, just a few more years to power through, finish residency, and come out. I think in a few years when this whole thing is well behind us, we'll look back and see it as an incredible low point that we were able to overcome. And we'll be better prepared for the remainder of life to deal with and learn to overcome challenging situations we face.
Everything happens for a reason. We may not know the 'why' now, but eventually we'll see it.
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I just wanted to chime in and say that everything will work out in the end. This whole residency matching process is so crapshoot and reminiscent of applying to medical school all over again that sometimes it's based on luck, connections, and patience. I've been in your shoes and had to SOAP with no success. So hang in there and good luck all!
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You have a good chance of matching somewhere. There are tons of PGY2 surgery/anesthesia that opened up outside of match this year, register on residentswap.
I'm sorry only DOs can apply for this positions. But many are becoming. Dual accredited because of the merger and will be available next year!!!!! Good luck!!
Thank you so much for the dedication to this forum. Your advice has been extremely valuable.
I am an old IMG and entered for the match for the first time. I did not match. So I have been trying for SOAP which seems highly improbable for me, but I am not giving up.
I saw this thread and it has helped me greatly because I changed my PS as I applied to other specialties and I thought to myself that the only thing I can change is my PS. My thinking was along the very same lines that the programs will wonder why all my LORs are directed toward IM but I have applied to other areas. I even compared the process to a lottery. But used it to bring out strong points about my character and that I am able to excel in any field. We are all medical doctors with a high intellectual ability. We are all trainable for any field.
But I started doubting and wondering if I committed SOAP suicide with such a strong and honest letter. Your post has given me some hope and I hope another PD will look at my PS and say, I want this person on our team".
Thank you again.
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Are you sure your current spot is still available, and that your program hasn't already filled/promised it to someone transferring? I'd also check with your PD, he or she might be so worried that you staying would be some sort of violation that they won't want you to break your agreement. Even if it's not a true violation for your home program, they may still be worried it'd look bad on them (that's how my PD would feel).
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Congratulations!!
If you could share.. Which specialties did you apply for during the SOAP and which you secured a position in? Thanks!
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He can't hear you -- he's off getting drunk I suspect.
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I believe so I would do the same.
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Haha, no celebrating just yet, I have to call/text everyone I know. US-IMG, applied in peds and psych in the main Match, SOAPed into family medicine. Family was actually the specialty I wanted to go into when I first started medical school, so everything has come full circle. 
Hey Congrats!
Was it at the same place that you received a call from last night?
Again, congrats and good luck moving forward.
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Haha, no celebrating just yet, I have to call/text everyone I know. US-IMG, applied in peds and psych in the main Match, SOAPed into family medicine. Family was actually the specialty I wanted to go into when I first started medical school, so everything has come full circle.
Congratulations!! and thank you for replying.
Thanks for posting these! They're really helpful and I wish my school sent us these. Do you by any chance have the application cover letter that was attached to this email? Thanks again
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Thanks! It was indeed.
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Go to the program you matched. I'm sorry about your mother-n-law...but you are making a very poor long-term decision for you and your wife, for a very short term problem.
I am not an AMG nor a US IMG, just an old IMG, so I am not fully aware of the rules, but based on this discussion, I do not think you should break the agreement and violate any NRMP rules. Just have a bit of patience, you have secured a position and you don't know what can happen in the next three months before you start. If at that time your mother in law's health has deteriorated further and you need to be there for your family, at that time (close to when you would take up position in July), I am sure the PD would understand your decision when it came to a life/death matter. This is how I see it personally.
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Tread very carefully. A SOAP offer is as binding as a spot in the Main match. You will not get a waiver based on the fact that your MIL's condition was pre existing. (Her prior MI's). NRMP will argue that this was known when you accepted the offer. If you are in violation I wonder if your current PD or any other program will be able to take you. I agree with J4Pac. Take the offer.
More or less. Some are some aren't. The best bet is to filter it by post date and apply to anything that you like that is recent. Start with 3 days ago, 7 days ago and so on but try no to apply to programs that were posted before DO match day ( which I think was Feb 14)
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DO Match day was February 8th!
Question. I SOAP'd into a transitional year (praise the Lord!) in the second round, so now for next year's match am I PGY2? What if I want to go into a specialty that doesn't require a prelim year (pediatrics)? Stats: AMG, failed step 1 on first attempt. Passed everything after that, but all scores below average.
D
deleted284725
Successful 3rd round soap into a categorical anesthesiology program!
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Congrats!
