SOAP 2017 Thread

Residency Personal Statement
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So the 45 I applied to are it? What if one fills during the first round?
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2 phone calls all hope is not lost yet.
 
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Have to SOAP this year... hope to hear from places soon....
 
Still no calls here either. I suspect it will be a while.
 
supportiveSO said:
Hello everyone! I just registered to post this.. I'm not a student myself but my girlfriend just received her notice that she didn't match today. She applied for OB/gyn and had 12+ interviews. She also had pretty good step scores so we are both shocked she didn't match.

I have a few questions maybe you can help me out with.
  1. What's the best way I can support her through this? It's so hard for her to see all her friends matching. She feels isolated and her pride is hurt.
  2. How do you make the decision between accepting a SOAP offer to a specialty you weren't considering in your initial applications. She is torn between taking a FM/peds position from SOAP versus trying to match again next year in OB.
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Brutal. That must be quite the statistical anomaly. Did she rank all 12 programs? Did she rank her home program?

Makes me wonder if one of her letters had a poison pill in it somewhere.

In the short term, her ego and self esteem is crushed. All you can do is be supportive. In the big picture, I would see if she can talk to a trusted mentor to find out a little more why she didn't match. Perhaps meeting with her home program PD.
 
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AMG here.

Completely blindsided by the email of not matching. Didn't even set up an alarm to check my Email since I wasn't even entertaining that as a possibility.

Awaiting calls, none so far.
 
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American IMG. Nothing this year yet.

Horrific USMLE scores but interviewed last SOAP with Harvard for clinical path-- it was my 6th time SOAPing, was told "if this works the way I believe, I look forward to working with you"... they took a PhD in the end... Grrrr.

If I don't get something this time around, I'm going abroad.

In case you folks don't know, most states will allow you to do a residency abroad then complete a fellowship abroad and return to the US for fellowship. I can't speak for all states, but I know in CA you only need 2 years of ACGME approved residency OR fellowship to apply for application for state license. Not saying chances are any better then... but it might be a last resort. Its mine, I can't wait around any longer (5 years as PI, 2 yr NASA postdoc, 3 yrs Med device PI.) Just call a few state medical boards, they will likely tell you the same thing.

I've been working in Radiology research for 4 years, hope return to the states for a fellowship. Anyone have any input on the chances of scoring a fellowship as an international residency grad?
 
hlacomplex said:
American IMG. Nothing this year yet.

Horrific USMLE scores but interviewed last SOAP with Harvard for clinical path-- it was my 6th time SOAPing, was told "if this works the way I believe, I look forward to working with you"... they took a PhD in the end... Grrrr.

If I don't get something this time around, I'm going abroad.

In case you folks don't know, most states will allow you to do a residency abroad then complete a fellowship abroad and return to the US for fellowship. I can't speak for all states, but I know in CA you only need 2 years of ACGME approved residency OR fellowship to apply for application for state license. Not saying chances are any better then... but it might be a last resort. Its mine, I can't wait around any longer (5 years as PI, 2 yr NASA postdoc, 3 yrs Med device PI.) Just call a few state medical boards, they will likely tell you the same thing.

I've been working in Radiology research for 4 years, hope return to the states for a fellowship. Anyone have any input on the chances of scoring a fellowship as an international residency grad?
Click to expand...

Your path to board eligibility may be slim with going international. Most boards will not accept that training and thus it will be hard to find jobs as most jobs want board eligible or certified physicians.

Good luck.
 
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ThoracicGuy said:
Your path to board eligibility may be slim with going international. Most boards will not accept that training and thus it will be hard to find jobs as most jobs want board eligible or certified physicians.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll look a little deeper.... I have dual citizenship though, so I don't mind going abroad, but better to have a realistic outlook of my options.
 
ThoracicGuy said:
Your path to board eligibility may be slim with going international. Most boards will not accept that training and thus it will be hard to find jobs as most jobs want board eligible or certified physicians.

Good luck.
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I know many img's that are board certified. I am an img' and had 3 iv's for rads and only matched into prelim. Currently Soaping. All the docs that I have worked with were IMG's. You will find a job in the states if you get residency as an IMG no problem. Dont have to worry about anything else
 
radsdreaming said:
I know many img's that are board certified. I am an img' and had 3 iv's for rads and only matched into prelim. Currently Soaping. All the docs that I have worked with were IMG's. You will find a job in the states if you get residency as an IMG no problem. Dont have to worry about anything else
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They were referring to finding a job/being board eligible after residency in a foreign country, not medical school.
 
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I have a few questions for anyone who went through the SOAP in recent years:

1. When should we expect to hear from programs?
2. When should I start freaking out if I don't hear from any programs?
3. Should I be ready to field phone calls for the next 48 hours if I'm lucky enough to hear back?
4. Are there unfilled programs not in the SOAP?
5. If 4 is true, then how do I find out about them?

Thanks in advance.
 
For a lot of us, the big question is ,"How many phone calls should I have received by now?" The random posts about getting a phone call don't tell us anything substantial, so I created a bunch of Google surveys. You can follow the link for the programs you are applying to, tell it if you have received calls or emails, and then see everyone's results afterward. You can also edit your response later when you get phone calls. This should let everyone see what percentage of SOAPers in their specialty are getting calls:

Preliminary Medicine / Transitional year: https://goo.gl/forms/UDEb7s1UqgZCD6g13
Preliminary Surgical year: https://goo.gl/forms/5fwRwCpbJbgvDISo1

Anesthesiology: https://goo.gl/forms/G8VxiKSNZCin8wXd2
Dermatology: https://goo.gl/forms/aXR2NnjmdIwxF8h43
Emergency Medicine: https://goo.gl/forms/jB8Dt4RWSqqO55uF3
Family Medicine: https://goo.gl/forms/eaWXZ9h0aHwKv6uh1
Internal Medicine: https://goo.gl/forms/bl9RfD3GHBxzKjNW2
Neurology: https://goo.gl/forms/YxMfQN89iy08GNxv2
Pathology: https://goo.gl/forms/ynv1FxWqxEDc8JMI3
Pediatrics: https://goo.gl/forms/9PWzXAHqyHrrqh0g1
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: https://goo.gl/forms/fEE7dSerILU7LTts1
Psychiatry: https://goo.gl/forms/9rKuNjRQptpqUlhp2
Radiology: https://goo.gl/forms/lhMj8S0uEYgLoAHN2
Surgery: https://goo.gl/forms/yctbJwjhN0epl6Oz2
Urology: https://goo.gl/forms/2zuIhg8l4DkmW2lg2

Good luck!
 
hallowmann said:
They were referring to finding a job/being board eligible after residency in a foreign country, not medical school.
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ohh... my bad. if you do residency in another country your not working in the states. There are alternate pathways but only certain countries are allowed and I think south africa might be one but you gotta check. Residency in another country 99% aint commin to the usa
 
Not to pour salt on anyone's wounds but how many of you guys did a rotation at the position you applied ranked for ? I've noticed a lot of people don't . Also how many programs did y'all rank. I ask because I have a friend in a similar situation and he only ranked 5 out of 10 interviews and his scores were below avg . Do


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Smiths11 said:
Anyone else without a single call thus far?
Click to expand...

Most people will go without a single call. I think the ratio has been stable at about 10 applicants per 1 position, meaning 90% of people in SOAP will not match.
 
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I just got a recorded scam call saying I won a free hotel stay. It was very exciting until I answered the phone.
 
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downtrodden said:
I have a few questions for anyone who went through the SOAP in recent years:

1. When should we expect to hear from programs?
2. When should I start freaking out if I don't hear from any programs?
3. Should I be ready to field phone calls for the next 48 hours if I'm lucky enough to hear back?
4. Are there unfilled programs not in the SOAP?
5. If 4 is true, then how do I find out about them?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Based on having gone through SOAP twice before:

1. Most people should be called today, with some by close of day tomorrow. I base this off monitoring status update frequency in this thread in the previous two years. Almost nobody gets called after the first round.
2. Don't freak out. There's nothing you can do at this point if you've got all 45 filled. The later rounds are kind of dummy rounds because completely empty programs will often be eliminated rather than risk being partially filled.
3. If you're on the east coast, I wouldn't stay up past 8PM. However, I would make sure you have good reception during the business day and can duck out of anything at any time.
4. Yes, some programs aren't allowed to partcipate or recruit outside of SOAP. Usually those programs will also be eliminated rather than recruit from scramble.
5. These programs have horrible advertising and get around by word of mouth or through internal contacts. If you don't know about one already or don't know someone who can find that out for you, chances are you probably don't have that option.
 
Dr.Jekyll75 said:
Not to pour salt on anyone's wounds but how many of you guys did a rotation at the position you applied ranked for ? I've noticed a lot of people don't . Also how many programs did y'all rank. I ask because I have a friend in a similar situation and he only ranked 5 out of 10 interviews and his scores were below avg .
Click to expand...

I did a rotation at the place I ranked number 1. The residents as well as the program director and other attendings told me they loved me. The rotation couldn't have gone any better. My board scores were low though which is why I didn't get in.
 
randomcollusion said:
Based on having gone through SOAP twice before:

1. Most people should be called today, with some by close of day tomorrow. I base this off monitoring status update frequency in this thread in the previous two years. Almost nobody gets called after the first round.
2. Don't freak out. There's nothing you can do at this point if you've got all 45 filled. The later rounds are kind of dummy rounds because completely empty programs will often be eliminated rather than risk being partially filled.
3. If you're on the east coast, I wouldn't stay up past 8PM. However, I would make sure you have good reception during the business day and can duck out of anything at any time.
4. Yes, some programs aren't allowed to partcipate or recruit outside of SOAP. Usually those programs will also be eliminated rather than recruit from scramble.
5. These programs have horrible advertising and get around by word of mouth or through internal contacts. If you don't know about one already or don't know someone who can find that out for you, chances are you probably don't have that option.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. My fingers are crossed.
 
2 calls so far....can we take the rest of the night off now?
 
chrisdw said:
I did a rotation at the place I ranked number 1. The residents as well as the program director and other attendings told me they loved me. The rotation couldn't have gone any better. My board scores were low though which is why I didn't get in.
Click to expand...

What were you shooting for?


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Linecom said:
this is why i asked. the current rule seems to be discordant with the way it worked in the past. i wonder why they made this change?
Click to expand...

I wonder if they made the change after ERAS crashed last year in order to help decrease the total volume of apps this year.
 
Applied to 10 FM. 4 calls so far. 220/230/P. Originally applied to EM but had to cancel second rotation. Ended up with 2 on RL after applying very broadly.
 
"2. Don't freak out. There's nothing you can do at this point if you've got all 45 filled. The later rounds are kind of dummy rounds because completely empty programs will often be eliminated rather than risk being partially filled."


What do you mean completely empty programs will be eliminated?
 
Smiths11 said:
Nice!

For the rest of us:
Is it safe to say that if you don't get a call by the end of today, no residency for you this summer?
Click to expand...

I dont think so. My friend did this last year. He soaped into a prelim surgery position and got the call on the second day of the soap. he matched this year into a categorical position too!
 
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chrisdw said:
I dont think so. My friend did this last year. He soaped into a prelim surgery position and got the call on the second day of the soap. he matched this year into a categorical position too!
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Good for him! I'm going for mainly prelim surgery too. Is that what you are as well, since you want EM?
 
Smiths11 said:
Good for him! I'm going for mainly prelim surgery too. Is that what you are as well, since you want EM?
Click to expand...

Goodness I barely know anymore. I applied for IM prelim, Surgery prelim, IM categorical and one surgery categorical just because it was a rural surgery program and that is something I am very interested in. Who knows what will happen. I havent heard anything yet.
 
When receiving a call can you please say from which specialty was, please?
First time SOAPing, no calls yet. Keeping a high spirit.
 
Hey guys sorry you all have to go through this. Hope you guys end up in amazing positions!

If y'all can, would you mind stating whether or not your are AMG (MD OR DO?) or IMG and what your step / comlex scores were? Also, how many places did you guys apply to for residency?

It'll help maybe give more info!
 
warmginger said:
"2. Don't freak out. There's nothing you can do at this point if you've got all 45 filled. The later rounds are kind of dummy rounds because completely empty programs will often be eliminated rather than risk being partially filled."


What do you mean completely empty programs will be eliminated?
Click to expand...

Some programs will have all spots open after a few rounds of SOAP. These programs will just close up rather than place anybody and risk going to scramble. They're a waste of spots.
 
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