Hello everyone,
First, I want to congratulate everyone who was able to find a position in the SOAP; this was no doubt a long an agonizing process that you were able to successfully navigate and emerge with guaranteed chance to continue your medical career. You may not be entering the specialty you had initially hoped for, but you will be a practicing physician on July 1st, and that is a truly remarkable accomplishment. As for the rest of you, I was in your exact position 5 years ago, and I'm here to tell you that this doesn't have to be the end of the road.
In 2014, I was a graduating US MD senior with average step scores applying into Ob/Gyn. I interviewed at and ranked over 15 places, so I was completely shocked when I got the "you did not match" email on Monday. I applied to the few Ob positions, both categorical and preliminarily, available in the SOAP that year, but most of my applications went to family medicine and surgery prelim programs. I actually received 5 interviews for family medicine, so I was optimistic about my chances. However, I didn't receive any offers by the end of the week.
Going through SOAP and coming out empty-handed was, and still is, the worst I have ever felt about anything. It's a feeling I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. With that said, while I did take a few days to cope, I got back to work and started looking for open positions anywhere. I was actually fortunate enough to interview at 3 places between the end of the 2014 match and the start of the 2015 match, but I still didn't get any offers. At this point, it had become increasingly clear where the fault in my application lay: interview skills. My medical school would not let me extend into a 5th year (btw, if you're school allows to you to extend your education to a 5th year, I recommend doing so, as it will allow you to continue doing clinical rotations and apply as a graduating senior), but they were gracious enough to provide me with resources to improve my interview skills before I officially graduated.
That brings us to preparation for the 2015 match cycle. I knew I was going to be at a huge disadvantage having graduated medical school and being an independent applicant. The one advantage I did have as a graduate, however, was the ability to take USMLE step 3. I timed it so that I would take it before the start of interview season, but the score wouldn't be back until after applications were sent. This way, I could release the score early into the cycle if I did well, or not release it at all if I didn't do well. I didn't improve from my Step 1 and 2 scores, but I did release my step 3 score early during interview season, and it was seen as a bonus by some programs. As for other things to augment my application, I enrolled in MPH coursework at my school, and I got a job working as a clinical research assistant. I also tutored for standardized tests and wrote questions for a board prep company. While my primary reason for taking these jobs was to build up enough cash to apply and interview for a second time, these jobs also allowed me to maintain some clinical acumen. When the applications process opened, I applied to almost every Ob/Gyn program in the country, in addition to dozens of family medicine programs. I wound up going on 30 interviews between the two specialties, and I matched into Ob/Gyn!
Flash forward 4 years, and I am nearing the end of my residency. I have had a great deal of success, and I will be moving on to fellowship in a few months. Even though I went unmatched and un-SOAPed during my first go round, I was stable able to match into my desired specialty during my second attempt and I have done well in my program. I know my story is not the norm, but it's also not impossible. This experience doesn't mean you're a failure, and it certainly doesn't mean you won't be a good doctor. One thought that really helped me through the whole process was "what can I do today to be better than yesterday." If you figure out the weak points in your application and improve those, keep your eyes open for opportunities to improve your application or opportunities at finding spots that open outside of the match, you will greatly improve your chances at having a happy ending. To borrow a lyric from The Hours, "everybody gets knocked down, but how quick are you going to get up."