How to Match in SOAP

Dr. George Koshi
​Florida
Background: The scramble or SOAP® is predominantly for unmatched AMGs. That being said, despite being harder for IMGs to get a position through SOAP®, we have a few tips and strategies which will help you navigate the process and secure a position through SOAP®.

SOAP® basics

What is SOAP®?
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®): Occurs during match week through which positions left unfilled after the matching algorithm has been processed are offered to eligible applicants. SOAP® is not another match; It is a series of offers by programs. It consists of three rounds where positions are offered to applicants based on a program's preference list.  Each round lasts two hours during which you can accept or reject any offer that you may receive.

What do we mean by eligible candidates for SOAP®?
  1. Registered for the main residency match (ERAS token +, NRMP registration +),
  2. Must be able to enter Graduate Medical Education by July 1st in the year of the match as verified by your medical school or ECFMG, and
  3. Must be partially matched or fully unmatched on the Monday of match week.

How do you know you if you are eligible?
The Friday before the match week, NRMP sends an email notification to notify applicants of their SOAP® eligibility status,

REGARDLESS of whether they have matched with the algorithm or not  this is only an indication of your ability to participate in SOAP® if you should you go unmatched or partially matched on Monday of match week at 11:00 a.m. EST. Also note that, your NRMP home page will give you information about your SOAP® eligibility concurrently.

What is the SOAP schedule

 As we discuss in the other post, the schedule is as follows
Monday of the Match week:
12 PM EST:
SOAP applicants can start preparing applications in the AAMC ERAS system. Applicants and their representatives CANNOT communicate with a program until contacted by that program.
3 PM EST:
Programs can begin reviewing SOAP applications in the AAMC ERAS system and can contact applicants upon receipt of an application.

Tuesday of the Match week:
11:30 AM EST:
Programs begin creating SOAP preference lists. (Applicants do not submit a preference list for SOAP).

Wednesday of the Match week: SOAP (ROUND 1)
11:55 AM EST
Deadline to certify program preference list for Round 1 offers.
12 PM EST
Applicants receive Round 1 offers by logging in to R3 system.
Medical schools can view the SOAP Schools Report (updated in real time) to track students/graduates.
2 PM EST
Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 1 offers.
2:05 PM EST
List of Unfilled Programs updated in R3 system.
SOAP (ROUND 2)
2:55 PM EST
Deadline to modify and re-certify program preference list for Round 2 offers.
3 PM EST
Applicants receive Round 2 offers.
5 PM EST
Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 2 offers.
5:05 PM EST
List of Unfilled Programs updated.

Thursday of the Match week:
SOAP Round 3
8:55 AM EST:
Deadline to modify and re-certify program preference list for Round 3 offers.
9 AM EST:
Applicants receive Round 3 offers.
11 AM EST:
Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 3 offers.
SOAP ends

At 12 PM EST, final list of unfilled programs is updates on R3 system (including programs that did not participate in SOAP). At this time, unmatched or partially matched candidates may contact programs directly.
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​Do I use the same ERAS application?
Once the CV has been certified earlier, it cannot be changed. However, AHA certified BLS, ACLS or PALS can be done and updated to the application, which have been shown to be helpful.


Letters of recommendations?
You can, however, upload new letters of recommendations related to the field you are going to apply for in SOAP. This shows that even though your application might indicate that you are an IM applicant, your letters of recommendation may show your interest in the applied specialty.


What programs can I apply to?
The list of unfilled programs in the R3 system is coded. For example:
  • Categorical-C: programs that begin in the PGY-1 year and provide the full training required for specialty board certification.
  • Primary-M:  categorical programs in primary care medicine and primary care pediatrics that begin in the PGY-1 year and provide the full training required for specialty board certification.
  • Advanced-A: programs that begin in the PGY-2 year after a year of intern year training (preliminary or transitional year). These programs begin one/two years after the current Match.
  • Preliminary-P: one-year programs that begin in the PGY-1 year and provide prerequisite training for advanced programs.
  • Physician-R: programs that are reserved for physicians who have had prior graduate medical education. Reserved programs offer PGY-2 positions that begin in the year of the Match.

So, what programs you can apply to during SOAP, depends on your Match status.

How to choose programs? 
If larger university programs – They are much more likely to take their own students who have gone unmatched. However, if you have been doing research there, or are doing rotations there and if they know you from your application, you are much more likely to get a call. Otherwise, it is much wiser to choose from community programs to increase your chances.


Smaller community programs – First come, first serve basis. They also make a note of your address in the application. They are much more likely to give you a call if you are in the same state as the program.


Specialties: Generally Preliminary spots are much easier to get solely because of the sheer number of unfilled spots. As IMGs, it is wise to apply to such programs like Preliminary General Surgery and Preliminary Internal Medicine. So, try to prepare your personal statements and LORs in advance should you go unmatched or partially matched and you have to apply to these programs.


Other tips:
  1. If you have already interviewed at a program, then definitely apply to that program again.
  2. Have a Skype ID.
  3. Have a US phone number.
  4. Set up your voicemail.
  5. High speed internet connection and backup.
  6. Try to have someone with you who can guide you through this process to navigate the process and read up on programs.
  7. Best case scenario: Be present in the United States.

Useful Videos for IMGs

​How to Match in SOAP as an IMG