The supplemental offer and acceptance program (SOAP) begins on Monday of Match Week.
As you wait to find out whether your own Match Day story has a happy ending, here’s the scoop on the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
SOAP is made up of a series of rounds in which participating programs seek to fill their unfilled residency positions. Keep in mind, just getting an email before Match Day about your eligibility for SOAP doesn’t indicate whether or not you’ve matched.
Here’s what you need to know about the program:
Make sure you’re eligible for SOAP
Your eligibility for SOAP is based on National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) requirements. You’ll need to:
- Register with the Main Residency Match.
- Be eligible to enter graduate medical education programs on July 1 in the year of the Match.
- Be partially matched or fully unmatched on Monday of Match Week.
Plan to check unfilled programs on Match Day
If you’re eligible for SOAP, you can see the List of Unfilled Programs in the NRMP Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) system starting at 12 p.m. EST on Match Day: the Monday of Match Week. You can begin submitting your applications through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) at 2 p.m. EST. You’ll be able to apply only for the categorical, preliminary, and/or advanced unfilled positions that you’re eligible for.
Know what to expect when Match Week commences
SOAP begins at 11 a.m. EST on Monday of Match Week when applicants find out whether or not they’re matched.
That same day, at 3 p.m. EST, programs can begin downloading applications through ERAS. A series of “rounds” starts at 12 p.m. EST on Wednesday of Match Week, at which time the first SOAP offers go to the unmatched applicants listed at the top of programs’ preference lists.
Each SOAP round lasts two hours, during which applicants can accept or reject any offers they receive. Offers are sent again at 3 p.m. Wednesday and at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Thursday. SOAP ends at 5 p.m. EST on Thursday of Match Week.
Be ready if you’re contacted for an interview
Programs can contact you for a residency interview after they receive your ERAS application. Keep in mind that, as an applicant, you’re not allowed to initiate contact with programs during SOAP. The programs will contact you first by phone or email and conduct brief phone interviews.
Some programs will want to have video interviews using Skype or, if you’re local, they may offer to have in-person interviews. No matter what the format, be ready during your residency interview to show that you’re the right candidate for the program.
After matching, heed our advice and take Step 3 before starting residency. Do it while you have time to study!
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