SOAP Residency Match - A Six Part Series for Unmatched Residency Applicants - IMGPrep
IMGPrep - ARTICLES - IMG Residency Match Articles

SOAP Residency Match – A Six Part Series for Unmatched Residency Applicants

March 5, 2025

Facebooktwittermail

SOAP Match The Unmatched Reality – What is SOAP and How Does It Work?

Introduction: Meet Daniel – An Unmatched Applicant

SOAP Residency Match was not where Daniel expected to find himself. He had spent years preparing for this moment—passing his USMLE exams, completing rotations, and carefully crafting his ERAS application. Like thousands of medical graduates, he eagerly awaited Match Week, hoping to secure a residency spot. But when he opened his email on Monday of Match Week, he saw the dreaded words: “You did not match.”

His stomach dropped. What now?

At first, Daniel felt a wave of panic. He had worked tirelessly—why hadn’t he matched? Was this the end of his medical journey? Then he saw another notification: “You are eligible for SOAP.” He had heard of SOAP before but never imagined he’d be in this situation. What did this mean? What was he supposed to do next?

This is where his SOAP match journey begins.

What is SOAP?

The Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) is a structured process that helps unmatched or partially matched applicants apply for unfilled residency positions during Match Week. It’s not a second Match but rather a streamlined way for applicants like Daniel to submit applications and receive offers for remaining spots before the end of Match Week.

SOAP is managed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) through the Registration, Ranking, and Results (R3) system. Applications are submitted through ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) or ResidencyCAS (for OB-GYN programs).

Key Takeaway: SOAP provides unmatched applicants a second chance to secure a residency position, but it operates on a fast-moving, structured timeline.

Who Qualifies for SOAP?

Daniel quickly learns that not every unmatched applicant is eligible for SOAP. He must meet three key criteria:

✅ Be registered for the NRMP Match. If an applicant did not participate in the Match, they cannot enter SOAP.

✅ Be unmatched or partially matched by Monday of Match Week. Only applicants who receive an email confirming their unmatched status can participate.

✅ Be eligible to start residency by July 1, verified by the applicant’s medical school or ECFMG (for IMGs).

There is no separate registration or fee to enter SOAP. If Daniel is eligible, his status will appear in the NRMP R3 system on Monday of Match Week.

Lesson: If you’re SOAP-eligible, you must act fast. You only have a few days to apply and compete for unfilled positions.

The Emotional Shock of Going Unmatched

Daniel had always imagined celebrating on Match Day, not scrambling for options. But now, he had to quickly shift from disappointment to strategy.

At first, he was overwhelmed with questions:

  • Why didn’t I match?
  • Should I reapply next year instead of entering SOAP?
  • How do I even begin this process?

He realized that he couldn’t waste time overanalyzing his past mistakes—SOAP moved quickly, and he had to focus on the next steps.

Takeaway: SOAP is not the time for self-doubt—it’s a time for quick, strategic action.

What Happens Next? The SOAP Timeline

Daniel realizes that SOAP follows a structured, high-speed timeline. If he wants to succeed, he needs to understand how each step works.

📅 Monday of Match Week: The Wake-Up Call

  • 9:30 AM ET: Medical schools receive reports on their unmatched students.
  • 10:00 AM ET: Daniel gets his Match status email: He is SOAP-eligible.
  • 10:00 AM ET: The List of Unfilled Programs is released in NRMP’s R3 System.
  • 11:00 AM ET: Daniel can start preparing his applications in ERAS.

📅 Tuesday & Wednesday: Application Phase

  • Residency programs start reviewing SOAP applications.
  • Daniel must submit his applications strategically (SOAP limits applicants to 45 applications total).
  • Strict communication rules apply—Daniel cannot contact programs; they must contact him first.

📅 Thursday: SOAP Offer Rounds

The big day arrives—SOAP offers go out in four rounds. If Daniel is selected, he will receive an offer through the NRMP R3 System.

  • 9:00 AM ET: Round 1 offers sent.
  • 12:00 PM ET: Round 2 offers sent.
  • 3:00 PM ET: Round 3 offers sent.
  • 5:00 PM ET: Final round of offers sent.
  • 9:00 PM ET: SOAP officially ends.

Any unfilled positions remaining after SOAP will become available to all unmatched applicants. At this point, Daniel can reach out to programs directly to inquire about openings.

Critical Reminder: SOAP is not a guarantee—applicants must be strategic, proactive, and prepared.

The Journey Continues

SOAP Residency Match: The Journey Continues

Now that Daniel understands the SOAP Residency Match process, he still has big questions:

  • How should he strategize his applications with only 45 choices?
  • What happens if he gets multiple offers?
  • What if he doesn’t receive an offer at all?

In the next article, we’ll follow Daniel as he navigates the application process—choosing programs wisely, crafting a compelling application, and making quick decisions when the offers come in.

📌 Next Up: First Steps – Understanding the SOAP Application Process.

IMGPrep Match Smarter Not Harder!!