It’s February, and once you certify your Rank Order List, you might feel like there’s nothing left to do but wait–but that’s not exactly true. Smart applicants use February to prepare for the Post-Match SOAP. Here’s what you can, and can’t, change about your ERAS application for SOAP.
There are only 2 parts of your ERAS application that can be modified for the SOAP:
Review your personal statement with a highly critical eye. Ask yourself if it:
Make sure it doesn’t:
If you need to address any of these areas, start revising now–it may take longer than you think. You may even need to start over and write a new personal statement. Sometimes, it makes sense to directly acknowledge the Post-Match SOAP in your PS. Why? Doing so demonstrates resilience and dedication. It tells programs, ‘Even though this process is challenging, I am fully committed to pursuing my career in medicine.’”
Directly Addressing the SOAP in Your PS
If your situation calls for it, directly addressing SOAP in your personal statement can show resilience, self-reflection, and commitment.
Here are several examples of how you might incorporate the SOAP experience into your personal statement, depending on how your main match season went/if you participated:
“After reflecting on my interview experiences from this past fall and winter, I am entering the SOAP with optimism. I’m well-prepared to elaborate on how my background will help me contribute to your program and your community at large. Moreover,…”
“I was unable to participate in the main match season and am grateful for the opportunity to connect with programs during the SOAP. If I’m granted an audience, I’m confident my passion and dedication will shine through, adding depth to my application.”
“When I learned I didn’t match, I took a hard look at my application to determine where I could have improved. I see now that I didn’t structure my CV in an easy-to-understand fashion, which likely led to a premature dismissal of my experiences.”
You’ll need to assign a personal statement to each SOAP program you apply to. Make sure you name your SOAP statement clearly so you assign the correct version.
Applying to a different specialty than you did in the main match? You’ll need a personal statement for that specialty–and don’t cut corners by trying to adapt an internal medicine PS into one for pediatrics. Write something entirely new when warranted.
There are several reasons to think about obtaining new LoRs for the Post-Match SOAP:
If you can get a fresh LoR from a new clinical experience, definitely do so and assign it to the programs you apply to in the SOAP. If you’re unsure about the quality of your letters, and have someone willing to write a new letter, pursue that.
If you plan to apply to different specialties in SOAP than you did in the main match, ask your letter writers to modify the letter to name the different specialty and re-upload it. You’ll strengthen your chances of getting interviews from programs if your LoRs are aligned with the specialty.
Besides the PS and LoRs, you cannot make changes to any other aspects of your application, including your CV/Experience descriptions. This means the only way for a program to know about newly acquired USCE is your personal statement/LoRs.
The SOAP is an intense, high-stakes process, but careful preparation now can make all the difference. By refining your personal statement and ensuring your LoRs align with your goals, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to secure a position. Use February wisely so you’re prepared for every possible outcome of Match Day.
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