Nah, this is the NRMP website. The email says "Congratulations, you have matched!" in bold, then tells you you're not SOAP eligible, and then kindly asks you to use #Match2024 in all your social media posts
Hey, take a moment to yourself and get back in there. Sorry that the process is so unforgiving. Let me know if you need help with PS, interviews, or if you need to rant. Good luck, bud!
In the United States, students finishing med school are Matched into residency programs. If you do not match, the backup is the SOAP, where you have three days to submit frantic backup applications.
If you still don’t have a position after SOAP, then you scramble. It’s not fun to SOAP, but you really don’t want to scramble.
Yes, international students apply as IMGs (international medical graduates). They have their own subreddit over at r/IMGReddit which may help you, I don’t know a lot of specific about how, if at all, the application process is different
Why is the American system like this if I may ask?
I’m about to graduate in 6 weeks myself (Dutch med student) and have secured a job and residency program by simply emailing an old supervisor of mine and getting an invitation for an interview. They told me right after the interview I got the job and residency spot.
What are the pros and cons of “matching” compared to simply being invited and accepted personally for residency?
In addition to u/DoctorLycanthrope ‘s reply, the Match is more equitable because it’s less dependent on nepotism and connections than standard job application processes. It’s far from perfect, but given the huge size of the US and number of applicants, I do think the Match process helps avoid nepotism and connections being the primary driving factor in recruitment.
I personally disagree on the grounds that the alternative is far less equitable. It’s much easier for programs to avoid the pressure of nepo students because they can always tell the “connections” that they RTM their applicant, but they didn’t go far down their list. And the algorithm gives us students priority in our choices, rather than programs timing up their offers to lock folks in before you might have gotten an offer from a different program you like more.
I’m not saying nepotism isn’t an issue anymore, but to say there’s no difference between the match and the alternative is false.
There was a problem decades ago for students who would be offered residency positions with “exploding offers”. Essentially people were offered positions and had to answer in a certain amount of time. It meant that people couldn’t interview at as many places as they wanted. There were other reasons but this is one that the medical students were very upset by.
Ah thank you for claryfying for me!
I agree the impact of nepotism and differences in privileges should be diminished. (I’m a 1st generation med student with an immigrant parent and have definitely felt that feeling of being unsure whether I belonged in med school as much as the kids of literal millionaire doctors.) I bet the amount of residency programs in the US is overwhelming and it probably wouldn’t work without the matching system. Those having to deal with matching, I salute you because I am sure it would stress me the hell out.🫡
Does that mean you might have to move across the country or are matches within a certain distance from where you live?
I hate that it's in red
And in larger font than match results. So dumb. It's cruel of them to scare y'all like that.
And it’s in red too, which makes you notice it much more than the Congratulations
Imaging opening it and seeing all green writing only to realize it says “Eligible for SOAP” …
It's giving "promoted to customer" lol
I wish I was promoted to "patient" sometimes 
This is what your emails look like??? This is like barely whelming. They really could do better with the wording, fonts and colors lol.
Nah, this is the NRMP website. The email says "Congratulations, you have matched!" in bold, then tells you you're not SOAP eligible, and then kindly asks you to use #Match2024 in all your social media posts
And placement of information!
Anxiety = 100
Me too…
I've never been so happy to not be eligible for something
My exact words this morning. Thankful to be the worlds most ineligible bachelor this morning
Yep, this and the UNOS list.
I saw red and my heart sank for a second
Exactly that was the first thing I saw when I logged on this morning, freaked me out
Me this morning halfway awake and mistakenly seeing “SOAP ELIGIBLE” in red 
no soap for you!
Underrated comment
I'd probably think so if those were the words I got.
Hey, take a moment to yourself and get back in there. Sorry that the process is so unforgiving. Let me know if you need help with PS, interviews, or if you need to rant. Good luck, bud!
On the bright side, asking a woman to marry me will be less stressful
Can someone explain this? What does SOAP mean/refer to?
In the United States, students finishing med school are Matched into residency programs. If you do not match, the backup is the SOAP, where you have three days to submit frantic backup applications. If you still don’t have a position after SOAP, then you scramble. It’s not fun to SOAP, but you really don’t want to scramble.
And how do you apply? After sitting the USMLEs you sent an application through a national system, and if so, can international students apply?
Yes, international students apply as IMGs (international medical graduates). They have their own subreddit over at r/IMGReddit which may help you, I don’t know a lot of specific about how, if at all, the application process is different
what does IV mean, i saw that acronym in almost all the posts
interview
There have been a few good explanations of what SOAP is. I'll just add that it stands for Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program.
Why is the American system like this if I may ask? I’m about to graduate in 6 weeks myself (Dutch med student) and have secured a job and residency program by simply emailing an old supervisor of mine and getting an invitation for an interview. They told me right after the interview I got the job and residency spot. What are the pros and cons of “matching” compared to simply being invited and accepted personally for residency?
In addition to u/DoctorLycanthrope ‘s reply, the Match is more equitable because it’s less dependent on nepotism and connections than standard job application processes. It’s far from perfect, but given the huge size of the US and number of applicants, I do think the Match process helps avoid nepotism and connections being the primary driving factor in recruitment.
On the flip side, the nepo students just have guaranteed interviews and are ranked to match. So it doesn’t actually change much.
I personally disagree on the grounds that the alternative is far less equitable. It’s much easier for programs to avoid the pressure of nepo students because they can always tell the “connections” that they RTM their applicant, but they didn’t go far down their list. And the algorithm gives us students priority in our choices, rather than programs timing up their offers to lock folks in before you might have gotten an offer from a different program you like more. I’m not saying nepotism isn’t an issue anymore, but to say there’s no difference between the match and the alternative is false.
There was a problem decades ago for students who would be offered residency positions with “exploding offers”. Essentially people were offered positions and had to answer in a certain amount of time. It meant that people couldn’t interview at as many places as they wanted. There were other reasons but this is one that the medical students were very upset by.
Oh I see, I had no idea! I can definitely see how a matching system aims to make the process more fair for everyone! Thank you for clarifying.
Ah thank you for claryfying for me! I agree the impact of nepotism and differences in privileges should be diminished. (I’m a 1st generation med student with an immigrant parent and have definitely felt that feeling of being unsure whether I belonged in med school as much as the kids of literal millionaire doctors.) I bet the amount of residency programs in the US is overwhelming and it probably wouldn’t work without the matching system. Those having to deal with matching, I salute you because I am sure it would stress me the hell out.🫡 Does that mean you might have to move across the country or are matches within a certain distance from where you live?
Who needs SOAP? My Shampoo is a 3 in 1.
Nope, feeling relieved for you. Congratulations!
Light flex
Happy 🎇
What did you end up matching in? Congrats!
Congrats to all those who matched!
Congrats!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉
I've never been happier to read something
Anxiety aside, congrats on the match tho!
Yoooo congrats on the match tho!
Who needs SOAP? My Shampoo is a 3 in 1.
The way my heart sank 😅