My SOAP Experience: Tips for a Specialty Change
Written by Kaitlyn Thomas
Finding out that you’re going to SOAP hits you like a complete train. Especially if you aren’t expecting it. I learned a lot by being a recent SOAP applicant in Match 2022 and I want to share with you some of the tips I learned.
1. What specialty should I look at?
Think about the things that drew you to the specialty you applied to. Do you prefer medicine or surgical fields? Do you like women’s health? What other specialties can provide those things to you, albeit maybe in a different context? Most importantly, you should think about these questions long before the match week approaches.
I thought about other specialties back in January. Before I had access to the available SOAP positions, I considered applying to Family Medicine and Internal Medicine because I could find procedures in either of those fields (OMT, ICU). Ultimately, I found a SOAP position in emergency medicine. I hadn’t considered this sooner because the specialty doesn’t typically have many spots open. Many surgical applicants consider preliminary spots and re-apply for a categorical spot the next cycle, so you need to consider whether that's an option you'd like to do.
2. Are my letters of recommendation appropriate for SOAP?
If all of your original letters of recommendation are very specialty-specific, it might be a good idea to reach out to a mentor for a more generic letter that can be used in the SOAP. You can upload letters to ERAS throughout the season and during SOAP week.
3. Edit your personal statement
Consider whether you need to make a new personal statement or make changes to your current one. I completely re-did my personal statement since I applied to a different specialty in the SOAP.
4. Get support from family and friends
If you are a current medical student, ask your school if they have resources or guidance to help with SOAP week. The SOAP is stressful, so it's important to have friends or family to talk with about your application plans. You may want assistance researching programs or specialties and reading your personal statement.
5. Take care of your mental health
I can’t stress the importance of mental health enough. It may be hard to fully take care of yourself during this week because you barely have a break. One night, I watched television and drank my favorite adult beverage. Another night, I went to trivia. Taking care of your mental health extends long past Match week. You must process what you’ve been through.
If you are going through the SOAP process, you are not alone. Going through the SOAP is not a reflection on you individually – it is a flaw of the residency system.
