Guide to SOAP for Ortho Applicants
A calm, strategic guide to navigating SOAP during Match Week—who is eligible, what the timeline looks like, how offer rounds work, and what mistakes to avoid.
SOAP Quick Snapshot
Who can participate in SOAP?
You must be registered for the Main Residency Match.
You must be eligible to start graduate medical education by July 1, 2026.
You must be unmatched or partially matched on Monday of Match Week.
There is no separate SOAP registration or fee through NRMP.
Key SOAP dates and events
Learn your Match status and, if SOAP-eligible, access the List of Unfilled Programs in NRMP R3.
Begin submitting applications in the program-designated application service.
Programs may begin reviewing applications and reaching out to applicants.
Applicants may continue applying to programs using any remaining applications.
SOAP Offer Round 1 begins.
Offer Round 1 ends. Unaccepted offers expire.
Offer Round 2 begins.
Offer Round 2 ends.
Offer Round 3 begins.
Offer Round 3 ends.
Offer Round 4 begins.
Offer Round 4 ends.
SOAP ends. The post-SOAP unfilled list becomes available for unmatched and partially matched applicants.
How to approach SOAP well
Before Monday
- Have your personal statement, CV, transcript access, and letters ready before Match Week.
- Review realistic backup specialties and prelim options ahead of time.
- Know which application service each target specialty uses.
When the list opens
- Use the NRMP R3 list as your source of truth for program eligibility.
- Apply strategically because most SOAP positions fill early.
- Do not waste applications on programs you are not eligible for or would never realistically accept.
When programs contact you
- Be reachable by phone and email at all times.
- Keep your responses calm, direct, and enthusiastic.
- Have a concise explanation for why you are interested in that program or specialty.
During offer rounds
- Each SOAP offer round lasts two hours.
- You can receive multiple offers in the same round.
- Rejected or expired offers will not come back to you in a later round.
SnapOrtho perspective: SOAP goes best when your decisions are made before the chaos starts. Know what specialties, regions, and prelim structures you would realistically accept.
Move quickly, but do not move blindly.
Where SOAP applications are submitted
ERAS
- Used by most Match-participating specialties other than Emergency Medicine, EM combined specialties, and OB/GYN.
- Applicants can apply to up to 45 ERAS-participating programs during SOAP.
- Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
ResidencyCAS
- Used for Emergency Medicine, EM combined specialties, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Applicants can apply to up to 45 ResidencyCAS-participating programs during SOAP.
- Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
Rules you cannot afford to miss
Core SOAP rules
Common SOAP questions
Quick answers to the questions applicants ask most during Match Week.