How to Choose an International Medical School for a Successful U.S. Residency Match

How to choose an international medical school is one of the most important decisions a student can make if they intend to return to the United States for residency training. Each year, thousands of students consider attending an international medical school with the long-term goal of returning to the United States to complete residency training. […]

The 2025 NRMP Main Residency Match was the largest in history, with a record 52,498 applicants vying for 43,237 positions—a 4.2% increase from 2024. But amid rising numbers, what do the outcomes mean for international medical graduates — and how does being a U.S. IMG vs Non-U.S. IMG influence your chances of matching? Understanding IMG […]

Unmatched in SOAP: Daniel’s Reality Check SOAP moves fast—but not everyone matches through it. As Thursday evening approaches, Daniel anxiously watches his NRMP R3 portal. He still hasn’t received an offer. With the final SOAP round closing at 5:00 PM ET, he realizes he may not match this cycle. Daniel feels defeated. He worked so […]

Introduction: Daniel’s Biggest Concern After understanding how Post MATCH communication and SOAP Offer Rounds work, Daniel feels ready to make quick decisions when offers arrive. But there’s one major rule he’s worried about: communication restrictions. SOAP has strict guidelines regarding how applicants interact with programs, and breaking these rules can lead to disqualification from SOAP […]

SOAP Offer Rounds: Daniel’s Moment of Truth After days of uncertainty, Daniel has reached Thursday of Match Week—the day that will determine his next steps. His applications are in, programs have reviewed them, and now it’s time for SOAP offer rounds. Daniel is both anxious and hopeful. He wonders: This article will break down the […]

SOAP Interview Process: Daniel’s Critical 48 Hours With his SOAP applications submitted, Daniel enters a high-pressure waiting period. Programs will start reviewing applications immediately, and those interested will reach out for interviews. Daniel knows that the SOAP interview process moves fast—if a program contacts him, he must be ready to respond professionally, interview on short […]

Part 2 in a 6 Part Series on the Post MATCH SOAP Introduction: Daniel’s Next Move After the initial shock of going unmatched, Daniel now understands what SOAP is and that he has a limited window of opportunity to secure a residency position. But as he stares at his screen, looking at the List of […]

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 […]

SOAP (Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program)SOAP is a process that takes place during Match Week and is managed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). It provides unmatched or partially matched residency applicants with an organized way to apply for unfilled residency positions. Instead of reaching out to programs individually, eligible applicants must submit applications […]

Impact of the MSPE on Residency Interview Decisions The Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE), commonly referred to as the Dean’s Letter, is a pivotal component of the residency application process in the United States. With 85% of residency programs considering the MSPE and a mean importance rating of 4.1 out of 5, this document plays […]