The Night Before SOAP: Final Documents, Lists, and Call Scripts

The night before SOAP makes or breaks people. Not on Match Day. Not during the calls. The night before. If you treat it like “just another evening,” you’re already behind the programs that will be awake with you tomorrow.

You need a timeline, not vibes. Hour by hour, document by document, script by script.

Below is exactly what to do the night before SOAP – in order – so you wake up armed, not scrambling.

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5:00–6:00 PM – Lock Down Your Strategy Before You Touch Documents

At this point, you should stop doom-scrolling and actually decide what kind of SOAP applicant you are.

Decide your SOAP identity:

1. Priority specialty vs “just match”
   Which are you tomorrow?

   • “I still want IM, FM, Peds, Psych, etc. if at all possible”
   • “I must secure any accredited PGY-1 spot”

   You cannot make good lists or scripts if you have not answered this.

2. Define your realistic target bucket Look at what you bring:

   • US MD vs DO vs IMG
   • Step 1/2 or COMLEX scores
   • Number of attempts / failures
   • Visa needs

   Have a blunt conversation with yourself: if you’re an IMG with a Step failure and no US clinical experience, you’re not SOAPing into Derm. Or Ortho. Or probably Anesthesia. Stop pretending; it muddies your choices.

3. Clarify your non‑negotiables Write these on a sticky note next to your laptop:

   • Visa required / no visa needed
   • Absolutely cannot move to [X region] (family, health, etc.)
   • Must be categorical vs OK with prelim/TY

   These are decision filters for tomorrow when you’re exhausted and tempted to click “apply” to everything.

At this point, you should have:

• A 1–2 sentence goal: “Secure a categorical IM/FM/Peds spot; if unavailable, take any non-surgical prelim/TY.”
• Your non‑negotiables written down where you can see them.

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6:00–7:00 PM – Final Document Check: ERAS, CV, and Personal Statements

Before you write scripts, you need your paper trail clean. Programs will look at your ERAS within minutes of your email or call.

6:00–6:30 PM – ERAS and CV Audit

Open ERAS. Go section by section. Ruthless.

You’re looking for:

• Typos (they make you look sloppy when everyone is stressed)
• Inconsistent dates (overlaps that don’t make sense)
• Missing key duties or roles that matter for your new target fields

Focus on:

• Experience entries

  • Make sure your most relevant experiences to FM/IM/Peds/Psych/etc. are clearly described in 2–4 concise bullet points.
  • Fix vague lines like “helped with patient care” into something concrete: “Pre-rounded on 5–8 inpatients daily, presented assessments and plans on rounds.”

• Education and Exams

  • Step/COMLEX scores entered correctly, attempts accurate.
  • No missing updates (e.g., Step 2 CK passed but not listed – fix it).

You are not rewriting your application tonight. You are cleaning.

6:30–7:00 PM – Personal Statements: Minimal but Targeted

At this point, you should have:

• 1 main personal statement for your “primary” SOAP specialty.
• 1–2 short, flexible statements for backup categories (e.g., prelim/TY or another core specialty).

If you do not, do this now:

1. Pick 1–2 target specialties
   Example:

   • Primary: Internal Medicine
   • Backup: Transitional/Preliminary year

2. Adapt existing statements quickly

   • Strip out niche specialty talk (do not mention GI fellowship in a generic IM SOAP situation).
   • Shorten to 3–5 strong paragraphs. SOAP PDs skim. They’re not reading your life story tomorrow.

3. Save clearly on your computer Name them with zero ambiguity:

   • PS_InternalMedicine_SOAP_2025.docx
   • PS_PrelimTY_SOAP_2025.docx

At this point, your written materials are updated, clean, and findable.

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7:00–8:00 PM – Build Your Master Program and Call List

Do not wait until SOAP opens to figure out which programs exist.

Use last year’s SOAP lists, current program websites, and any preliminary info you have. You’re building a framework that you’ll tweak once the official unfilled list drops.

7:00–7:30 PM – Create Your Spreadsheet

Open Excel/Sheets/Numbers and set it up. You want something you can sort in seconds.

Include columns like:

Column Name	Purpose
Program Name	Identify quickly
Specialty Type	IM, FM, Peds, Psych, TY, Prelim
Location (City/State)	Geography filter
Visa? (Y/N/Unknown)	For IMG/visa needs
Priority Tier (1–3)	Cold triage for calls/emails
Contact Name	PD or coordinator
Contact Email	Primary outreach target
Phone Number	Call center/office number
Status	Not contacted / Emailed / Called

You can add:

• “Notes” column for red flags, alumni there, or special connections.
• “Interview?” column to mark outcomes.

7:30–8:00 PM – Initial Tiers and Sorting Logic

You’re not filling in every program yet. You’re defining how you’ll sort once the real unfilled list appears.

Decide:

• Tier 1 (highest priority)

  • Programs in your primary specialty, in acceptable locations, where your stats are at least in the ballpark.
  • Any place where you have a connection: alumni, away rotation, previous interview, mentor contact.

• Tier 2

  • Still acceptable specialty/location, but:
    • Less ideal geography
    • Slightly more competitive, or
    • You have no personal connection.

• Tier 3

  • Backup specialties or prelim/TY spots you’d take if Tier 1–2 options fail.

Write these tier definitions in a doc or the top of your spreadsheet so you’re not rethinking your standards at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow.

At this point, your structure is ready. When the unfilled list drops, you’ll plug in data, not start from zero.

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8:00–9:00 PM – Draft Email Templates and Phone Call Scripts

SOAP is chaos. Anyone who tries to “wing it” on the phone sounds disorganized. You won’t.

8:00–8:30 PM – Core Email Templates

You need 2–3 short, targeted email templates that you can customize in under 30 seconds.

Template 1: Primary Specialty Outreach (e.g., IM, FM, Peds, Psych)

Keep it under 150–175 words. For example:

Subject: SOAP Applicant – [Your Name], [Specialty] Interest

Dear Dr [Last Name] / Program Coordinator,

My name is [Name], a [US MD/DO/IMG] graduating from [School] in [Month, Year]. I am very interested in [Program Name]’s [Specialty] residency and wanted to briefly introduce myself ahead of SOAP.

My clinical interests include [brief focus, e.g., primary care in underserved communities / hospital medicine / outpatient psychiatry]. I completed rotations in [relevant rotations], and my recent evaluations highlight [brief strength: strong work ethic, teamwork, patient communication, etc.].

I would be grateful for consideration if positions become available at your program during SOAP. I’m attaching my CV for your reference and would be happy to provide any additional information.

Thank you for your time and for considering my interest.

Sincerely,
[Name]
AAMC ID: [ID]
Phone: [Number]

Create similar but even shorter variations for:

• Backup specialty (if applicable)
• Prelim/TY only – emphasize flexibility and willingness to work hard, broad clinical interests.

Save them:

• In a simple text file
• Or in your email drafts labeled clearly:
  • “SOAP – IM Intro Email”
  • “SOAP – Prelim/TY Intro Email”

8:30–9:00 PM – Phone Call Scripts

You’re not reading from a teleprompter tomorrow, but you need a skeleton you can lean on.

Script 1: Coordinator / Front Desk

“Hi, my name is [Name]. I’m a [US MD/DO/IMG] senior / recent graduate, and I’ll be participating in SOAP tomorrow. I’m very interested in your [Specialty] program.

I know you’ll be very busy, but I wanted to ask if there’s a preferred way for me to express my interest or share my information with the program director or coordinator.”

If they say “email only” → you’re ready with your template.

Script 2: Short Pitch if Transferred to PD/APD

“Hi Dr [Last Name], thank you for taking my call. My name is [Name]. I’m a [US MD/DO/IMG] senior from [School], applying into [Specialty] through SOAP.

Very briefly – I’m interested in [key aspect of program: community focus, academic training, whatever is actually true]. I’ve completed [X] months of [Specialty-related rotations] and my mentors describe me as [two concrete traits – e.g., hardworking, reliable on call, strong with patients].

I’d be honored to be considered if you have unfilled positions. Is there anything specific you’d like applicants to highlight in ERAS or in an email?”

You’re not begging. You’re professional, concise, and easy to work with.

Write these scripts out. Print or keep them in a small doc at the top of your desktop.

At this point, you should have:

• 2–3 email templates saved.
• 2 basic phone scripts written and visible.

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9:00–10:00 PM – Organize Files, Backups, and Communication Channels

The night before SOAP is not the time to get cute with tech. You want redundancy.

9:00–9:30 PM – File Organization and Backup

Create a dedicated folder on your desktop:
SOAP_2025_FINAL

Inside it:

• CV_SOAP_2025.pdf
• PS_InternalMedicine_SOAP_2025.docx
• PS_PrelimTY_SOAP_2025.docx
• Any updated letters (if applicable / available)
• Your call list spreadsheet: SOAP_Program_List_2025.xlsx

Then:

• Sync this folder to a cloud service (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox).
• Email yourself a zip of the folder to a personal email you can access on your phone.

If your laptop dies at 9:27 a.m. tomorrow, you can still function from another device.

9:30–10:00 PM – Communication Logistics

At this point, you should:

• Confirm your phone situation

  • Phone charged to 100%.
  • Charger plugged in and near your workspace.
  • Voicemail recorded: clear, professional, under 15 seconds.
    • “Hi, this is [Name]. I’m unable to take your call right now, but please leave your name, number, and a callback time and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.”

• Email

  • Turn off aggressive spam filtering if you can.
  • Ensure your signature is clean and includes:
    • Full name
    • Medical school
    • AAMC ID
    • Phone number

• Video platform

  • Test Zoom / Teams / Webex on your device.
  • Check camera and microphone.
  • Pick a neutral background now. Don’t wait for a last‑minute interview invite to realize your laundry is visible behind you.

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10:00–10:30 PM – Personal Talking Points and Red Flags

SOAP interviews move fast. PDs often go straight at your weakest point.

10:00–10:15 PM – 60‑Second Introduction

Write your one‑minute intro, then say it out loud:

“I’m [Name], a [US MD/DO/IMG] senior from [School]. I’m interested in [Specialty] because [1 sentence – real, not cliché]. Clinically, I’ve really enjoyed [specific rotations or patient types].

My strengths are [2–3 items: dependability, strong communication, comfort with high patient volume, etc.], and I’m looking for a program where I can [something realistic: develop as a well‑rounded intern, serve underserved communities, prepare for [X]].”

This becomes your answer to:

• “Tell me about yourself”
• “Why [specialty]?”
• “What are you looking for in a program?”

10:15–10:30 PM – Prepare for Your Weak Spots

List your likely “pain points” on paper:

• Failed Step / COMLEX
• Gap year(s)
• Leave of absence
• Low scores
• No recent US clinical experience (for IMGs)

Under each, write a 2–3 sentence answer:

• Acknowledge briefly
• Explain context without oversharing
• End on growth and evidence of improvement

Example:

“I did fail Step 1 on my first attempt. I had difficulty adjusting to the volume of material and I misjudged how much time I needed. Since then, I restructured how I study – using more question-based learning and regular self-assessment – and I passed Step 1 and Step 2 on my next attempts with improved scores. My rotations since then have been strong, and my attendings have trusted me with higher responsibility.”

You don’t sound defensive. You sound like someone who got hit, learned, kept going.

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10:30–11:00 PM – Final Logistics and Environment Setup

You’re almost done. Last 30 minutes are for your physical space and tomorrow’s “launch conditions.”

Workspace

At this point, you should:

• Clear your desk except:

  • Laptop + charger
  • Phone + charger
  • Printed call list (if you like paper)
  • Printed scripts / talking points
  • Notebook + pen

• Set up:

  • A water bottle
  • A light snack that doesn’t make a mess (nuts, bars, etc.)

Schedule

Write tomorrow’s mini‑timeline (taped somewhere you can see it):

• Time unfilled list is expected to release (e.g., 9:00 a.m. ET – confirm for your year).
• When you’ll:
  • Import the list into your spreadsheet.
  • Assign tiers quickly.
  • Start targeted emails.
  • Begin calls after initial chaos settles (often late morning).

You’re not guessing tomorrow. You’re executing.

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11:00 PM – Midnight – Stop Tweaking, Protect Your Brain

This is the part most people screw up. They keep editing, refreshing Reddit, texting group chats, and they roll into SOAP on 3 hours of jittery sleep and 6 cups of coffee.

Do this instead:

• Set alarms
  • Primary alarm
  • Backup alarm on a second device
• Turn off non-essential notifications Group chats can wait until midday tomorrow.
• Choose clothes for tomorrow
  • Business casual top at minimum in case of rapid video interview.
  • Have it out and ready.

Then stop. Close the laptop by midnight at the latest. Your thinking speed tomorrow is worth far more than one more tweak to a sentence in your personal statement.

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Morning-of Mini-Preview (So You Sleep Better)

You’ll handle the details tomorrow, but know the sequence:

SOAP Day Morning Flow

Step	Description
Step 1	Wake up and prep workspace
Step 2	Check tech and email
Step 3	Unfilled list releases
Step 4	Update spreadsheet with programs
Step 5	Assign tiers 1-3
Step 6	Submit ERAS apps to Tier 1
Step 7	Send targeted emails
Step 8	Start calls to key programs

You’re not improvising. You’re following a plan you built tonight, with a clear brain.

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Quick Visual: How Your Night Should Be Spent

Time Allocation the Night Before SOAP

Category	Value
Strategy & Lists	90
Documents & PS	60
Emails & Scripts	60
Logistics & Tech	45
Rest & Wind-down	45

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Key Takeaways

1. The night before SOAP is about structure, not perfection: clean documents, organized lists, and ready‑to‑fire scripts beat last‑minute rewrites.
2. Build a tiered program list and reusable templates so you can react fast when the unfilled list drops instead of starting from zero in a panic.
3. Protect your brain and your bandwidth: test tech, script your weak spots, then sleep. Tomorrow rewards the prepared, not the most anxious.