Do NRMP Rules Change During SOAP? Key Differences Clarified

The NRMP rules do not disappear during SOAP—if anything, they get stricter.

If you treat SOAP like a free‑for‑all scramble, you’re asking for an NRMP violation. The rules don’t totally change, but a few critical things do, and if you miss them, you can get barred from the Match.

Let’s walk through what actually changes during SOAP vs the Main Match, what stays the same, and what you’re allowed (and not allowed) to do hour by hour.

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1. Do NRMP Rules Change During SOAP?

Short answer: the core NRMP rules stay the same, but the process rules tighten and the communication rules shift.

Here’s the big picture:

• You’re still bound by the NRMP Match Participation Agreement.
• You still can’t:
  • solicit or accept positions outside the Match (with rare exceptions)
  • misrepresent yourself or your credentials
  • discuss, share, or pressure about rank lists or offers
• But during SOAP:
  • You can only seek unfilled NRMP-participating residency positions through ERAS during the official SOAP rounds.
  • You cannot cold-email or call programs for NRMP-participating positions.
  • Programs cannot offer you a position outside the NRMP SOAP offer rounds.
  • You must use the NRMP SOAP offer system to accept a position.

The “rules changing” is really: the NRMP adds extra restrictions for the SOAP period on how you and programs can contact each other and how offers are made.

So no, the Match agreement doesn’t go on pause during SOAP. It gets teeth.

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2. What Stays the Same: Core NRMP Rules That Still Apply

Think of this as the “you’re never off the hook” list.

2.1 NRMP Match Participation Agreement is still in force

You’re still obligated to:

• Accept a position if you SOAP‑match into it.
• Start that position and complete at least 45 days (unless there’s good-cause exceptions).
• Not accept or seek competing positions that violate the agreement.

Violating this can mean:

• Being barred from future NRMP Matches.
• Being flagged in NRMP’s system, which programs do see.
• Your school being contacted.

Not worth it.

2.2 No side deals for NRMP programs

You cannot:

• Accept an “off‑books” PGY‑1 offer from a program that participates in the NRMP Main Match for that specialty during SOAP.
• Tell a program you’ll withdraw from SOAP or the Match if they offer you a spot outside the process.
• Use a non‑NRMP offer (for a similar NRMP-participating residency) as leverage.

If the program is NRMP-participating for that specialty and year, SOAP is the only route during the SOAP window.

Non-NRMP programs (e.g., some prelim spots, independent programs) are a separate category—more on that in a bit.

2.3 No coercive conversations about commitments

Just like before Match Day:

• Programs can’t ask you to promise you’ll accept if they rank/offer you.
• You can’t be pushed to reveal preferences about other programs.
• You can’t be required to commit verbally before an actual NRMP SOAP offer comes.

The NRMP takes this stuff seriously, even in the chaos of SOAP.

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3. What Actually Changes During SOAP: The Key Differences

Here’s where things really do work differently.

Key Differences: Main Match vs SOAP

Category	Value
How offers are made	90
Who can contact whom	85
Programs you can target	80
Timing control	75
Offer acceptance method	95

3.1 Offer mechanism: Ranks vs real-time offers

Main Match:

• You and programs submit rank lists.
• Algorithm runs.
• You get one result on Match Day.

SOAP:

• No rank lists.
• Programs review applicants in ERAS.
• NRMP runs multiple short “offer rounds” Monday–Thursday of Match Week.
• Offers show up in your NRMP SOAP portal. You:
  • Accept one
  • Or let it expire
  • Or reject and gamble on future offers

You cannot verbally accept an offer outside the NRMP system. A phone or email “yes” means nothing legally. The only acceptance that counts is through the NRMP SOAP portal.

3.2 Communication rules tighten

During SOAP:

You may not:

• Cold-email or cold-call NRMP-participating programs about their unfilled positions.
• Ask faculty to reach out to those programs on your behalf to lobby for you.
• Use social media, DMs, or back channels to contact programs about SOAP positions.

Programs may contact you first (email, phone, virtual meetings) to:

• Ask questions
• Interview you informally
• Clarify your interest

You can answer. You just can’t initiate.

This is a huge change from regular recruitment where outreach, networking, and thank-you emails are normal.

So the rule of thumb: Programs can initiate. You respond. You don’t start.

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4. What You Can and Can’t Do During SOAP

Let’s separate myth from reality. Here’s the practical “yes/no” list you actually need.

Action	Allowed During SOAP?
Cold-emailing unfilled NRMP programs	No
Responding to program outreach	Yes
Applying to unfilled spots via ERAS	Yes
Accepting an offer by phone/email only	No
Accepting one SOAP offer in the NRMP portal	Yes

4.1 You can apply via ERAS to unfilled programs

During Monday–Thursday SOAP window:

• You apply only through ERAS to unfilled NRMP programs.
• There are limits on the number of applications per SOAP round (usually 45 total; check the current year’s rules).
• You can update personal statements and program signaling if applicable, but no direct program contact.

You get one shot per round to decide where those applications go. Choose strategically.

SOAP Week High Level Process

Step	Description
Step 1	Learn you are unmatched
Step 2	SOAP eligible list confirmed
Step 3	See unfilled positions
Step 4	Submit ERAS apps to unfilled programs
Step 5	Programs review and contact you
Step 6	NRMP SOAP offer round
Step 7	Accept in NRMP portal
Step 8	Wait for next round or exit SOAP
Step 9	Offer received?

4.2 You can respond to program outreach

If a program:

• Emails you
• Calls you
• Schedules an interview or quick Zoom chat

You can, and should, respond. That’s all allowed.

You still should not:

• Ask for guarantees or specific rank/offer promises
• Beg them to “hold” you a spot
• Ask them to violate NRMP SOAP rules (like sending you a written offer early)

Be professional. Be responsive. But stay inside the lines.

4.3 You cannot accept offers outside the SOAP portal

If a program says: “We really like you; if we send an offer, will you accept?” you can say something like:

“I’m very interested in your program, and if I receive an offer through the NRMP SOAP system, I’d strongly consider accepting it.”

You cannot:

• Accept a “conditional” or “verbal” offer before it shows up in the NRMP system.
• Let them push you into a “promise” that conflicts with other potential offers.

Every accepted position during SOAP must be accepted in the NRMP SOAP portal. That’s the binding one.

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5. Non-NRMP, Pre-Match, and Post-SOAP: Where the Rules Loosen

Now, the confusing part: what about offers outside NRMP? This is where people get tripped.

5.1 During SOAP: NRMP vs non-NRMP positions

While SOAP is active:

• For NRMP-participating specialties/programs:
  You must go through SOAP. No side deals.
• For non-NRMP programs (for that year and specialty), including:
  • Some community programs not in the Match
  • Certain prelim-only or transitional positions
  • Some off-cycle or special contract roles

You may discuss or accept positions, provided:

• They are truly not participating in the NRMP for that specialty/year.
• Accepting them doesn’t require you to violate other NRMP commitments.

But be careful: misidentifying a program as “non-NRMP” when it actually participates can put you in violation. Verify via NRMP and program websites.

5.2 After SOAP ends

Once SOAP is fully over and all NRMP rules for that cycle are satisfied:

• Remaining unfilled NRMP positions may convert to “outside the Match” or be handled in other ways.
• You are generally freer to:
  • Contact programs directly
  • Accept non-NRMP or waived positions
  • Explore prelim only, research, or gap year roles

But if you accepted a SOAP position, you’re bound to that contract. You can’t just take a better offer without involving the NRMP violation process and potential sanctions.

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6. Practical Strategy: How to Stay Compliant and Competitive

You’re not just trying to be compliant; you’re trying to get a job. Here’s how to do both.

6.1 Use your school’s SOAP team aggressively (they can help)

Your dean’s office, student affairs, or SOAP advisor can:

• Help you choose which programs to target with your limited applications.
• Sanity-check whether a program is NRMP or non-NRMP.
• Advise what you can say on calls or emails.
• Sometimes quietly flag you to programs if the contact is allowed (or pass your name when programs reach out to the school).

Let them be your filter so you don’t accidentally violate rules.

6.2 Prepare your responses before programs call

Have scripts ready. For example:

Q: “Will you accept an offer if we send one?”
A good answer:

“Your program is one of my top choices, and I’d be very excited to train there. If I’m fortunate enough to receive an offer through the NRMP SOAP system, I’ll seriously consider accepting it.”

Q: “Are we your top choice?”
A safe answer:

“I’m very interested in your program and think it’s a strong fit for my goals. I’m evaluating all the programs that contact me, but I’d be thrilled to receive an offer from you.”

Hit interest hard. Don’t over-promise into violation territory.

6.3 Know the offer round timing and rules cold

NRMP SOAP runs in multiple rounds (e.g., 2-hour windows). Between rounds:

• No new offers.
• Programs reassess candidates who didn’t accept offers.
• You might become more or less competitive as spots fill.

You must:

• Watch your portal closely during offer windows.
• Decide fast—most offers expire at the end of the round if you don’t respond.
• Accept only one position total. Once you accept, you’re done with SOAP.

Set up notifications. Don’t be in an OR or on a plane during a major offer window if you can avoid it.

Approximate SOAP Offer Rounds Over 4 Days

Category	Value
Mon	1
Tue	2
Wed	2
Thu	1

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7. Common Pitfalls That Actually Trigger NRMP Problems

Here’s what I’ve seen repeatedly cause drama:

1. Cold-emailing unfilled NRMP programs Monday afternoon
   People panic, blast 50 programs, and violate contact rules. Programs sometimes report this.

2. Faculty “helpfully” calling their friends at unfilled programs
   Your letter writer thinks they’re saving you. They’re actually risking an institutional violation. Tell them the NRMP rules clearly.

3. Accepting a non-NRMP offer that’s actually from an NRMP-participating program
   Someone says, “We’re outside the Match for this one position.” But the program participates in the NRMP overall. That can still be a violation. Verify independently.

4. Giving hard promises on the phone
   “Yes, I promise if you send me an offer I’ll accept; I won’t consider other programs.” If you then get a better offer and change your mind, the program may complain to NRMP.

5. Ghosting offers or communications
   Letting an offer expire because you weren’t paying attention is technically allowed, but it looks bad and wastes your shot. Same with not answering phones or emails all week.

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8. Quick Comparison: Main Match vs SOAP Rules

Aspect	Main Match	SOAP
How positions are filled	Rank order lists, algorithm	Real-time NRMP offer rounds
Direct program contact	Encouraged (emails, updates)	You can’t initiate to NRMP programs
Off-cycle / side deals	Restricted, but timing looser	Much stricter for NRMP programs
Acceptance mechanism	Automatic on Match Day	Explicit acceptance in SOAP portal
Time pressure	Months of process	Hours to decide per offer round

Perceived Flexibility: Main Match vs SOAP

Category	Value
Main Match	80
SOAP	40

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FAQ: Do NRMP Rules Change During SOAP?

1. Can I email or call unfilled NRMP programs during SOAP to express interest?
No. During the SOAP period, applicants are not allowed to initiate contact with NRMP-participating programs about unfilled positions. Programs can contact you; you can respond. But you can’t be the one to reach out first.

2. If a program tells me I have an offer, is that binding before it shows up in the NRMP portal?
No. The only binding offer during SOAP is the one you accept in the NRMP SOAP portal. Verbal or email “offers” are not official until the NRMP system sends it and you accept it there. Never rely solely on a verbal promise.

3. Can I accept a non-NRMP position while I’m in SOAP?
Yes, but only if the position is truly non-NRMP for that year and specialty. You must not accept a position that conflicts with NRMP rules or an existing Match/SOAP commitment. Always verify program NRMP status before agreeing.

4. Am I still bound to my SOAP-accepted position after Match Week ends?
Yes. If you accept a position in SOAP, you’re contractually bound under the NRMP Match Participation Agreement. Leaving that position without proper cause or process can result in an NRMP violation and future sanctions.

5. Can my dean or faculty call programs for me during SOAP?
Not for NRMP-participating unfilled positions. They can help you strategize, prepare, and respond to program outreach, but they shouldn’t be lobbying or initiating contact to try to get you an unfilled NRMP spot. That can trigger institutional NRMP issues.

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Open your calendar and email right now and block off all SOAP offer round hours with an alert labeled “CHECK NRMP PORTAL.” That single move will prevent the most common, painful SOAP mistake: silently missing the offer you desperately wanted.