1. Don’t panic.
2. Contact the programs to inquire about your status, assuming they allow pre-interview contact. Make sure to check first: some specialties do not want pre-interview communication, including dermatology. Many program director associations publish a guide that includes a section called “Pre-Interview Communication Guidance,” found on the Council of Medical Specialty Societies website. If contact is allowed, a strong option is to send an effective letter of interest. I do edit letters of interest for residency applicants, but even if you choose not to use my services, I recommend sending a well-written, strategic note. Make sure it’s under a page, is crafted with professional language and formatting, immediately clarifies that you’re seeking an interview opportunity, and showcases your candidacy. See what to avoid here.
3. I have occasionally seen success with phone calls as well. After suggesting one to a residency applicant I was advising, she emailed me to say she obtained an interview in a competitive specialty using that phone call. Another told me that, after calling in the morning, he was offered an interview by the afternoon. There is a risk that the person who answers will rebuff uninvited phone calls. Be courteous, and if the staff is not interested, don’t press. Offer to be on an interview wait list if necessary. Again, a good letter of interest can also be effective.
4. If you still have no invitations by January, prepare for the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Note that SOAP is not a separate program from the residency Match. So a) your main residency Match user status must be active and b) your credentials must be verified by the Rank Order List Deadline in order to participate in SOAP. Here is more information on SOAP.
5. Make a plan for what you will do if the Match and SOAP don’t work out for you. What will you do next year? How will you improve your written materials, interview skills, and overall candidacy? Consider getting comprehensive help and an honest assessment from me or a faculty member who is highly experienced in residency admissions – the sooner the better to improve a candidacy and prepare for a re-application. Also, as sad as this sounds, if this is not your first defeat in the Match/SOAP process, it might be time to consider other career options like research or industry. Sometimes it’s simply recognizing that one door is closing to see another one opening.
To create a plan for your residency candidacy, secure a Strategy Session with me here.
