SOAP Schedule and How Applicants Apply to SOAP
The SOAP Schedule for ResidencyCAS
After SOAP concludes (per NRMP):
- The List of Unfilled Programs (including programs not participating in SOAP) becomes available in R3.
- Applicants may begin contacting remaining unfilled programs.
- Programs may update the List of Unfilled Programs in R3 as positions are filled.
How Applicants Apply to Programs During SOAP
In ResidencyCAS, applying to programs during SOAP follows a process similar to the regular application cycle. Applicants navigate to the Add Program tab and select the programs they want to apply to. Programs accepting SOAP applications will have SOAP included in their program name.
Once they've selected their SOAP programs, they assign their evaluations to those programs and then submit their applications.
Note the following:
- If an applicant applied through ResidencyCAS earlier in the cycle, there are no additional fees during SOAP.
- If this is an applicant's first time applying via ResidencyCAS in this cycle:
- They must obtain an individual access link from their degree-granting medical school to create an account and start their application.
- Data from other application systems, such as ERAS, cannot be transferred into ResidencyCAS.
- For the 2026 SOAP cycle, an optional letter-sharing feature with ERAS is available to applicants. Letter sharing eliminates the need for letter writers to re-upload LORs across systems. See Optional Letter Sharing During SOAP.
- A $99 fee will be assessed for up to 45 programs, the maximum number they can apply to.