2012 APPIC Internship Application Thread

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Originally Posted by ssw

Hi everyone. So I have gotten differing advice and am totally confused as to whether to reveal I have kids in my essays and/or internship. What have you all heard? Any advice? In some ways it shows my ability to multi-task and makes me more interesting but on the other hand I don't want programs to discriminate against me for this. I know legally they are not allowed to but realistically it still happens. I was wondering if anyone else is in this position and what others have been told/heard? Thanks.

If you want to do it, do it. If you don't want to, then that's fine too. I don't think it will hinder you (if it does the site isn't worth it). I spoke about my kids in essay 1 and was up front about having kids at all of my interviews. I still got plenty of interviews and matched at a top (well I think it's a top) research focused site. All of my interviews were at research focused sites as well (sites that you would think wouldn't want an intern with kids). If your children are part of your story (and honestly I can't see a scenario where they wouldn't be), then you shouldn't have to hide that. If it was an issue for places, then I probably wouldn't have wanted to be there anyway. Just my thoughts.

Is anyone doing Couples Match this year? Or have matched as a couple in the past? My girlfriend and I are thinking of going through this process together and wanted to get some information about it. We have reviewed the information on appic about how couples match work, but we would like to hear more about other couples' personal experience in doing this. Any suggestions/tips would be greatly appreaciated Thanks and good luck to everyone!

How on earth is everyone reporting support hours? I certainly have not kept track of those.

Originally Posted by Huxwell

How on earth is everyone reporting support hours? I certainly have not kept track of those.

You really should have been (our program was very good about telling us what to record when i was going through all this junk), but honestly, no one will really care about support hours.

I am in a bit of a bind with regards to applying to a site. I am very interested in the site, but, they require the administration and reports for a minimum of 4 Rorscachs and 4 WAIS-IIIs. I have only completed one integrated report including both measures. While I am currently at a testing practicum where I will be using the WAIS pretty regularly, I doubt I will get to use the Rorscach at all. I have about 15 integrated reports using a variety of other measures, but not these specifically.

Do people think it is worth applying?
Do you think they will just toss my application aside?
Any suggestions for how to address the issue in my application if I do apply?

Any and all suggestions, pieces of advice, or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by futurepsydoc

I am in a bit of a bind with regards to applying to a site. I am very interested in the site, but, they require the administration and reports for a minimum of 4 Rorscachs and 4 WAIS-IIIs. I have only completed one integrated report including both measures. While I am currently at a testing practicum where I will be using the WAIS pretty regularly, I doubt I will get to use the Rorscach at all. I have about 15 integrated reports using a variety of other measures, but not these specifically.

Do people think it is worth applying?
Do you think they will just toss my application aside?
Any suggestions for how to address the issue in my application if I do apply?

Any and all suggestions, pieces of advice, or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Personally, I would email the site's training director and ask him/her whether it would be ok to apply. I ran into a somewhat related issue (i.e., I'd administered plenty of WAIS-III's, but the site listed a minimum requirement for WAIS-IV's, which none of our sites had yet switched over to), messaged the TD, and got a response within a couple of hours.

Does the site specifically require that both measures be used in the reports? And, if so, do you have integrative reports that include both some type of intellectual assessment and some type of projective? If so, I'd imagine you'd have better luck making an appeal to "sub out" your measures for those requested; if not, you may have a harder time of it.

Originally Posted by futurepsydoc

I am in a bit of a bind with regards to applying to a site. I am very interested in the site, but, they require the administration and reports for a minimum of 4 Rorscachs and 4 WAIS-IIIs. I have only completed one integrated report including both measures. While I am currently at a testing practicum where I will be using the WAIS pretty regularly, I doubt I will get to use the Rorscach at all. I have about 15 integrated reports using a variety of other measures, but not these specifically.

Do people think it is worth applying?
Do you think they will just toss my application aside?
Any suggestions for how to address the issue in my application if I do apply?

Any and all suggestions, pieces of advice, or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Obviously, you should contact them, not us.

However, my (biased) opinion is that if the site is that in love with the Rorschach, then they will probably be fairly inflexible about it. I am all about learning new skills on internship, but frankly, I would not want to waste valuable time reading tea leaves.

Anyone know if Baylor is going to have NP slots this year?

For those of you who have already matched (or those of you who have already written your essays), how do you interpret the Essay #1...as more of a professional autobiography or a personal life autobiography?

Originally Posted by PerhapsMaybeOk

Anyone know if Baylor is going to have NP slots this year?

Given that they were unfortunately forced to pull the spot late in the process last year, I'd say it's definitely worth emailing the TD to get a first-hand account of whether or not it'll be offered for the upcoming internship cycle.

Originally Posted by RileyG

For those of you who have already matched (or those of you who have already written your essays), how do you interpret the Essay #1...as more of a professional autobiography or a personal life autobiography?

It usually seems to depend on who you ask, although I'd say it likely ends up being a bit of both for most people. I included personal information that was relevant to my professional experiences, goals, and outlook. I then had two professors review the essay for me--one liked my approach, and the other suggested I focus entirely on professional material (although he did say that ultimately the decision was mine). I ended up sticking with what I had, and it apparently at least didn't hurt me, as I ended up at my second choice site.

What I can with certainty is that you should NOT simply restate your CV in essay form. Include material that isn't readily apparent in other places of your application. Essay #1 (along with your cover letters to an extent) is essentially the only chance application committees will have to get to know you as a person before deciding whether or not to invite you to interview.

Originally Posted by AcronymAllergy

It usually seems to depend on who you ask, although I'd say it likely ends up being a bit of both for most people. I included personal information that was relevant to my professional experiences, goals, and outlook. I then had two professors review the essay for me--one liked my approach, and the other suggested I focus entirely on professional material (although he did say that ultimately the decision was mine). I ended up sticking with what I had, and it apparently at least didn't hurt me, as I ended up at my second choice site.

What I can with certainty is that you should NOT simply restate your CV in essay form. Include material that isn't readily apparent in other places of your application. Essay #1 (along with your cover letters to an extent) is essentially the only chance application committees will have to get to know you as a person before deciding whether or not to invite you to interview.

Thanks! That sounds appropriate and in line with what I was thinking.

Does anyone have any insight into the weight put on dissertation proposal being completed prior to the time of applications? My proposal data is 2 weeks after most of the applications are due - but my data is all collected....is this going to hurt my chances? Should I indicate it somehow in an essay?

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Does anyone have any insight into the weight put on dissertation proposal being completed prior to the time of applications? My proposal data is 2 weeks after most of the applications are due - but my data is all collected....is this going to hurt my chances? Should I indicate it somehow in an essay?

Thanks!!

most programs have you propose before you can apply no?

Originally Posted by PerhapsMaybeOk

most programs have you propose before you can apply no?

Some do, but I definitely wouldn't say most. I hadn't proposed by the time of my applications and interviews, and while that disqualified a few of my choices, I didn't have any problems with the majority of programs I personally had selected.

That being the case, proposed/defended is definitely a plus. At the very least, being able to talk in moderate depth about your dissertation seems to go a long way.

.

Originally Posted by serendipity2

This is probably a question for any of you who went through the process last year. When did APPIC starting uploading your transcripts? I have been in touch with them by phone regarding where my transcripts I sent in July might be and the said that they have not even started uploading anyones transcripts yet this year. Something about switching to a new system to make the process smoother this year. When did your transcripts start showing up as part of your APPI last year? Thanks.

I believe there was mention of being a backlog, but they offered the option to notify you when it was posted. Don't quote me on that, though I think I recall that information being mentioned in the past week or two.

Thanks! Wouldn't you know... I just checked again for the second time today and one of my transcripts showed up. Looks like things are starting to move forward.

Mine just uploaded today too.. Just to clarify, we only need transcripts for graduate school right? I read transcripts and started questioning.

I had one site last year that requested my undergraduate transcripts, so make sure to read their requirements carefully and give yourself enough time get them - I had to have my undergrad school snail mail it to me, then I had scan it, upload it, etc, so it took a little time.

Originally Posted by 54321

Mine just uploaded today too.. Just to clarify, we only need transcripts for graduate school right? I read transcripts and started questioning.

Yes, ditto what TherapyCat said. I have more than one grad transcript I need to sent in to APPIC since I did my master's at a different school. I think only one of my sites want my undergrad. I requested them anyway before I had my list narrowed down in case I needed them in the end. It may be the case that none of your sites required undergrad. And just as was said above, if you do need them for a site, you can have them sent directly to you and scan them in yourself and upload as supplemental.

Originally Posted by 54321

Mine just uploaded today too.. Just to clarify, we only need transcripts for graduate school right? I read transcripts and started questioning.

Originally Posted by serendipity2

Yes, ditto what TherapyCat said. I have more than one grad transcript I need to sent in to APPIC since I did my master's at a different school. I think only one of my sites want my undergrad. I requested them anyway before I had my list narrowed down in case I needed them in the end. It may be the case that none of your sites required undergrad. And just as was said above, if you do need them for a site, you can have them sent directly to you and scan them in yourself and upload as supplemental.

Just wanted to highlight that not only can you do this, but this is what you have to do. APPIC won't upload undergrad transcripts.

I'm curious how others are counting presentations which were published as an abstract in a peer reviewed journal. I've been counting them only as presentations, and not publications - is this correct?

Originally Posted by ssw

Hi everyone. So I have gotten differing advice and am totally confused as to whether to reveal I have kids in my essays and/or internship. What have you all heard? Any advice? In some ways it shows my ability to multi-task and makes me more interesting but on the other hand I don't want programs to discriminate against me for this. I know legally they are not allowed to but realistically it still happens. I was wondering if anyone else is in this position and what others have been told/heard? Thanks.

I strongly recommend NOT disclosing your status as a mother, especially in your written application. You are absolutely correct that discrimination happens, though, of course, no one will come and and tell you why they're not interested. You don't want to regret such a disclosure down the road.

Originally Posted by AcronymAllergy

What I can with certainty is that you should NOT simply restate your CV in essay form.

This can actually remove you from consideration entirely. I've seen it happen.

Originally Posted by IT514

I'm curious how others are counting presentations which were published as an abstract in a peer reviewed journal. I've been counting them only as presentations, and not publications - is this correct?

yes that is the best way to handle it.

I notice today that we have one month left before apps go out and I am getting a wee nervous. I'm wondering how everyone else in the process is doing? I have essays mostly written (need to clean up Essay #2) but I have yet to really start the supplemental essays or cover letters (EP!) Where's everyone else at?

I am exactly where you're at...We have heard that getting your transcript sent can sometimes take a while, and it's good to get done right away. Some sites seem to want undergrad transcripts too, which I have not gotten yet and am kind of procrastinating on.

Right now I am trying to get my supplemental materials squared away. I don't have a case conceptualization written up for a child therapy client so I am working on that and I am trying to narrow down which testing report I want to submit. I also am having trouble uploading my undergrad transcript on APPI (that's another supplemental material request). It's in pdf format already but I feel like that's something I need to figure out before it gets down to the wire!

I am in a similar place as many of you. Hoping to send out my essays in the next 48 hours for some feedback from my advisor and two peers who have gone through the internship process in the last few years. The essays have been a bit of a struggle for me though so I am hoping to get than wrapped up soon. I will start working on cover letters and supplemental material later this week. I have one of my LORs already uploaded, so that is a plus! Hoping the others are uploaded by the middle of the month. Have a good week SDNers!

I'm in exactly the same place as everyone else. That's good, there's comfort in numbers.

Well, those of you who have replied so far should feel pretty good, as I am only now getting into the guts of the applications. I've finished the technical parts of the application - hours, demographics, transcripts, etc., but am now turning to finalizing my list of sites, writing essays and pulling together supplemental materials. I'm not panicking, we still have almost a month for the Nov 1 sites. I had to focus on my dissertation proposal for the past couple of months, but now can focus on something much more fun, these apps!

For someone just getting into the writing part, any advice for writing any of the essays? I have read some samples but find them to be so personalized and idiosyncratic that I think I'm going to have to just do some brainstorming and free writing to get this process started.

[QUOTE=ClinApp;11638777For someone just getting into the writing part, any advice for writing any of the essays? I have read some samples but find them to be so personalized and idiosyncratic that I think I'm going to have to just do some brainstorming and free writing to get this process started.[/QUOTE]

That's what I did to get myself started. Just sit down, give yourself a few hours and just start writing. I hated over half - 3/4 of what I wrote, but in the end I came up with some pretty good ideas and that were both professional but personal to me. GOOD LUCK!

Also it def. has been nice to read that people are at the same place as me, there is def. comfort in numbers.

I did free writing first, then tried to impose some structure on my thoughts. I found that I had to step away from the material for a day or two though before a logical structure became clear. I didn't worry about length at all till I was happy with some of my ideas and overall structure. Then I had to edit the heck out of them to get them down to 500 words. You'll get there though!

ClinApp- Where are you at in terms of finalizing your list? I still haven't finalized mine either, gotta get some clarity on that this week... having a hard time cutting out some though.

Originally Posted by serendipity2

ClinApp- Where are you at in terms of finalizing your list? I still haven't finalized mine either, gotta get some clarity on that this week... having a hard time cutting out some though.

Well, our program really wants us to stick to about 15 and I still have about 20, and it's very hard to cut b/c of course we have no idea how many interviews we'll get, how competitive we'll be once we have interviews, etc. It's really hard not to plan to send a ton, but I may try to keep it closer to, say, 17, and maybe a couple will drop out once I get down to cover letters.

Originally Posted by ClinApp

Well, our program really wants us to stick to about 15 and I still have about 20, and it's very hard to cut b/c of course we have no idea how many interviews we'll get, how competitive we'll be once we have interviews, etc. It's really hard not to plan to send a ton, but I may try to keep it closer to, say, 17, and maybe a couple will drop out once I get down to cover letters.

I think 10 is a good number; I might throw in a few extra wildcards.

.

Originally Posted by serendipity2

There has been some talk on the internship list serv about cover letters. It is very timely as I am trying to put together a solid draft of my cover letters this week which I can then personalize for each site.... this is proving crazy making. I have gotten a lot of conflicting advice... be short and sweet, but be unique, and don't be longer than a page, but it's okay if it's a page and a half, but it needs to be very personalized and relevant, but also don't look like you just read over their website and quoted key phrases... and on and on.

This got me thinking about TDs and others sitting there reading 100 cover letters, eyes glazed over... I have to imagine that a lot of them start to sound the same... not sure how to get around that. Just venting I guess.

Most of mine last year were about a page + a paragraph in length, so going over a page is ok as long as it's justifiable (i.e., it's filled with content and not fluff). The whole purpose behind a cover letter is to briefly sell yourself to the site by pointing out how your set of career goals, training experiences, and professional interests uniquely match you to that particular program (at least that's the way I approached them).

Also, your comment inadvertently points out something I heard and realized early on in the process--sometimes, as good a resource as it can be, the internship listserve causes more stress and problems than it alleviates. I remained subscribed to the APPIC listserve for the entirety of the process, but chose to never subscribe to the student version. There is definitely such a thing as TOO much information/advice/input, especially when it comes to cover letters and the personal essays.

Originally Posted by AcronymAllergy

Also, your comment inadvertently points out something I heard and realized early on in the process--sometimes, as good a resource as it can be, the internship listserve causes more stress and problems than it alleviates. I remained subscribed to the APPIC listserve for the entirety of the process, but chose to never subscribe to the student version. There is definitely such a thing as TOO much information/advice/input, especially when it comes to cover letters and the personal essays.

Throughout this process I have found the listserve to be helpful at times, but also annoying and anxiety provoking. Annoying because people send out questions to the entire listerve that are so specific to themselves that it just fills up my inbox. Anxiety provoking because well . . . too much information/advice and comparison to others. This is kind of a rant but I needed to get that out!

As for cover letters, they are my enemy right now. So far I hate everything I have written.

I have a site specific question and am wanting to see if any of you all know before contacting the site (trying not to overload them with contact unless I really can't find an answer anywhere). Is anyone here applying to Yale Med? If so, is it your understanding that you can only apply to one track in the entire system?

Originally Posted by cpsych54

I have a site specific question and am wanting to see if any of you all know before contacting the site (trying not to overload them with contact unless I really can't find an answer anywhere). Is anyone here applying to Yale Med? If so, is it your understanding that you can only apply to one track in the entire system?

Yes, they have a supplemental application form on the website on which you can select one site where you wish to do your primary placement, and then there will be a choice of your secondary placement, but there are specific ones tied to each primary placement. The form lays it all out.

Originally Posted by psyunknown

Throughout this process I have found the listserve to be helpful at times, but also annoying and anxiety provoking. Annoying because people send out questions to the entire listerve that are so specific to themselves that it just fills up my inbox. Anxiety provoking because well . . . too much information/advice and comparison to others. This is kind of a rant but I needed to get that out!

As for cover letters, they are my enemy right now. So far I hate everything I have written.

Haha that listserve is almost as bad as the neuro list serve.

I'm hoping some folks who may have applied in the past or now review applications may have some advice for me. I am wondering what the best strategy is for writing essays on these applications, especially anywhere it is appropriate to mention career goals. I am accustomed to writing fellowship applications, where all that matters is your research interests and they fully appreciate applicants with academic career goals. I am wondering how much to temper this approach, if at all, for internship applications, given that it is primarily a clinical experience. I intend to discuss my internship-specific goals and my clinical experiences, of course, but my ultimate career goals are in research. I would think being straightforward about this is the appropriate approach, and I am applying to reputedly research-friendly sites, but I don't want to do something that will kill my chances. Any suggestions?

I just heard that my school sends letters to each site that we apply to with information about about program. This is separate from the approval that the training office gives. Has anyone of this? Is it a common practice? I'm afraid it'll annoy the site.

Hi all, I haven't been on SDN since before I started my program, but I am applying for internship this year, and thought I might join up again. Nice to see some of you I remember from my application days!

Originally Posted by Duckygirl

Hi all, I haven't been on SDN since before I started my program, but I am applying for internship this year, and thought I might join up again. Nice to see some of you I remember from my application days!

welcome back! we all could definitely use some support and camaraderie here during this process!

Originally Posted by ClinApp

welcome back! we all could definitely use some support and camaraderie here during this process!

Hi Ducky! Welcome! I second this, the more support we can provide one another the better!

This is my second year applying and I'm having a hard time writing cover letters. I'm geographically limited (to the very Northeast) and have had child/adolescent practica only. Last year, I applied to 11 child/adolescent sites and 2 college counseling sites, had 3 interviews in Phase I (neither college counseling site was interested in me), and didn't match (did Phase II but also didn't match). At the time, I had <400 intervention hours and <10 assessment hours. This year, I'm applying to 21 sites. I have >500 intervention hours, still only about 25 assessment hours, and 0 adult clients. I would honestly be happy interning at any of the sites on my list, I just need to match!

Has anyone gotten an internship with a population with which they have no direct experience? Any advice from people who have been through the application process more than once?

The worst part of this is that I have to pay tuition (about 4000/year) for the in-between years (i.e., not classes, not internship), which drops to about 1200 for the internship year. In theory, I could go through this whole process 5 times ($20,000 tuition + application expenses) and then get kicked out of my program for not graduating in the required amount of time... And the same faculty who are requiring me to do an APA-accredited internship (rather than an APPIC member site) are the ones who are getting my tuition dollars... The APA should have a requirement for grad programs to list average student loan debt upon graduation or departure from the program. I have none but most of my class has >70K just from graduate school... That's my rant for the day, back to cover letters.

back on this grind. I've neglected it b/c I had to work on my dissertation proposal, which I defended today, so I can now focus for the next weeks just on internship apps.

I am also applying to 2 VA sites w/very little experience with adults (just this year working with Diabetic and Sicklet Cell Anemia patients, less than 50 hours of it by application deadline)

Originally Posted by Quynh2007

back on this grind. I've neglected it b/c I had to work on my dissertation proposal, which I defended today, so I can now focus for the next weeks just on internship apps.

Congrats on your defense, and your reward is to be able to turn your focus to applications, right?

As a first-timer, I have no experience in how sites approach applicants with little to no experience in their area of interest for internship (e.g., no adult experience for a VA); I would imagine much of the response will depend on how you sell it in your cover letter/essays, making a cogent argument for how this future experience is needed for your career goals, or to complement prior training, or a new area of focus, with a clear discussion of the progression through your training in grad school. I'm sure others here must have thoughts on this, though.