That's really unfortunate and seems unfair. It doesn't make sense to me that they don't make on-site visits available to anyone is interested. I know it is important to me to do on-site visits with my top choices, so I would feel disappointed and upset if a site that does allow on-site visits didn't allow me to visit. Seems unfair.
With each site I visited last year, I found that I learned things about the site/internship that weren't in the brochure, so that generated questions for me asking for clarification or elaboration. Personality and workload were important factors for me "fit-wise" so I asked the current interns questions regarding working relationships with psychology faculty and other staff we'd work closely with (i.e., in an inpatient setting, having to work with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, etc - some interns were upfront that the non-psychology staff were horrible to work with, and that's important to know) and what a typical day/week looked like for the interns - "Is it realistic to keep to a 40-hour work week? What are the expectations regarding number of reports per month/rotation? Do you find yourself taking work home? How tight are deadlines? How long are therapy sessions typically?", etc. Another question that came up a lot for current interns was, "What made you choose/like this site?" I found the conversations/questions with the current interns to be phenomenally more helpful and enlightening than talking with the faculty. Since you are applying to be an intern, you want to know the real deal of what it's like to be an intern at that site. The faculty can only understand interns' experiences to a certain degree. Rolling this into interviews with supervisors/TDs, you can ask, "What sort of feedback have you gotten from previous interns?," "Are you planning to make changes to the program this upcoming year?" (you'd be surprised how many people are using outdated materials or have tweaked things about the program in the last 4 months, so this question actually gets useful info), and things like that. Have some question ideas in mind, but honestly, you will find yourself coming up with a ton of questions when you're on site and talking to folks, and you'll hear questions other applicants ask and will probably find a few to add to your repertoire in future interviews.
I totally agree with this statement. So far I've interviewed at six counseling centers and most of them have asked me about self-care. I have been very honest in my responses (e.g., social support, hiking, music) and have tried integrating how I could envision my self-care to look like while on internship. For example, I play a musical instrument and through research have found community bands/orchestras in the towns of my sites; therefore, I will often mention that I would consider joining X band while on internship to ensure I had that dedicated time for self-care.
Or you could us an old school planner. Some of us dinosaurs find them highly reliable - i.e., not going to fail you in the absence of wifi or power sources. The only thing you have to fear is getting it wet!
I received a letter via snail mail that included interview information and a parking pass.
Absolutely. You can even go calendar year OR academic year!
Yep!!
I don't know about all of the other dinosaurs using paper planners, but I had to hand make my own paper planner. I felled a tree, made the mash, let it dry, and strung it together using string made from sheep's wool for which I had to trade stress baked goods to obtain. It was a really great procrastination DIY activity, though I must admit...having to work by candlelight was an intense challenge.
I am interviewing there and haven't heard anything either. Hopefully they will send it soon. I will probably email on Monday if I haven't received anything by the afternoon. My travel plans are already set so it doesn't affect that for me. If it affects yours, I didn't get the impression that they would be bothered by you emailing and asking. See you there!
I'm too neurotic, so I emailed today! I'll let you know if I hear anything!I am interviewing there and haven't heard anything either. Hopefully they will send it soon. I will probably email on Monday if I haven't received anything by the afternoon. My travel plans are already set so it doesn't affect that for me. If it affects yours, I didn't get the impression that they would be bothered by you emailing and asking. See you there!
The ones I have been to so far have had similar formats. They all had an information session, a 'group interview' that really seemed more like applicants getting their questions answered, a lunch either with faculty or current interns, a site tour, and between 3 and 6 individual or dyad (2 faculty, one applicant) interviews. There was some downtime in between individual interviews, but not much.
Thank you for sharing!! That is really helpful! I have been wondering about the "group interview," as my Monday interview has a group interview time scheduled. I was curious what that may look like, but it sounds a little bit more low key than what I am imagining.
Mine were all super low key in the group interview. One was very large though and felt a bit unwieldy. Good luck. You'll rock it!
For tartar and anyone else interviewing at the Canandaigua VA...have you found it nary impossible to get a confirmation/response from the TD about your interview date? I am getting really antsy because I responded to the invitation to interview with my date selection, following which has been complete radio silence! I emailed again, politely, to make sure that the TD got my date selection response...again, nothing. I called and got a voice message. I don't want to send too many messages but I am not hearing a darned thing. Nothing. Are others having this same problem????
I'll have luggage with me because I'm flying out directly after all of my interviews. I have a small carry-on suitcase. I have brought luggage to all of my sites so far and I'd say at least 50% of the other applicants had as well. I think sites expect it and it hasn't been an issue. I've been to community mental health centers and academic medical centers.
I had to take my carry-on on two interviews. I asked in advanced if it was ok as they did not specify if they had a room. Both times it was fine. With the first I just left it in the main room and picked it up when leaving and with the second I just took it to each of the interviews. It wasn't weird at all. It was actually a funny conversation piece with one interviewer.
