2010-2011 Internship Thread

[IsItOver]

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Thought I'd come out of lurking as well. I've received 3 rejections, and am waiting on 16 sites. I really don't know what to make of it. I had always had the thought "What if I don't match?" But never really had the thought "What if I don't even interview??" That thought is creeping in my mind right now and I'm terrified🙁

Oh my god, you have SIXTEEN sites left to hear from! You do realize that is a lot, right?? Don't get so down on yourself. A lot of people haven't heard from a lot of sites - just because it is getting down to the wire doesn't mean it will be a "no." Sites just seem to be behind this year (the portal always going down, increased number of applicants, etc).

To everyone: Try to stay positive. Unless you have 19 "no's" and only 1 site left to hear from you shouldn't even be considering the possibility of no interviews. Come on, we tell our client's not to catastrophize. It is time to put all that talk in to practice!

And for those who insist on being negative, here is your pity party:

 

[Psycgirl]

And for those who insist on being negative, here is your pity party:

Isitover! I absolutely love this. I think that T4C said it best about not getting too high or too low. I know that this is a hard time for everyone, but we still have a couple of more business days...there is plenty of time for good things to head your way.

Thanks for putting things in perspective Isitover!

 

[CBTClinPsycher]

So is it correct to say that since Western Psych has Dec. 11 listed as the date for interviews to be extended, if we don't hear today, then most likely it means rejection?

 

[BenjiA]

...what a day. Rejections from Towson U. CC, EVMS, and American U. CC. Ow.

 

[SteelMariposa]

Rejection from Central Regional Hospital.

 

[2B Mind Doc]

This waiting game is the worst!! Refresh...Refresh...Refresh...Rejection from Hampton VA...Refresh...Refresh...Refresh... must stop, lol... can't... 2 business days. Okay... will check back later...refresh...refresh...refresh...

 

[IsItOver]

So is it correct to say that since Western Psych has Dec. 11 listed as the date for interviews to be extended, if we don't hear today, then most likely it means rejection?

Ok, really? Really?
First, I should actually thank all of you insanely negatively minded people. Comforting you is actually distracting me from my own anxiety. So...thanks?

Second, it has been said multiple times that no news ISN'T bad news! At least one person on here said s/he called a site on the 16th that they hadn't heard from and was offered an interview! Sometimes sites are just behind, or even forget to notify people. It is called human error and it will plague you the rest of your life so better start coping now.

I am sending good vibes your way CBTClinPsycher. It isn't a "no" until you get the rejection e-mail/letter. This is to make you smile (cuz monkeys make me smile):

 

[deleted106747]

This waiting game is the worst!! Refresh...Refresh...Refresh...Rejection from Hampton VA...Refresh...Refresh...Refresh... must stop, lol... can't... 2 business days. Okay... will check back later...refresh...refresh...refresh...

I know...I can't stop hitting it either!!

 

[medium rare]

I am a faculty member at an APA-accredited internship program. I would like to remind everyone to be patient with this process. Our internship program received almost double the number of applications this year over last. We just met as faculty yesterday to review applications and interview invites will go out on Monday. I also know from speaking with members of other internship programs in my area that several are just now meeting to review applications.

 

[mj215]

I am a faculty member at an APA-accredited internship program. I would like to remind everyone to be patient with this process. Our internship program received almost double the number of applications this year over last. We just met as faculty yesterday to review applications and interview invites will go out on Monday. I also know from speaking with members of other internship programs in my area that several are just now meeting to review applications.

Wooo! Thanks for letting us know! Pumped about this.

 

[cmuhooligan]

Just got an invite from the Long Beach VA.

 

[CBTClinPsycher]

Ok, really? Really?
First, I should actually thank all of you insanely negatively minded people. Comforting you is actually distracting me from my own anxiety. So...thanks?

Second, it has been said multiple times that no news ISN'T bad news! At least one person on here said s/he called a site on the 16th that they hadn't heard from and was offered an interview! Sometimes sites are just behind, or even forget to notify people. It is called human error and it will plague you the rest of your life so better start coping now.

I am sending good vibes your way CBTClinPsycher. It isn't a "no" until you get the rejection e-mail/letter. This is to make you smile (cuz monkeys make me smile):

Thanks for the good vibes, but I just got the rejection email 🙁

 

[ClinPsyD917]

Just got an invite from the Long Beach VA.

Ahh, so happy for you.👍 I was not so lucky... just got a rejection from them. Come on invites...

 

[DarkenMirror]

I just got an interview at the Salisbury VA. They have the option for a phone interview and I really want to do that as much as possible. (I applied to 20 sites and only 3 even have that option.) But a part of me is afraid that it will be a waste of an interview...

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with phone interviews as compared to in person interviews?

 

[Scubapsy]

Here is my update: Rejection from Mt. Sinai, interview at Maimonides Medical Center both at NY.

 

[Scarycat]

Thanks for the good vibes, but I just got the rejection email 🙁

I got one, too... I was expecting it, though, so I actually don't feel very bad about it, even though I was really excited about the program. I think this is how I prepare myself for rejection. 😳 Two of the four other students in my program applying this year got interviews there last week. Maybe thinking my rejection was coming (along with a few other likely ones) could be described as a pity party (), but I also think it helped me move on to thinking about other sites (and the possibility that I might not match this year). Then, if they HAD invited me for an interview, I would be even more excited! . This is my personal coping style... and I don't think it's necessarily a bad one.

 

[IsItOver]

Just got rejected by the Federal Medical Center, Devens. Was my top choice. That stings... :cry:

Trying to breath...

 

[Swinx]

So is it correct to say that since Western Psych has Dec. 11 listed as the date for interviews to be extended, if we don't hear today, then most likely it means rejection?

I just got a rejection from there. You should probably hear either way sometime soon. 🙁

 

[IsItOver]

I got one, too... I was expecting it, though, so I actually don't feel very bad about it, even though I was really excited about the program. I think this is how I prepare myself for rejection. 😳 Two of the four other students in my program applying this year got interviews there last week. Maybe thinking my rejection was coming (along with a few other likely ones) could be described as a pity party (), but I also think it helped me move on to thinking about other sites (and the possibility that I might not match this year). Then, if they HAD invited me for an interview, I would be even more excited! . This is my personal coping style... and I don't think it's necessarily a bad one.

In case that was aimed at me, to clarify my position, I would never purpose to know what coping strategy was best for anyone. I myself was preparing myself for my FMC Devens rejection and sort of expecting it (though that didn't help much). But there are a few people who seem convinced the sky is falling and their world is over and need to make sure we all know it so we can also be miserable (cuz misery loves company?), so the party was for them.

I am sorry about your rejection. I burned my lunch when I found out about mine and set off my smoke alarm. That was a good distraction, if you're looking for suggestions 😉

 

[IsItOver]

I just got an interview at the Salisbury VA. They have the option for a phone interview and I really want to do that as much as possible. (I applied to 20 sites and only 3 even have that option.) But a part of me is afraid that it will be a waste of an interview...

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with phone interviews as compared to in person interviews?

I don't know what the official stance is, but I feel as though, for me, an in-person interview would be much stronger. However, that is mostly because I talk with my hands and emote a lot and that doesn't always come through via the phone. I also worry they won't take me as seriously if I can't be bothered coming in (not that you "can't be bothered," I just worry that is what they'll think). But that is all MY issues, so you may do wonderful over the phone 🙂 I would just way the pros and cons, and the site's importance to you, and make the best decision you can.

Yay for you getting interviews!

 

[Scarycat]

In case that was aimed at me, to clarify my position, I would never purpose to know what coping strategy was best for anyone. I myself was preparing myself for my FMC Devens rejection and sort of expecting it (though that didn't help much). But there are a few people who seem convinced the sky is falling and their world is over and need to make sure we all know it so we can also be miserable (cuz misery loves company?), so the party was for them.

I am sorry about your rejection. I burned my lunch when I found out about mine and set off my smoke alarm. That was a good distraction, if you're looking for suggestions 😉

I have definitely been guilty of pity parties (), although I actually try to enjoy them (a bit) and defuse from my catastrophic thoughts by thinking of even more catastrophic thoughts until I can make me laugh at myself, but perhaps I am just weird. 🙂

I'm sorry about your rejection. It does sting and I hope that good news is coming your way. Thanks for the distraction suggestion (I can always use more!).

This whole process is full of ups and downs and right now, we have no control over the process. It's just.... waiting. I have heard very hopeful and very demoralizing stories about this process. It's very hard, and I am grateful that I don't have to go through this alone. Thanks, everyone.

 

[Scarycat]

I just got a fortune cookie that said, "Beautiful things await you." I love this! I wish it had said, "A wonderful internship awaits you," but fortune cookies are never very specific. 😉

 

[lvpsyd]

Oh my god, you have SIXTEEN sites left to hear from! You do realize that is a lot, right?? Don't get so down on yourself. A lot of people haven't heard from a lot of sites - just because it is getting down to the wire doesn't mean it will be a "no." Sites just seem to be behind this year (the portal always going down, increased number of applicants, etc).

To everyone: Try to stay positive. Unless you have 19 "no's" and only 1 site left to hear from you shouldn't even be considering the possibility of no interviews. Come on, we tell our client's not to catastrophize. It is time to put all that talk in to practice!

And for those who insist on being negative, here is your pity party:

Thanks for this...I'm really trying hard not to be negative and get into the pity party. It is just so hard when you talk to others in your program who are making travel arrangements and I'm just sitting there checking my email like crazy. I'm trying to keep it in perspective, but this process just can seem so cruel. Good luck everyone. I'm going shopping, maybe that'll help🙂

 

[Sunstroke2009]

Just got an invite from the Long Beach VA.

Congrats, Cmuhooligan! Two students from my program matched there last year! It was the top choice for both!

 

[edieb]

I just got an interview at the Salisbury VA. They have the option for a phone interview and I really want to do that as much as possible. (I applied to 20 sites and only 3 even have that option.) But a part of me is afraid that it will be a waste of an interview...

Does anyone have any thoughts/experience with phone interviews as compared to in person interviews?

Interviews are a very precious commodity this year and I would not risk a phone interview. Remember: You have to stand out in a good way from the many other applicants whom they interview. Do you think a phone interview would help you do that?

If money is an issue (which it always is), use Amtrak if possible. I used the train last year to go to some interviews, and it was MUCH cheaper than flying.

 

[2B Mind Doc]

I am now refreshing not only both email boxes, but this forum page. The hubby is banning the computer for the rest of the night... let's take his advice and step away from the PC! Off to dinner and karaoke... we'll get through this!!!

 

[Sunstroke2009]

I am now refreshing not only both email boxes, but this forum page. The hubby is banning the computer for the rest of the night... let's take his advice and step away from the PC! Off to dinner and karaoke... we'll get through this!!!

That sounds like a great idea! I went to the mall trying to get away from the computer, but I ended up checking using my phone to check my email. It's been quiet for me both today and yesterday...

 

[SingingCow]

Interviews are a very precious commodity this year and I would not risk a phone interview. Remember: You have to stand out in a good way from the many other applicants whom they interview. Do you think a phone interview would help you do that?

If money is an issue (which it always is), use Amtrak if possible. I used the train last year to go to some interviews, and it was MUCH cheaper than flying.

I think you can be outstanding even if you are only interviewing over the phone. The down side to a phone interview is that you, as a applicant, do not get to "see" the facilities, the people, and what really is going on at the site. Some sites actually prefer phone interviews.

Do not feel bad about phone interviews if you cannot do an on-site interview due to various reasons. If you only have 2-3 interviews, go. If you are in the 6+ range and the sites are far apart, doing a phone interview or two is fine.

I do not believe a site will judge the sincerity and enthusiasm of an applicant based on whether he/she interviews in person or not, although I am not speaking from the other side and may be blatantly wrong. As the original poster stated, however, most sites do NOT offer the option of phone interviews. If they do allow that, it means they are fine with that.

Just my two cents.

 

[IsItOver]

Thanks for this...I'm really trying hard not to be negative and get into the pity party. It is just so hard when you talk to others in your program who are making travel arrangements and I'm just sitting there checking my email like crazy. I'm trying to keep it in perspective, but this process just can seem so cruel. Good luck everyone. I'm going shopping, maybe that'll help🙂

Have fun shopping! Buy something that makes you feel good about yourself and maybe eat some chocolate something from the food court 🙂

 

[manko7]

I am a faculty member at an APA-accredited internship program. I would like to remind everyone to be patient with this process. Our internship program received almost double the number of applications this year over last. We just met as faculty yesterday to review applications and interview invites will go out on Monday. I also know from speaking with members of other internship programs in my area that several are just now meeting to review applications.

Medium rare,

Thank you for your candor. But frankly, what bothers me is that you admit meeting yesterday and will have invites out by Monday. Respectfully, I find it hard to believe you can do a thorough job of all the applications by then unless you are cramming. Especially with the higher number of applicants compared with last year. I sincerely hope you're giving applicants a fair shake.

 

[DoctorBecca]

Two more rejections from Georgia State CC and American U CC. I know its tough for everyone right now and I hope everyones dealing with this in a way that's good for them. Freak out, expect the worst, be hopeful or like me all of the above all at once 🙂

 

[IsItOver]

Just an FYI for anyone waiting for a response from the Manhattan Psychiatric Center. I just checked their APPIC directory listing and their notification day is Dec 30 (40 days after their deadline)! Guess I may not be hearing from them for a while...

 

[cmuhooligan]

Congrats, Cmuhooligan! Two students from my program matched there last year! It was the top choice for both!

Many thanks sunstroke! I'm looking forward to it, and maybe a slightly extended stay for a much needed vacation. 🙂

 

[PSYdMHC]

I finally got my first interview. Ironically it was the first application I submitted, Broughton Hospital in NC. I had six rejections and one "waitlist" (which I consider a rejection), so there IS hope for the rest waiting on news...😳

 

[IsItOver]

I finally got my first interview. Ironically it was the first application I submitted, Broughton Hospital in NC. I had six rejections and one "waitlist" (which I consider a rejection), so there IS hope for the rest waiting on news...😳

CONGRATS!!!

 

[Sunstroke2009]

I finally got my first interview. Ironically it was the first application I submitted, Broughton Hospital in NC. I had six rejections and one "waitlist" (which I consider a rejection), so there IS hope for the rest waiting on news...😳

Congrats!! 👍

 

[AlmostaPhD]

I know this may be getting ahead of ourselves, but I was wondering what you all were planning to do about thanking the sites that interview you. I'm not sure how easy it will be to track down addresses for proper thank you notes (since everything was online this year) but I think an email might be too casual. Thoughts, especially from people who have been there before?

 

[edieb]

I know this may be getting ahead of ourselves, but I was wondering what you all were planning to do about thanking the sites that interview you. I'm not sure how easy it will be to track down addresses for proper thank you notes (since everything was online this year) but I think an email might be too casual. Thoughts, especially from people who have been there before?

I did pretty well on the internship trail last year and have to say that thank you notes are, at best, a waste of time and, at worst, can actually hurt your chances because it looks like you're trying to butter the faculty at the prospective internship site up. Save your money, your time and, most importantly, the trees...

 

[PSYdMHC]

Thanks! I must add that I actually had 2 emails back to back from the same site when I opened up my email. The heading to the first one read 'internship interview' and the last one read 'internship application'. Automatically I thought that they had mistakenly sent me an interview and then emailed right after to explain, so I didn't even want to open either one. Turns out the DCT had forgotten to add an attachment of dates for interviews. That just shows how discouraged I was feeling about this process. I really appreciate the support! Thanks guys. 😛

 

[IsItOver]

I know this may be getting ahead of ourselves, but I was wondering what you all were planning to do about thanking the sites that interview you. I'm not sure how easy it will be to track down addresses for proper thank you notes (since everything was online this year) but I think an email might be too casual. Thoughts, especially from people who have been there before?

I hadn't even considered doing this, but my feeling personally is that an e-mail, post-interview would be fine. I would imagine saying something like "I wanted to thank you again for inviting me for the interview. It was great to me you and the faculty... yadda yadda...I was very impressed.. yadda yadda...and hope to work with you in the future" or somethin.

Just a thought.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Medium rare,

Thank you for your candor. But frankly, what bothers me is that you admit meeting yesterday and will have invites out by Monday. Respectfully, I find it hard to believe you can do a thorough job of all the applications by then unless you are cramming. Especially with the higher number of applicants compared with last year. I sincerely hope you're giving applicants a fair shake.

Often/Most times there is a multi-step, "review" process, so it shouldn't be the first time everyone is seeing the application. I can't speak specifically to how my site does it, but there are multiple reviews before the final selection meeting. I know it personally took me quite a bit of time to review my portion of apps. I remember how it was to put together everything, so I made sure to carefully read everything submitted. Just hang in there everyone....stuff will probably move quickly next week, with many sites having a Dec 15th deadline.

 

[IsItOver]

Just got a rejection from South Shore Mental Health Center in MA. Feeling pretty dejected. Don't even wanna go celebrate my own bday...

 

[Sunstroke2009]

Just got a rejection from South Shore Mental Health Center in MA. Feeling pretty dejected. Don't even wanna go celebrate my own bday...

I'm sorry, IsItOver.. Happy birthday!!

 

[Scarycat]

Just got a rejection from South Shore Mental Health Center in MA. Feeling pretty dejected. Don't even wanna go celebrate my own bday...

I'm feeling this, too. It seems to come in waves. Perhaps if today doesn't get any better, you can have a "birthday week," and celebrate your birthday again over the weekend? 🙂 One of my supervisors does that. She thought a month might be excessive, but a day is too short.

Happy birthday, isitover! The waiting will be over soon.

 

[medium rare]

Medium rare,

Thank you for your candor. But frankly, what bothers me is that you admit meeting yesterday and will have invites out by Monday. Respectfully, I find it hard to believe you can do a thorough job of all the applications by then unless you are cramming. Especially with the higher number of applicants compared with last year. I sincerely hope you're giving applicants a fair shake.

Each application received was initially screened by administrative staff to ensure minimal qualifications were met (complete application, APA-accredited doctoral program, # of hours, etc). Of those, each application was reviewed in depth by at least two different faculty raters over a course of two weeks. That data was then put into a large spreadsheet along with the data from every other application. We (the faculty) had until Monday to complete our initial reviews and then met yesterday to review all applications as a group and decide whether or not to offer interviews.

 

[IsItOver]

I'm sorry, IsItOver.. Happy birthday!!

I'm feeling this, too. It seems to come in waves. Perhaps if today doesn't get any better, you can have a "birthday week," and celebrate your birthday again over the weekend? 🙂 One of my supervisors does that. She thought a month might be excessive, but a day is too short.

Happy birthday, isitover! The waiting will be over soon.

Thanks guys!!! It was actually a week ago anyway, but I am sure getting out of the house will help. Just have to motivate myself to get out of my bathrobe! lol

I hope everyone else can do something positive for themselves this evening. Tomorrow is a new day, and even though it's Saturday it may bring good news!

 

[manko7]

I did pretty well on the internship trail last year and have to say that thank you notes are, at best, a waste of time and, at worst, can actually hurt your chances because it looks like you're trying to butter the faculty at the prospective internship site up. Save your money, your time and, most importantly, the trees...

What?! Man, I wish you could tell us the site that believes saying "thank you" is a negative.

Do such sites also frown upon dressing up in a suit for interview?

I see you dress up for interviews. Well, you don't "fit" at this site!
\
😡

 

[PHDDon]

Each application received was initially screened by administrative staff to ensure minimal qualifications were met (complete application, APA-accredited doctoral program, # of hours, etc). Of those, each application was reviewed in depth by at least two different faculty raters over a course of two weeks. That data was then put into a large spreadsheet along with the data from every other application. We (the faculty) had until Monday to complete our initial reviews and then met yesterday to review all applications as a group and decide whether or not to offer interviews.

I appreciate that time was taken to ensure the in depth review of each applicant. However, if you knew yesterday who you were going to offer interviews to, why would you wait until Monday to send out notifications? Knowing that applicants are waiting expectantly, why wait so long?

 

[CBTClinPsycher]

I appreciate that time was taken to ensure the in depth review of each applicant. However, if you knew yesterday who you were going to offer interviews to, why would you wait until Monday to send out notifications? Knowing that applicants are waiting expectantly, why wait so long?

While I (as an applicant) understand people's frustration with slow turnaround, don't you think that the sites and the faculty responsible for the internship process do the best that they can?? I have to believe that everyone in this process wants to do what's best for everyone in the situation. I think some of our (the applicants) anxieties and insecurities are playing into these comments, and I'm not sure it's fair to those who are responsible for offering interviews. We don't know what the processes are on their side...so how about let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Technically, they don't have to tell us until the date given, and I'm sure they're doing the best they can....

 

[PHDDon]

While I (as an applicant) understand people's frustration with slow turnaround, don't you think that the sites and the faculty responsible for the internship process do the best that they can?? I have to believe that everyone in this process wants to do what's best for everyone in the situation. I think some of our (the applicants) anxieties and insecurities are playing into these comments, and I'm not sure it's fair to those who are responsible for offering interviews. We don't know what the processes are on their side...so how about let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Technically, they don't have to tell us until the date given, and I'm sure they're doing the best they can....

I was simply asking a question. My response had nothing to do with my insecurities and wasn't phrased to be attacking to the initial poster. I completely understand that they are under no obilgation to let us know until their notification date, however I was just curious...so I asked a question.