2011 APPIC Internship Application Thread

[TryingPatience]

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Yes, I have heard from the Vanderbilt VA general track, but not from the Vanderbilt Counseling Center either way (which is a bit frustrating as my VA interview date is fast approaching, and would rather avoid two trips if possible). Contemplating contacting them, but think I'll just wait. Does anyone know if the Vandy CC does phone interviews?

 

[aagman01]

Numbers such as number of total applicants are only one barometer on gauging the competitiveness of a slot, I would think. However, if you insist on numbers, I would posit that examining the ratio of applicants to internship slots available could be more fruitful. A site with 100 applicants but only 3 slots is, I would think, more competitive than a site that has 200 applicants but 10 spots. One last thought - this whole process seems, to me, to be a highly subjective one---so don't spend too much time trying to rationalize the irrational

i received a rejection from Jesse Brown last week, and a classmate received a rejection from Emory 1-2 weeks ago. so i guess it might be good news if you have yet to hear anything from them.

 

[PsychDr12]

Yes, I have heard from the Vanderbilt VA general track, but not from the Vanderbilt Counseling Center either way (which is a bit frustrating as my VA interview date is fast approaching, and would rather avoid two trips if possible). Contemplating contacting them, but think I'll just wait. Does anyone know if the Vandy CC does phone interviews?

Would you mind telling me when you heard from the Vanderbilt VA? How did you hear (phone, email, etc.) What dates did they offer? Thanks!

 

[erg923]

has anyone heard back from Pennsylvania Hospital or Temple? also, has anyone heard back from Hines VA?

edit: based on the news i've received so far, i feel like i may have applied to too many competitive sites. however, i only applied to 3 sites with over 200 applicants. i thought sites with over 200 applicants were considered competitive. is this an erroneous assumption? are sites with over 150 applicants considered competitive? what are the benchmarks for a site to be considered "competitive"?

200 apps for 8 spots is likely to be less competitive than 100 apps for 2 spots, right? So, you need to look at it that way too.

Further, you need to consider location and the types of applicants that site appeals to. The applicants who apply to WPIC, MUSC, Palo Alto VA, and Mclean probably dont have the same training background/profile as those who apply to small community mental health centers in Utah. And of course, you have to take into account your fit (both past experiences and future training goals) with the site when determining how competitive you will be within their pool of applicants. For example, having VA experience and having the future goal of being VA psychologist helps with many VA sites.

EDIT: OOPS, Aagman answered this already but i didnt see it, sorry...

 

[arsesta]

200 apps for 8 spots is likely to be less competitive than 100 apps for 2 spots, right? So, you need to look at it that way too.

Further, you need to consider location and the types of applicants that site appeals to. The applicants who apply to WPIC, MUSC, Palo Alto VA, and Mclean probably dont have the same training background/profile as those who apply to small community mental health centers in Utah. And of course, you have to take into account your fit (both past experiences and future training goals) with the site when determining how competitive you will be within their pool of applicants. For example, having VA experience and having the future goal of being VA psychologist helps with many VA sites.

EDIT: OOPS, Aagman answered this already but i didnt see it, sorry...

I agree with erg and aagman. Also how competitive a site is depends on the site's location. For example, MANY sites in NYC get over 200 applicants, and they aren't neccessarily that great, but they become super competitive because they are in New York! Same thing with Bay Area sites and other big cities (LA, Boston, Chicago). That's why I've applied across the country to increase my chances, and I feel like it's working in my favor. I also like to compare the # of applicants with the # ppl were offered interviews the year before. Some sites has 200 applicants, but interview 100 applicants while others interview 40. This process is so weird and unpredictable!!!!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

has anyone heard back from Pennsylvania Hospital or Temple? also, has anyone heard back from Hines VA?

edit: based on the news i've received so far, i feel like i may have applied to too many competitive sites. however, i only applied to 3 sites with over 200 applicants. i thought sites with over 200 applicants were considered competitive. is this an erroneous assumption? are sites with over 150 applicants considered competitive? what are the benchmarks for a site to be considered "competitive"?

Some of the geographically desirable places can get 150 and it isn't as competitive as 150 in a less desirable place, but 150 is still going to yield a lot of quality applicants regardless of the location. I think any site that has a 50:1 ratio is competitive.

 

[Zigman]

I am still waiting on the Memphis VA. I don't think anyone has heard from them (at least from following this blog). Did you receive an email from them the week before Thanksgiving noting that your application was complete and you were still being considered? They seem to be taking a looong time.

Yeah, I did get that email...

 

[363492]

Concerning competition.......

From what I am hearing, the numbers quoted on APPIC from last year are not reflective of the current applicant pool. Having a bit of an insider's view, many sites are reporting a significantly higher number of applicants this year, making the competition much stiffer than any of us antipated. I do agree that "goodness of fit" and qualifications weigh heavily, but I am also increasingly believing the process is more random and arbitrary than anyone is comfortable admitting (not to undermine site's efforts to be fair; perhaps, like us, they are just overwhelmed). All we can do is the best we can do and hope for reasonable choices in the end. If we luck out this time, take a deep breath and steady ourselves to shine in the next round. Hang in there, everybody.

 

[Existenz]

Concerning competition.......

From what I am hearing, the numbers quoted on APPIC from last year are not reflective of the current applicant pool. Having a bit of an insider's view, many sites are reporting a significantly higher number of applicants this year, making the competition much stiffer than any of us antipated. I do agree that "goodness of fit" and qualifications weigh heavily, but I am also increasingly believing the process is more random and arbitrary than anyone is comfortable admitting (not to undermine site's efforts to be fair; perhaps, like us, they are just overwhelmed). All we can do is the best we can do and hope for reasonable choices in the end. If we luck out this time, take a deep breath and steady ourselves to shine in the next round. Hang in there, everybody.

Overcompensation is key.

 

[clinpsych]

... take a deep breath and steady ourselves to shine in the next round.

What a great sentiment!

 

[theizzard]

I just received a rejection from Temple (Tuttleman the counseling center).

 

[StayGoldJohnny]

Concerning competition.......

From what I am hearing, the numbers quoted on APPIC from last year are not reflective of the current applicant pool. Having a bit of an insider's view, many sites are reporting a significantly higher number of applicants this year, making the competition much stiffer than any of us antipated. I do agree that "goodness of fit" and qualifications weigh heavily, but I am also increasingly believing the process is more random and arbitrary than anyone is comfortable admitting (not to undermine site's efforts to be fair; perhaps, like us, they are just overwhelmed). All we can do is the best we can do and hope for reasonable choices in the end. If we luck out this time, take a deep breath and steady ourselves to shine in the next round. Hang in there, everybody.

My assumption, then, is that there will be a lot of site participating in the second ranking... unless there are more applicants rather than an increase in number of applications per individual. Does anyone have that data?
Either way, there's nothing to do but wait now.

"The sun'll come up, tomorrow" - Annie

 

[erg923]

My assumption, then, is that there will be a lot of site participating in the second ranking... unless there are more applicants rather than an increase in number of applications per individual. Does anyone have that data?
Either way, there's nothing to do but wait now.

"The sun'll come up, tomorrow" - Annie

I would think that more applicants means less sites in the second ranking (formerly "clearinghouse") because the sites see such a large number of high quality candidates that they can simply make a hugely deep rank list the first time in order to avoid not filling on match day. Is this not right? I would think there is a huge incentive for a site not to have to go thought the process more than once, if for no other reason than to not have to waste time having more meetings going over apps and making tough ranking decisions.

 

[StayGoldJohnny]

I would think that more applicants means less sites in the second ranking (formerly "clearinghouse") because the sites see such a large number of high quality candidates that they can simply make a hugely deep rank list the first time in order to avoid not filling on match day. Is this not right? I would think there is a huge incentive for a site not to have to go thought the process more than once, if for no other reason than to not have to waste time having more meetings going over apps and making tough ranking decisions.

Yes, if there are indeed more applicants, then there would be less sites in second ranking. But my thought was that if there were the same number of applicants who are applying to a greater number of sites, then more sites would be ranking the same applicants, who can only fill one spot. Therefore, when applicants who were ranked at multiple sites choose only one, the real numbers begin to show... right?

I'm definitely no statistician, so it is quite possible (dare I say probable?) that this logic is flawed.

 

[erg923]

Yes, if there are indeed more applicants, then there would be less sites in second ranking. But my thought was that if there were the same number of applicants who are applying to a greater number of sites, then more sites would be ranking the same applicants, who can only fill one spot. Therefore, when applicants who were ranked at multiple sites choose only one, the real numbers begin to show... right?

I'm definitely no statistician, so it is quite possible (dare I say probable?) that this logic is flawed.

I am pretty sure that the consensus is that there are more overall applicants this year (as the numbers of people registered for the match have steadily risen over the past 5 years), partly due to spill over from unmatched applicants from prior years.

 

[StayGoldJohnny]

I am pretty sure than the consensus is that there are more overall applicants this year (as the numbers of people registered for the match have steadily risen over the past 5 years), partly due to spill over from unmatched applicants from prior years.

awesome

 

[363492]

My assumption, then, is that there will be a lot of site participating in the second ranking...

There will be fewer sites in the second ranking and more unmatched applicants seeking placement in those sites. This is in keeping with the national trend of too many applicants, and too few sites.

 

[IsItOver]

I am pretty sure that the consensus is that there are more overall applicants this year (as the numbers of people registered for the match have steadily risen over the past 5 years), partly due to spill over from unmatched applicants from prior years.

Fyi, I am speaking from memory of last year's stats, so this may not be 100% accurate.

Yes, there are more applicants overall b/c the number of sites/spots has decreased over recent years, resulting in more people not matching and rolling into the following years. For example, (if I remember correctly) there were ~600 more applicants last year than spots (~2600 applicants for ~2000 spots). Most of those (a number of us represented on this forum) are now applying this year, and can be added to the number of new applicants applying this year (which is also likely higher as schools are accepting more and more people). However, last years data also indicated that with the online system applicants were applying to more sites on average, b/c it is easier/cheaper. I applied to 17 last year and did not match, so my solution was to overcompensate and apply to 28 this year. Someday they will limit the number of sites we can apply to (so we only apply to sites we REALLY like, and only compete w/ people who also REALLY like that site), but until then I imagine we will see sites receiving exponentially increasing numbers of applications, at a rate higher than what would be accounted for simply by an increased number of applicants.

Yay... 🙂

Good luck tomorrow everyone!!!

 

[KayJay85]

For example, (if I remember correctly) there were ~600 more applicants last year than spots (~2600 applicants for ~2000 spots). Most of those (a number of us represented on this forum) are now applying this year, and can be added to the number of new applicants applying this year (which is also likely higher as schools are accepting more and more people). However, last years data also indicated that with the online system applicants were applying to more sites on average, b/c it is easier/cheaper. I applied to 17 last year and did not match, so my solution was to overcompensate and apply to 28 this year.

28? YIKES! 😱

I was planning to apply next year (my 4th), but am now considering pushing it back given the current climate of the match. It just appears that the cards are stacking against first time applicants given those going through the process for a second time have had practice, an extra year to beef up their CV, time to defend, and the ability to apply to far more sites because of advanced planning. Does anyone have information on the impact for first-time applicants?

Anyway, I certainly wish you all the best of luck 👍 and will be watching and learning.

 

[363492]

I just received a rejection from Temple (Tuttleman the counseling center).

🙁 - hope it wasn't high on your list.

 

[erg923]

28? YIKES! 😱

I was planning to apply next year (my 4th), but am now considering pushing it back given the current climate of the match. It just appears that the cards are stacking against first time applicants given those going through the process for a second time have had practice, an extra year to beef up their CV, time to defend, and the ability to apply to far more sites because of advanced planning.

Stacked against first time applicants? No, I don't think this is the case at all. Unless you have aspirations of tenure track academic positions or being a research superstar, my advise is to just get out and get your career going. This is my fourth year and I can tell you my wife and I are already tired of being perpetual students living in a cramped apartment.

I do think the extraordinarily high number of sites people apply to makes this process worse though. I even got sucked into this and applied to 18 sites. The highest number of anyone I know at my program. Faculty told us to keep it between 12 and 15. 28 seems like simply throwing darts to me, but frankly, I cant blame you. During a recent conversation about our interview itineraries, a friend of mine recently asked me "Dude, at this point is it really about getting the absolute best, top-of the line training in X, Y, or Z, or is just about finishing grad school? At this point I share much of that sentiment." But that could be the maxed out credit card and anxiety talking...🙂

What if APPIC capped apps at 10 for each applicant. Does anyone think this would help things at all?

 

[futureapppsy2]

(which is also likely higher as schools are accepting more and more people)

Do you have any citations for this? Just curious...

Ugh... I'm definitely not looking forward to going through this process in 4 or 5 years. I shudder to think of what the imbalance will be like then if trends continue and nothing is done to *really* fix the imbalance. 🙁

Do you guys think the creation of a "second match" before clearinghouse will help much or not?

Good luck to everyone applying this year!

 

[KayJay85]

Thanks, Erg! That makes me feel a bit better. This whole thing is so stressful for first and second time applicants alike. I, too, have heard 15 sites touted as the golden mark, but can understand why people would want to add a few more for cushion room. A cap is a nice idea in that it will allow applicants to really focus on making the strongest case for those sites and will limit the number of "rock star" applicants (you know the ones) holding top spots at numerous sites, which I think (?) makes the match smoother all the way around. Oh, well. It is what it is for now. But I am keeping my fingers crossed for some serious improvements in this process.

 

[IsItOver]

Do you have any citations for this? Just curious...

lol No. And I am WAY too lazy/busy w/ prepping for my ist interview (leaving tomorrow!!) to go look for it! haha sorry 🙂

I will def jump on the limit-the-number-of-sites-people-can-apply to bandwagon, if it ever gets rolling!

 

[TryingPatience]

Would you mind telling me when you heard from the Vanderbilt VA? How did you hear (phone, email, etc.) What dates did they offer? Thanks!

Sure, sorry! I got an email, addressed personally (not Dear Applicant) on Mon 11/22. Interviews started on the 6th of Dec and are held on 3 dates (12/6, 12/16, and 1/4). The VA interviews are at both VA sites in Nashville and Murfreesboro since a lot of interns do rotations at both.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with!

 

[blindchaos]

Do you guys think the creation of a "second match" before clearinghouse will help much or not?

I like the structure of the second match a LOT more than clearinghouse. Yes, it may draw the process out longer for some that would have found a match very quickly in clearinghouse, but I think the second match favors applicants who are a better fit rather than who can get their app in faster. (NOTE: I'm not saying that applicants who found a site via clearinghouse aren't good fits for their sites, I just think the second match is more balanced and gives everyone a more fair chance)

On a completely unrelated note...has any one had APPIC/internship-induced dreams/nightmares? I had an internship dream the other night -in my dream, one of my favorite sites rejected me TWICE via e-mail (separate days and different rejection letters) but then they called me, assured me that both rejections were a mistake and set up an in-person interview Too bad in real life this site already rejected me via snail mail 🙁 I'll still wait for their phone call ya know...just in case...😛 (kidding).

Good luck tomorrow everyone!

 

[ThisIsCrazy]

On a completely unrelated note...has any one had APPIC/internship-induced dreams/nightmares?

A friend had a dream that all her sites collaborated and sent her one big rejection email instead of having to do it individually. 🙁

 

[PsychDr12]

Sure, sorry! I got an email, addressed personally (not Dear Applicant) on Mon 11/22. Interviews started on the 6th of Dec and are held on 3 dates (12/6, 12/16, and 1/4). The VA interviews are at both VA sites in Nashville and Murfreesboro since a lot of interns do rotations at both.

Let me know if there's anything else I can help with!

Thanks! This helps a lot. I know they also have interview dates listed for Jan. 20th and 21st, but who knows if those are also for the VA or another site in the consortium. I'll keep hope alive until I get the official word. I haven't heard either way. *Fingers crossed* Good luck on your interview!

 

[BiggE]

I just received a rejection from Temple (Tuttleman the counseling center).

did you get an email on a Sunday?

 

[ThisIsCrazy]

did you get an email on a Sunday?

Wouldn't be the first time. 😛

 

[dragonstyle]

To start our Monday on a sour note, I got an email rejection from University of Kansas CC on Sunday afternoon. The weekends are, apparently, not safe.

Also, a friend of mine got a call from the University of Michigan CC on Saturday offering an interview. Did anyone else hear back from U of Michigan?

 

[DOCit2me]

Well, the good thing about today, is its the LAST monday I'll have to stress about getting interviews!!... Now I just need my remaining 8 sites to all tell me they love me and want me to interview

Good luck today, everyone!! And for all heading out to interviews, you'll do great! 😍

On another note, in a delayed response to a post I read a long time ago on here, I had business cards printed up yesterday...

 

[clinpsych]

Good luck to everyone over the next 3 days!

 

[uniquepsych]

Just wanted to say good luck to everyone! Can't wait to post and see all your posts about the great invites we all get! 🙂

 

[blindchaos]

It's not even 9:30am yet and I'm already impatient ....it's gonna be a long day 😳 Good luck everyone!

 

[ThisIsCrazy]

It's not even 9:30am yet and I'm already impatient ....it's gonna be a long day 😳 Good luck everyone!

Ditto!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Ditto!

Ditto², and it's only 8:30 here. Luckily, I have clinic work to keep my mind occupied for most of the day.

 

[363492]

🙁 Three rejections since Friday pm - Phoenix VA, Penn Hospital, and Connecticut Valley. Although I am extremely grateful to have interviews, NO, NO, NO feels yucky.

 

[ThisIsCrazy]

🙁 Three rejections since Friday pm - Phoenix VA, Penn Hospital, and Connecticut Valley. Although I am extremely grateful to have interviews, NO, NO, NO feels yucky.

I totally understand, I was 6-2 going into last Thursday and ended up at 6-5 after the day was over. I'm still very happy with what I have, but MAN the rejection sucks AND kills any self-confidence that came from getting the interviews that I have!

 

[363492]

I totally understand, I was 6-2 going into last Thursday and ended up at 6-5 after the day was over. I'm still very happy with what I have, but MAN the rejection sucks AND kills any self-confidence that came from getting the interviews that I have!

Exactly! This process feels brutal. Hope the day brings good news your way - 6 interviews is awesome (I only have 4 so far)! I bet you're going to be fine. Good luck!!

 

[theizzard]

yes it was Sunday. Today came Pennsylvania Hospital. I keep forgetting to include messages. Now I know why I keep getting all these rejections.

 

[theizzard]

did you get an email on a Sunday?

yes.

 

[theizzard]

🙁 - hope it wasn't high on your list.

At this point the programs high on my list are the ones that want to interview me. No other way to look at it. I have only 2 invites so far and I think 10 I haven't heard from. My feeling is if they take this long to hear from them then you meaning me are not going to be invited to interview.

 

[RingoStarr]

I called this morning to schedule my interview. I was invited to interview for my two top tracks: Clinical Child and Pedi NP. My interviews were scheduled for December 10th.

I called right at 8AM and I was the 2nd caller. Three other applicants called while I was on the line. There is only 1 administrative assistant handling the scheduling of all of us, and she already sounded like she was going crazy. I apologized on behalf of all of us for what we're going to put her through over the next few days. She was extremely nice so, please, give her a break and be patient with her when you call to schedule your interviews. You may have to wait on the line for a while.

 

[torch]

Interview invites with Iowa State's Student Counseling Service were sent via email this morning.

 

[npsychrox]

has anyone heard back from Pennsylvania Hospital or Temple? also, has anyone heard back from Hines VA?

edit: based on the news i've received so far, i feel like i may have applied to too many competitive sites. however, i only applied to 3 sites with over 200 applicants. i thought sites with over 200 applicants were considered competitive. is this an erroneous assumption? are sites with over 150 applicants considered competitive? what are the benchmarks for a site to be considered "competitive"?

I received a rejection from Pennsylvania Hospital this morning, not personalized, but a nice email, outlining how they based their decisions. I am also feeling that I should have had a few more "safety" sites.. oh well -que sera!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

At this point the programs high on my list are the ones that want to interview me. No other way to look at it. I have only 2 invites so far and I think 10 I haven't heard from. My feeling is if they take this long to hear from them then you meaning me are not going to be invited to interview.

I can definitely understand the "prepare yourself for the worst" mentality, as it's what I'm doing with my remaining three sites. However, I think it's also important to keep in mind that many sites have yet to notify anyone. Also, with review processes differing so significantly across sites, it's essentially impossible to know whether or not hearing from a site "late" is any indication as to your current standing with them. Perhaps your set of reviewers was backed up and/or takes longer to get through materials than other individuals at the site; or perhaps the program goes through applications in the order they were received, alphabetical order, or some completely random ordering.

Best of luck to everyone with your outstanding applications, and here's to maintaining what mental health we have left over the next three days.

 

[npsychrox]

Concerning competition.......

From what I am hearing, the numbers quoted on APPIC from last year are not reflective of the current applicant pool. Having a bit of an insider's view, many sites are reporting a significantly higher number of applicants this year, making the competition much stiffer than any of us antipated. I do agree that "goodness of fit" and qualifications weigh heavily, but I am also increasingly believing the process is more random and arbitrary than anyone is comfortable admitting (not to undermine site's efforts to be fair; perhaps, like us, they are just overwhelmed). All we can do is the best we can do and hope for reasonable choices in the end. If we luck out this time, take a deep breath and steady ourselves to shine in the next round. Hang in there, everybody.

You too, srei. Thanks & good luck!

 

[Markro311]

My feeling is if they take this long to hear from them then you meaning me are not going to be invited to interview.

While I can understand your frustration and pessimism (I believe almost all of us - if not all of us - can definitely relate), I don't think there's any logic or rationale to this theory. I haven't heard from 12 sites, but I surely don't think that means I have 12 rejections coming my way.

Some sites get through this application/invite process ASAP (weeks before their notification deadline), some wait until the last minute due to being incredibly busy or receiving a huge number of applications (notifying on their notification day, or even a day or two after sadly). Some sites send out their interviews first, some send out their rejections first, some mix it up.

There's really no rhyme or reason to this process. As easy as it may be to chalk up places as "rejections", don't give up on yourself. PLENTY of sites haven't gotten back to applicants either way (interview or rejection), and plenty of sites who have already sent out some interviews or rejections will still be sending out more of both.

Best of luck everyone!

 

[RingoStarr]

Has anyone heard from the following sites:

Institute for Child and Family Health - General Outpatient Track
Citrus - Pediatric/Adolescent Tracks
University of FL - Pediatric Tracks
Nova Psychology Services Center
Miami Dade County Public Schools

Still waiting on these last 5...

Is it possible that sites don't send out rejections at all?