2011 APPIC Internship Application Thread

[JeNeSaisQuoi]

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Since I completed all my coursework a year ago, I pay for only 1 credit / semester and then the chair of dept signs a form helping me "force status" as a half-time student so my loans can be deferred. Most programs have something similar for ABDs working on dissertation/research. Just make sure you stay on top of this! For my prog, we have to get this form signed EVERY semester, and I didn't know this initially. I totally freaked out when 5 different agencies were requesting that I pay them and I was broke. Everything worked out though in the end.

Was this a federal form for the loans specifically or a university form?

 

[Markro311]

How are you registered with your program during internship? I'm trying to figure out what registration options will work for this that I can talk to my program about.

I'm in the match process right now, so I'm not currently registered for internship. This may not be helpful, but all I know is that we are considered full-time and eligible for federal loans when we are on internship. I know we register for internship (I believe it's 1 credit per semester, thus we have a small fee to pay). But that's all I know, sorry.

 

[YorkUgrad]

I was hoping we could have a short discussion regarding the benefits of completing an accredited vs. non accredited internship (under the assumption that the unaccredited internship is reputable and had an excellent diversity in training). Does it really hurt one's career to complete a non-accredited internship? Could it stop you from obtaining academic positions or certain types of jobs?

 

[erg923]

APPIC's site has a pretty comprehensive description of this actually. http://appic.org/match/5_2_1_appfaq2.html#q3

In brief, the answer is a resounding YES....however, it depends on your specific career goals. Unaccredited internships will automatically and unquestioningly disqualify you from ever obtaining employments as a psychologist in the VA system or in any branch of the federal government (eg., Bureau of Prisons). The exception to this is if you do a non-accredited internship in a VA that is currently in the process of applying for APA accreditation. In this case, you can still post-doc and gain employment in the VA system. Yes, it can def rule you out of many academic jobs too, as many (including my university) will require APA internships. Some states used to require APA internships for licensure in their state, but I dont think this is the case anymore for any states. Lastly, certain post-docs (especially formal npsych post-docs) will require or heavily favor candidates who have accredited internships.

 

[YorkUgrad]

APPIC's site has a pretty comprehensive description of this actually. http://appic.org/match/5_2_1_appfaq2.html#q3

In brief, the answer is a resounding YES....however, it depends on your specific career goals. Unaccredited internships will automatically and unquestioningly disqualify you from ever obtaining employments as a psychologist in the VA system or in any branch of the federal government (eg., Bureau of Prisons). The exception to this is if you do a non-accredited internship in a VA that is currently in the process of applying for APA accreditation. In this case, you can still post-doc and gain employment in the VA system. Yes, it can def rule you out of many academic jobs too, as many (including my university) will require APA internships. Some states used to require APA internships for licensure in their state, but I dont think this is the case anymore for any states. Lastly, certain post-docs (especially formal npsych post-docs) will require or heavily favor candidates who has accredited internships.

Thanks erg923 - it was helpful to read the APPIC info. I think it's a bit different in Canada as VAs aren't popular internship sites and we don't need to complete an accredited program to register in most provinces. I know accredited internships are still preferred for most jobs (academic jobs especially) but I happen to know of a few proffs who were recently hired at my university and did not complete an accredited internship. Seems very inconsistent, which is confusing for us students. No one seems to want to give us a straight answer since the university definitely wants us to complete an accredited internship so their stats look better.

 

[arsesta]

Was this a federal form for the loans specifically or a university form?

This is a university-based form. Once it's approved/signed by the dept, the school sends a message to the National STudent Clearinghouse notifying them that we are at least half-time status student so our loans can be deferred.

 

[PsychScience]

I was hoping we could have a short discussion regarding the benefits of completing an accredited vs. non accredited internship (under the assumption that the unaccredited internship is reputable and had an excellent diversity in training). Does it really hurt one's career to complete a non-accredited internship? Could it stop you from obtaining academic positions or certain types of jobs?

From my experience, the short answer to this question is that YES, it can absolutely hurt your career depending on what you want to do. An APA accredited internship is considered the gold standard in the field (not saying this is right or wrong, just saying what it is), and so several jobs specify in their request for applicants that to be considered you must have completed an accredited program and an accredited internship, university positions are often not immune from this requirement. This is particularly true if you are going to be in an academic position requiring clinical work. And, as erg already mentioned, it will certainly disqualify you from working at a VA. You also really need to pay attention to licensing laws in your state to figure out if this could hurt you.

This is also speaking from my knowledge within the US system, I haven't looked at how this plays out in Canada at all, where it may be completely different.

 

[aagman01]

I could give you the protocol at my school, but, if you look at the responses, there really is no point. Processes for registering for internship, dissertation, etc. and financial aid differs by university. Talk to your DCT, graduate college, or financial aid office (making sure you inform them of your "unique" status). Good luck

I'm in the match process right now, so I'm not currently registered for internship. This may not be helpful, but all I know is that we are considered full-time and eligible for federal loans when we are on internship. I know we register for internship (I believe it's 1 credit per semester, thus we have a small fee to pay). But that's all I know, sorry.

 

[KayJay85]

I could give you the protocol at my school, but, if you look at the responses, there really is no point. Processes for registering for internship, dissertation, etc. and financial aid differs by university. Talk to your DCT, graduate college, or financial aid office (making sure you inform them of your "unique" status). Good luck

Ditto. It really sounds like a school-specific issue.

 

[JeNeSaisQuoi]

Well I've talked to them already and they seem to think paying for the 2 credits and not being full time unless I pay for 5 out of pocket is the only option. My TD suggested I collected some "data" on other sites and how they do this so she can talk to the higher ups at the university to see if something else can be arranged. And for some reason she said it would be particularly helpful to know if any other state funded schools have other options that involve 0 credits or taking 1-2 credits but still being officially "full time" for the purposes of loans.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Well I've talked to them already and they seem to think paying for the 2 credits and not being full time unless I pay for 5 out of pocket is the only option. My TD suggested I collected some "data" on other sites and how they do this so she can talk to the higher ups at the university to see if something else can be arranged. And for some reason she said it would be particularly helpful to know if any other state funded schools have other options that involve 0 credits or taking 1-2 credits but still being officially "full time" for the purposes of loans.

I attend a large state university and am in the process of preparing for the match myself. To the best of my knowledge, our program keeps you set as a full-time student via a specific class (entitled something like "Clinical Psychology Internship") for which you register while on internship. Works similarly to thesis/dissertation hours.

 

[JockNerd]

So, one thing to keep in mind for people obsessively comparing this year, or looking at this thread next year:

There are at least two people who posted to this forum who gave information about interview invitations that was false. These posters claimed to have interviews at sites for which I have knowledge of the review timeline, and the sites had not sent out invitations when these posters claimed to have received interview invitations. They HAD sent out first-round rejections, so my suspicion is that the posters received rejections but did not want to say that on the board, and assumed all notifications went out at the same time.

Looking at last year's thread, this seems to have happened then as well.

 

[O Gurl]

JockNerd, thanks for pointing that out. While we all hope fellow members will be honest with the information they post (esp in regards to applications which drive people to the brink) this is still the Internet and there is no way of knowing. Anyway I hope everyone is surviving (perhaps even enjoying) interviews.

 

[irish80122]

So, one thing to keep in mind for people obsessively comparing this year, or looking at this thread next year:

There are at least two people who posted to this forum who gave information about interview invitations that was false. These posters claimed to have interviews at sites for which I have knowledge of the review timeline, and the sites had not sent out invitations when these posters claimed to have received interview invitations. They HAD sent out first-round rejections, so my suspicion is that the posters received rejections but did not want to say that on the board, and assumed all notifications went out at the same time.

Looking at last year's thread, this seems to have happened then as well.

I have never understood this, either. If you don't want to claim a rejection, then don't post at all. However, rejections are going to happen in this process, there are just too many qualified applicants, so there is no shame in getting rejections.

To lead by example, the following programs either rejected me or I never heard back from them: Denver VA, Western Psych, UCSF, Brown, Milwaukee VA, and Pittsburgh VA. The way I view it, they all made a major error by rejecting me...now I am not likely to rank them. Gotta love keeping an internal locus of control 🙂

 

[JeNeSaisQuoi]

So, one thing to keep in mind for people obsessively comparing this year, or looking at this thread next year:

There are at least two people who posted to this forum who gave information about interview invitations that was false. These posters claimed to have interviews at sites for which I have knowledge of the review timeline, and the sites had not sent out invitations when these posters claimed to have received interview invitations. They HAD sent out first-round rejections, so my suspicion is that the posters received rejections but did not want to say that on the board, and assumed all notifications went out at the same time.

Looking at last year's thread, this seems to have happened then as well.

I don't think people are necessarily lying and I wouldn't be quick to accuse people of that. I know of at least a few cases, including 1 invite I got, where a few early invites were sent out, sometimes even before the application deadline. Maybe these looked bogus when posted on the forum because of the timeline posted on the sites' websites, but I know of at least a few cases where this did in fact occur.

 

[JockNerd]

I don't think people are necessarily lying and I wouldn't be quick to accuse people of that. I know of at least a few cases, including 1 invite I got, where a few early invites were sent out, sometimes even before the application deadline. Maybe these looked bogus when posted on the forum because of the timeline posted on the sites' websites, but I know of at least a few cases where this did in fact occur.

Probably that has happened. However, the posters claimed to have invites from places that I know with certainty had not sent out any invites. Nothing to do with deadlines posted online.

 

[CitizenPanda]

How common is it to hear back from sites you interviewed at? I sent thank you emails to most, and a couple replied very briefly, and from some I heard nothing at all. I kind of expected that, but I also requested some information from one of my top sites a couple of days ago and they haven't replied - does that mean they don't want me there..??!

 

[erg923]

How common is it to hear back from sites you interviewed at? I sent thank you emails to most, and a couple replied very briefly, and from some I heard nothing at all. I kind of expected that, but I also requested some information from one of my top sites a couple of days ago and they haven't replied - does that mean they don't want me there..??!

Yes, it means you suck! Come on dude, seriously, its been two days...give the sites and these people a break. They are very busy holding interviews, having meetings and ranking applicants in addition to running their normal clinical, research, and administrative duties. Unless, its is emergent, I generally will take a few days to get back to someone if they have requested some information that I need to gather. Im sure everything is fine. If there is one thing email and the electronic age has done to us, I think its make us signficanly less patient.

 

[O Gurl]

How common is it to hear back from sites you interviewed at? I sent thank you emails to most, and a couple replied very briefly, and from some I heard nothing at all. I kind of expected that, but I also requested some information from one of my top sites a couple of days ago and they haven't replied - does that mean they don't want me there..??!

🙄 and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

If you are going to send thank you notes/emails as a courtesy then it should be just that--a nice gesture. Making inferences about responses or lack thereof suggests to me that it was more about staying on their radar than simply being polite. I second what Erg already said. It is interview season. They are busy. You had an opportunity to ask your questions at the interview. If you have additional questions later and they have time to respond, great. If not then oh well. I don't think it has anything to do with their level of interest in you, though.

On a side note, I have noticed that the people who contact our site for additional info tend to be the ones who sat silent during the Q&A portions of their interview. Use that time wisely. It makes a good impression while after-thoughts/follow-up contacts do not (at least mot here).

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Some sites are more strict than others about post-interview contact. I remember a number of sites (some VAs?) telling me they would only contact me if they weren't going to rank me.

 

[CitizenPanda]

🙄 and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

If you are going to send thank you notes/emails as a courtesy then it should be just that--a nice gesture. Making inferences about responses or lack thereof suggests to me that it was more about staying on their radar than simply being polite. I second what Erg already said. It is interview season. They are busy. You had an opportunity to ask your questions at the interview. If you have additional questions later and they have time to respond, great. If not then oh well. I don't think it has anything to do with their level of interest in you, though.

On a side note, I have noticed that the people who contact our site for additional info tend to be the ones who sat silent during the Q&A portions of their interview. Use that time wisely. It makes a good impression while after-thoughts/follow-up contacts do not (at least mot here).

I get that they're busy, but that doesn't mean the process is any less anxiety provoking! I'm at the stage where I'm trying to figure out my rankings and am trying to go over the seemingly vast amounts of info provided at interviews. At one of the sites I interviewed at (the one I emailed to request more info from) the interviewer mentioned some possible additions to one of the tracks and asked me to email her at a later date if I wanted to find out if there are any changes (which could affect my rankings!). I'm assuming that my email contact won't ruin whatever impression they have of me...

 

[O Gurl]

At one of the sites I interviewed at (the one I emailed to request more info from) the interviewer mentioned some possible additions to one of the tracks and asked me to email her at a later date if I wanted to find out if there are any changes (which could affect my rankings!). I'm assuming that my email contact won't ruin whatever impression they have of me...

Changes made between your interview and now? Interesting...I don't know that I'd hang my hat (or base my rankings) on training opportunities that are not solidly established right now.

Anyway you are probably right that emailing them won't help or hurt you. Not getting a response doesn't mean anything bad though. More than likely, they are just busy.

 

[Shadas29]

Hi Everyone,

I will preface this by confessing that this inquiry is a symptom of my present anxiety regarding the match and my irrational belief that having some insight into the ranking process will aid me in feeling more in control. 🙄 That being said, I know that each site's interview/ranking process is completely different but I was wondering if anyone that works or is in practicum at an internship site could post their process of that site. I'm not asking for specific names of the sites, just curious to hear different ways places deal with submitting their rank order lists. For instance, I know of one site where the site director single handedly puts in the final ranking. On interview day, each interviewer is given an evaluation with likert scales and comment spaces for each applicant. They simply hand in their evaluations to the TD who works his magic and somehow comes up with a ranking list. Any other people in the know about other processes out there?

Thanks!

 

[O Gurl]

I know that each site's interview/ranking process is completely different but I was wondering if anyone that works or is in practicum at an internship site could post their process of that site. I'm not asking for specific names of the sites, just curious to hear different ways places deal with submitting their rank order lists. For instance, I know of one site where the site director single handedly puts in the final ranking. On interview day, each interviewer is given an evaluation with likert scales and comment spaces for each applicant. They simply hand in their evaluations to the TD who works his magic and somehow comes up with a ranking list. Any other people in the know about other processes out there?

Thanks!

There is involvement at my current site across the board. The official selection committee includes psychologists on the training committee and current postdocs. They conduct the individual, evaluative interviews and attend the ranking meetings. The current interns hold small Q&A sessions for interviewees. Our part is not officially "evaluative" as in we do not fill out a form ranking each person, but the TD came to us after each session to get our impressions of each person. So now you know the players (haha).

On to the process (as best I understand and can articulate it). It starts with the review of AAPIs using an evaluation form that is a likert scale where the applicant is ranked on many domains (breadth of clinical experiences, assessment skills, research, essays, etc.) So they are pre-ranked before interviews based just on their written materials. There is a second evaluation form that is filled out after each individual interview. It is also a likert scale across domains (attire, confidence, articulation, perceived level of site interest, fit, etc.) with places for specific comments. All of this information is put together by the TD and assistant TD in an excel spreadsheet that is distributed to the selection committee to review for a few days before the official meeting where the final rank list is put together. Apparently that meeting centers around a slide show where each person is discussed one-by-one. Their ratings are reviewed and the TD includes verbatim notes/comments from interviewers and interns to include in the presentation. They start by determining who to simply cut and not rank at all and then they squabble over the order of how to rank everyone else. I have heard (unofficially) the meanest (as in the least easily impressed) and loudest voices win.

 

[arsesta]

Wow O Gurl. that is SUPER helpful. Thank you for sharing!!!!

I've heard that another site (a VA) does this too, where they present each applicant and discuss pro/con of ranking that person in one big meeting. What scares me is that if I attended an open house with 15-30 other people and had only ONE 30-min interview, how will they remember/evaluate us fairly? What if that one interviewer was in a bad mood (or is just a mean person) and gave us poor ratings? I also believe that most sites pre-rank us and the interview/open house impressions will just move you higher up (if you are professional and ask the right questions) or move you way down (if you acted crazy and unprofessional during this).

A random question my friend and I were debating. Do you think sites communicate among each other about applicants??? I say no because sites are already busy enough so why would they single out an applicant and talk about him/her? My friend thinks they do. For example, one VA might know another VA's TD and may mention something casually about an applicant they love/hate. I find that to be kind of unethical, but I guess there is no HIPAA protecting us!

There is involvement at my current site across the board. The official selection committee includes psychologists on the training committee and current postdocs. They conduct the individual, evaluative interviews and attend the ranking meetings. The current interns hold small Q&A sessions for interviewees. Our part is not officially "evaluative" as in we do not fill out a form ranking each person, but the TD came to us after each session to get our impressions of each person. So now you know the players (haha).

On to the process (as best I understand and can articulate it). It starts with the review of AAPIs using an evaluation form that is a likert scale where the applicant is ranked on many domains (breadth of clinical experiences, assessment skills, research, essays, etc.) So they are pre-ranked before interviews based just on their written materials. There is a second evaluation form that is filled out after each individual interview. It is also a likert scale across domains (attire, confidence, articulation, perceived level of site interest, fit, etc.) with places for specific comments. All of this information is put together by the TD and assistant TD in an excel spreadsheet that is distributed to the selection committee to review for a few days before the official meeting where the final rank list is put together. Apparently that meeting centers around a slide show where each person is discussed one-by-one. Their ratings are reviewed and the TD includes verbatim notes/comments from interviewers and interns to include in the presentation. They start by determining who to simply cut and not rank at all and then they squabble over the order of how to rank everyone else. I have heard (unofficially) the meanest (as in the least easily impressed) and loudest voices win.

 

[O Gurl]

I also believe that most sites pre-rank us and the interview/open house impressions will just move you higher up (if you are professional and ask the right questions) or move you way down (if you acted crazy and unprofessional during this).

I also think this is usually the case.

A random question my friend and I were debating. Do you think sites communicate among each other about applicants??? I say no because sites are already busy enough so why would they single out an applicant and talk about him/her? My friend thinks they do. For example, one VA might know another VA's TD and may mention something casually about an applicant they love/hate. I find that to be kind of unethical, but I guess there is no HIPAA protecting us!

There is no way to know for sure, but I'd wager that this is very unlikely. Like you said, the process is hectic enough within a program. Besides, if you were the TD at a site and I was the TD at another, would you really trust my advice to you? That just sounds like a recipe for plotting and sabotage to get the applicants I really want... or maybe my Scale 4 (MMPI) is showing

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Applicants need to trust the process. It isn't perfect, but it works for the vast majority of people involved (training sites and applicants). From speaking to a variety of TDs, the final ranking process typically involves the selection committee meeting again to discuss their experiences with each applicant. Some have a points system, others do it a bit more by group concensus, and some leave the final say up to the TD. I know many sites look at dissertation status because they don't want to fight for your attention and they don't want their trainees in limbo after their internship year, because it looks bad for everyone involved.

Some sites pre-ranking based on the written materials. Other sites have groupings: "Top choices", "Good training and probable fit", and "Looks good on paper, but need to check about [xyz issue/limitation]", and they leave the actual ranking to the last meeting. There really isn't a lot of time to try and rank applicants prior to interview, as a lot can change after the interview period. It was interesting to see how closely (or not) a person lined up with their submitted materials.

Please resist the temptation to send follow-up emails unless you were specifically told that it was okay; I guess TY e-mails are okay, but sometimes people get carried away with them. I know it is anxiety provoking to wait, but I think you are more likely to be remembered as "that applicant who keeps e-mailing". Showing your interest and giving/getting information should really be handled during the interview process.

 

[YorkUgrad]

I was also wondering if the pre-rank us before the interview. At most sites I interviewed at, all the applicants had different interviewers. I have no idea how they could possibly compare us with different interviewers. My assumption is that we are already pre-ranked and the interviews either move us up or down a little in the rank order depending on how well we do... This whole process is very confusing! I hope it all works out!!!

 

[O Gurl]

I was also wondering if the pre-rank us before the interview. At most sites I interviewed at, all the applicants had different interviewers. I have no idea how they could possibly compare us with different interviewers. My assumption is that we are already pre-ranked and the interviews either move us up or down a little in the rank order depending on how well we do... This whole process is very confusing! I hope it all works out!!!

There is no way of knowing for sure unless you are privied to that site's approach. I can definitely say that applicants are at least loosely ranked prior to interviews at my site. I am correcting my earlier statement in that I do not know for sure that they were ordered from 1-40, but it sure sounded like it from our chats with the TD. Pre-ranking makes sense to me. The committee has to sort through 150 applications to find the top 40 anyway. Surely there are standouts, middle-roaders, and less desirables (just kidding) that shake out in that process. In any case, that is not the applicant's concern. All one can do is put their best foot forward. 🙂

Btw, it was beyond hilarious to learn that poignant intern feedback comments like: "He seemed over-it", "Spastic", and "Skeevy" were included, in quotations, in the ranking presentation. Thank God the TD did not attribute authorship.

 

[aventurine]

My site does not pre-rank, though, clearly, the internship director forms preliminary opinions (and sometimes has questions) when reading applications and deciding who will be interviewed. At our site, each interviewer (candidates are interviewed by multiple staff psychologists) fills out a candidate evaluation that consists of likert scales and areas for comment. The likert scales include a wide variety of questions, including (but not limited to) impressions about a candidate's clinical skills and knowledge, ability to conceptualize/discuss a case, receptivity to and incorporation of feedback, and how the interviewer would feel about supervising the candidate. The internship director ranks candidates based on their scores and then the candidates and ranked list are discussed in a meeting. On that basis, the initial rankings are adjusted and the final ranked-order list is arrived at and submitted.

 

[RingoStarr]

I am ranking sites that had multiple rotations where I only applied/interviewed for 1 of the rotations. However, when I'm looking over the rank code numbers, I'm noticing that some of the sites only offer 1 code and didn't provide multiple code numbers for each rotation.

Is it OK to email the internship director just to confirm that this information is correct and that the same code can be used for all rotations?

 

[Psiguy]

RingoStarr,

I would review the site-specific materials regarding how rotations for matched interns are determined before emailing anyone because I have trouble believing rank codes would be missing from the NMS list. Congrats on being so far along in the process, by the way.

 

[RingoStarr]

Thanks, Psiguy.

I'm seriously concerned that some codes are missing. One of the sites I am ranking, for example, offered 4 rotations. Two of the rotations, despite being in different cities, appear to have been combined and one rotation is not listed at all.

I can't see how it would be possible for a site that offers 3 or 4 rotations to only have 1 code, especially when applicants were only allowed to apply and interview specifically for one rotation. How can that make sense when the sites rank applicants? They can't rank order all 50 interviewees, who have been split into three groups, in the same list. It's very strange.

 

[docma]

Is it possible you are confusing the APPIC program code number with the NMS program code numbers? The NMS site lists will typically have each track that can be ranked listed separately. For example APPIC program code 1234 may have 2 tracks where you can be ranked and they would be 123411 and 123412 on the NMS site. If you have thoroughly explored the NMS site and find nothing, then contact the program training director for clarification.

 

[JockNerd]

Can we submit our ranked lists yet? I'm not seeing an option to do so on the online aapi.

 

[Psiguy]

Jocknerd,

You can submit your rank list if you have already signed up for the match. Just go to the NMS page: http://www.natmatch.com/psychint/

 

[irish80122]

Can we submit our ranked lists yet? I'm not seeing an option to do so on the online aapi.

Once you login to your account you are able to submit your ranks. It took me a while to figure it out, I am not going to lie.

 

[RingoStarr]

Is it possible you are confusing the APPIC program code number with the NMS program code numbers? The NMS site lists will typically have each track that can be ranked listed separately. For example APPIC program code 1234 may have 2 tracks where you can be ranked and they would be 123411 and 123412 on the NMS site. If you have thoroughly explored the NMS site and find nothing, then contact the program training director for clarification.

I'm basing my information off codes listed on the NMS site. Some of the sites I am ranking provided separate codes for each rotation. Others did not. I contacted one of the sites (my #1) and they confirmed that they are only using 1 code for all rotations.

Does anyone out there have some insight into how they rank us if all applicants use 1 code no matter the rotation?

 

[aagman01]

Several sites place individuals into rotations after match. That happened at quite a few of the sites I interviewed at. They were quite up front about the process, though, and I left all sites certain about the rotation structure/matching policy at each site. So I do find it odd that sites you interviewed at did not inform you during the site orientation or interview about their process.

I'm basing my information off codes listed on the NMS site. Some of the sites I am ranking provided separate codes for each rotation. Others did not. I contacted one of the sites (my #1) and they confirmed that they are only using 1 code for all rotations.

Does anyone out there have some insight into how they rank us if all applicants use 1 code no matter the rotation?

 

[docma]

I'm guessing they rank based on who they feel is the best overall fit and will try to accommodate your preferred rotation, perhaps filling if certain rotations don't have a "match" candidate with practicum students or psych residents? It means you need to decide do you prefer the site rather than a specific rotation there or a guaranteed rotation at a different site. Some sites may prefer to have some flexibility in when and how you complete certain rotations and want to choose more generally for fit and then fine tune how the rotations work once you are selected.

 

[psychgal]

I am struggling with ranking sites. I have a clear number one but then everything is muddled in the middle. It is especially hard to rank sites that I only had a phone interview at. How have people been breaking ties at sites? One month from today we will know

 

[RingoStarr]

I'm guessing they rank based on who they feel is the best overall fit and will try to accommodate your preferred rotation, perhaps filling if certain rotations don't have a "match" candidate with practicum students or psych residents? It means you need to decide do you prefer the site rather than a specific rotation there or a guaranteed rotation at a different site. Some sites may prefer to have some flexibility in when and how you complete certain rotations and want to choose more generally for fit and then fine tune how the rotations work once you are selected.

I'm really confused b/c we had to state in our cover letters which rotations we were applying for and we were only interviewed for that rotation (meaning that I only interviewed with the directors of that rotation and was asked questions specifically for that one rotation). I'm going to try to investigate this further before I submit my rank list.

 

[ADDICTED2STATS]

I am struggling with ranking sites. I have a clear number one but then everything is muddled in the middle. It is especially hard to rank sites that I only had a phone interview at. How have people been breaking ties at sites? One month from today we will know

It must be nice to have a clear number 1. I have a clear group of number 1s, followed by a clear group of number 2s, and then a group of "I hope not, but anything is better than nothing." I made an excel spreadsheet with a regression equation and weights for various strengths of programs (I know, it's a little overboard). However, when push comes to shove, my gut will probably be the only thing that really matters. I suppose I may use my spreadsheet if I need to break a tie.

 

[JDS1405]

I'm really confused b/c we had to state in our cover letters which rotations we were applying for and we were only interviewed for that rotation (meaning that I only interviewed with the directors of that rotation and was asked questions specifically for that one rotation). I'm going to try to investigate this further before I submit my rank list.

If you find out anything, please do let us know. I also had a few interviews at sites where they have one match code, but when you applied you specified which major rotation/specialization you wanted and you interviewed with the director of that rotation. In my experience, the sites in question said they matched based on fit with that particular director, but alas, no separate match code for the track. How do they do it?

My guess: that each track director rank orders the applicants who interviewed for their particular track. On the site's final list, applicants are ordered by each track's first choice (i.e. if the entire site has 6 tracks and 6 internship positions, the top pick for each track would make up the first six applicants on the ROL), then second choice (applicants 7-13 on the ROL) etc. Doesn't seem particularly organized to me and probably runs the risk of one track getting two applicants with another getting none, but it's all I can think of.

And here we thought when interviews were over, the stress would be gone. lol. Good luck with your rankings everyone!

 

[IsItOver]

I have been MIA (thanks to no internet at home) and feel SOOO behind! Odd how I miss this forum when I'm not able to check it regularly... My responses may be kind of delayed, but I don't want to be left out! lol

How many people have succumb to colds and/or upper respiratory infections from all the flights and hotels? I am one such casualty.

I did! Flying to my FIRST interview! Darn thing stayed with me for all of them, and actually required one interviewer to pause our interview to get me water

I was wondering what other people's programs do about paying for tuition to stay "continuously enrolled" while attending internship at another site. If I understand it correctly, my program has us pay for 2 credits each semester of internship (that are not waived), but this is not enough credits to defer or take out additional Stafford loans I believe, unless there is some way for them to consider the full time internship as a full-time student training experience. Anyone have any experience with this or ways to make this work?

My program makes you register for an internship course that is 6 or 7 credits ("full time"). Kinda ticks me off, since that means we may be paying $12k to work at a program that pays $15k. How exactly do they expect us to live on $3k/year???

One month from today we will know

How crazy is that?!?! I have a clear last...everything else...I don't know!!

Good luck everybody!!!!!!

 

[RingoStarr]

If you find out anything, please do let us know. I also had a few interviews at sites where they have one match code, but when you applied you specified which major rotation/specialization you wanted and you interviewed with the director of that rotation. In my experience, the sites in question said they matched based on fit with that particular director, but alas, no separate match code for the track. How do they do it?

My guess: that each track director rank orders the applicants who interviewed for their particular track. On the site's final list, applicants are ordered by each track's first choice (i.e. if the entire site has 6 tracks and 6 internship positions, the top pick for each track would make up the first six applicants on the ROL), then second choice (applicants 7-13 on the ROL) etc. Doesn't seem particularly organized to me and probably runs the risk of one track getting two applicants with another getting none, but it's all I can think of.

And here we thought when interviews were over, the stress would be gone. lol. Good luck with your rankings everyone!

I'm not happy that you're stressed or confused, but I'm happy to hear that this I'm not the only person that is dealing with this confusion.

Exactly how you described it is how I thought they must rank. I've got a few emails running around so I'll see if I can get something answered. I'm trying to figure out if my #1 did this the same way last year since I know that they made big changes to their application and interview process this year.

 

[erg923]

I have been MIA (thanks to no internet at home) and feel SOOO behind! Odd how I miss this forum when I'm not able to check it regularly... My responses may be kind of delayed, but I don't want to be left out! lol



I did! Flying to my FIRST interview! Darn thing stayed with me for all of them, and actually required one interviewer to pause our interview to get me water



My program makes you register for an internship course that is 6 or 7 credits ("full time"). Kinda ticks me off, since that means we may be paying $12k to work at a program that pays $15k. How exactly do they expect us to live on $3k/year???



How crazy is that?!?! I have a clear last...everything else...I don't know!!

Good luck everybody!!!!!!

What the hell is an internship course?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It must be nice to have a clear number 1. I have a clear group of number 1s, followed by a clear group of number 2s, and then a group of "I hope not, but anything is better than nothing." I made an excel spreadsheet with a regression equation and weights for various strengths of programs (I know, it's a little overboard). However, when push comes to shove, my gut will probably be the only thing that really matters. I suppose I may use my spreadsheet if I need to break a tie.

You know you are a doctoral student when....

I did the same thing when I applied. I resisted the temptation during my fellowship applications, though I probably would have stressed less if I went that route. Stats...they don't lie, until they do.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

What the hell is an internship course?

My program does the same thing (assuming I'm interpreting the post correctly). It's basically the same thing as a thesis or dissertation hours course--it's listed in the course catalog as something like "clinical psychology internship," and you sign up on it while away for the year so that you remain a full-time student.

 

[erg923]

Well, yea, we do too, but we dont pay the school any tuition during that year unless we are still working on our diss.