Is it ok to apply to a site with unfilled spots although they did not offer an interview in part 1?
2011 APPIC Internship Application Thread
- Thread starter Therapist4Chnge
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hey guys, i matched to my #1 spot too! it's a VA within the San Francisco Bay Area. would love to hear from someone else matched in the same area.
congrats to all who matched, and agreed that those who didn't have the support of all of us here during phase II
congrats to all who matched, and agreed that those who didn't have the support of all of us here during phase II
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I matched at my first choice, a VA in the bay area! I am so excited and relieved. What a process! Just checked the phase II list and there are some excellent APA approved sites. Good luck to everyone participating in phase II!
No match. This blows. I know a bunch of other, incredibly well qualified people who also didn't. It's...frustrating. On the positive side, I wasn't super excited about any of the sites I felt I had a real shot at (all in NE, in the cold, and I want to move south). Here's hoping I can land a kick-ass southern site in Phase II....
Absolutely! For one thing, they get so many apps they likely won't remember you even applied. For another, it's possible that they liked you but you just barely didnt make it (ex; they interview 40, and you were like 41 on their list). Also, sites often have diff reviewers and while reviewer A may not have selected you, reviewer B may read your app this time and love you. Can't hurt! 🙂 Good luck to us!!!
Absolutely! For one thing, they get so many apps they likely won't remember you even applied. For another, it's possible that they liked you but you just barely didnt make it (ex; they interview 40, and you were like 41 on their list). Also, sites often have diff reviewers and while reviewer A may not have selected you, reviewer B may read your app this time and love you. Can't hurt! 🙂 Good luck to us!!!
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Scanning through the phase II sites, there definitely seemed to be some great options (I think I remember seeing Brown, Duke, UCSD, Marcus Autism).
Very best of luck to everyone.
Very best of luck to everyone.
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Matched! Very relieved. Congratulations to everyone who landed a position.
I wish all of those going into round 2 the very best.
I wish all of those going into round 2 the very best.
Wow! There are some amazing options available. I hope they're waiting for our amazing SDNers!
The very best of luck to those navigating Phase II!
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There are some great people down there, particularly if you are a rehab/neuro person.
ps. I'm curious who you are working with....PM if you want, if not...no worries. Best of luck!
It happens to great candidates every year. I didn't match my first time around (aimed high and missed), and while it sucked pretty badly at first...it can still be okay. Work on Phase II, hope for the best...and if not, get stuff lined up for the year RIGHT AWAY. Strengthen your app, and hit it hard next year.
Wow. For most, it is 937 for 72 spots.....
There are always a few that slip through the cracks. UF neuro was on there last year, as were some other big name placements.
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There are some solid placements in Phase II:
Harvard Med/Cambridge
Duke Med(?)
Baylor Med
OKHSC
KU Counseling Center
Those are just the ones I remember.
Harvard Med/Cambridge
Duke Med(?)
Baylor Med
OKHSC
KU Counseling Center
Those are just the ones I remember.
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Best of luck for those moving onto Phase II!
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Just sifted through the list myself - also noted Brown and U of Washington Med Centers. Such a surprise! So it looks like many incredibly qualified applicants AND excellent programs are being pushed into Phase II.
To all who are going into Phase II - please keep us updated! I'm sending good thoughts to everyone.
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Wash U that was the one I forgot. Brown is a surprise too.
I matched, but nowhere close to my top choice. I'm a bit peeved that my top two choices sent me more than one "teaser" email espousing my "high qualifications" and asking that I consider their programs just days prior to rank day. Well, I did, and it turns out my #2 didn't even rank me (they have a spot in Match II).
I am grateful that I matched, and my heart goes out to those facing Match II, but does it seem misleading to anyone else? It certainly affected my rankings. 😕
I am grateful that I matched, and my heart goes out to those facing Match II, but does it seem misleading to anyone else? It certainly affected my rankings. 😕
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That does suck, but in no way should you have changed your rankings due to "teaser" emails.
APPIC was very, very explicit on how the system works and how applicants are to rank. Your preference is the only way. Period. In fact, a hypothetical situation very similar to yours was used as an example on how changing rank ordering based on any other factor(s) works against applicants, not for them. It was discussed in detail on their website. http://appic.org/match/5_2_1_appfaq4.html#q2
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my heart goes out to all those who are preparing for match II. A few people in my program did not match, and it was pretty devastating for them. I wish you all the best of luck in this process! Hopefully the changes they made this year to match II will ensure that the qualified candidates receive the open positions, instead of the quickest candidates.
As for myself, I did match. The best part is (for those who remember) that I did the couples match with my fiance. We were able to match at sites within 60 miles of eachother, which means that we will be able to live together during the internship year! Apparently it is possible to have the couples match work out for you!
As for myself, I did match. The best part is (for those who remember) that I did the couples match with my fiance. We were able to match at sites within 60 miles of eachother, which means that we will be able to live together during the internship year! Apparently it is possible to have the couples match work out for you!
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Last year, a good friend of mine in my program had this experience. He was in the clearinghouse, and saw that a site he originally really liked was in the clearinghouse as well. He had applied to the site during the original match process, and was not even offered an interview. However, in the clearinghouse, they called him and remembered him from his initial application and then offered him the open spot. It was quite the turn of events. So I would recommend, if you still like the facility, to apply to all of the places you initially applied. They may like your persistence.
thanks to all who told me to apply again, which I have done along with several others. however, each time I submit i receive an error message requesting an NMS number or I can't pay???? Anyone else over here experiencing this or am I missing something really obvious? Not me (ha).
also, congratulations to those who matched especially to top sites. phase 11 here we come!!
also, congratulations to those who matched especially to top sites. phase 11 here we come!!
Izzard, I don't think anyone can submit until March 3 and you will use your original match number and application, without any additional charges.
One intent of Match II (in contrast to Clearinghouse) is to give everyone a chance to draw breath and think through the next step (wait a year and finish dissertation, jump in to Round II and see what comes, etc.) Part of that is giving folks enough time to craft a new cover letter and then submit thoughtfully to places where they really want to be and would be the best fit.
The APPIC site has lots of information about Match II and part of the delay time, I think, is so folks have time to read through that. Notices will start to come out on Match news today with more specifics about each of the sites with unfilled positions that are in Match II.
One intent of Match II (in contrast to Clearinghouse) is to give everyone a chance to draw breath and think through the next step (wait a year and finish dissertation, jump in to Round II and see what comes, etc.) Part of that is giving folks enough time to craft a new cover letter and then submit thoughtfully to places where they really want to be and would be the best fit.
The APPIC site has lots of information about Match II and part of the delay time, I think, is so folks have time to read through that. Notices will start to come out on Match news today with more specifics about each of the sites with unfilled positions that are in Match II.
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Yes, it is misleading and wrong. But even if you ranked those sites higher based on this contact, since you didn't match to either of them I do not see how it kept you from matching at your true top choice. The system attempted to rank you by the list you submitted. So the only way you got the site you did is if the sites you listed before it passed on you. In any event, congrats on matching as it was a rough year. Try not to dwell on the incident because you likely landed where you were meant to.
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I could be mistaken, but I think applicants are all able to apply from now until the 3rd, it's just that sites aren't able to see who's applying until then. That way, it avoids the "first come, first served" system.
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Yes. This is true based on the APPIC FAQ regarding Phase II: http://www.appic.org/match/5_2_1_appfaq6.html#q8
If you look at the timeline, applications can be submitted anytime between now and March 3- only the sites cannot see them until March 3rd. If you are getting an error message (theizzard), I would contact IT. Best of luck.
It's located on the NMS website at http://www.natmatch.com/psychint/unfilled/apcunlst.htm. Lots of excellent sites to choose from!
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That's awesome!! I have friends who went through this for medical residency, and it seemed all sorts of confusing to have it work out.
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This week will be full of fun stuff like browsing for home prices and job applications for my wife. Strange new cities brings lots of stresses with it too..😱
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Yes. This is true based on the APPIC FAQ regarding Phase II: http://www.appic.org/match/5_2_1_appfaq6.html#q8
If you look at the timeline, applications can be submitted anytime between now and March 3- only the sites cannot see them until March 3rd. If you are getting an error message (theizzard), I would contact IT. Best of luck.
Given that sites cant see apps till March 3rd, I might suggest slowing down a bit and consulting with your DCT and advisor before putting in these apps. Just have them give your materials a good once over (for clarity), especially your new generic cover letter, and make sure they agree that your not overlooking any sites that would be especially good fits for you. Good luck!
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I also matched to my # 1 choice--VA! woohoo!
Even though i matched, I feel that the whole process was bitter sweet in the end because of how many qualified people don't match. I hope people take their outrage and anger and do something to help fight the internship match imbalance---even if it requires some legal action!!! Are there any psychologists who are lawyers out there....
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Another student in the program here asked a group of us this question the other night, and it got me thinking of doing the same:
Does anyone feel it would be inappropriate to send off a short "thank you" email to a faculty member at a site where you didn't match but who expressed great interest in having you come there, and who set aside time to give you additional information about the program?
In my case, the site in question offers a post-doc to which I may later apply, and so I would hate to have this faculty member think I didn't appreciate their efforts to speak with me and answer my questions.
Does anyone feel it would be inappropriate to send off a short "thank you" email to a faculty member at a site where you didn't match but who expressed great interest in having you come there, and who set aside time to give you additional information about the program?
In my case, the site in question offers a post-doc to which I may later apply, and so I would hate to have this faculty member think I didn't appreciate their efforts to speak with me and answer my questions.
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How generic should our cover letter be? Would it be okay to personalize them if we are able to take the time to do so?
Still can't believe I didn't match 🙁
Still can't believe I didn't match 🙁
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I don't know, but I've been wondering about this too. I've actually felt a little remorse over the situation. Is that ridiculous? I mean, there's no way to know whether or not I would have matched there had I ranked that site higher (although I got the impression that I would have).
I could be mis-informed about this, but I believe in Match II sites expect a single, generic cover letter and you may actually be limited to a single version (with everyone understanding the circumstances limit capacity to be more specific since everyone is working quickly to try to get as many folks placed as possible.)
Since sites may be feeling swamped, I'd go for a concise focus on what your skills and area of interest for internship are, since they are likely to be skimming for this anyway and longer letters begin to blur and look the same.
Ask a mentor for feedback on whatever you do, since the disappointment of not matching and anxiety about wading in again can lead people to either over-state or minimize skills.
It is shocking to be among the unmatched..but you are in good company and sites understand that it is a hard situation AND that many good folk did not find a spot. Just be concisely honest about how you would be their lucky find in round 2.
Since sites may be feeling swamped, I'd go for a concise focus on what your skills and area of interest for internship are, since they are likely to be skimming for this anyway and longer letters begin to blur and look the same.
Ask a mentor for feedback on whatever you do, since the disappointment of not matching and anxiety about wading in again can lead people to either over-state or minimize skills.
It is shocking to be among the unmatched..but you are in good company and sites understand that it is a hard situation AND that many good folk did not find a spot. Just be concisely honest about how you would be their lucky find in round 2.
I don't know if it's ever inappropriate to express gratitude to someone. 🙂 Especially since it sounds like this person was great to you and went above/beyond to share information with you. So for the simple good intention of saying 'thank you,' but also to keep ties open for potential post-doc related contact, I'd say the note is a great idea.
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I had a top choice pre-interview among the sites where I got interview offers, and that did not change post interview. I ranked it number one because it had everything I wanted. They had very positive things to say to me during the interview, which made me hopeful that my wish list would match theirs. But, it did not. I did, and still do, find it very disappointing, and I do wish they did not say such positive things because it feels like false hope. However, I ranked based on my preferences, and they did not send any post-interview emails.
Similar to the experience you described, a friend in my program received an email from one of her sites that indicated they hoped she was still strongly considering them as she made her rank ordered list. She really liked the training at this site, but not the location. She is not one easily swayed by wooing, so she, too, ranked based on her preferences. She did end up ranking them number one despite not liking the city because the training really matched her interests, but she did not match there.
It seems inappropriate or misleading, as you mentioned, for sites to send emails of this nature. One interpretation is they want to ensure their slots get filled by their top choices in Phase I. If that is the case, it did not work for this site, because they are in Phase II. I'm just musing aloud.
As for me, I struggled with my rankings, namely whether to rank one site in particular or not. I, ultimately, did rank the site in question at the bottom of my list. I did not have many options, so not ranking this site would have significantly lowered my chances of matching. I am thankful I included it because it is where I ended up matching. However, I find myself having two reactions that aren't often experienced simultaneously--relief at having matched but then struggling to be OK with getting my last choice.
I feel for those who did not match, and I hope Phase II works out for you. There are definitely some excellent sites out there. Hang in there everyone!
I agree that these e-mails are self-serving.
On a related note, at one internship interview, a current intern spoke of a "prestigious, well-known" internship site that told her that she was their first choice. She ranked them first, but did not match there. Afterwards, she heard through the grapevine that the site had told many people that they would be ranked first. 🙄 As if this process weren't already stressful enough!
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I wrote a thank you to a faculty member at a program where I did not match. In fact, it was one of the first emails I wrote. There was a faculty member who I really wanted to work with, and they felt the same way, but unfortunately a match did not happen. Although I don't know for sure, I believe this faculty member who really went to bat for me. I was rejected by the program and emailed the faculty member thanking her for her time, and a few days later I was given an interview offer.
I knew that she was not on the selection committee, and given that I had been rejected before, I knew a match was unlikely. However, we both agreed to collaborate in the future, so I thought a thank you for everything was appropriate.
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Wondering what your thoughts are about phase 2 and sites approach to this. I know it is a new system, but I am curious about what the sites may be looking for. For example, is there going to be more openness and flexibility when deciding to offer interviews? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Given that there are limited sites with open positions, are people expanding their search criteria and applying for positions that aren't a great fit but could work?
Remember that sites are new to this process too so it is a work in progress. As someone who has previously been on the site end of Clearinghouse I can say that sites are still looking for who they would usually seek, but now are looking among a new group that did not apply to them previously (usually).
If a site you applied to before is in the mix--definitely apply again, as you may have been just short of the cut the last time and now more than welcome.
And if you did not apply there previously, address why in your letter or be prepared to answer it in the interview. (eg: I've expanded my search in Match II to include sites that....)
Also be sure you emphasize any progress on dissertation in the interval, as many sites use this in the interview selection cut and you may now be more qualified than you were in the fall.
If a site you applied to before is in the mix--definitely apply again, as you may have been just short of the cut the last time and now more than welcome.
And if you did not apply there previously, address why in your letter or be prepared to answer it in the interview. (eg: I've expanded my search in Match II to include sites that....)
Also be sure you emphasize any progress on dissertation in the interval, as many sites use this in the interview selection cut and you may now be more qualified than you were in the fall.
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Yeah, while I was fortunate enough to match at a site higher up on my list, I was still impressed by the program and quite humbled by the time this particular faculty member set aside to speak with me. Definitely sounds like an email is the way to go.
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I think it is worth doing, particulalry if there was one faculty member in particular that helped.
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Hey SDN'ers ... I'm curious, how many sites are people applying to for Phase II?
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The system. I really feel disappointed by the match process and do not believe the system is all that fair.
Wouldn't do anything different, would just hope for a more effective and fair matching system. I had great interviews, lots of prospects, and feel as if I slipped through and was on the wrong end of a numbers game. Can you tell I am still processing? 😕
I am planning to apply next year or maybe wait until my 5th year so please forgive my ignorance of any issues at hand. When you say "the system" do you mean the actual computer-based matching program? Or are you referring to the overall internship imbalance?
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I think both, however, in that post I was referring to the computer based matching system. I am a strong applicant and had a lot of great interviews, yet the numbers just didn't work out. Feels more like the lottery than a professional system. The overall internship balance is also incredibly frustrating as well.
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Please excuse this question if I am just misinformed (just going to be starting a PhD program this fall), but I thought that students only did there internship the 5th year. Can you do it earlier???
At this point, just one. It's tempting to apply to more, but given what I want to do in the end (neuropsych), I think it's a better decision for me to wait a year if I'm unable to get into a solid neuropsych program this year.
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Dissertation status pretty much dictates when a student can apply to internship. Their program needs to sign off that they are in good standing, and while their dissertation status can vary (from proposing to defended), most internship sites want someone who has a realistic chance of being done by the completion of internship. Some can do it in 4 years (so 5th year would be internship, and 6th year post-doc), though it is probably more common to do it in 5 (6th being internship, etc).
One reality of the match imbalance is that there is disadvantage in going into the match before your 5th year and without significant progress on the dissertation. I believe way too many students have been led to believe that they can/should be able to complete all the requirements, including internship, within 4 years. Most traditional university based programs do not encourage this belief, I don't think. However, there is some tendency within the professional school model to support the idea that this will be easy to do when in fact it is not in the current supply/demand circumstances, unless there is a captive internship program available or you are willing to relocate.
Idk but I would think the imbalance is more to blame in that it creates a scenario where well-qualified applicants basically lose at a game of musical chairs because their simply are not enough positions. The computer system seems to be one of the only saving graces to the process given that it tries to match the applicant to the highest site on their list. Is there something I am overlooking?
No worries. I meant which year I apply for internship. Next year will be my 4th and the earliest I could apply, however, with the nature of match as it is, I think I may need to be defended before I apply or have more pubs. I am just not wanting to go through this hellish process only to go through it again a year later. It is crazy that I am already depressing myself with the prospect of not matching. 🙁
There is a definite advantage to having your dissertation defended before applying. At a minimum you should have your proposal defended and data collected before applying to improve your application. I wish more schools would require the proposal be defended before allowing students to apply.
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