2012 APPIC Internship Application Thread

[psydtobe]

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Thanks Erg! I didn't consider what year the student may be in. I like that while those hours may not have been formally counted, it was a chance to still stand out 🙂

 

[Team Kakashi]

I agree! I think there is a LOT to be said for getting a lot of breadth in clinical training before specializing. I have half kid half adult training, and although I don't intend to end up working with children, that experience REALLY comes in handy when I'm working with forensic adults who sometimes (let's be honest) act in a way that's reminiscent of a childhood tantrum. I also spent a year doing therapy in a hospital rehabilitation setting, and although health psych is far out of the zone of my professional goals, I feel like I would now know how to support a client in any setting who is suddenly diagnosed with a severe or terminal health issue.

I definitely agree that skills learned in a particular setting or designed for use with a specific population have better informed my work in other areas. I come from a generalist program where it is not uncommon for most students to complete at least one practicum with children regardless of whether they are "child concentration" students. Part of the reason for that is simply logistics, as we don't have as many connections with agencies serving adult populations (e.g., no VA nearby). I have intentionally sought out diverse training opportunities and so far have been quite satisfied with my experiences. Another motivation is job flexibility as my partner and I would ideally like to coordinate two academic careers which isn't likely to happen right away.

Since VAs were mentioned specifically in a previous post, I do want to note that each year we have 2-4 students who successfully match at VA sites never having had direct VA experience (and in some cases even hospital experience). In my own reading of VA training brochures, some explicitly state that a primary goal is to provide training OUTSIDE the breadth of the interns' current experiences.

To psydtobe: I did two practicum placements (1 year each) and did quite a bit of volunteer clinical work during my dissertation fellowship year. This year, I'm still volunteering and also working for pay doing assessments for a local private practice (all activities supervised by a licensed psychologist).

Finally, a progress update: I'm almost finished completing the APPI (much easier second time around). I am revising my essays from last year and trying to tailor them more specifically to the various types of sites I am applying to. I've had several people read them over, including two internship training directors, so I'm feeling okay about them at this point. My LORs are already written and just have to be updated, though I'll need my most recent supervisor to write another letter since some sites specifically ask for that. I haven't started the cover letters yet, but will get on that as soon as I get my sites narrowed down.

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

anyone go to the internship panel at APA this morning?

 

[widmup]

I just wanted to wish good luck to everyone applying this year! 🙂

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Since VAs were mentioned specifically in a previous post, I do want to note that each year we have 2-4 students who successfully match at VA sites never having had direct VA experience (and in some cases even hospital experience). In my own reading of VA training brochures, some explicitly state that a primary goal is to provide training OUTSIDE the breadth of the interns' current experiences.

I received interviews at half a dozen VAs (and ultimately matched to one) without having prior VA experience. From what I remember, they liked the fact I had solid assessment/report writing experience and that I had a lot of exposure to severe pathology and substance abuse. Lastly, I expressed a strong interest in neuro assessment, which ended up being an area of need at the internship where I matched.

It helps if you have a genuine interest in working with the VA population. Sites don't expect you to say, "I promise I'll stay in the VA system if you choose me!", but they are investing a lot of time/effort into your training, and they hope that a % of people will want to stay in the system. Expressing an interest in C&P* work can also help. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but we had a backlog of C&P evaluations, so every staff member and intern was responsible for a certain # of C&Ps during the year. If you want to stay in the VA system, you'll need to have experience with C&Ps.

*C&Ps = Compensation & Pension evaluations, which is how Veterans become Service Connected, which is what allows Veterans to be compensated for injuries they received while serving in the military.

 

[psydtobe]

I am so interested in the VA! I am closely tied to the military realm and feel that it may better suit me than being an active duty AF psychologist. I wish everyone luck and look forward to hearing great news come match time 🙂

 

[erg923]

I received interviews at half a dozen VAs (and ultimately matched to one) without having prior VA experience. From what I remember, they liked the fact I had solid assessment/report writing experience and that I had a lot of exposure to severe pathology and substance abuse. Lastly, I expressed a strong interest in neuro assessment, which ended up being an area of need at the internship where I matched.

It helps if you have a genuine interest in working with the VA population. Sites don't expect you to say, "I promise I'll stay in the VA system if you choose me!", but they are investing a lot of time/effort into your training, and they hope that a % of people will want to stay in the system. Expressing an interest in C&P* work can also help. I'm not sure if this is still the case, but we had a backlog of C&P evaluations, so every staff member and intern was responsible for a certain # of C&Ps during the year. If you want to stay in the VA system, you'll need to have experience with C&Ps.

*C&Ps = Compensation & Pension evaluations, which is how Veterans become Service Connected, which is what allows Veterans to be compensated for injuries they received while serving in the military.

I am also interning at an academic VA. Of my VA interviews last year, of which there were 3...none asked or seemed focused on either my prior exposure with veterans or on PTSD. However, I did have a year-long practicum at a major academic VA under my belt by the time I applied, so I cant say for certain that it wasn't a factor. However, none seemed to stress prior VA experience at all during my interviews. One site did stress that their were looking for people with solid assessment experience though.

I know everyone tells you to focus on "match" for the internship (just like for grad school), but frankly, I'm not even sure (and was never sure) what that really meant. I conveyed "match" during my interviews by playing-up what I wanted to gain from the site and making sure they knew I would indeed be happy there (both at the facility and the geographic location).

For all I know, the "match" at my current facility came from our incessant talk of college basketball throughout my interview with the chief of psychology. So who knows. 🙄

One last tip: Don't try to analyze the interview selection process too much. You will probably not get interviews at places you thought you would and vice-versa. I was one of 18 selected for interview from a pool of 180 at one site (didn't match there though, grrr), yet I got a rejection from a relatively "no-name" site with less than 50 applicants. Was it a "match" factor? Who knows. Who cares really. Just get an internship and put this outdated, broken system behind you and move on with your career. We rallied last year on here to fight this thing and hope we can continue to do so until something gets done to alleviate it.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

One last tip: Don't try to analyze the interview selection process too much. You will probably not get interviews at places you thought you would and vice-versa. I was one of 18 selected for interview from a pool of 180 at one site (didn't match there though, grrr), yet I got a rejection from a relatively "no-name" site with less than 50 applicants. Was it a "match" factor? Who knows. Who cares really. Just get an internship and put this outdated, broken system behind you and move on with your career. We rallied last year on here to fight this thing and hope we can continue to do so until something gets done to alleviate it.

Very, very good point. You could likely spend hours reading too much into the entire interview selection process, and why you were selected for site A but not site B, etc. In the end, there's no way of knowing the entirety of reasoning behind the selections, and trying to figure it out on your own will only needlessly stress you out. Just focus on doing your best on those interviews that you do secure. If you happen not to get any this go round, then sit down with a few trusted peers and advisers, review your materials, perhaps participate in a few mock interviews to gain additional feedback, and then take it from there.

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

I read somewhere, or heard mentioned at the apa, that the higher the ratio of applications sent vs invites correlates to match rate (i.e a positive relationship).

So, if someone has a 90% interview ratio to applications sent, they would have a great chance of matching somewhere. Kinda relieving in a way.

 

[2012PhD]

I read somewhere, or heard mentioned at the apa, that the higher the ratio of applications sent vs invites correlates to match rate (i.e a positive relationship).

So, if someone has a 90% interview ratio to applications sent, they would have a great chance of matching somewhere. Kinda relieving in a way.

Yes, assuming that they interview as well as they come across on paper. If someone is a poor interviewer, then they may not match after 18 interviews. If you get at least 6 interviews and interview well, you should be in good shape.

Mock interviews help in this regard. Ask your supervisors or individuals who are knowledgeable about the process to coach you or give you a mock interview. With several interview offers and some coaching, you should be in good shape.

 

[moneyphd]

I struggled with stats my first year (in a research-heavy program) and got 2 C's, then retook the courses and scored in the top of my class in both classes. Are sites going to cross me off the list for having this on my transcript? Are there good ways to address this in my applications? I'm really worried, but am also confident that my stats skills are top notch. 🙁

 

[2012PhD]

I struggled with stats my first year (in a research-heavy program) and got 2 C's, then retook the courses and scored in the top of my class in both classes. Are sites going to cross me off the list for having this on my transcript? Are there good ways to address this in my applications? I'm really worried, but am also confident that my stats skills are top notch. 🙁

C's are a problem, especially since there is a ton of grade inflation in grad school and it takes effort in some programs to get a C. This will def. stand out with internship programs. You will just have to make sure your CV is awesome in other ways and that your grades are consistently good after first year. Beef up your publications and clinical experience. Make sure your letter writers can talk about your research skills (if you are applying to research internships).

 

[moneyphd]

C's are a problem, especially since there is a ton of grade inflation in grad school and it takes effort in some programs to get a C. This will def. stand out with internship programs. You will just have to make sure your CV is awesome in other ways and that your grades are consistently good after first year. Beef up your publications and clinical experience. Make sure your letter writers can talk about your research skills (if you are applying to research internships).

Ugh. That's what I was afraid of. My CV is very strong, but it feels like I have to apply to less desirable programs now, programs that aren't the best fit. I'm a little confused about what to do, and also whether to try to explain the grades in my essays or elsewhere in the APPI.

 

[2012PhD]

Ugh. That's what I was afraid of. My CV is very strong, but it feels like I have to apply to less desirable programs now, programs that aren't the best fit. I'm a little confused about what to do, and also whether to try to explain the grades in my essays or elsewhere in the APPI.

Did you get any more C's after you first year? Does your program have a good match rate overall?

If your CV is very strong, just make sure you apply to range of sites in terms of competitiveness and geography. I still would focus on fit since i believe its more important to the site than your transcript.

Consult with your DCT about whether you should explain your grades. She may know of other students who matched with similar issues. I would not personally write about this in my essays. When it comes down to interviews, just make sure you have a mature and effective response when they ask you about it.

 

[moneyphd]

Did you get any more C's after you first year? Does your program have a good match rate overall?

If your CV is very strong, just make sure you apply to range of sites in terms of competitiveness and geography. I still would focus on fit since i believe its more important to the site than your transcript.

Consult with your DCT about whether you should explain your grades. She may know of other students who matched with similar issues. I would not personally write about this in my essays. When it comes down to interviews, just make sure you have a mature and effective response when they ask you about it.

Thanks so much for your advice! Very helpful!

 

[deleted106747]

Thanks so much for your advice! Very helpful!

Just to add: someone in my program failed stats the first time around and did fine on the match.

 

[Milk Milk Milk]

Hi all,

I am a 5th year clinical PhD student and am really excited to begin this process! I'm lining up my LORs this week and narrowing down my list of sites! Good luck to everyone!!

 

[Milk Milk Milk]

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[Phipps]

.

Hi all and g'luck to all who are in the process! I have a quick and rather unrelated question:

does having obtained licensure prior to doctoral studies (LGPC/LCPC) possibly increase your chances to land an accredited internship placement?

Any thoughts?

Thx, Miss Phipps

 

[TuTuPsychL]

I have begun the dread process of writing my cover letters. I don't know why they are tripping me up so much, but I have less motivation to write these than my essays! If anyone (from past or current applicants) has any tips they'd like to pass along, it would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

Thanks!

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

I have begun the dread process of writing my cover letters. I don't know why they are tripping me up so much, but I have less motivation to write these than my essays! If anyone (from past or current applicants) has any tips they'd like to pass along, it would be greatly appreciated. 🙂

Thanks!

Get as many pair of eyeballs as you can on the cover letters; the more the merrier.

 

[IT514]

The first cover letter I wrote was to my #1 site at this point. Since my interests matched up so well it basically wrote itself with only 2-3 revisions. The rest are requiring a bit more effort from me, but its nice to have that first good one to draw from as a template.

Another rule I go by is that if I dont have the motivation to write, I generally dont. I think we have plenty of time until essays are due so I usually take a solid break if I am unmotivated, do something else, and come back to it refreshed. I've found that some of my best ideas will come to me when I'm doing something else like working out or reading for fun. Thats the right hemisphere for you...never works well under pressure.

 

[2012PhD]

The first cover letter I wrote was to my #1 site at this point. Since my interests matched up so well it basically wrote itself with only 2-3 revisions. The rest are requiring a bit more effort from me, but its nice to have that first good one to draw from as a template.

Another rule I go by is that if I dont have the motivation to write, I generally dont. I think we have plenty of time until essays are due so I usually take a solid break if I am unmotivated, do something else, and come back to it refreshed. I've found that some of my best ideas will come to me when I'm doing something else like working out or reading for fun. Thats the right hemisphere for you...never works well under pressure.

In terms of the cover letters, it helped to have a general template for each type of site (VA template, counseling center template). I wrote the template based on my favorite site. VA's are not so different from each other in terms of rotations etc so for each VA i sold myself as an EBT and PTSD specialist and tailored the cover letter to reflect each site's specific offerings. Once I had the template, I was able to pop out 2-3 quality cover letters in one day.

 

[aagman01]

Some sites, especially in certain states do seem to prefer that, so that they can bill services. I know of a few sites where they make sure an individual is either LPC or LPC eligible. Most sites, though, I do not think have this as a preference.

Hi all and g'luck to all who are in the process! I have a quick and rather unrelated question:

does having obtained licensure prior to doctoral studies (LGPC/LCPC) possibly increase your chances to land an accredited internship placement?

Any thoughts?

Thx, Miss Phipps

 

[sed02]

Hi I am also in the process of applying to internships. I completed all four essays. I have a list of 30 schools that I am interested in but I need to narrow it down to at least 18 to 20. Once I narrow it down I will start working on my cover letters. The apags workbook actually gives really good templates of how to write cover letters and CV's. I have a table of my hours but have not started inputting those hours on the application.

For the DCT verification section, how soon in advance should I submit it to my DCT. Also does anyone know what that section entails? does she have to write a letter. I really dont know her that well because the DCT that my school had before retired this summer.

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

For the DCT verification section, how soon in advance should I submit it to my DCT. Also does anyone know what that section entails? does she have to write a letter. I really dont know her that well because the DCT that my school had before retired this summer.

Ask for it no later than the second week of September.

It is a letter that kind of sums up your training and your strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Member1461]

Hello. Some of the sites in the APPIC directory list minimum intervention/assessment APPI hours. Since the APPI hours only include practicum experiences (and not research), my assessment hours are around 120-130. Is it even worth it to apply to a site that lists 150 assessment hours as minimum?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Hello. Some of the sites in the APPIC directory list minimum intervention/assessment APPI hours. Since the APPI hours only include practicum experiences (and not research), my assessment hours are around 120-130. Is it even worth it to apply to a site that lists 150 assessment hours as minimum?

When in doubt, you can always email the TD and ask if it's worth applying. Personally, if I were in the ballpark (e.g., your example of 130 hours with a site cut-off of 150 hours), I'd definitely consider applying. However, if I were well short (e.g., if the cut-off were something like 500 hours), I likely wouldn't bother.

 

[sed02]

Hi!!

I already know who I want to write my letters of reference. But when do you think would be the best time to start informing them? Do you think its too early to starting asking my supervisors now?

Thanks

 

[erg923]

Hi!!

I already know who I want to write my letters of reference. But when do you think would be the best time to start informing them? Do you think its too early to starting asking my supervisors now?

Thanks

Its not early at all!

Remember, many deadlines are Nov 1st. You should ask NOW so they will not feel rushed writing the letter. Professors and supervisors are busy people and giving them at least 2 months notice is well advised.

Also, last year, DCTs certified and approved your app, but they did not have to write a seperate letter. I think that something that they did away with several years ago.

 

[psyunknown]

Hi!!

I already know who I want to write my letters of reference. But when do you think would be the best time to start informing them? Do you think its too early to starting asking my supervisors now?

Thanks

You should def. be asking for the letters now. I have already lined up my letters and sent them the request form via the APPI. They need time to write the letter and upload it to the site. 👍

 

[moneyphd]

Its not early at all!

Remember, many deadlines are Nov 1st. You should ask NOW so they will not feel rushed writing the letter. Professors and supervisors are busy people and giving them at least 2 months notice is well advised.

Also, last year, DCTs certified and approved your app, but they did not have to write a seperate letter. I think that something that they did away with several years ago.

My DCT said that she still has to write me a letter this year, so I believe they are still required.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

My DCT said that she still has to write me a letter this year, so I believe they are still required.

They definitely were not required last year, or the year before that if I remember correctly. All that was needed was for the DCT to "sign off" on your hours and your status as being internship-eligible. Perhaps your program requires that the DCT writes an actual letter? Either that, or some of the internships you're eyeing are asking for it.

 

[erg923]

My DCT said that she still has to write me a letter this year, so I believe they are still required.

Hmmm. Ok, then it must be new. I matched last year and my DCT never wrote any letters about me. He approved my hours and my app electronically but thats it.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

For comparison, prior to the online app your DCT was required to sign off on your APPI. Included in the APPI were a few questions about your suitability and preparation for internship. Many DCTs just drafted a LOR, as some sites req. a letter from them, while others just answered the questions and deferred to faculty/supervisors for LORs. The current setup is far better than the former setup, at least IMHO.

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

I feel bad for people who aren't sure what their DCT is writing in the questions about the intern part of the APPI

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I feel bad for people who aren't sure what their DCT is writing in the questions about the intern part of the APPI

Eh, I would imagine that in most instances, if the DCT had an issue (or if the student suspected there might be a problem), it would come up before the responses were entered. I know that in my case, whatever my DCT wrote--of which I saw none--didn't seem to hinder my application.

In the end, I viewed it in much the same way as my LORs--I didn't expect, or ask, to read any of them; I simply asked the professor if he/she would be comfortable writing one for me and left it at that.

 

[erg923]

Eh, I would imagine that in most instances, if the DCT had an issue (or if the student suspected there might be a problem), it would come up before the responses were entered. I know that in my case, whatever my DCT wrote--of which I saw none--didn't seem to hinder my application.

In the end, I viewed it in much the same way as my LORs--I didn't expect, or ask, to read any of them; I simply asked the professor if he/she would be comfortable writing one for me and left it at that.

Yea, it's not really uncommon for professors not to volunteer a copy of their rec letters for your viewing. I have had a couple people request that I draft the thing for them...and then they used modified versions of what I wrote. However, many of my recs (both for my Ph.D. program and for the internship match last year) happened to come from older professors who seem a little more set in the tradition of not sharing the letter.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Yea, it's not really uncommon for professors not to volunteer a copy of their rec letters for your viewing. I have had a couple people request that I draft the thing for them...and then they used modified versions of what I wrote. However, many of my recs (both for my Ph.D. program and for the internship match last year) happened to come from older professors who seem a little more set in the tradition of not sharing the letter.

Very similar to my experiences as well. With my Ph.D. program letters, I believe two of four gave me an extra copy of their letters to read. For internship, I had one professor ask that I give him a bullet-point list of things we'd worked on over the past few years, and then he asked that I review the letter for accuracy afterward. The rest simply asked for a CV (or in the case of my adviser, didn't need much of anything) and then let me know once everything had been submitted.

 

[psychgal]

Hey everyone! I am currently on internship but was right where you all are last year. What a stressful experience internship apps were for me! Anyway I am happily placed at internship and would like to offer my help to anyone who is applying to primarily Counseling Centers or select school sites. I had quite a few interviews in all different formats (in-person, Skype, phone) and really learned some lessons along the way. Overall the interview experience was positive for me but exhausting. Please feel free to private mail me if you feel I could help in anyway. Good luck and happy thoughts 🙂

 

[PerhapsMaybeOk]

oh em gee it's already September! So close to having to turn these suckers in!

 

[minichka2004]

I am a 3rd year student and will apply for internship next year. I am writing here because I am concerned about my APPI hours and the way to count them😕. I though that you guys may give me an advice.

Not long ago I realized that I made mistakes in my calculations when I did not count hours which I could count (e.g. some assessment hours). I also didn't keep track of different populations which I was seeing in my first year (however, I still have the info on whom I was seeing) 🙁. We never have been properly explained how to count hours and now I am facing the consequences.

Does anyone know how to add hours to the existing and already signed spreadsheets? Is it OK to redo them and get the signatures with newer dates? Any ideas? Thanks so much to anyone who could offer a solution to this situation!

 

[Huxwell]

Question on the APPIC app, page titled "Additional Information About Practicum Experiences"...

Under theoretical orientation, I think it is a very poorly framed question. It says "What is your primary theoretical orientation". The word primary means one, as in indicate your theoretical orientation. However, it then tells you to choose up to 3 orientations. Huh? Are others just indicating one orientation or multiple? This may be completely over-thinking things, but would just putting one orientation make you seems "inflexible in your clinical skills" or some BS like that?
One last question on orientation- does "client-centered" (e.g. motivational interviewing) count as an orientation or a therapy style? I'm primarily CBT but rely on client-centered approaches from time to time.

Finally, on that same page there is a section for "non-practicum clinical work experience". This term is not defined- does it mean clinical work during your program that wasn't done at a practicum site (e.g. research studies), clinical work you may have done before you started the program, or both.

Thanks! Good luck all.

 

[KillerDiller]

I am a 3rd year student and will apply for internship next year. I am writing here because I am concerned about my APPI hours and the way to count them😕. I though that you guys may give me an advice.

Not long ago I realized that I made mistakes in my calculations when I did not count hours which I could count (e.g. some assessment hours). I also didn't keep track of different populations which I was seeing in my first year (however, I still have the info on whom I was seeing) 🙁. We never have been properly explained how to count hours and now I am facing the consequences.

Does anyone know how to add hours to the existing and already signed spreadsheets? Is it OK to redo them and get the signatures with newer dates? Any ideas? Thanks so much to anyone who could offer a solution to this situation!

Your DCT is the one who has to verify your hours, so I recommend asking him/her what you should do to address the issue. At my program we can edit hours on record if we obtain our supervisor's signature on the corrections, but I'm sure it is program-dependent.

 

[TuTuPsychL]

Non-practicum clinical work experience accounts for hours gained through a job, not a practicum. So no, not research work you do through your program.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I am a 3rd year student and will apply for internship next year. I am writing here because I am concerned about my APPI hours and the way to count them😕. I though that you guys may give me an advice.

Not long ago I realized that I made mistakes in my calculations when I did not count hours which I could count (e.g. some assessment hours). I also didn't keep track of different populations which I was seeing in my first year (however, I still have the info on whom I was seeing) 🙁. We never have been properly explained how to count hours and now I am facing the consequences.

Does anyone know how to add hours to the existing and already signed spreadsheets? Is it OK to redo them and get the signatures with newer dates? Any ideas? Thanks so much to anyone who could offer a solution to this situation!

I'd imagine that this will depend heavily on your particular program. Ours, for example, doesn't have any spreadsheets that need to be signed off on with respect to practicum/clinical hours; it's something that's kept track of entirely by students. I'd imagine if you explained the situation to whoever it is that signs off on your hours, you'd be ok. But again, this seems highly program-specific.

I, for example, did a horrible job of keeping track of my hours, populations, etc. Thus, I had to spend a few weeks going back and doing a rough estimate of number of reports written, assessment and intervention hours, etc. In the end, all you can do is give it your best and most accurate guess and then move on.

 

[serendipity2]

.

 

[erg923]

I was a nanny for 3 years while working on my master's degree. As I fine tune my CV, I am wondering if this is something clinically relevant to even include? On the CV I have used in the past for practicum applications I had it under an area titled "Other Work Experiences". I have a decent list of "Formal Practica Experience" and "Other Clinical Experience," so it is not an issue of wanting to find more stuff to add. Also, I am not applying for child positions for internships, but a mix of UCCs and VAs/Constoriums.

Any thoughts on what a TD might think when they see that in the mix with a variety of other training experiences? As an aside, nannying was a large part of my life as I really helped raise the kids in two familes I worked for who had very busy households, not just a "job"- but again, not sure if it is relevant. Thanks.

No. You can bring it up in interviews if you feel it is relevant though.

 

[ssw]

Hi everyone. So I have gotten differing advice and am totally confused as to whether to reveal I have kids in my essays and/or internship. What have you all heard? Any advice? In some ways it shows my ability to multi-task and makes me more interesting but on the other hand I don't want programs to discriminate against me for this. I know legally they are not allowed to but realistically it still happens. I was wondering if anyone else is in this position and what others have been told/heard? Thanks.

 

[psychgeek]

Hi everyone. So I have gotten differing advice and am totally confused as to whether to reveal I have kids in my essays and/or internship. What have you all heard? Any advice? In some ways it shows my ability to multi-task and makes me more interesting but on the other hand I don't want programs to discriminate against me for this. I know legally they are not allowed to but realistically it still happens. I was wondering if anyone else is in this position and what others have been told/heard? Thanks.

I wouldn't mention it in any applications to sites that would require you to move. They might assume that having kids means you'd be less likely to rank them highly since you'd have more ties to your current location.

I am not sure if I think it would matter for sites in your area. Obviously it shouldn't, but I don't think it out of the realm of possibility that it might. I also don't know that it would be that compelling of a qualification on its own even if it didn't do any harm. Unless your role as a parent is one aspect of a more complicated story you plan to tell about your qualifications for internship, I'd probably leave it out. It is always something you could mention at the interview if it feels like it would help you then.

Edit: I meant to say "obviously it shouldn't hurt."