2012 APPIC Internship Application Thread

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Does anyone know if San Francisco VA is doing rolling invites/rejections? I haven't seen anyone post interview invites but they seem to have had different days when they sent rejections. I haven't heard from them yet so just wondering.
 
That said, if folks wanted to make separate threads for things we might consider invites/rejections, interview tips, support for the process, system change, applications, and I bet several others that will emerge as this process unfolds like rankings, matching, phase 2, etc. Just seems like that's an awful lot of division when many of us would probably want to see most or all of it...
 
I like having everything in one place. For one, this is the only thread I've been coming to these past few weeks when I sign onto SDN. As someone else mentioned, it's great to see the invite/rejection posts, as well having a place to vent (and ask for support). I know I've found it very difficult to vent about the process, match, etc. with people who are unfamiliar with the whole thing.

When I want to freak out about the possibility of not matching, it is not comforting for me to hear that I shouldn't worry, I'll match. Um, no, sorry, it's not that simple! It's so frustrating and I've been so thankful to this site!
 
Just to clarify my earlier comment. I can't speak for others but personally I like (and appreciate!) the support felt on the forum, but there have recently been some very negative, disparaging comments/complaints about "the system" that I think may be better expressed elsewhere. In some cases these comments have been productive, but in my opinion, not in other cases. We are all in this system, so let's make the best of it. If it's all the system's fault and there's nothing we can do, then why should we be working so hard? To me, these criticisms are counterproductive. I'd much prefer to see this forum be an encouraging environment for others to share concerns, support, interview tips, and interview notifications in a positive manner.

I believe that hearing others have similar and different complaints/concerns to your own give the inspiration to attempt to make changes happen within the system. For example, last year I did not like the idea people were suggesting that we should be limited in the number of sites to apply to. However, after a year, and after attending the APA conference earlier this year and all of the internship series, I realize how helpful it would be for EVERYONE if we were forced to choose only 15 sites or so to apply to. Sites would be able to devote more time to applications if they had less to review every year, and people would be forced to think a lot harder about how to choose where they apply. I know that wouldn't solve all the problems, but my point is that by hearing others' concerns and some of the suggestions for improvements, now I am able to have a voice and complain/make suggestions to APPIC, knowing that others are doing the same thing (at least in the cohort of students that I know personally). Only focusing on the positive would be ignoring that there are things that need to be and probably can be changed.
 
I enjoy having everything in one place. I think people have done a pretty good job of sharing both positive and negative information and feelings, and I think that is representative of the actual process and true to life. To me, it doesn't make sense to place limitations and only discuss things in one certain light or focus on only one half of an equation that includes both positive/exciting and negative/devastating variables. This process covers the range of human emotions and I think it makes sense for that to be represented in a thread devoted to the process. If that brings your morale down or makes you confront negative feelings that you don't think you should be experiencing, then I would recommend screening what you read (just read the site updates, etc.). It seems very tedious to have to dedicate multiple threads and try to separate something that has so many things wrapped up in it that there would be considerable overlap/inefficiency. I fear that this recent scrutiny is going to cause some people to feel uncomfortable posting anything that might bother someone now... I really hope that isn't the case. I find it all very valuable... the good, the bad, and the ugly.
 
I don't mean to say that people should not express their opinions, their rejections, etc. Obviously some of what we share is not positive. I think my main concern has been with the aggressive tone of the negative postings, and really only applies to some postings in the last 3 pages or so of the thread. I have quite enjoyed everyone's posts prior to that, positive or negative. When negative things were shared prior to the last few pages, they were done in a manner asking for support or in an objective manner to discuss ways to improve, both of which are productive. If we are to point fingers at the system without trying to problem solve what we can do given the overall situation or our own personal situations, then it brings the overall tone down and is quite counterproductive to why we are all here reading 2200 posts 🙂
 
I enjoy having everything in one place. I think people have done a pretty good job of sharing both positive and negative information and feelings, and I think that is representative of the actual process and true to life. To me, it doesn't make sense to place limitations and only discuss things in one certain light or focus on only one half of an equation that includes both positive/exciting and negative/devastating variables. This process covers the range of human emotions and I think it makes sense for that to be represented in a thread devoted to the process. If that brings your morale down or makes you confront negative feelings that you don't think you should be experiencing, then I would recommend screening what you read (just read the site updates, etc.). It seems very tedious to have to dedicate multiple threads and try to separate something that has so many things wrapped up in it that there would be considerable overlap/inefficiency. I fear that this recent scrutiny is going to cause some people to feel uncomfortable posting anything that might bother someone now... I really hope that isn't the case. I find it all very valuable... the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I heartily agree! Keep it ALL coming 🙂
 
I don't mean to say that people should not express their opinions, their rejections, etc. Obviously some of what we share is not positive. I think my main concern has been with the aggressive tone of the negative postings, and really only applies to some postings in the last 3 pages or so of the thread. I have quite enjoyed everyone's posts prior to that, positive or negative. When negative things were shared prior to the last few pages, they were done in a manner asking for support or in an objective manner to discuss ways to improve, both of which are productive. If we are to point fingers at the system without trying to problem solve what we can do given the overall situation or our own personal situations, then it brings the overall tone down and is quite counterproductive to why we are all here reading 2200 posts 🙂

You are certainly entitled to your opinion regarding the negative tone of postings. I think the reality is some people have had very negative experiences or are feeling very frustrated right now, and they want to vent to others who understand their situations. Also, at this point there is not much we can actively do about the situation, as we are all sitting around waiting to hear back about interviews. The stakes are high, as we have all dedicated years of our lives to this profession, and it is frustrating to think of being delayed or not being able to complete our degrees due to the absolute mess if a system. The situation is bound to bring out strong feelings in some people. I understand why negative posts might bother you, but I don't mind them. It is nice for people to be able to vent and receive support.
 
I don't mean to say that people should not express their opinions, their rejections, etc. Obviously some of what we share is not positive. I think my main concern has been with the aggressive tone of the negative postings, and really only applies to some postings in the last 3 pages or so of the thread. I have quite enjoyed everyone's posts prior to that, positive or negative. When negative things were shared prior to the last few pages, they were done in a manner asking for support or in an objective manner to discuss ways to improve, both of which are productive. If we are to point fingers at the system without trying to problem solve what we can do given the overall situation or our own personal situations, then it brings the overall tone down and is quite counterproductive to why we are all here reading 2200 posts 🙂
Yes, but without hearing others comments, experiences, etc. with the system how would be possibly begin to brainstorm alternatives? We may not be in a position to create change, YET... But in the future when we have matched, completed a post-doc, passed EPPP, gotten licensed, etc. Who knows where we may wind up... Opening up a new training center for predoctoral training, seeking APA accreditation, lobbying to APPIC or APA to change this or think about that... Perhaps, doctoral programs should have a limit on how many students they admit each year? Or maybe schools should have some responsibility in establishing internship sites - maybe in direct proportion to how many students they admit... I don't know the answers of how to solve the problems that currently exist - nor do I think I would be able to arrive at conclusions alone... It is in discussion forums (much like this - the technology and anonymity of it is probably quite new) where change has been a result to methods that were no longer conducive to optimal results...
 
You are certainly entitled to your opinion regarding the negative tone of postings. I think the reality is some people have had very negative experiences or are feeling very frustrated right now, and they want to vent to others who understand their situations. Also, at this point there is not much we can actively do about the situation, as we are all sitting around waiting to hear back about interviews. The stakes are high, as we have all dedicated years of our lives to this profession, and it is frustrating to think of being delayed or not being able to complete our degrees due to the absolute mess if a system. The situation is bound to bring out strong feelings in some people. I understand why negative posts might bother you, but I don't mind them. It is nice for people to be able to vent and receive support.

I wholeheartedly agree (and was going to say something to that effect but was too lazy).

It's a crappy system and a crappy experience, and it's really frustrating. The "negative" tone of the posts doesn't bother me (actually I didn't even really notice) but I also have a higher tolerance for anger/hostility than the average bear so who knows.

I vote for keeping the thread in one piece, and continuing to allow people to vent.
 
crud, I just found out why I was rejected from SW Consortium. APPIC didn't have my 3rd LOR. I had this issue with 2 sites, but thankfully, when I emailed the other site, the TD just told me if I can get it to him, so I'm having my 3rd LOR email the TD directly.

This sucks, $10 down the drain on a site.

WOW! How did you find this out? Did you email the sites that rejected you?
 
WOW! How did you find this out? Did you email the sites that rejected you?

No, I found out b/c of the second site after the TD was telling me he didn't have my 3rd LOR. I checked APPIC and found out that both sites did not have my 3rd LOR. I don't know why it wasn't sent, but thankfully, SW was a panic application (i.e. I'm not getting enough interview early enough, what if I don't match! panic) so it's not as big of a loss. The second site though is very high on my list, so thankfully it was caught before the rejection came.
 
I don't mean to say that people should not express their opinions, their rejections, etc. Obviously some of what we share is not positive. I think my main concern has been with the aggressive tone of the negative postings, and really only applies to some postings in the last 3 pages or so of the thread. I have quite enjoyed everyone's posts prior to that, positive or negative. When negative things were shared prior to the last few pages, they were done in a manner asking for support or in an objective manner to discuss ways to improve, both of which are productive. If we are to point fingers at the system without trying to problem solve what we can do given the overall situation or our own personal situations, then it brings the overall tone down and is quite counterproductive to why we are all here reading 2200 posts 🙂

For what it's worth, I wanted to de-lurk and back up Dewe. I do think that people should be able to discuss parts of the match that are cause for concern, anxiety, frustration, etc. But I also think that the problem is not that people want to talk about negative aspects of the match, so much as that there has been at least one recent negative post directed at another person's very supportive post.

I know this is an incredibly stressful time for everyone, but these kinds of messages do a disservice to this community, which has otherwise been quite supportive. I've really enjoying reading all of your posts up until now and I hope that everyone can continue to respectfully share their experiences while being sensitive to the fact that not everyone may see eye to eye with your view of the match.

And now, I will return to repeatedly pressing the "check mail" button on my inbox. Best of luck to all of you!
 
Just got an interview invite via e-mail to the Otis Bowen Center in Warsaw, IN for this Friday at 1pm EST.
 
No, I found out b/c of the second site after the TD was telling me he didn't have my 3rd LOR. I checked APPIC and found out that both sites did not have my 3rd LOR. I don't know why it wasn't sent, but thankfully, SW was a panic application (i.e. I'm not getting enough interview early enough, what if I don't match! panic) so it's not as big of a loss. The second site though is very high on my list, so thankfully it was caught before the rejection came.

Thanks for this information - how do you check this on APPIC? I went to the righthand side of the screen, and I click on "designations" but I don't see a way to see if they received all of the letters...
 
Thanks for this information - how do you check this on APPIC? I went to the righthand side of the screen, and I click on "designations" but I don't see a way to see if they received all of the letters...

If everything is "complete" without error, then you should be relatively fine. Mine was only paid but not completed even though i designated everything correctly. I don't think it happens much. I remember reading on the listserve others who had sites contact them regarding missing info (i.e. supplementary material) even though they had designated it correctly too.
 
Anyone else having terrible insomnia this week? I'm having all three types - onset, maintenance and terminal, so basically I'm barely sleeping. Not great since I have my first interview tomorrow (err... umm... today). My pattern goes something like this: difficulty falling asleep due to negative thoughts about waking up to 17 rejection emails, or worrying about how I will afford plane tickets/hotels, or worrying that I will not be able to make the interview dates if I'm miraculously invited to my top choice sites. After finally going to sleep, I wake up with a nagging urge to check my email and justify it by thinking, "Well, it's 7am on the East Coast (I live in Cali), so it's possible emails have been sent out because I heard of one person getting an invite at 6:45am EST." If I eventually get back to sleep, I wake up 1-2 hours before my alarm goes off and give up on sleep at this point. Then I sit and check my email, check this forum, check my email, peruse facebook, check email, check phone, check email... refresh, refresh, repeat. :scared:

Anyone else having this problem? I'm so ready for the 15th!
 
Anyone else having terrible insomnia this week? I'm having all three types - onset, maintenance and terminal, so basically I'm barely sleeping. Not great since I have my first interview tomorrow (err... umm... today). My pattern goes something like this: difficulty falling asleep due to negative thoughts about waking up to 17 rejection emails, or worrying about how I will afford plane tickets/hotels, or worrying that I will not be able to make the interview dates if I'm miraculously invited to my top choice sites. After finally going to sleep, I wake up with a nagging urge to check my email and justify it by thinking, "Well, it's 7am on the East Coast (I live in Cali), so it's possible emails have been sent out because I heard of one person getting an invite at 6:45am EST." If I eventually get back to sleep, I wake up 1-2 hours before my alarm goes off and give up on sleep at this point. Then I sit and check my email, check this forum, check my email, peruse facebook, check email, check phone, check email... refresh, refresh, repeat. :scared:

Anyone else having this problem? I'm so ready for the 15th!

No, but it is also 4pm right now for me. I'm glad I'm in another time zone. When I'm sleeping the "work day" in the US goes by MUCH faster, and I can be productive right now without any anxiety since no one is going to be sending emails at 3am in the morning!

As far as insomnia, I usually deal with it by having some noise in the background, either TV, an audiobook, or music. It helps me take my mind off my worrisome thoughts.
 
Anyone else having terrible insomnia this week? I'm having all three types - onset, maintenance and terminal, so basically I'm barely sleeping. Not great since I have my first interview tomorrow (err... umm... today). My pattern goes something like this: difficulty falling asleep due to negative thoughts about waking up to 17 rejection emails, or worrying about how I will afford plane tickets/hotels, or worrying that I will not be able to make the interview dates if I'm miraculously invited to my top choice sites. After finally going to sleep, I wake up with a nagging urge to check my email and justify it by thinking, "Well, it's 7am on the East Coast (I live in Cali), so it's possible emails have been sent out because I heard of one person getting an invite at 6:45am EST." If I eventually get back to sleep, I wake up 1-2 hours before my alarm goes off and give up on sleep at this point. Then I sit and check my email, check this forum, check my email, peruse facebook, check email, check phone, check email... refresh, refresh, repeat. :scared:

Anyone else having this problem? I'm so ready for the 15th!

YES! It's 3:43 AM right now...and I am wide awake. I noticed a pattern over the last 3 weeks where I would have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights (I assumed that I could get e-mails Monday mornings), but as we get closer to the 15th, I can't shut my brain off most nights. I think similar things regarding time difference...'it's 6:45AM EST...I wonder if I will get an e-mail in a couple of hours'. I also worry about pretty inane things, at this point (i.e. shoes and hair choices for the interviews). This is normal, right? lol :bang:
 
YES! It's 3:43 AM right now...and I am wide awake. I noticed a pattern over the last 3 weeks where I would have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights (I assumed that I could get e-mails Monday mornings), but as we get closer to the 15th, I can't shut my brain off most nights. I think similar things regarding time difference...'it's 6:45AM EST...I wonder if I will get an e-mail in a couple of hours'. I also worry about pretty inane things, at this point (i.e. shoes and hair choices for the interviews). This is normal, right? lol :bang:

Totally normal as far as I'm concerned! I spent a good amount of time around 4 am thinking about car rentals and shoes. Sleep is getting increasingly more elusive!
 
Totally normal as far as I'm concerned! I spent a good amount of time around 4 am thinking about car rentals and shoes. Sleep is getting increasingly more elusive!

Me, too! I normally don't have sleep concerns, but the last week has been increasingly difficult... mind just going all the time. Hang in there everyone!!
 
Anyone else having terrible insomnia this week? I'm having all three types - onset, maintenance and terminal, so basically I'm barely sleeping. Not great since I have my first interview tomorrow (err... umm... today). My pattern goes something like this: difficulty falling asleep due to negative thoughts about waking up to 17 rejection emails, or worrying about how I will afford plane tickets/hotels, or worrying that I will not be able to make the interview dates if I'm miraculously invited to my top choice sites. After finally going to sleep, I wake up with a nagging urge to check my email and justify it by thinking, "Well, it's 7am on the East Coast (I live in Cali), so it's possible emails have been sent out because I heard of one person getting an invite at 6:45am EST." If I eventually get back to sleep, I wake up 1-2 hours before my alarm goes off and give up on sleep at this point. Then I sit and check my email, check this forum, check my email, peruse facebook, check email, check phone, check email... refresh, refresh, repeat. :scared:

Anyone else having this problem? I'm so ready for the 15th!


Awww poor thing! And all the others who are feeling the same! Somehow being pregnant makes me so exhausted that by the end of the night I am able to fall asleep very quickly and only wake up if I have to go to the bathroom : ) hehe but I totally remember the feeling last year of tossing and turning and checking and re-checking my email. Now I have my email set to go to my phone and every time my notification goes off and it isn't about internship I want to throw my phone at the wall and scream at the person who dared to send me an email that wasn't from an internship site!!! BAHHHH!

Good luck on your interview today!!!! Hope it goes great!

Good morning to everyone else! Here's to good news... or any news at all!
 
Awww poor thing! And all the others who are feeling the same! Somehow being pregnant makes me so exhausted that by the end of the night I am able to fall asleep very quickly and only wake up if I have to go to the bathroom : ) hehe but I totally remember the feeling last year of tossing and turning and checking and re-checking my email. Now I have my email set to go to my phone and every time my notification goes off and it isn't about internship I want to throw my phone at the wall and scream at the person who dared to send me an email that wasn't from an internship site!!! BAHHHH!

Good luck on your interview today!!!! Hope it goes great!

Good morning to everyone else! Here's to good news... or any news at all!

It's gonna be a good day, today 🙂
 
I'm pregnant too! In fact, my due date is Dec 15th, which is also the date most sites state they will notify... should prove to be an exciting day 🙂. This is my first year applying, but I will not be surprised if I don't match. I am geographically restricted (accept for CCs that don't require on-site interviews, but for which I have no experience) and I live in an area where it is crucial to be bilingual (which I am not). It's a nerve-racking experience.

I wish you the best and hang in there. This is your year!!

Last year I was super ambitious and enthusiastic, I applied to approximately 20 neuropsychology sites all over the country, got three interviews, and did not match. During Phase II I only got one interview and again, did not match. This year I buffed up my application with more broad experiences, went for more general, less competitive sites, but became geographically restricted because my husband and I got pregnant sooner than expected (we need him to keep his job to take care of the family financially). I was able to find 8 sites within an hour of me to apply to, and was feeling pretty good about my odds this year with my improved application. However, I've gotten two rejections, and only one interview. And the interview is to the only site that I applied to that is not APA accredited. I am feeling super super bummed... way stressed. Every day I want to cry. If I don't match my second time around I am going to feel horrible about myself... and I won't give up until I try a third time, which means I will pay an extra year of tuition for no reason, and pray really hard that I actually match that time... all this stress is not good for a mommy-to-be. I know I met an awesome person last year who went through two years and didn't match until phase II of last year... but what a horrible experience! I am really relying on some good news from the 5 sites that I have yet to hear from. 🙁
 
I second those having a hard time, sleep/stress wise.
Applied to 14, heard back from 10. One invite. One notification that I wont get an interview, but still being considered.
Of the 4 left, all 4 have apparently not rejected me yet, but also invited others to interview. Dang.
Here's to 1 interview, and potentially the phase II process/ next year going again.
Probably should start making sure I have funding from my program for next year.🙁
 
Also, I'm looking for something that I've seen before, but dont remember where. It basically breaks down your chances of matching based on the # of interviews you get(not applications turned in). Would really appreciate that info.
 
Mass rejection from FCC Butner this morning 🙁 though I was kind of expecting it since I saw some invites went out last week...
 
Is anyone else here having trouble getting through to the Boston Consortium for scheduling? For those who scheduled in December, how long did it take you to hear back?
 
Personalized invite to the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry this morning! Interview date was the one I indicated on the supplemental form (Jan. 6).
 
Just got an interview for the Brooklyn VA this morning.
 
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Is anyone else here having trouble getting through to the Boston Consortium for scheduling? For those who scheduled in December, how long did it take you to hear back?

I had to call a few times before I got through. It sounds like they still have a few dates available.
 
Likewise (rejection to Butner) Beautiful process... Ready for this nightmare to be over. What I thought I had successfully accomplished has been proven to be worthless.
 
Still waiting on:
Yale B-Med
West Haven VA
UMass/Worcester State Hospital
Anyone hear from any of these sites yet? 😕

Has anyone gotten a rejection from the DC VA? I know they made calls to invite people yesterday, so I assume that means I'm waiting on a rejection, but just curious.

Thanks!
 
Still waiting on:

Has anyone gotten a rejection from the DC VA? I know they made calls to invite people yesterday, so I assume that means I'm waiting on a rejection, but just curious.

Thanks!

In the same boat with Colorado State CC...someone got a call a couple of days ago but I haven't gotten a rejection yet. I wish they would do rejections first so you KNOW at least.
 
Thanks for this information - how do you check this on APPIC? I went to the righthand side of the screen, and I click on "designations" but I don't see a way to see if they received all of the letters...

I found out because a site contacted me to tell me my application was incomplete and while I was still being considered they wanted me to get them the third LOR. To figure out what happened - since I "attached" the LOR to my APPIC application, I went to the PDF of the full submission to the site, clicked the link to the section of the document where the letters of reference were listed by faculty name and saw that there was no date next to one of the faculty member's names! That is the only way I would have seen that it wasn't attached. Otherwise, when I submitted there was NO indication that the faculty member had not yet uploaded that particular letter. I then freaked out and checked PDFs for all other sites I applied to and everything else was fine. I think I had 18 heart attacks that day, though.
 
Me, too! I normally don't have sleep concerns, but the last week has been increasingly difficult... mind just going all the time. Hang in there everyone!!

I don't sleep well anyway, this waiting and obsessing over not getting enough interviews/not matching is gonna leave me a zombie before I get to any interviews I do get😱 THEN trying to show anyone that I'm a competent, personable psychologist isn't going to happen. . ........and I thought my biggest detractor would be the gray hairs and wrinkles🙁
 
Mass email invite from Children's Hospital Boston. Dates given were:
Thursday, Jan 5
Monday, Jan 9
Thursday, Jan 19
Friday, Jan 20
Monday, Jan 23
Monday, Jan 30
 
Just got a mass email rejection from Cherokee Health Systems. It was in my SPAM folder, so everyone be on the lookout!!! 😕
 
Personalized email rejection (12/8; 9:36am est.) from the substance abuse track at Yale Adult Clinical Services
 
YES! It's 3:43 AM right now...and I am wide awake. I noticed a pattern over the last 3 weeks where I would have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights (I assumed that I could get e-mails Monday mornings), but as we get closer to the 15th, I can't shut my brain off most nights. I think similar things regarding time difference...'it's 6:45AM EST...I wonder if I will get an e-mail in a couple of hours'. I also worry about pretty inane things, at this point (i.e. shoes and hair choices for the interviews). This is normal, right? lol :bang:

story of my life right now! at least this forum helps me realize that I'm not the only one becoming totally neurotic here. this is how I feel everytime I get an email that does NOT have to do with internship: +pissed+

here's hoping today is a good day! 2 invites, 2 rejections, 12 to go... :xf:
 
I'm pregnant too! In fact, my due date is Dec 15th, which is also the date most sites state they will notify... should prove to be an exciting day 🙂. This is my first year applying, but I will not be surprised if I don't match. I am geographically restricted (accept for CCs that don't require on-site interviews, but for which I have no experience) and I live in an area where it is crucial to be bilingual (which I am not). It's a nerve-racking experience.

I wish you the best and hang in there. This is your year!!

Ha how interesting when our due dates are... I'm due 2 days before match day. I keep envisioning going into labor at like midnight on Feb. 23rd and assigning someone the job of refreshing my email over and over while I am pushing hahaha

Thanks and congratulations!
 
Mass email invite from Children's Hospital Boston. Dates given were:
Thursday, Jan 5
Monday, Jan 9
Thursday, Jan 19
Friday, Jan 20
Monday, Jan 23
Monday, Jan 30

Just got a rejection, I think I was one of the last ones rejected. Oh well.
 
I had to call a few times before I got through. It sounds like they still have a few dates available.
Hey guys-I called right after I got the invite email, and then didn't hear back that day so I called the next day. She told me I was scheduled for Tuesday the 13th and that they would be in touch with interview details. It sounded like if I hadn't called back, they would have just notified me by email of the date/time.
 
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