2013-2014 APPIC (internship) interview thread

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Wow, do you have a lot of phone interviews, is that why your costs are so low? The reason I ask is because it seems you have quite a few interviews (congrats btw!) 🙂 I don't know the total cost yet for me, but it's high.

I am doing a lot of phone/skype. About half of my sites don't offer onsite which is helpful. Some did offer onsite which I turned down because they either said it didn't matter or I had a conflict. Hopefully my cheapness doesn't come back to bite me!

"Cheapness is not a sense."
 
Yeah, that seems low to me too.

I'll be attending 10 interviews in person and my travel costs so far are in the $1100 range (not including meals, gas, registering for the match, etc.). Minimizing plane flights by applying to one geographic region rather than crisscrossing the country, driving to as many interviews as possible, and staying with friends and family has really helped keep my costs down.
 
I'll be attending 10 interviews in person and my travel costs so far are in the $1100 range (not including meals, gas, registering for the match, etc.). Minimizing plane flights by applying to one geographic region rather than crisscrossing the country, driving to as many interviews as possible, and staying with friends and family has really helped keep my costs down.

Man, I wish. My sites are too far to drive to and it costs so much to fly out of the local airports around here. I did save some money by arranging flights from city to city (instead of going back home each time), though. Good job being economical 🙂
 
Generic interview invite at The Help Group! My top choice! 😀 but now, scheduling is going to be an ish. hahaha
Congrats! I just got rejected from there. I really thought that site was a really good match from me. I have a number of interviews spread out all over the country, but have now just been rejected from my last of 4 CA sites. I'm wondering if it is harder to get an interview there if you are from out of state or if just everyone wants to go to CA?
 
Congrats! I just got rejected from there. I really thought that site was a really good match from me. I have a number of interviews spread out all over the country, but have now just been rejected from my last of 4 CA sites. I'm wondering if it is harder to get an interview there if you are from out of state or if just everyone wants to go to CA?

I got rejected from all of my CA sites, too. I've heard that CA is just really competitive.
 
Congrats! I just got rejected from there. I really thought that site was a really good match from me. I have a number of interviews spread out all over the country, but have now just been rejected from my last of 4 CA sites. I'm wondering if it is harder to get an interview there if you are from out of state or if just everyone wants to go to CA?

I applied to two California sites. I am not from CA. I got rejected at UC Santa Cruz Counseling Center and still waiting on UC Davis Counseling Center. I think it is easier if you are from California. Two of my friends from CA that applied at UC Santa Cruz got an interview. I am NOT saying that's the only factor.
 
Although, I think I will be rejected at UC Davis Counseling Center. Just a feeling.
 
Anyone heard from the Alaska VA? I don't think I've seen their name pop-up on here, but there's been so many posts recently it's hard to tell. It's my last site I need to hear from, and I would love to be able to sleep in tomorrow morning without waking up every 30 minutes to check my email.
 
Anyone heard from the Alaska VA? I don't think I've seen their name pop-up on here, but there's been so many posts recently it's hard to tell. It's my last site I need to hear from, and I would love to be able to sleep in tomorrow morning without waking up every 30 minutes to check my email.
Haven't heard anything.
 
Congrats! I just got rejected from there. I really thought that site was a really good match from me. I have a number of interviews spread out all over the country, but have now just been rejected from my last of 4 CA sites. I'm wondering if it is harder to get an interview there if you are from out of state or if just everyone wants to go to CA?

I have heard that CA is very competitive. I am originally from CA, only applied to two sites there, not because I am from CA, but because I thought these sites were a good fit for me, and didn't get either of them. They were both uber competitive sites though.

Edit: I think a lot of people want to go to CA. I know several people in my cohort that applied to sites in CA simply because they want to relocate to CA.
 
Congrats! I just got rejected from there. I really thought that site was a really good match from me. I have a number of interviews spread out all over the country, but have now just been rejected from my last of 4 CA sites. I'm wondering if it is harder to get an interview there if you are from out of state or if just everyone wants to go to CA?
Aww I'm sorry 🙁 BOOOO. I hate that feeling. I live in DC, so I am not sure if it is the Cali resident thing. I do know that LOTS of people want to go to Cali. Haha I actually think the location is a perk for most people and maybe that's why they applied, but I also applied all across the country based on whether I liked and fit each training program rather than geographic (well except that I didn't want to go to the midwest lol). I have no doubt that such a wonderful, empathic person (which I can sense just based on your responses on here hehe) as you will match somewhere great! It really seems to be so random sometimes. A lot of my friends and I applied to the same places and have similar experience, but we haven't all gotten interviews at each one. Well anyways, hope your day gets better and you get some great news!
 
I have heard that CA is very competitive. I am originally from CA, only applied to two sites there, not because I am from CA, but because I thought these sites were a good fit for me, and didn't get either of them. They were both uber competitive sites though.

Edit: I think a lot of people want to go to CA. I know several people in my cohort that applied to sites in CA simply because they want to relocate to CA.

Yes - CA is very competitive! People from out of state want to come here and many from in state want to stay.


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I applied to two California sites. I am not from CA. I got rejected at UC Santa Cruz Counseling Center and still waiting on UC Davis Counseling Center. I think it is easier if you are from California. Two of my friends from CA that applied at UC Santa Cruz got an interview. I am NOT saying that's the only factor.

I do think that region matters if you are not from a well known program. My program is at a relatively obscure directional school, and while we have sent a few of our "best" (meaning lots of publications and/or national awards) applicants to some amazing programs all over the country, it seems like the rest of us mostly get interviews at sites in our region, and generally don't get interviews at sites in other regions (particularly the Northeast) regardless of the relative competitiveness or fit of the internship site. There are also several sites that seem like perfect fits for many of our students that for whatever reason, have never interviewed any of us, even our "best" applicants. I think it is important to acknowledge that our applicants apply to more sites in our region, and this may account for this perceived relationship, but if I could do this process over again I think I would have focused a little less on "fit" and applied to a few more programs in my state that know more about my program.
 
I do think that region matters if you are not from a well known program. My program is at a relatively obscure directional school, and while we have sent a few of our "best" (meaning lots of publications and/or national awards) applicants to some amazing programs all over the country, it seems like the rest of us mostly get interviews at sites in our region, and generally don't get interviews at sites in other regions (particularly the Northeast) regardless of the relative competitiveness or fit of the internship site. There are also several sites that seem like perfect fits for many of our students that for whatever reason, have never interviewed any of us, even our "best" applicants. I think it is important to acknowledge that our applicants apply to more sites in our region, and this may account for this perceived relationship, but if I could do this process over again I think I would have focused a little less on "fit" and applied to a few more programs in my state that know more about my program.

And it is entirely possible I will be doing this process over again next year :-/
 
Yes - CA is very competitive! People from out of state want to come here and many from in state want to stay.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree. Unfortunately as a native California, I soon realized that I had a better chance of matching if I moved elsewhere. Plus, although the stipends California sites offer are often higher than others, it does not offset the cost of living here (especially the bay area). It's been interesting imaging myself in a place that may actually have a *real* winter!
 
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I got rejected from all of my CA sites, too. I've heard that CA is just really competitive.

I think NYC is the same way. I am from the area originally and moved across the country for a solid university-based PhD program. Sadly, I have been in a long-distance relationship for the past four years, hoping that since there are so many sites in NY, I would have a good chance of getting some interviews there. I applied to 21 sites, 15 in NY and 6 in other areas. I have ONE interview in NY and four in the other states I applied. I went to some of the webpages of the sites I was rejected from and noticed that about 95% of their interns are from NYC schools. I guess some programs like to accept student from local schools, which they are familiar with. I am coming to terms with the fact that I will probably one again be in a long-distance relationship again. It I sad because some of my friends who go to programs in NYC applied only to NYC programs and landed a ton of interviews, despite the fact that I have a lot to offer that they do not.
 
Has anyone heard from Purdue CAPS - notification date of 12/13 …. thoughts … email TD this weekend or Monday? we don't have weekends so why not … frustrating … like others want this phase behind me and ready to focus on next stage ..
 
Using the site Airbnb can be a really good way to keep down accommodation costs, if it's something with which one is comfortable. People rent out homes, cottages, rooms, etc. You pay through the website, and it can be a lot cheaper than staying in hotels.
 
Has anyone heard from Purdue CAPS - notification date of 12/13 …. thoughts … email TD this weekend or Monday? we don't have weekends so why not … frustrating … like others want this phase behind me and ready to focus on next stage ..

It can't hurt to email now. If they said screw it, we're not working on the weekend, then they won't get your email until Monday, but at least your email will already be there when they get to work on Monday, and hopefully they will respond to it quickly. If they ARE working on the weekend, then maybe you will hear back sooner than Monday. 🙂
 
Anyone heard from the Alaska VA? I don't think I've seen their name pop-up on here, but there's been so many posts recently it's hard to tell. It's my last site I need to hear from, and I would love to be able to sleep in tomorrow morning without waking up every 30 minutes to check my email.
I am waiting on them too...
 
Has anyone heard from Purdue CAPS - notification date of 12/13 …. thoughts … email TD this weekend or Monday? we don't have weekends so why not … frustrating … like others want this phase behind me and ready to focus on next stage ..
I still haven't heard anything either. I was going to email the TD on Monday. Strange thing is I had the 28th as their notification date on my spread sheet I made months ago, but when I rechecked their appic listing this wk I saw the 13th. Not sure where I got the 28th from, but bc of that I am probably going to wait until Monday evening before I email them.
 
I still haven't heard anything either. I was going to email the TD on Monday. Strange thing is I had the 28th as their notification date on my spread sheet I made months ago, but when I rechecked their appic listing this wk I saw the 13th. Not sure where I got the 28th from, but bc of that I am probably going to wait until Monday evening before I email them.

I also had the 28th on the spreadsheet I made, so it was definitely posted as the 28th at some point.
 
I still haven't heard anything either. I was going to email the TD on Monday. Strange thing is I had the 28th as their notification date on my spread sheet I made months ago, but when I rechecked their appic listing this wk I saw the 13th. Not sure where I got the 28th from, but bc of that I am probably going to wait until Monday evening before I email them.
thanks … perhaps we can stay in touch via SDN on this one…not to optimistic at this point but stranger things have happened with responses!! anyone else feel like you got an interview that you thought was a long shot and then others were the thanks but no thanks that you would have thought would have happened… no rhyme or reason to this madness and that is what it all feels like
 
Man, I wish. My sites are too far to drive to and it costs so much to fly out of the local airports around here. I did save some money by arranging flights from city to city (instead of going back home each time), though. Good job being economical 🙂

Agree with this. I only have two sites that I can drive to. I am taking a train to NY for one interview, because it was cheaper than flying (and I actually like the train!) 🙂 One week I will be in 3 different states for interviews, and I know it will be exhausting, but it saves a lot of money flying from state to state instead of returning home in between.
 
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+1 for Rutgers UBHC

Anyone heard from:
  • Applewood (OH)...I know calls went out earlier, so I am guessing it's a no go, but any rejections yet?
  • Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake (WI)
  • Youth Opportunity Center (IN)

I haven't heard from Applewood either and would really like to know where I stand with that one
 
thanks … perhaps we can stay in touch via SDN on this one…not to optimistic at this point but stranger things have happened with responses!! anyone else feel like you got an interview that you thought was a long shot and then others were the thanks but no thanks that you would have thought would have happened… no rhyme or reason to this madness and that is what it all feels like

For the most part, my interviews and rejections make sense. Most of my interviews are at hospitals and I got rejected from almost all the prisons I applied to, which makes sense, I really want to work in a hospital setting, and I think that message came through loud and clear on my application. But to answer your question, I did get interviews to some hospitals I thought were a long shot, and rejections from a couple of hospitals that were less competitive. This process is so mysterious. I am happy with the way things have turned out overall, and am only waiting to hear from one site!!

Totally unrelated to what your question was, but I just wanted to say that this forum has been such a great place for support during this crazy process. I have gotten so much valuable information from everybody here. So many people have helped me in some way or another, whether it's just answering a simple question I have, or reaching out and emailing me, and I really appreciate all of you!! Wishing everybody the best of luck throughout the interview process (and hearing back from those last few sites!). I hope we all match, and while this has been said so many times already, I love it – may the odds be ever in your favor! 🙂
 
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Has anyone received an interview invite to Johns Hopkins, or know of anyone who has? Their deadline was 11/1. According to this board, someone got a mass email rejection on 11/27, but I haven't heard of anyone being asked to interview. Their notification deadline is 12/15. Not sure what to make of that!
 
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For the most part, my interviews and rejections make sense. Most of my interviews are at hospitals and I got rejected from almost all the prisons I applied to, which makes sense, I really want to work in a hospital setting, and I think that message came through loud and clear on my application. I only applied to the prisons because my DCT said I needed more "diversity" when applying to sites. But to answer your question, I did get interviews to some hospitals I thought were a long shot, and rejections from a couple of hospitals that were less competitive. This process is so mysterious. I am happy with the way things have turned out overall, and am only waiting to hear from one site!!

Totally unrelated to what your question was, but I just wanted to say that this forum has been such a great place for support during this crazy process. I have gotten so much valuable information from everybody here. So many people have helped me in some way or another, whether it's just answering a simple question I have, or reaching out and emailing me, and I really appreciate all of you!! Wishing everybody the best of luck throughout the interview process (and hearing back from those last few sites!). I hope we all match, and while this has been said so many times already, I love it – may the odds be ever in your favor! 🙂
I agree...I was fortunate to get 8 out of of my top 10 sites, which means most of the rejections I received were for sites I added as "safety sites." All of my sites were university counseling centers, where I have had the majority of my training, so it wasn't an issue of setting. But I am guessing it was probably clear that I was less enthused about my "safety sites" in my applications. I ended up applying to 18 sites bc our DCT really pushed us to apply to 25 and I thought 18 was a good balance between appic's recommendations, my interests, and my DCTs recs. If I would have cut it off at 15 I would have received the same amount of interviews. So I guess for me personally, appic was right about 15, but I know that is not applicable to all. All I have learned from this process is that, although I am completely sick of the term "fit," it may play a greater role in whether one receives an invite to a site than aspects such as number of applicants, at least within the settings I have applied.
 
Has anyone NOT heard either way from the Pittsburgh VA? I know they've sent out both invitations and rejections but I have received neither. I will inquire on Monday but was just wondering if anyone else was in this boat..
 
I do think that region matters if you are not from a well known program. My program is at a relatively obscure directional school, and while we have sent a few of our "best" (meaning lots of publications and/or national awards) applicants to some amazing programs all over the country, it seems like the rest of us mostly get interviews at sites in our region, and generally don't get interviews at sites in other regions (particularly the Northeast) regardless of the relative competitiveness or fit of the internship site. There are also several sites that seem like perfect fits for many of our students that for whatever reason, have never interviewed any of us, even our "best" applicants. I think it is important to acknowledge that our applicants apply to more sites in our region, and this may account for this perceived relationship, but if I could do this process over again I think I would have focused a little less on "fit" and applied to a few more programs in my state that know more about my program.
Interesting that you say if you could do it over again, you would have applied more to the programs in your state that know about your program. I did apply to three sites in my state, and got interviews at all three, even though 2 of them were super competitive (one children's hospital with 200+ applications and one hospital with 300+ applications). I've been told not to expect to be able to stay in CO as lots of people want to stay or come here as well-- I didn't think it would be much worse applying in CA. I feel like I kind of wasted the 4 CA applications. I guess I couldn't have known. I also wonder if CA doesn't like Counseling Psych folks very much. Master's level counselors have just recently gained the ability to get licensed there, and some sites I was interested wouldn't even accept Counseling Psych applicants. Maybe the discrepancy is my program is better known here as has been suggested, but my program has a pretty good reputation in the field overall. The CA sites were a great match for me with regards to theoretical orientation, child trauma focus, and research interests, so that's what I don't understand. I am still excited about the places that I am interviewing, but I'm having a hard time with this one.
 
Aww I'm sorry 🙁 BOOOO. I hate that feeling. I live in DC, so I am not sure if it is the Cali resident thing. I do know that LOTS of people want to go to Cali. Haha I actually think the location is a perk for most people and maybe that's why they applied, but I also applied all across the country based on whether I liked and fit each training program rather than geographic (well except that I didn't want to go to the midwest lol). I have no doubt that such a wonderful, empathic person (which I can sense just based on your responses on here hehe) as you will match somewhere great! It really seems to be so random sometimes. A lot of my friends and I applied to the same places and have similar experience, but we haven't all gotten interviews at each one. Well anyways, hope your day gets better and you get some great news!
Thanks! That is very kind of you! I think it is hard to make sense of this process. I have a good amount of interviews already, so it will be okay, but I really liked the CA sites. Hope things work out well for you with The Help Group though!
 
I dunno, my program isn't very well-known and is in the Midwest, and I got a bunch of east coast sites. I guess I could be an outlier though!
 
And it is entirely possible I will be doing this process over again next year :-/
Oh no! I hope not! I hope it works out for you! It is disheartening when we've been told it is all about fit, and you think you're applying to places where you think you are a really good fit, but they don't work out!
 
Interesting tidbit regarding Johns Hopkins UCC. A friend of mine got rejected their last year on 11/4, and someone on this forum got an interview offer on 12/14. Therefore, it might be a positive thing that I haven't heard anything...
 
It does all seem like such a crap shoot. My program is in the NYC area and I've gotten more love from out of state sites? Who knows...
 
NYC is probably the other really competitive area, but it is still hard to understand!
 
Has anyone received an interview invite to Johns Hopkins, or know of anyone who has? Their deadline was 11/1. According to this board, someone got a mass email rejection on 11/27, but I haven't heard of anyone being asked to interview. Their notification deadline is 12/15. Not sure what to make of that!
I got personalized email invitation from Johns Hopkins CC on 12/13. They prefer on-site interview. Several options are available throughout January.
 
I am from the NorthEast and moved to CA for my APA internship. I must say, my site received a lot of applications this year. Looking at the numbers, CA is very competitive.

I believe there was a breakdown somewhere, but if I recall correctly, I remember California, New York City, and Washington DC being in the top 5 most competitive places.

Overall, I landed more interviews in CA (4) than anywhere else. NYC/NY did not like me too much (I go to school in the NE, but born and raised NYC).

I have also heard that is is VERY difficult to get a NYC internship if you're not from a NYC program.
 
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I am from the NorthEast and moved to CA for my APA internship. I must say, my site received a lot of applications this year. Looking at the numbers, CA is very competitive.

I believe there was a breakdown somewhere, but if I recall correctly, I remember California, New York City, and Washington DC being in the top 5 most competitive places.

Overall, I landed more interviews in CA (4) than anywhere else. NYC/NY did not like me too much (I go to school in the NE, but born and raised NYC).
Actually:
What cities have the fiercest competition for internships?
Four-year match rate

1. Chicago 3.97 %
2. Philadelphia 4.43 %
3. San Francisco 4.48 %
4. Denver 4.60 %
5. New York 4.67 %
6. Boston 5.12 %
7. Los Angeles 5.20 %
8. San Diego 5.54 %
9. Dallas 5.60 %
10. Seattle 5.65 %

Source: Seawell, D.B., Krohn, N., Gorgens, K.A., & Erickson Cornish, J.A. (2009). Geography and internship match rates: Quantifying competitiveness and discussing implications for the internship imbalance. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 3, 127–134.

http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2009/11/math.aspx
 
I got personalized email invitation from Johns Hopkins CC on 12/13. They prefer on-site interview. Several options are available throughout January.

Interesting. Congrats. Did they say you can book your interview now, or did they say registration will begin on a future date, such as Monday?
 
Interesting. Congrats. Did they say you can book your interview now, or did they say registration will begin on a future date, such as Monday?
The online booking system was open when they sent me the invitation, and I was able to schedule my interview date right away.
 
Has anyone heard from the Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health in NJ yet? Their notification date is today, but I wonder if that would be extended since the director extended the application due date...
 
Actually:
What cities have the fiercest competition for internships?
Four-year match rate

1. Chicago 3.97 %
2. Philadelphia 4.43 %
3. San Francisco 4.48 %
4. Denver 4.60 %
5. New York 4.67 %
6. Boston 5.12 %
7. Los Angeles 5.20 %
8. San Diego 5.54 %
9. Dallas 5.60 %
10. Seattle 5.65 %

Source: Seawell, D.B., Krohn, N., Gorgens, K.A., & Erickson Cornish, J.A. (2009). Geography and internship match rates: Quantifying competitiveness and discussing implications for the internship imbalance. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 3, 127–134.

http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2009/11/math.aspx

Ahh, yes, I forgot Boston.

Hmmm, surprised Washington DC is not up there.
 
Has anyone heard from either the Institute of Living-CBT track or the Montrose NY VA?
 
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