2013-2014 APPIC (internship) interview thread

[calimich]

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One thing I'd ask--do the sites without an actual rotation in supervision still allow for supervision on the "normal" rotations, assuming an extern is available? I know that with my own internship (and at the site where I'm currently located), there aren't any official supervision rotations, but the opportunity to provide it still exists.

In your case specifically, it certainly seems like you're very interested in gaining more experience practicing in Spanish, and you have fewer hours in that than supervision. Thus, I'd say it would make sense to rank that particular aspect of a site more highly. Besides, if you plan on doing a postdoc, your opportunities to provide supervision will likely be numerous.

Unfortunately, there is no supervision at the sites I mentioned; no MA/doc students, no interns/externs, nothing. They all have a seminar in supervision, covering theories and such, but no authentic supervision experience available.
The post doc point is a good one that I hadn't really considered. I'm really just beginning to accept the postdoc reality.

 

[grenas]

Unfortunately, there is no supervision at the sites I mentioned; no MA/doc students, no interns/externs, nothing. They all have a seminar in supervision, covering theories and such, but no authentic supervision experience available.
The post doc point is a good one that I hadn't really considered. I'm really just beginning to accept the postdoc reality.

Providing supervision is something I have truly enjoyed in my doc program and would love to continue it during my internship. I have a couple of sites that do not have opportunities for interns to supervise. I am struggling with ranking them high but there are other unique opportunities where I am ok getting without being able to supervise others. I think it really depends on what you want and what you'll be ok with doing during internship. I was informed that in California, a post doc is almost required to obtain a license. I could be wrong.

 

[grenas]

How early will you wake up on the 21st? I think they send result out by 8am eastern standard time. How will you spend your morning?

For the last three years, my TD have sent out an email to the department regarding match news at 6:30am PST. Hopefully, I will see my name on that email this year. I was hoping to have a "match party" with my cohort (staying up late playing board games, watching a movie, with wine..) or something like that and stay up till we receive an email regarding match but so far no one wants to commit in case someone doesn't match..but I thought it would be nice that we are all together so we can support each other too if that happens...

 

[cara susanna]

Our DCT doesn't announce Match results until Phase 2 (unless everyone matches! Fingers crossed 😉)

 

[psychrat]

For the last three years, my TD have sent out an email to the department regarding match news at 6:30am PST. Hopefully, I will see my name on that email this year. I was hoping to have a "match party" with my cohort (staying up late playing board games, watching a movie, with wine..) or something like that and stay up till we receive an email regarding match but so far no one wants to commit in case someone doesn't match..but I thought it would be nice that we are all together so we can support each other too if that happens...

such a cute idea!

Our DCT doesn't announce Match results until Phase 2 (unless everyone matches! Fingers crossed 😉)

So are the DCTs' cc-d on the match email.

 

[cara susanna]

I think they get a summary of their program's applicants and if they matched (and if so, what site) or not.

 

[docma]

Last follow-up convo was this morning. So glad to be finished with this stage! I'm going to ask a ranking question, please ignore if you are not interested.

I'm Spanish-English bilingual (actually Spanish was my first language) and have had limited opportunities to practice in Spanish during graduate school in the upper midwest. I"m in a counseling psych phd program. Although we have no Spanish speaking faculty members, I've done clinical interviews, intellectual assessments, individual therapy, and supervision of others in Spanish. Now, of my 600+ total direct hours, I'd estimate around 35 have been in Spanish; some, but not much, and I've never received feedback on my Spanish work. I also really love group therapy and supervision/training. I applied to lots of competitive sites which have strong group programs, opportunity to supervise others, and at least the possibility of doing clinical work in Spanish, with extra bonus points to sites who have other Spanish-speaking clinicians on staff, especially psychologists.

So my dilemma: There are a few sites where the probability of doing clinical work in Spanish is almost 100% and there are other Spanish-speaking clinicians (not necessarily psychologists) on staff, but these same sites do not offer any rotation in supervision of others. Other sites offer group and sup rotations, but the probability of using my Spanish is much less.

All my sites are APA accredited UCCs, I'm originally from California, would like to get back, and I'd like to be competitive for faculty positions but am very open to working at a UCC.

Does the opportunity to work in Spanish trump more experience (I already have close to 200 hours) in supervision of others? Does the chance to use Spanish at a "less prestigious" university trump the opportunity to intern at a "big name" university?
Any other bilingual applicants experiencing similar challenges?

thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!

I am not bilingual (wish I was!) or an applicant, but have experience that may be relevant because we train bilingual interns in our internship and I've followed their careers. It is really important to receive supervision in Spanish while providing clinical services in Spanish because you will gain fluency in the clinical vocabulary in applied practice. Getting feedback on your work in Spanish is quite different from getting it in English. I don't think it matters whether the Spanish speaking clinicians are psychologists; it matters that they are experienced bilingual clinicians who can reflect on your work in Spanish. I would definitely say the opportunity to work in Spanish trumps more experience in supervision of others and that experience providing services and receiving supervision in Spanish will position you well for work in California--and to be a supervisor. I do not think "prestige" trumps getting an experience that is still hard to get as there are not enough bilingual Spanish supervisors in training sites.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Unfortunately, there is no supervision at the sites I mentioned; no MA/doc students, no interns/externs, nothing. They all have a seminar in supervision, covering theories and such, but no authentic supervision experience available.
The post doc point is a good one that I hadn't really considered. I'm really just beginning to accept the postdoc reality.

In some ways, internship is almost a step backward, particularly if you are at the point of being advanced/fairly independent in your grad program. Because the site to which you match has no real idea how well you're trained until you get there, they often seem to provide more supports and require more "checking in" than you might be used to currently, at least in the beginning. Thus, I'd imagine plenty of sites don't automatically (or perhaps ever) provide supervision opportunities for interns.

And as docma mentioned, the opportunity to receive supervision in Spanish seems much rarer than the opportunity to supervise folks, and you also have less overall experience in that area, so I'd prioritize that particular aspect of training...in no small part because, again as docma mentioned, it's highly marketable and sought after. Basically, as staff/faculty, you'll be expected to provide supervision regardless of how much training you've had in it; providing services in Spanish, however, isn't something an employer can or will expect from everyone (for obvious reasons).

As for the postdoc, in most states you're going to need a year of supervised practice anyway (and even if you head to a state that doesn't require it, I'd recommend you get/track it in case you end up relocating later). I personally just see a formal postdoc as a more structured way of obtaining this that will hopefully make it easier for you to provide the necessary information to licensing boards down the line.

 

[calimich]

I am not bilingual (wish I was!) or an applicant, but have experience that may be relevant because we train bilingual interns in our internship and I've followed their careers. It is really important to receive supervision in Spanish while providing clinical services in Spanish because you will gain fluency in the clinical vocabulary in applied practice. Getting feedback on your work in Spanish is quite different from getting it in English. I don't think it matters whether the Spanish speaking clinicians are psychologists; it matters that they are experienced bilingual clinicians who can reflect on your work in Spanish. I would definitely say the opportunity to work in Spanish trumps more experience in supervision of others and that experience providing services and receiving supervision in Spanish will position you well for work in California--and to be a supervisor. I do not think "prestige" trumps getting an experience that is still hard to get as there are not enough bilingual Spanish supervisors in training sites.

Thank you for the thoughtful response. What you mention is exactly what I'm looking for -- feedback and refinement of my Spanish clinical vocabulary. I've relied on books and manuals for specific clinical definitions and translations which are outside of "normal" conversations. They've gotten me through, however mentorship from another Spanish speaking clinician would be much more impactful, and I'm understanding that it does not need to necessarily come from a psychologist

May I ask, what type of site are you associated with? Are you in California?

 

[thewesternsky]

Just certified my rank list! Also, I am now having almost daily nightmares about not matching AND about matching to numbers 7 and 8 on my rank list. The nightmares about not matching are definitely more distressing, so I'm keeping 7 and 8 on the list... But here's hoping one of my first 6 sites works out. 🤔

 

[CBTFTW]

My last interview was yesterday and I certified my list immediately upon getting home. Phew! I'd be happy at any of my top 5, and really, I just want to match at any of my sites. Now, the long wait begins...

 

[ChiPhD99]

Is anyone else struggling with anxiety from having very few interviews? I only had three (to be fair, the minimum number I wanted so I wasn't completely disappointed), and it seems like everyone I know had more. As the match gets closer, I just keep thinking about the numbers of interns accepted versus applicants interviewed and feeling really worried that I'll have to go to Phase II...which leads to worrying about what would happen if I couldn't match there either. Oy!

I totally feel your pain. I only had four interviews, but had two other sites that said they were ranking me. So six in total. However, my cohort on average had like 10 interviews, so needless to say the panic set in a bit. I keep telling myself that it only takes one site and one interview to match, and that, statistically, there is a high percentage that I will match somewhere. Just need to stay positive and assume I'm going to match until I don't 🙂

 

[psychrat]

I totally feel your pain. I only had four interviews, but had two other sites that said they were ranking me. So six in total. However, my cohort on average had like 10 interviews, so needless to say the panic set in a bit. I keep telling myself that it only takes one site and one interview to match, and that, statistically, there is a high percentage that I will match somewhere. Just need to stay positive and assume I'm going to match until I don't 🙂

I only had seven interviews and many of my peers had around ten to eleven, so I am also a bit anxious but trying to stay positive. I think it would be really hard to tell my family and friends I did not match since they keep asking me about the process and it has consumed my life sine August.

 

[cara susanna]

I only had seven interviews and many of my peers had around ten to eleven, so I am also a bit anxious but trying to stay positive. I think it would be really hard to tell my family and friends I did not match since they keep asking me about the process and it has consumed my life sine August.

In the 2011 stats, people with 7-8 interviews had a 92% match rate. So stay positive 🙂

 

[psychrat]

In the 2011 stats, people with 7-8 interviews had a 92% match rate. So stay positive 🙂

thanks. that is a helpful and hopeful reminder 🙂

 

[AcronymAllergy]

thanks. that is a helpful and hopeful reminder 🙂

If it helps at all, I had seven (out of 15 apps), and I matched to my second choice, with which I ended up being very happy.

It's entirely anecdotal, of course, but hey--now you know someone for whom it worked out.

 

[psychrat]

If it helps at all, I had seven (out of 15 apps), and I matched to my second choice, with which I ended up being very happy.

It's entirely anecdotal, of course, but hey--now you know someone for whom it worked out.

thanks. I am trying to be optimistic, but the imbalance gives me such anxiety.

 

[calimich]

In some ways, internship is almost a step backward, particularly if you are at the point of being advanced/fairly independent in your grad program. Because the site to which you match has no real idea how well you're trained until you get there, they often seem to provide more supports and require more "checking in" than you might be used to currently, at least in the beginning. Thus, I'd imagine plenty of sites don't automatically (or perhaps ever) provide supervision opportunities for interns.

And as docma mentioned, the opportunity to receive supervision in Spanish seems much rarer than the opportunity to supervise folks, and you also have less overall experience in that area, so I'd prioritize that particular aspect of training...in no small part because, again as docma mentioned, it's highly marketable and sought after. Basically, as staff/faculty, you'll be expected to provide supervision regardless of how much training you've had in it; providing services in Spanish, however, isn't something an employer can or will expect from everyone (for obvious reasons).

As for the postdoc, in most states you're going to need a year of supervised practice anyway (and even if you head to a state that doesn't require it, I'd recommend you get/track it in case you end up relocating later). I personally just see a formal postdoc as a more structured way of obtaining this that will hopefully make it easier for you to provide the necessary information to licensing boards down the line.

Thanks for the info and advice. I am clearer now about ranking sites higher where I'll have a greater chance of providing services in Spanish and receiving supervision of that work regardless if I'll have a chance to supervise others.

 

[psychRA]

thanks. that is a helpful and hopeful reminder 🙂

I had 4, and I matched to my top choice. More anecdotal hope!

 

[futureapppsy2]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Good luck to everyone as you finish up interviews and rank! You all are pretty awesome, if I do say so. 🙂

 

[PsychMonkey]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Good luck to everyone as you finish up interviews and rank! You all are pretty awesome, if I do say so. 🙂

Congrats, and thank you for all the work you did. I can't imagine how you managed to juggle everything at once. You are inspiring.

 

[grenas]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Good luck to everyone as you finish up interviews and rank! You all are pretty awesome, if I do say so. 🙂

Congrats! And thank you!

 

[CheetahGirl]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Congrats! And thank you!

Third this! Congratulations, Futureapppsy2! You are an official "doctoral candidate" now that comps are successfully over with...

Great job!

 

[psychrat]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Good luck to everyone as you finish up interviews and rank! You all are pretty awesome, if I do say so. 🙂

congrats!!! One more milestone closer 🙂

 

[I'llhavewhatshe'shaving]

Hey everyone!

Well we did it! The month of interviews is finally over! Some questions floating around in my head that may be floating in yours:

1. Do sites EVER find out how we rank them? Or is it double blind? Meaning that a site will merely be informed of our match or non-match?
2. I know that some on this site have remarked that sites have contacted them as a follow-up...curious about the proportion of these site follow-ups are (I have not received any type of follow-up...should I read into this?), is it common for some types of sites and not others (IE- medical center v. VA?)
3. Has your faculty weighed in your ranks? Do you take the faculty's comments very seriously when getting your head around this stuff?

 

[463951]

What are some reasons that an APA site could go on probation? And if this were to happen while you were on internship (you site is put on probation), would you still be able to say that you completed an APA internship?

 

[cara susanna]

Sites never find out how we ranked them and vice-versa. I guess there are probably exceptions but that's APPIC's policy.

 

[grenas]

Hey everyone!

Well we did it! The month of interviews is finally over! Some questions floating around in my head that may be floating in yours:

1. Do sites EVER find out how we rank them? Or is it double blind? Meaning that a site will merely be informed of our match or non-match?
2. I know that some on this site have remarked that sites have contacted them as a follow-up...curious about the proportion of these site follow-ups are (I have not received any type of follow-up...should I read into this?), is it common for some types of sites and not others (IE- medical center v. VA?)
3. Has your faculty weighed in your ranks? Do you take the faculty's comments very seriously when getting your head around this stuff?

I believe training directors of internship sites have access where we end up matching. I read that somewhere...or was informed by someone.

 

[researchgirl]

I believe training directors of internship sites have access where we end up matching. I read that somewhere...or was informed by someone.

Yes, our DCT's and anywhere that ranked you will find out where you match, but not how you ranked. So there are some instances where a site would know if you didn't rank them first (e.g. if they ranked you 1st and you don't match with them) or if you did not rank them at all (if they ranked you and you go unmatched).

 

[Allie1234]

Yes, our DCT's and anywhere that ranked you will find out where you match, but not how you ranked. So there are some instances where a site would know if you didn't rank them first (e.g. if they ranked you 1st and you don't match with them) or if you did not rank them at all (if they ranked you and you go unmatched).

Sites that rank you are able to see where we match? That was not my understanding. I thought only your DCT at your program, you, and the site where you match get that information.

 

[Psych58]

I believe grenas and researchgirl are correct. The matching website (https://www.natmatch.com/psychint/aboutoverview.html) says: "Applicants and internship programs do NOT receive information about the rankings submitted by other applicants and programs. Each applicant is given only the final result the applicant obtains in the Match. Each program is provided only with the names of the applicants that it obtains in the Match, as well as the results of the Match for the other applicants ranked by that program."

 

[AcronymAllergy]

What are some reasons that an APA site could go on probation? And if this were to happen while you were on internship (you site is put on probation), would you still be able to say that you completed an APA internship?

I'd imagine there are all sorts of reasons sites can be placed on probation--failing to keep appropriate records, not meeting necessary requirements (e.g., ratio of supervisors to students, amount of supervision provided, didactics available, pay, etc.). As long as the site doesn't lose accreditation while you're there, you've still completed an APA-accredited internship.

 

[463951]

I'd imagine there are all sorts of reasons sites can be placed on probation--failing to keep appropriate records, not meeting necessary requirements (e.g., ratio of supervisors to students, amount of supervision provided, didactics available, pay, etc.). As long as the site doesn't lose accreditation while you're there, you've still completed an APA-accredited internship.

So if an APA site goes on probation, it does not mean the site is equivalent to a non APA site? Only if they LOSE accreditation?

 

[463951]

I believe grenas and researchgirl are correct. The matching website (https://www.natmatch.com/psychint/aboutoverview.html) says: "Applicants and internship programs do NOT receive information about the rankings submitted by other applicants and programs. Each applicant is given only the final result the applicant obtains in the Match. Each program is provided only with the names of the applicants that it obtains in the Match, as well as the results of the Match for the other applicants ranked by that program."

I was just reading this earlier this morning. I think it is kind of weird that sites find out where the people they ranked end up matching.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So if an APA site goes on probation, it does not mean the site is equivalent to a non APA site? Only if they LOSE accreditation?

As far as I know, yes. Probation doesn't mean you've lost accreditation; it means you haven't met APA's standards and are being put on notice to fix it during a specified time frame.

 

[dasherva13]

This is completely OT, but because I posted about it on here: I am incredibly happy to announce that I passed my comps!

Good luck to everyone as you finish up interviews and rank! You all are pretty awesome, if I do say so. 🙂

Late to the game but wanted to add my own congrats and thanks! It's a huge step accomplished, so well done, you!

 

[ForensicPsych26]

Assuming I can sleep the night before, I'll wake around 6, as I do every day thanks to my 2 little alarm clocks, get them fed and dressed and off to school and then try to make myself breakfast before incessantly refreshing my email. Definitely planning on a nice breakfast, and my husband has already promised to drop off my son and pick up a huge tub of ice cream on the way home. But yes, I cleared the day for emotional processing, which I figure I'll need a lot of either way after this process!
Also, is it *by* 8am, or between 8 and 9am EST? I always thought it was the latter.

Last year a friend was notified at 6AM est. So while they give you an idea, it's usually earlier than expected...

 

[463951]

Last year a friend was notified at 6AM est. So while they give you an idea, it's usually earlier than expected...

Does everybody get the email at the same time? Or is it alphabetical or something like that? Does whether you match or not determine when you get the email? 6 AM is early and I live on the East Coast!! I'm sure I won't get any sleep the night before.

 

[dasherva13]

Does everybody get the email at the same time? Or is it alphabetical or something like that? Does whether you match or not determine when you get the email? 6 AM is early and I live on the East Coast!! I'm sure I won't get any sleep the night before.

I've always been given the impression that those with no match are informed first, but that's really purely anecdotal.

 

[cara susanna]

I've always been given the impression that those with no match are informed first, but that's really purely anecdotal.

D: D:

Can anyone verify or refute this?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

D: D:

Can anyone verify or refute this?

Not that I've ever heard. I think they're just sent out in batches, but APPIC and the match folks might be the only ones who know for sure.

 

[psychrat]

The email from Greg Klein this morning said that we will hear at 10am on the 21st. I live in the east coast, so was hoping it would b a bit earlier sine I know I will be nervous that morning.

 

[cara susanna]

The email from Greg Klein this morning said that we will hear at 10am on the 21st. I live in the east coast, so was hoping it would b a bit earlier sine I know I will be nervous that morning.

I think they say 10 AM EST but it's usually earlier.

 

[ForensicPsych26]

Does everybody get the email at the same time? Or is it alphabetical or something like that? Does whether you match or not determine when you get the email? 6 AM is early and I live on the East Coast!! I'm sure I won't get any sleep the night before.

I'm not sure...I think they send them out in batches. They never really explain that piece.

 

[yellojello]

Dunno if this is helpful, but I got my match result last year at 7:15am eastern (it was a successful match)

 

[cara susanna]

That's pretty early, so it would indicate that they don't send out the emails to people who didn't match first (IMO)! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

 

[ClinPsychEnthus]

Dunno if this is helpful, but I got my match result last year at 7:15am eastern (it was a successful match)

This may make it trickier, as I also got my email at 7:15ish EST last year, and I did not match in Phase I.

 

[cara susanna]

Sounds like there's no pattern, then.

 

[RyanGosling]

Hey Girl

 

[dasherva13]

Hey Girl

Thank you, Ryan Gosling. It's nice to always have you on my side. 😉