2013-2014 APPIC (internship) interview thread

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I'm going to create an email filter that alerts me when the message arrives on Feb 21 (in case I do manage to fall and remain asleep 😉). For those who've received this email in the past, am I correct in assuming that the sender is National Matching Services?

Thanks!
 
Did anyone receive a letter from Yale CSC indicating that you will be ranked? If so was it a personalized letter or generalized letter? When I say personalized, I'm trying to see if they are sending out letters with specific information about interviews and applications.
 
cara susanna said:
D: D:

Can anyone verify or refute this?
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I have actually always heard the opposite (i.e., those who match get emails first and those who don't match usually get their emails towards the end of the window). And on that note, I noticed some people on here saying that the window is 8am-9am EST; it is actually 8am-10am EST, so don't fret if you don't hear by 9am EST.
 
cara susanna said:
I'm going to create an email filter that alerts me when the message arrives on Feb 21 (in case I do manage to fall and remain asleep 😉). For those who've received this email in the past, am I correct in assuming that the sender is National Matching Services?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
That's actually a really good idea. OK, alert music...Star Wars Death Star? Wagner's Flight of the Valkyries? Or just the standard Beethoven "doom approaches" music?
 
cara susanna said:
I'm going to create an email filter that alerts me when the message arrives on Feb 21 (in case I do manage to fall and remain asleep 😉). For those who've received this email in the past, am I correct in assuming that the sender is National Matching Services?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Mine came from "National Matching Services Inc." and was titled, "Applicant XXXXX: APPIC Match Result." And I remember the beginning of the message being vague enough that the one-sentence preview my email viewer gave me didn't reveal whether or not I'd matched.
 
Thanks, AA! Maybe I'll use my match number as my filter trigger.

dasherva13 said:
That's actually a really good idea. OK, alert music...Star Wars Death Star? Wagner's Flight of the Valkyries? Or just the standard Beethoven "doom approaches" music?
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Haha! I used Legend of Zelda's "Item found!" theme for internship interview/rejection notifications. 😉 It made the whole thing feel pretty epic. I like the "Imperial March" idea for this one!

G Costanza said:
http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/party?iso=20140221T10&p0=830&msg=Match Day!!!&csz=1&swk=1
In case anyone isn't paying attention.
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I like how it says "Party!"
 
StillMotivated said:
Did anyone receive a letter from Yale CSC indicating that you will be ranked? If so was it a personalized letter or generalized letter? When I say personalized, I'm trying to see if they are sending out letters with specific information about interviews and applications.
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I received a letter from the Yale CSC over the weekend saying I was being ranked and for which track. The letter looked pretty general to me, but it had my name on it.
 
AcronymAllergy said:
Mine came from "National Matching Services Inc." and was titled, "Applicant XXXXX: APPIC Match Result." And I remember the beginning of the message being vague enough that the one-sentence preview my email viewer gave me didn't reveal whether or not I'd matched.
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After that beginning sentence, did it say, you have matched to Site X? And for those that don't match, after the beginning sentence, does it say, "you didn't match?" I know I am being crazy obsessive!! 😉

I am on the East Coast, I hope that mine comes early enough so that it is there when I wake up (if I can even sleep!) so I don't have to just stare at my computer for hours and refresh every 3 seconds!
 
siamesekitten said:
After that beginning sentence, did it say, you have matched to Site X? And for those that don't match, after the beginning sentence, does it say, "you didn't match?" I know I am being crazy obsessive!! 😉

I am on the East Coast, I hope that mine comes early enough so that it is there when I wake up (if I can even sleep!) so I don't have to just stare at my computer for hours and refresh every 3 seconds!
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It said something like, "Congratulations! You have been matched to (site in formation here)"

As I mentioned above, I think mine came in maybe a few minutes before 8 am Eastern. I know other folks were posting about theirs on here for at least a little while before and after that as well.
 
AcronymAllergy said:
It said something like, "Congratulations! You have been matched to (site in formation here)"

As I mentioned above, I think mine came in maybe a few minutes before 8 am Eastern. I know other folks were posting about theirs on here for at least a little while before and after that as well.
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Thanks AA! 🙂
 
siamesekitten said:
After that beginning sentence, did it say, you have matched to Site X? And for those that don't match, after the beginning sentence, does it say, "you didn't match?" I know I am being crazy obsessive!! 😉

I am on the East Coast, I hope that mine comes early enough so that it is there when I wake up (if I can even sleep!) so I don't have to just stare at my computer for hours and refresh every 3 seconds!
Click to expand...

Thanks for asking that. I've seen someone's email who did match, but I'm wondering what it says if you don't match. I guess maybe it will help me feel more prepared? Like exposure? Haha.
 
cara susanna said:
Thanks for asking that. I've seen someone's email who did match, but I'm wondering what it says if you don't match. I guess maybe it will help me feel more prepared? Like exposure? Haha.
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It says something like "you have not matched to an internship" or something generic, and then provides the links and information for Phase II including when the list of places will be available. I appreciated this because I needed to counter my overwhelming shock with something I could start doing (though there were hours between receiving the news and the Phase II list opening). This gave me time to pull myself together and get my head back in the game to start the crazy mad rush that is Phase II.
 
ClinPsychEnthus said:
It says something like "you have not matched to an internship" or something generic, and then provides the links and information for Phase II including when the list of places will be available. I appreciated this because I needed to counter my overwhelming shock with something I could start doing (though there were hours between receiving the news and the Phase II list opening). This gave me time to pull myself together and get my head back in the game to start the crazy mad rush that is Phase II.
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It is nice that the list comes out the same day. Just out of curiosity, how many interviews did you have in phase 1 and then in phase II?
 
ClinPsychEnthus said:
It says something like "you have not matched to an internship" or something generic, and then provides the links and information for Phase II including when the list of places will be available. I appreciated this because I needed to counter my overwhelming shock with something I could start doing (though there were hours between receiving the news and the Phase II list opening). This gave me time to pull myself together and get my head back in the game to start the crazy mad rush that is Phase II.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!
 
Finally certified! My choices have been relatively settled for some time, but I've been holding off on making it official until the wife and I got to discuss at length. I wound up going with my gut for the couple hard decisions - some just felt more "right" than others. Good luck to everyone and congrats on making it this far!
 
SOS. Can anyone shed some light on this topic? I had a great interview with a VA that has submitted their self-study. The Director of Training announced during the presentation that the site will have it's APA accreditation for "our" internship class. Does anyone have any opinions on trusting this solely based on the sites word? Its a terrific program, however the APA accred is important to me, esp. if I was to rank this site over another. Any insight would be appreciated. Obviously its the 11th hour and I haven't certified rankings....!!!
 
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Rorshock&roll said:
SOS. Can anyone shed some light on this topic? I had a great interview with a VA that has submitted their self-study. The Director of Training announced during the presentation that the site will have it's APA accreditation for "our" internship class. Does anyone have any opinions on trusting this solely based on the sites word? Its a terrific program, however the APA accred is important to me, esp. if I was to rank this site over another. Thoughts?
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If the site visit happens during your tenure there, you will graduate from an accredited program once the accreditation is authorized (that can take months--or even years, I suppose, but it becomes effective as of the site visit date) VAs are most likely to sail through, given their dominance in the system and ability to standardize, as well as just precedent. So the TD probably has good grounds for his confidence--but still cannot offer a guarantee.

If the site visit happened on your last day there and it took a year to clear you still could claim an APA internship--but not until the decision was finally posted. So it could complicate some post-doc process. However, other VAs understand that process so if you stay in the system it could be less of a risk.
 
docma said:
If the site visit happens during your tenure there, you will graduate from an accredited program once the accreditation is authorized (that can take months--or even years, I suppose, but it becomes effective as of the site visit date) VAs are most likely to sail through, given their dominance in the system and ability to standardize, as well as just precedent. So the TD probably has good grounds for his confidence--but still cannot offer a guarantee.

If the site visit happened on your last day there and it took a year to clear you still could claim an APA internship--but not until the decision was finally posted. So it could complicate some post-doc process. However, other VAs understand that process so if you stay in the system it could be less of a risk.
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There's also an exception within the VA that specifically applies to VA internship sites in the process of obtaining accreditation--you're usually granted an exemption from the "must have attended an APA-accredited internship" rule in that case.

That being said, I personally would probably rank them lower due to not being accredited. However, as it's a VA site, and as the TD seems confident in obtaining the accreditation, I'd still most likely rank them (which I generally wouldn't do for non-VA non-accredited sites).
 
Wow, haven't read this thread in days...this internship imbalance brings out the obsessive/compulsive features and neuroticism in most of us, not to mention buttloads of insecurities...but as G Constanza praised us all weeks ago with the determination that we will all match (and I might add, if not in Phase I, then Phase II), I'm feeling okay about checking & rechecking SDN, and I'm so looking forward to being a CONFIDENT INTERN after this @#$$#@%& process is over.

Keep the faith, people! Like we have a choice in the matter, but all good things come to those who wait (...and preserve). Sending more positive vibes to everyone as we all sit tightly and wait out the next few short weeks...:luck:

Now, I think I'll go for a run in this NE snow! (Good way to keep my mind off the unforeseeable future!)🙂
 
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Rorshock&roll said:
SOS. Can anyone shed some light on this topic? I had a great interview with a VA that has submitted their self-study. The Director of Training announced during the presentation that the site will have it's APA accreditation for "our" internship class. Does anyone have any opinions on trusting this solely based on the sites word? Its a terrific program, however the APA accred is important to me, esp. if I was to rank this site over another. Any insight would be appreciated. Obviously its the 11th hour and I haven't certified rankings....!!!
Click to expand...
I am struggling with this as well. I applied to both forensic and VA sites. I received many APA forensic interviews and two APPIC (working towards APA acred.) VA interviews. I loved the VAs. My question is this....is it better to go for APA forensic (state hospitals, prisons) sites versus VA non-APA sites, if I want to move into a VA career in the future? One of the VAs has a site visit set soon and the other stated it is their goal to submit the self-study in a few weeks.
 
Allie1234 said:
I am struggling with this as well. I applied to both forensic and VA sites. I received many APA forensic interviews and two APPIC (working towards APA acred.) VA interviews. I loved the VAs. My question is this....is it better to go for APA forensic (state hospitals, prisons) sites versus VA non-APA sites, if I want to move into a VA career in the future? One of the VAs has a site visit set soon and the other stated it is their goal to submit the self-study in a few weeks.
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It'll depend in part on how much VA experience you already have. If you don't have any, then while it of course isn't impossible to land a VA postdoc/career, the lack of experience will work against you. Conversely, if you had some VA practicum training in grad school, it might not be as big of a "ding" against you. The main concern would be folks wondering why you're switching from forensics to VA, so you'd need to do a good job of selling the fit and your interests. The added bonus of the APA accreditation is that it gives you increased flexibility outside the VA.

Honestly, the two VA sites don't sound like they're super close to receiving accreditation (at least in the next year), particularly the one that hasn't yet submitted the self-study. In that latter case, I don't know the typical timeline between submission of self-study materials and the site visit, but as it's very possible that more than one site visit will be required, and as accreditation is only retroactive to the last site visit, it's likewise possible you won't be graduating from an accredited site.

My take-home message: I'd probably rank the forensic sites that're accredited higher. However, that's a call for you to make. The good news is that, as I mentinoed above, the VA does have a "loophole" for VA sites that are in the process of applying for accreditation. Here's the exact wording of said exception in a recent job posting I saw:

Must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA. Exceptions: (1) new VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Central Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement.
Click to expand...
 
AcronymAllergy said:
It'll depend in part on how much VA experience you already have. If you don't have any, then while it of course isn't impossible to land a VA postdoc/career, the lack of experience will work against you. Conversely, if you had some VA practicum training in grad school, it might not be as big of a "ding" against you. The main concern would be folks wondering why you're switching from forensics to VA, so you'd need to do a good job of selling the fit and your interests. The added bonus of the APA accreditation is that it gives you increased flexibility outside the VA.

Honestly, the two VA sites don't sound like they're super close to receiving accreditation (at least in the next year), particularly the one that hasn't yet submitted the self-study. In that latter case, I don't know the typical timeline between submission of self-study materials and the site visit, but as it's very possible that more than one site visit will be required, and as accreditation is only retroactive to the last site visit, it's likewise possible you won't be graduating from an accredited site.

My take-home message: I'd probably rank the forensic sites that're accredited higher. However, that's a call for you to make. The good news is that, as I mentinoed above, the VA does have a "loophole" for VA sites that are in the process of applying for accreditation. Here's the exact wording of said exception in a recent job posting I saw:
Click to expand...
Thank you that is very helpful!
 
Allie1234 said:
Thank you that is very helpful!
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No problem. I should mention that I know of folks who secured VA postdocs without having prior VA experience, so as I mentioned above, it's certainly possible. However, those folks did tend to have experience in the areas in which they wanted to work (e.g., primary care, trauma).

I would also say that if you go the forensics route for internship, getting a VA postdoc would probably be in your best interests, as it should make you a more appealing candidate for VA employment afterward. You could of course also apply to VA staff positions, but my guess is that for the most part, the postdocs are going to be less difficult to get overall (largely based on the pay difference if nothing else).
 
Just going to mention this because I feel like it gets glossed over on occasion...do remember that while the "VA" accepts internships at VA sites that are in the process of receiving APA approval, other places that require/expect APA accreditation may or may not. So while it may be fine if you are absolutely set on VA jobs, it can still create hurdles if you are considering AMCs or any other place that requires APA. Given how competitive the market is, I think anything less than APA is a big risk and not one I personally was willing to take. To each their own though.
 
Solipsism3 said:
Anyone else checking and re-checking to make sure it still says "certified?"
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No, but just did after reading your comment.

Thank goodness the confirmation email says "The Rank Order List is now on file with NMS and ready to be used in the Match. There is nothing further you need to do to participate in the Match." 🙂
 
researchgirl said:
leaving things to chance is so not my style! but i'm torn. sigh.
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Tell yourself that you're legally bound to follow through on the outcome of the coin toss, and then flip. How do you feel about the result? What is your first reaction upon finding out that you "matched" to that site? Your response may help to guide your actual decision process.
 
psychRA said:
Tell yourself that you're legally bound to follow through on the outcome of the coin toss, and then flip. How do you feel about the result? What is your first reaction upon finding out that you "matched" to that site? Your response may help to guide your actual decision process.
Click to expand...
my decision is between program A: a great program in a place i don't really want to live (but i'd manage) and program B: a good program that is 9 miles from my current home. so when i flip and get A, i feel proud of myself for matching somewhere so great and annoyed about having to live there, and when i flip and get B, i feel relieved that i don't have to move and somewhat happy but not intensely enthusiastic about the internship itself
 
researchgirl said:
my decision is between program A: a great program in a place i don't really want to live (but i'd manage) and program B: a good program that is 9 miles from my current home. so when i flip and get A, i feel proud of myself for matching somewhere so great and annoyed about having to live there, and when i flip and get B, i feel relieved that i don't have to move and somewhat happy but not intensely enthusiastic about the internship itself
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Would site A help you get a job where you want to eventually live? Or would site B be better for that? Don't get me wrong, I think you should like your internship and go with the best fit, but I also think it's a good idea to remember that it's only a year.
 
cara susanna said:
Would site A help you get a job where you want to eventually live? Or would site B be better for that? Don't get me wrong, I think you should like your internship and go with the best fit, but I also think it's a good idea to remember that it's only a year.
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Neither site is geographically near where I'd like to eventually live. Site A is known for having interns that go on be great researchers and academics, and it really emphasizes networking and connecting with internship alumni, so in a sense that might help me more. However, Site A is overall more generalist, so it has few people working in my specific area. Site B is a high quality place, just not "known" in the same way; the program is more tailored to my interests but has fewer research faculty and more clinical emphasis, albeit a closer fit to my interests. So, I'm not sure I'm clear on which one will get me the job I want, hence the confusion.
 
researchgirl, sounds like Site B is staying in your comfort zone and Site A is a little more out-of-the-box. Do you want/need more generalist training or are you ready to specialize (i.e., narrow in on your specific focus)? And you're right....a coin toss requires a leap of faith & means A and B are both mutually exclusive and ideal. But, sounds like you still feel one is better than the other...for you.
 
I'llhavewhatshe'shaving said:
Well, it's done guys! We are locked in. I feel like when you're on a roller coaster clicking to the top and you know you can't get off the ride now!

CONGRATS!
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CONGRATS everyone!

It's so bizarre to think that the system now has all the data it needs, but we won't hear until the 21st. Then again, we all know how long data checking can take.... Now to employ all our coping strategies until the 21st 🙂
 
Is it weird that I actually feel a little better now? Like, whatever will happen has actually already happened, I just don't know the result yet? Not sure why that reduces my anxiety in this moment, but I should probably shut up and just be grateful for it.
 
I just wanted to jump on the bandwagon and send a big CONGRATS to all of you!!! We did it! And I agree, I feel more calm and at peace now that everything is out of my hands (we'll see how I feel on Match Day, eeek). We should all be very proud of the blood, sweat, and tears we endured throughout this process, while still making it through! Nothing left to do but wait.
 
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