Hey folks. Phase II survivor from last year.
There aren't many tips that I have, really, since the process is so similar to Phase I. But let's see...
-There is no benefit to applying early (sites cannot see any applications until after the application deadline), so sleep on it, and then look at the list of sites tomorrow. Begin working on cover letters tomorrow- don't do it today.
-If you can get feedback from any of your sites now, before you have to submit Phase II apps, that's probably smart.
I'm trying to think what I did. I edited/rewrote cover letters, but didn't touch my application otherwise (e.g., didn't edit my essays). I reapplied to one of my sites that was available, even though they didn't offer me an interview in Phase I, and wound up matching there in Phase II. I was pretty picky in where I applied in phase II (I wanted neuro and I wanted APA-Accredited), so I only applied to 4 places. I got 3 interviews, all via phone, and did some emailing with the current (at the time) interns. Overall, I found the process pretty pleasant; I was way more relaxed because I had already resigned myself to not matching and to taking another year. I actually wound up sleeping through the NMS email for phase 2!
There are some pretty great sites available in Phase II, and no one on postdoc interviews seemed to know or care. I'd say go for it if you find sites that really fit your interests. But keep in mind that if you don't match in Phase II, it's not the end of the world... I know people who have done additional externships and gotten phenomenal placements the following year, in their 2nd year of applying.
In the end though... Sorry you got a bad email this morning. I know I was devastated, and didn't take it well. Do something for yourself; it's the system that's broken, not you. Even though that didn't help when people said that to me last year.
. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.