2013 APPIC Internship Application Thread

[djplmmty]

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http://carpediemeverydiem.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/life-on-the-trail/

Thought I'd pass along some interview tips 😉 best of luck everyone!

 

[mm3908]

Has anyone gone to interview at Trinitas? I was curious what the parking situation is like there? I do not want to deal with parallel parking so debating if to just take a cab...
Interviewing there tomorrow...

Thanks

 

[wkupmaggie]

Thanks for the Hennepin Info. May you recieve good match karma for being kind to your fellow applicant! 🙂

 

[SpiceyT]

Did anyone who RSVP'd to the Detroit VA for the open house hear anything from them about details?

 

[Moonlight1]

The last email I recieved from NOVA PSC is dated 12/13/12 and said that additional information about the interview day would follow. Has anyone else received anymore information? I would really appreciate it.

 

[neurogirl37]

Did anyone who RSVP'd to the Detroit VA for the open house hear anything from them about details?

I haven't heard a thing! I emailed six days ago to RSVP and called today, but haven't heard anything yet. Has anyone heard anything either way?

 

[PSYDTA]

Has anyone heard anything regarding interviews for the Primary Care Track at the McGuire VA in Richmond, VA?

 

[psychology198]

.

 

[SpiceyT]

Has anyone heard anything regarding interviews for the Primary Care Track at the McGuire VA in Richmond, VA?

Nope. And they didn't say when they'd notify.

 

[bmedclinic]

Nope. And they didn't say when they'd notify.

I interviewed for that track recently. Note: I interviewed for it when I interviewed for the general (health focused) track. Also of note, the supervisor is brand new so I dont know that she's quite yet on top of applications but I was notified that I was interviewing for both after I turned in an additional cover letter for the track back in Dec.

 

[PsycGradStudent]

I received an interview at Institute for Multicultural Counseling on 1/4/12. Interview is scheduled for 1/20 at 10am.

By they way, I applied to 14 sites and the first 12 rejected me, however, the last 2 gave me interviews! I was so stressed out during the waiting process! Just wanted to say there is hope and good luck to everyone interviewing!

 

[nyprincess]

Has anyone heard either way from this site? Their notification deadline was by end of day Tues 1/8/123.

 

[SpiceyT]

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[SpiceyT]

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[SpiceyT]

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[SpiceyT]

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[SpiceyT]

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[SpiceyT]

Received a personalized email from them today with information about the Open House! 👍

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Received a personalized email from them today with information about the Open House! 👍

If you are a fan of microbrews....Motor City Brewing is a 5-10min walk (~0.5mi) from the VA hospital. They usually have a nice selection of their own stuff, as well as some creative brick oven pizza options. A friend of mine worked down there and the place never disappointed. On nice days the upstairs deck is open, but I'm guessing it will be maybe 25 degrees and snowy when you interview. 😀 Don't let DET fool you, there are some decent parts and nice people living there.

 

[SpiceyT]

If you are a fan of microbrews....Motor City Brewing is a 5-10min walk (~0.5mi) from the VA hospital. They usually have a nice selection of their own stuff, as well as some creative brick oven pizza options. A friend of mine worked down there and the place never disappointed. On nice days the upstairs deck is open, but I'm guessing it will be maybe 25 degrees and snowy when you interview. 😀 Don't let DET fool you, there are some decent parts and nice people living there.

I'm from Detroit 😀

I've not been to Motor City Brewing, but am a fan of the Detroit Beer Company, which is near the Opera Theatre. The area where the VA is is actually experiencing tremendous growth - it's near Wayne State (where I got my first master's) and is in the midtown area which is expanding leaps and bounds. It's always so great for me when I get to go home!!

 

[shumshum81]

If there is an open house the day before your interview, would you wear a suit to that? Can you wear the same suit (change shirt and tie) for the interview the next day?

With one of my interviews I will have 3 days of contact with the TD: open house, interview, tour of satellite where I would work. I was going to wear my suit to the first two and what I would normally wear to work for the informal part. I have 2 suits, but am only planning to bring one.

I was actually planning to go to the open house in normal work clothes, bring a suit, and change if I see other potential interns wearing one.

 

[PsyD2014]

.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

As ranking day approaches, what are people's thoughts about not ranking a site? I have 15 interviews and have gone to most of them, and going to interview at all of them. Think they went pretty well, but I don't want to be overly confident. One of the sites is good fit, but geographically not where I want to be. I am thinking about not ranking it because I question the algorithem... It really goes in our favor? If other sites liked me and rank me higher, there is a slim chance I would match at my 15th choice correct?

Personally, when I ranked a couple years ago, I thought of it in terms of myself rather than the effects of the algorithm (which we can't fully understand/know about with any certainty). I had one site that, like you, I was questionable about (although it was more in relation to the training opportunities available and the ability of the site to place interns in neuropsych post-docs than geographic locations. I just asked myself if push came to shove, would I rather spend a year at that site and attempt to make the best of it, or not match and re-apply the following year. I ultimately did rank them, although I matched to one of my top sites, so it ended up being a moot point.

I've heard from one or two people over the past year or so some variant of the following statement: "if you don't match at your first or second site, your odds of matching at all decrease significantly." While I can't for certainty say this isn't true, everything APPIC has told us for umpteen years indicates that it's not the case, and that yes, the match algorithm works in our favor.

 

[SpiceyT]

FYI to those waiting on the Primary Track at McGuire: I emailed them, they hope to notify everyone of their status tomorrow afternoon or evening, so hang in there!

 

[SpiceyT]

As ranking day approaches, what are people's thoughts about not ranking a site? I have 15 interviews and have gone to most of them, and going to interview at all of them. Think they went pretty well, but I don't want to be overly confident. One of the sites is good fit, but geographically not where I want to be. I am thinking about not ranking it because I question the algorithem... It really goes in our favor? If other sites liked me and rank me higher, there is a slim chance I would match at my 15th choice correct?

I would agree that you'd have to do some soul searching and decide if to you can make the best of living at that location for a year, or go through the process again.

APPIC takes the applicant's list and attempts to match you in the order on YOUR list. So, the only way you'd match at site 15 is if all the other 14 didn't rank you high enough to stay within the number of spots they have, taking into account that others they'll have ranked higher may have ranked and matched at other sites. There's a pretty detailed explanation on how they match us on their website.

Good luck!

 

[SpiceyT]

If there is an open house the day before your interview, would you wear a suit to that? Can you wear the same suit (change shirt and tie) for the interview the next day?

With one of my interviews I will have 3 days of contact with the TD: open house, interview, tour of satellite where I would work. I was going to wear my suit to the first two and what I would normally wear to work for the informal part. I have 2 suits, but am only planning to bring one.

I was actually planning to go to the open house in normal work clothes, bring a suit, and change if I see other potential interns wearing one.

You'll never be wrong in a suit. It says you take all aspects of the process seriously. Three days is a lot of time at one site!!

 

[psychRA]

As ranking day approaches, what are people's thoughts about not ranking a site? I have 15 interviews and have gone to most of them, and going to interview at all of them. Think they went pretty well, but I don't want to be overly confident. One of the sites is good fit, but geographically not where I want to be. I am thinking about not ranking it because I question the algorithem... It really goes in our favor? If other sites liked me and rank me higher, there is a slim chance I would match at my 15th choice correct?

I chose not to rank one of my sites last year. I applied to a range of places in terms of competitiveness, and of the places that interviewed me, one site was substantially lower than the others. Taking that one site off my list lowered my odds of matching by a lot, but the difference in quality was significant enough that I really would have preferred to reapply this year than to go there for internship. I matched to my top choice, so everything was fine in the end, but it was definitely a risk that I was willing to take.

 

[Zoe2014]

I survived the cut at UCF and TWU 🙂. All interviews are over now comes the hard part... Ranking.

 

[neuronic]

As ranking day approaches, what are people's thoughts about not ranking a site? I have 15 interviews and have gone to most of them, and going to interview at all of them. Think they went pretty well, but I don't want to be overly confident. One of the sites is good fit, but geographically not where I want to be. I am thinking about not ranking it because I question the algorithem... It really goes in our favor? If other sites liked me and rank me higher, there is a slim chance I would match at my 15th choice correct?

The match will go in your favor it you are highly ranked by sites you like. But the match is a standard, tested, proven, algorithm that is not flawed or has mysterious kinks. If you rank a site low, it will not affect your chances at higher sites. Also, if you match at a site that you rank low, they will have no way to tell where you ranked them (1 vs 15). The exception is that sites where you do not match can tell where you matched (but not what number you ranked them). If it is better to NOT MATCH, then to match at that site, don't rank them. Otherwise, rank them last.

 

[psycecream]

As ranking day approaches, what are people's thoughts about not ranking a site? I have 15 interviews and have gone to most of them, and going to interview at all of them. Think they went pretty well, but I don't want to be overly confident. One of the sites is good fit, but geographically not where I want to be. I am thinking about not ranking it because I question the algorithem... It really goes in our favor? If other sites liked me and rank me higher, there is a slim chance I would match at my 15th choice correct?

When I went through the process several years ago, my first choice was a consortium with 6 or 7 match codes. They told us to put all of those codes together, since it didn't matter which one we matched to--we would rotate to all the different sites.

I didn't match to that site, so I ended up matching at my 7th or 8th choice (technically). Not matching at my first bunch did not impact my ability to match. I would only not rank a site if you would rather not match than go to the site.

 

[bmedclinic]

Hello All,
I've seen some people I know out on the road for interviews and seen their anxiety. I only got 6 interviews, but they were for 9 tracks total. I feel pretty good about ranking 9 spots and wondered, unless I totally botched things up, the odds are very good that I'll match (note: I'm from an APA accred. PhD program, and my diss should be done in a few months). Is there any legit reason for the anxiety that I'm seeing, or am I sitting pretty? What if we disregard my #9 spot and only talk about ranking the only 8 spots. I'm pretty much going to get one unless I've botched interviews up, correct? According to the table here, I'd assume that's correct but please tell me if this is wrong.

Thanks,
Bmedclinic.

 

[psychstudenttx1]

Best of luck to everyone during interview season!

 

[SRSpsych]

[This message was approved for posting by SDN.]

Hello everyone! I am a fellow student going through the 2013 APPIC process...my department is recruiting participants for an IRB-approved study examining the characteristics of APA/APPIC internship applicants within and across professional psychology programs. It would be very helpful if you could check out the following link (to our SDN thread) and consider participating:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=975702&referrerid=514083
This thread outlines additional research information and the subject disclosure form. Participants are eligible for entry into a drawing for Amazon gift cards!

Your contributions will help up have greater insight into this process. Thank you for your consideration!!!...and good luck on interviews! 🙂

 

[BorntoRun]

Hello All,
I've seen some people I know out on the road for interviews and seen their anxiety. I only got 6 interviews, but they were for 9 tracks total. I feel pretty good about ranking 9 spots and wondered, unless I totally botched things up, the odds are very good that I'll match (note: I'm from an APA accred. PhD program, and my diss should be done in a few months). Is there any legit reason for the anxiety that I'm seeing, or am I sitting pretty? What if we disregard my #9 spot and only talk about ranking the only 8 spots. I'm pretty much going to get one unless I've botched interviews up, correct? According to the table here, I'd assume that's correct but please tell me if this is wrong.

Thanks,
Bmedclinic.

Doing a little reassurance-seeking, huh? Nine slots is a lot, especially since most people match at one of their first 3 sites. As long as you think your interviews went okay, you should be in great shape. (Same goes for the other interviewees.) Good luck!

 

[neuronic]

Hello All,
I've seen some people I know out on the road for interviews and seen their anxiety. I only got 6 interviews, but they were for 9 tracks total. I feel pretty good about ranking 9 spots and wondered, unless I totally botched things up, the odds are very good that I'll match (note: I'm from an APA accred. PhD program, and my diss should be done in a few months). Is there any legit reason for the anxiety that I'm seeing, or am I sitting pretty? What if we disregard my #9 spot and only talk about ranking the only 8 spots. I'm pretty much going to get one unless I've botched interviews up, correct? According to the table here, I'd assume that's correct but please tell me if this is wrong.

How many sites did you apply to? Anything can happen, which is why many great people do not match each year.

 

[prosound]

FYI to those waiting on the Primary Track at McGuire: I emailed them, they hope to notify everyone of their status tomorrow afternoon or evening, so hang in there!

I was also told the 11th, but haven't heard anything yet and it's the 13th. Has anyone else heard a reply from McGuire VA Primary Care Track?

 

[PsyDHokie]

I survived the cut at UCF and TWU 🙂. All interviews are over now comes the hard part... Ranking.

Made the cut for UCF too! Are you going to one of the open houses? If yes, which day?

 

[bmedclinic]

Doing a little reassurance-seeking, huh? Nine slots is a lot, especially since most people match at one of their first 3 sites. As long as you think your interviews went okay, you should be in great shape. (Same goes for the other interviewees.) Good luck!

Yes, yes I am. I felt confident and comfortable until I saw a friend on an interview who had 11 interviews, didnt really care about that interview, and was still freaking out. I think my interviews went fine, and I've heard generally I'm a good interviewer (mock interviews in the past for internship) but that seed of doubt was planted and it got my neurotic side worrying. Also, I wanted to make sure that I was correct about the table that shows that most people do in fact match in their top 3 spots.

If there's any place for a grad student to be neurotic, isnt it SDN? 🙂

 

[PSYDTA]

I was also told the 11th, but haven't heard anything yet and it's the 13th. Has anyone else heard a reply from McGuire VA Primary Care Track?

I haven't either. Does anyone know the name of the new training director, because all the information online has the old director's name and contact information listed.

 

[bmedclinic]

For clarification, are you guys wondering if you'll be considered for the track or if the track will be APA approved? BTW, unless something has changed in the last two weeks, the TD for McGuire is Dr Ellwood.

 

[prosound]

For clarification, are you guys wondering if you'll be considered for the track or if the track will be APA approved? BTW, unless something has changed in the last two weeks, the TD for McGuire is Dr Ellwood.

I'm wondering if I'll be given an interview. The track is apparently APA accredited already. I emailed Dr. Ellwood a week or so ago, and was told that they would notify about interviews on the 11th, but haven't heard anything. I don't want to be pesky and email again too soon, but I also don't want to be overlooked or appear disinterested. There is no actual hard deadline except what Dr. Ellwood wrote in an email, and I know they just finished interviewing for their other tracks which may be holding things up a bit too. So, I feel that follow up is a little tricky right now. Does anyone know anything more or have any similar experiences? Any advice?

 

[PSYDTA]

I'm wondering if I'll be given an interview. The track is apparently APA accredited already. I emailed Dr. Ellwood a week or so ago, and was told that they would notify about interviews on the 11th, but haven't heard anything. I don't want to be pesky and email again too soon, but I also don't want to be overlooked or appear disinterested. There is no actual hard deadline except what Dr. Ellwood wrote in an email, and I know they just finished interviewing for their other tracks which may be holding things up a bit too. So, I feel that follow up is a little tricky right now. Does anyone know anything more or have any similar experiences? Any advice?

I emailed Dr. Ellwood twice with no response. I'm going to assume they are in the process of reviewing those that have been already interviewed for the new track before they decide if they want to interview anyone else. So I'd wait to contact them again. From what I've heard from past interns, or candidates that have interviewed, is that they are somewhat disorganized, so that may be a reason why there is a delay. Nonetheless it's nerve wrecking just waiting for a response.

 

[PSYDTA]

For clarification, are you guys wondering if you'll be considered for the track or if the track will be APA approved? BTW, unless something has changed in the last two weeks, the TD for McGuire is Dr Ellwood.

If I'll be considered for the track...

 

[moodmemorygal]

Hi Again All,

Thanks for your support during this process. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you folks and was very happy to make so many new friends on Internship Rock Tour 2012 😀

I had kind of a no-brainer question about Canadian sites: as of 2015, no more sites will be APA accredited. If I matched with an APA accredited site in 2013-2014 in Canada, could this hurt my chances for: (1) California licensure or (2) Working at a VA?

Can anyone speak to this?

 

[prosound]

Hi Again All,

Thanks for your support during this process. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you folks and was very happy to make so many new friends on Internship Rock Tour 2012 😀

I had kind of a no-brainer question about Canadian sites: as of 2015, no more sites will be APA accredited. If I matched with an APA accredited site in 2013-2014 in Canada, could this hurt my chances for: (1) California licensure or (2) Working at a VA?

Can anyone speak to this?

As long as the site is APA it won't hurt your chances. Basically, the VA requires that you went to an APA or APPIC-VA internship plus be an American citizen. Good luck!

 

[psychRA]

Yes, yes I am. I felt confident and comfortable until I saw a friend on an interview who had 11 interviews, didnt really care about that interview, and was still freaking out. I think my interviews went fine, and I've heard generally I'm a good interviewer (mock interviews in the past for internship) but that seed of doubt was planted and it got my neurotic side worrying. Also, I wanted to make sure that I was correct about the table that shows that most people do in fact match in their top 3 spots.

If there's any place for a grad student to be neurotic, isnt it SDN? 🙂

I know this is easier said than done, but try not to compare yourself to others. In comparison to the rest of my cohort, my ratio of interviews to rejections was by far lower than anyone else. I was also the only one who matched to their first choice. We all matched, but some classmates ended up at their 3rd, 4th, or 5th choice. I went through a long period of feeling bad about myself while interview invites were going out, but in the end, it didn't matter. I wouldn't have traded places for anything.

I also have a friend from another program who only got 1 interview out of 15 apps. They matched there. You really do only need one!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Hi Again All,

Thanks for your support during this process. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you folks and was very happy to make so many new friends on Internship Rock Tour 2012 😀

I had kind of a no-brainer question about Canadian sites: as of 2015, no more sites will be APA accredited. If I matched with an APA accredited site in 2013-2014 in Canada, could this hurt my chances for: (1) California licensure or (2) Working at a VA?

Can anyone speak to this?

I'd have to double-check to be absolutely sure, but I believe that so long as the site was APA-accredited at the time you completed your internship, you should be fine.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, no states are as of yet explicitly requiring APA-accredited internships for licensure (although someone please correct me if I'm wrong). However, some states do require that you essentially prove your internship training was adequate and meets all their standards if it isn't/wasn't APA-accredited.

 

[LaurenRoxy]

.

 

[docma]

I'd have to double-check to be absolutely sure, but I believe that so long as the site was APA-accredited at the time you completed your internship, you should be fine.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, no states are as of yet explicitly requiring APA-accredited internships for licensure (although someone please correct me if I'm wrong). However, some states do require that you essentially prove your internship training was adequate and meets all their standards if it isn't/wasn't APA-accredited.

Only Mississippi still requires APA accreditation. All other states accept APPIC or other sites as long as the site director will verify that it met certain specific standards while you were on internship. Usually these are comparable to those required by the National Registry of Health Service Providers in Psychology. No matter what, you need to do your own research on the specific requirements in your target state and keep careful documentation as states vary. This is why the CPQ or NRHSPP can be useful.

 

[coloradocutter]

Not really sure where to post this here or on the interview thread. Shout out to the forensic-oriented folks. I have lots of meandering thoughts and questions.

Wondering if folks have any feedback/thoughts on BOPs/state hospitals where you have interviewed?

What about focused vs. more generalist training? Some folks are telling me - BOP is the best training hands down even if you aren't 100% sure you want to go to the BOP. Others are saying get some generalist training as this is the last time you may get it. What do you guys think?

Thoughts about state hospitals? I am worried about the focus that I have seen at state hospitals on competency/NGRI without any risk assessments. Is there a prestige of training issue here? I am not sure what makes a good state hospital - other than Patton and Western State.

I am thankful to have choices, but these decisions are really hard.