2015 Postdoc Applicants

[MilsonPsych]

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Does anyone have any idea of the timeline for postdoc applications? Has anyone heard back from any of their potential sites?

I have applied to several research-based postdocs (I am a non-clinical student). Some have a deadline for submission and some are rolling submissions. I'm nervous about not getting a job, as I have not found many in my area.

 

[kestrelcry]

I hate this system. So, I know there was a discussion earlier, but.... can I skip on sending my undergrad transcripts? They only cost $8, but, APPA is already stealing so much money from me....

My impression is that you can't -- you have to submit a transcript for all places listed under education in order for your application to be complete. You could just not list your undergrad institution, of course, but I'm not sure how advisable that is.

I'm actually planning on not listing my undergrad institution. Only one of my sites wants the undergrad transcript; they say "photocopies of official transcripts are fine"; and they want it uploaded into 'other documents'. My CV has my undergrad institution, graduation date, and all that other info on it, so sites will have that information. I'm giving APPACAS the finger on this one.

 

[rmenoch]

Ugh, I hate APPA CAS! I received conformation that they had received a reference letter on Nov. 28th, and I subsequently submitted my application to that site on Nov. 30th. Today when I was reviewing my submitted applications, it now says that they never received that letter...even though I have an email confirming they did. Now I have to contact the site to see if they'll work with me while I figure out the problem, even though materials were due on Dec. 1st. I'd encourage you to all make sure that materials aren't "disappearing" after submission.

 

[kestrelcry]

I'm actually planning on not listing my undergrad institution. Only one of my sites wants the undergrad transcript; they say "photocopies of official transcripts are fine"; and they want it uploaded into 'other documents'. My CV has my undergrad institution, graduation date, and all that other info on it, so sites will have that information. I'm giving APPACAS the finger on this one.

Okay, I'm slightly disappointed by this because it makes me giving the finger way less exciting, but for folks who are less oppositional, I just looked at my alerts on APPACAS and one of them says this:

In the Colleges Attended section of the application, please add all graduate institutions where you have earned or are seeking either a Ph. D. or a Psy.D. Do not list any other institutions or you will be required to provide a transcript.

 

[cara susanna]

Aghhh, I paid money to get my undergrad transcripts for nothing?? I specifically remember reading the FAQ and it mentioned undergraduate institution.

kestrelcry, if I seem angry, it's at myself (and APPA CAS), not you. Good on you for giving them the finger, or trying to anyway 😉

 

[kestrelcry]

Aghhh, I paid money to get my undergrad transcripts for nothing?? I specifically remember reading the FAQ and it mentioned undergraduate institution.

kestrelcry, if I seem angry, it's at myself (and APPA CAS), not you. Good on you for giving them the finger, or trying to anyway 😉

I totally advocate for anger at APPA CAS (not so much at yourself). 😉
The fact that postdoc applications are now happening like this is unmitigated bull****. A process that used to be mostly free now costs a pretty, pretty penny (at least for me, since the vast majority of my sites are using it). I sincerely doubt that postdoc applicants, past or present, were agitating for this change. To me, it just feels like a way for APPIC to make more money. I feel like, once again, we're being screwed. I personally thought the grad school application process was pretty ****ty - 500 different ways to apply, some ridiculous fees, some schools not even have the courtesy to let people know if they were rejected or not, ever, even after being contacted, etc. I remember seeing all sorts of crazy stories on SDN. The only time I felt like applicants mattered as people in the process was during interviews and after offers were given. I don't think anything needs to be said about the internship application process. The story was that applying to postdocs was like applying to jobs, that you finally got to feel like a regular professional. I don't know about everyone else, but APPA CAS makes me feel like I'm back in internship application bull**** again. But getting even less for my money. And my patience is already all worn out.

 

[cara susanna]

I maybe wouldn't mind it so much if APPA CAS was just one standardized application like the AAPI, so once we did it we were finished. But it's not, and the fact that it doesn't even work properly just makes it worse. Only a few of my sites are even using it.

 

[463951]

I maybe wouldn't mind it so much if APPA CAS was just one standardized application like the AAPI, so once we did it we were finished. But it's not, and the fact that it doesn't even work properly just makes it worse. Only a few of my sites are even using it.

Exactly. At least with internship, everything was all there (e.g., your LORs) and you would just hit upload. I am not using this stupid thing, but it is my understanding that you have to submit the LORs separately to each site? And for internship, at least the sites were limited as to what they could ask for. With this thing, they can ask for just about anything (e.g., a statement of purpose, 3 sanitized reports, undergrad transcripts). No thanks.

 

[SCO4]

Hey everyone, I have a question for those who are at an Appic, but not Apa-accredited internships. Has anyone else felt like most of the formal postdoctoral positions require an apa-accredited internship? What are others doing or what have others done in the past in terms of getting a postdoc? I feel like I'm struggling to find postdocs that I want that don't require an apa-accredited internship.

 

[PsychStudent09]

One of my sites is asking for a copy of my APPIC internship application. Given I didn't apply to this site for internship, should I just upload a site of my choosing? Seems odd...

 

[cara susanna]

One of my sites is asking for a copy of my APPIC internship application. Given I didn't apply to this site for internship, should I just upload a site of my choosing? Seems odd...

There was an option to have just your AAPI saved. Is that maybe what they want?

 

[PsychStudent09]

There was an option to have just your AAPI saved. Is that maybe what they want?

Ah! Thank you for reminding me of that. Makes a lot more sense!

 

[oathkeeper]

I feel like it saved the appi with a cover letter- if you do have to include the cover letter, maybe you could send them a letter from the site that you're currently interning at

 

[CBTFTW]

Okay, I'm slightly disappointed by this because it makes me giving the finger way less exciting, but for folks who are less oppositional, I just looked at my alerts on APPACAS and one of them says this:

In the Colleges Attended section of the application, please add all graduate institutions where you have earned or are seeking either a Ph. D. or a Psy.D. Do not list any other institutions or you will be required to provide a transcript.

Interesting that this is now what it says, given that I have a whole email thread with tech support about how one MUST submit undergrad transcripts...Ugh, APPA.

 

[Precontemplator]

Okay, I'm slightly disappointed by this because it makes me giving the finger way less exciting, but for folks who are less oppositional, I just looked at my alerts on APPACAS and one of them says this:

In the Colleges Attended section of the application, please add all graduate institutions where you have earned or are seeking either a Ph. D. or a Psy.D. Do not list any other institutions or you will be required to provide a transcript.

I am having a serious issue with this. I listed my undergraduate university prior to learning that a transcript would be sent to all sites if included. I then ordered a transcript for that undergrad program because I have one site requiring them, and only later realized they want it uploaded to their program specific attachments. During this process, I submitted an application with a 12/5 due date, which "locked" my application materials. I now am stuck with the undergrad program being on my application, and every site will receive my undergraduate transcript despite not requesting them.

APPA CAS has been very responsive, and said it is fine if you don't order a transcript for the undergraduate program, but if you do, they can't stop it from being uploaded, and it will be included in the application. So beware of this pitfall and just remove the undergrad program before submitting! Good luck to everyone...

 

[cara susanna]

Just FYI, APPA CAS is having a problem where documents aren't getting fully removed if you delete them (the file is removed but they still take up the "space" if that makes sense). So don't upload documents right now unless you know they're 100% correct.

 

[EmotRegulation]

I hate APPA CAS as a letter writer and I'm not even using the dang thing for myself! As a letter writer I still have to submit for each site, yet it doesn't actually tell me the name of the site in each row....seriously stupid.

 

[kestrelcry]

APPA CAS wouldn't let me pay and submit one of my sites after it was complete. Of course, since it was on a Friday, there's not a whole hell of lot I can do about it until Monday and Friday was the deadline. Lovely.

 

[cara susanna]

APPA CAS wouldn't let me pay and submit one of my sites after it was complete. Of course, since it was on a Friday, there's not a whole hell of lot I can do about it until Monday and Friday was the deadline. Lovely.

Sorry to hear. Was it past the deadline? APPA CAS is in EST, so it doesn't matter what time zone the site itself is in (annoyingly).

 

[PsychStudent09]

I am having a serious issue with this. I listed my undergraduate university prior to learning that a transcript would be sent to all sites if included. I then ordered a transcript for that undergrad program because I have one site requiring them, and only later realized they want it uploaded to their program specific attachments. During this process, I submitted an application with a 12/5 due date, which "locked" my application materials. I now am stuck with the undergrad program being on my application, and every site will receive my undergraduate transcript despite not requesting them.

APPA CAS has been very responsive, and said it is fine if you don't order a transcript for the undergraduate program, but if you do, they can't stop it from being uploaded, and it will be included in the application. So beware of this pitfall and just remove the undergrad program before submitting! Good luck to everyone...

I am in a similar boat, Precontemplator. My academic history is locked with my undergraduate university listed, due to submitting an early application. None of my sites request my UG transcripts; however, I was under the impression (via an APPA CAS app submission e-mail) that my application would be marked as "incomplete" without transcripts for every listed university. I'm not sure if it is marked incomplete to APPA CAS only, or if somehow it is marked incomplete for my sites, too. I'm trying to get my UG transcripts uploaded, but am worried that won't happen before my next deadline. I am not loving APPA CAS, to say the least.

I just e-mailed APPA CAS to see if anything could be done, so we'll see!

 

[kestrelcry]

Sorry to hear. Was it past the deadline? APPA CAS is in EST, so it doesn't matter what time zone the site itself is in (annoyingly).

Dear god - it's so special. How is one supposed to know - I just looked and couldn't find that info?

 

[cara susanna]

Dear god - it's so special. How is one supposed to know - I just looked and couldn't find that info?

I looked at the time APPA CAS lists for when I submitted my application and it showed it as three hours ahead of when I actually submitted (I'm in PST). Yeah, it really sucks because it essentially gives earlier time zones more time to submit.

 

[CBTFTW]

I very much hope that they let all the applicants fill out some sort of feedback survey about APPA CAS after all this is over. I have so many thoughts!

 

[kestrelcry]

I looked at the time APPA CAS lists for when I submitted my application and it showed it as three hours ahead of when I actually submitted (I'm in PST). Yeah, it really sucks because it essentially gives earlier time zones more time to submit.

Plus, it makes the deadlines inaccurate for other timezones. Such bull****.

 

[kestrelcry]

I very much hope that they let all the applicants fill out some sort of feedback survey about APPA CAS after all this is over. I have so many thoughts!

And so many feelings!

 

[Precontemplator]

I am in a similar boat, Precontemplator. My academic history is locked with my undergraduate university listed, due to submitting an early application. None of my sites request my UG transcripts; however, I was under the impression (via an APPA CAS app submission e-mail) that my application would be marked as "incomplete" without transcripts for every listed university. I'm not sure if it is marked incomplete to APPA CAS only, or if somehow it is marked incomplete for my sites, too. I'm trying to get my UG transcripts uploaded, but am worried that won't happen before my next deadline. I am not loving APPA CAS, to say the least.

I just e-mailed APPA CAS to see if anything could be done, so we'll see!

Its good to hear I'm not alone with the transcript issues! The good news is you can go ahead and submit your apps even if the transcript hasn't arrived (or if you don't ever order one). The sites will have access to all materials that have been uploaded up to that point, so they'll have everything you requested. Sites know the system has been buggy, and as long as they get what they asked for, I expect you won't have any issues, even if it is marked as incomplete due to the lack of undergrad transcript.

Unfortunately, APPA CAS will not delete the undergraduate entry in the Academic History section once the app has been locked. I've emailed and called and haven't had success. If you are able to get it done, please let me know.

 

[***]

Hey, I have a question about licensing on postdoc... When can an applicant use the term "license-eligible"? For instance, some states will allow you to count clinical hours completed on internship + hours accrued during advanced practica in graduate school, so that a person could conceivably have enough hours to apply for licensure without having to actually complete a post-doc year (or at least early on in the post-doc year). I am coming from a state with masters-level licensure, so I have already taken the EPPP. If I am applying to those states without a post-doc hours requirement, would I be able to note on my CV that I am "license-eligible" in that state?

 

[asmiles]

I have another judgement question. I have a site that is asking for a clinical work sample. I have a great one that I used during internship applications that fits well with the site, and describes a full course of treatment between winter and summer 2013. My more current cases (from internship) are far less exhaustive or well-suited for the site, but of course are more current. Is it odd to use an older clinical case?

 

[CBTFTW]

I have another judgement question. I have a site that is asking for a clinical work sample. I have a great one that I used during internship applications that fits well with the site, and describes a full course of treatment between winter and summer 2013. My more current cases (from internship) are far less exhaustive or well-suited for the site, but of course are more current. Is it odd to use an older clinical case?

I was told that the best clinical sample to use is the one that would be the closest to what you'd be doing on postdoc, even if they're older. I don't know if that holds true everywhere, of course, but that's the advice I got.

 

[docma]

I was told that the best clinical sample to use is the one that would be the closest to what you'd be doing on postdoc, even if they're older. I don't know if that holds true everywhere, of course, but that's the advice I got.

Using one that fits the site, though, may be strategic. At the post-doc level they want you to be able to function as staff and work with the specific population. You can no doubt find a way elsewhere in materials to relay how your current site is relevant.

 

[YoungestOld]

Just FYI, APPA CAS is having a problem where documents aren't getting fully removed if you delete them (the file is removed but they still take up the "space" if that makes sense). So don't upload documents right now unless you know they're 100% correct.

This is still happening as of Friday 12/19/14. I am vexed.

 

[cara susanna]

This is still happening as of Friday 12/19/14. I am vexed.

You have to call customer support to delete them. VERY frustrating. If it helps, I found that if I tried to delete files with Mozilla I had a better chance of it working. Of course, that isn't very helpful after the fact 😉

 

[YoungestOld]

You have to call customer support to delete them. VERY frustrating. If it helps, I found that if I tried to delete files with Mozilla I had a better chance of it working. Of course, that isn't very helpful after the fact 😉

Indeed.🙁 I put in a ticket with their tech support on Friday, but I was told it may take until Monday before it's fixed. I've been using Firefox for all my APPA stuff, and successfully deleted/replaced some files, but not all the ones I need to actually hit the submit button. I shared your advice from the 11th with my cohort at least!

 

[PsychStudent09]

Hi all. So APPA CAS will let you submit an application before all letters of recommendation have arrived, as long as everything else is complete. Are you guys planning on waiting for letters before you submit your applications? While I'd like to get some applications submitted, I don't really trust APPA CAS to add letters to an already submitted application...

 

[docma]

Hi all. So APPA CAS will let you submit an application before all letters of recommendation have arrived, as long as everything else is complete. Are you guys planning on waiting for letters before you submit your applications? While I'd like to get some applications submitted, I don't really trust APPA CAS to add letters to an already submitted application...

Kaiser advises applying as they begin reviewing as apps come in and begin scheduling interviews; they expect letters will come along in time and they will look for those whose apps they have and are interested in meeting. Since some VA sites are already scheduling interviews, I don't think you gain anything by waiting if you feel your materials are ready. Everyone knows this is a beta year and glitches will happen (have happened) so I would not wait on CAS.

 

[cara susanna]

Kaiser advises applying as they begin reviewing as apps come in and begin scheduling interviews; they expect letters will come along in time and they will look for those whose apps they have and are interested in meeting. Since some VA sites are already scheduling interviews, I don't think you gain anything by waiting if you feel your materials are ready. Everyone knows this is a beta year and glitches will happen (have happened) so I would not wait on CAS.

Some VA sites are already scheduling interviews? Are you comfortable saying which ones?

 

[kestrelcry]

Some VA sites are already scheduling interviews? Are you comfortable saying which ones?

I know someone who received an interview offer from the San Francisco VA, but their application deadline was also December 1st.

 

[Bear123]

Is anyone else having trouble submitting the application on the APPACAS site? It is like it doesn't recognize that I have uploaded my CV, so it thinks my application is incomplete and won't nlet me submit.

 

[ela]

Anyone know where to check the STATUS of your transcripts? I ordered mine, but am not seeing anywhere that would indicate if they have been recieved/processed or not.

Any help?

 

[CBTFTW]

Is anyone else having trouble submitting the application on the APPACAS site? It is like it doesn't recognize that I have uploaded my CV, so it thinks my application is incomplete and won't nlet me submit.

I had a different but similar issue (it wasn't recognizing one of my evaluations). It took support 3 days to fix it, but now it's working. I'd recommend calling as soon as you're able during business hours.

 

[CBTFTW]

Anyone know where to check the STATUS of your transcripts? I ordered mine, but am not seeing anywhere that would indicate if they have been recieved/processed or not.

Any help?

As far as I could tell, the only way to know before submitting is by notification from APPA. If you got an email about it, transcript has been processed, otherwise it hasn't. Once you've submitted at least one site, you can check in the status tab. It's a pain.

 

[AnnieDayNow]

Is anyone else having trouble submitting the application on the APPACAS site? It is like it doesn't recognize that I have uploaded my CV, so it thinks my application is incomplete and won't nlet me submit.

Yes! I am having this exact same problem. SO FRUSTRATING. I emailed tech support and will update you if I hear anything. I've tried deleting it and re-uploading my CV like a zillion times hoping it will magically work.

 

[YoungestOld]

As far as I could tell, the only way to know before submitting is by notification from APPA. If you got an email about it, transcript has been processed, otherwise it hasn't. Once you've submitted at least one site, you can check in the status tab. It's a pain.

It will also show up in your "Recent Notifications" at the bottom of the front page of the site, with a blue (i) to the left of the message.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Hey everyone, I have a question for those who are at an Appic, but not Apa-accredited internships. Has anyone else felt like most of the formal postdoctoral positions require an apa-accredited internship? What are others doing or what have others done in the past in terms of getting a postdoc? I feel like I'm struggling to find postdocs that I want that don't require an apa-accredited internship.

This is probably highly dependent on your area of practice. I've seen some college counseling centers open to non-APA, but most require it. I haven't seen any AMCs that are open to it (admittedly, I only really read the neuro, rehab, and primary care spots).

 

[oathkeeper]

Hey everyone, I have a question for those who are at an Appic, but not Apa-accredited internships. Has anyone else felt like most of the formal postdoctoral positions require an apa-accredited internship? What are others doing or what have others done in the past in terms of getting a postdoc? I feel like I'm struggling to find postdocs that I want that don't require an apa-accredited internship.

I've heard of people calling or e-mailing to ask if specific sites would consider non APA.

 

[docma]

I've heard of people calling or e-mailing to ask if specific sites would consider non APA.

If you have an area of interest and relevant experience it is always worth asking. Our internship was, for many years, not accredited due to the expense and interns did have to work harder to open doors but did find their post-docs. The Kaiser system, some university systems, many colleges, prisons, and public service systems (county and state level) are open to APPIC and do not require APA (though may prefer it). You just need to network, advocate and highlight the fit of your experience with their clinical populations. In some cities, universities and VA sites have affiliations and there are side-door access points, if you have relevant research/clinical skills, they may be welcome. (i.e., you will be a university employee, not a VA employee, but may work on the VA site and project)

 

[AnnieDayNow]

The APPA CAS saga continues. Last night it wouldn't recognize my CV as having been uplodad. I called tech support this morning and it now says my CV is there, all sections are listed as complete, but it still says 0 applications ready to submit. ARGH! Guess I'll be befriending the tech support folks again tomorrow (if they're even open on xmas eve).

 

[Kricket123]

Hi all,

I am in a panic. I just realized now that 4 of my APPA CAS sites want official grad transcripts. I didn't even realize they had to be sent to the APPA CAS system (because I've already emailed entire apps with copies of transcripts that I scanned in, and then some sites didn't want them at all). I was working on them tonight and these 4 have deadlines of Dec 29th and Jan 5th. My school's registrar's office is closed until Jan 2. They also won't express mail to PO Boxes, which of course, APPA CAS has. I don't know what to do about this. Will it let me submit the apps without them? I do have a scanned copy of my transcript so could send it as a document that way, but are sites going to a) not get the app because I don't have a transcript in the system, or b) even if they get the app, take issue with the fact that I don't have the transcript in the system and dump my app anyway?

Any thoughts that might be helpful?

 

[cara susanna]

The APPA CAS saga continues. Last night it wouldn't recognize my CV as having been uplodad. I called tech support this morning and it now says my CV is there, all sections are listed as complete, but it still says 0 applications ready to submit. ARGH! Guess I'll be befriending the tech support folks again tomorrow (if they're even open on xmas eve).

Yeah, I had that issue with one site and APPA CAS support resolved it. The poor people there sound so broken down. I actually feel really bad for them--they're not the ones who created the system, they're just on the front lines dealing with the problems.

Hi all,

I am in a panic. I just realized now that 4 of my APPA CAS sites want official grad transcripts. I didn't even realize they had to be sent to the APPA CAS system (because I've already emailed entire apps with copies of transcripts that I scanned in, and then some sites didn't want them at all). I was working on them tonight and these 4 have deadlines of Dec 29th and Jan 5th. My school's registrar's office is closed until Jan 2. They also won't express mail to PO Boxes, which of course, APPA CAS has. I don't know what to do about this. Will it let me submit the apps without them? I do have a scanned copy of my transcript so could send it as a document that way, but are sites going to a) not get the app because I don't have a transcript in the system, or b) even if they get the app, take issue with the fact that I don't have the transcript in the system and dump my app anyway?

Any thoughts that might be helpful?

I believe you can submit before your official transcripts have arrived.

 

[CBTFTW]

Hi all,

I am in a panic. I just realized now that 4 of my APPA CAS sites want official grad transcripts. I didn't even realize they had to be sent to the APPA CAS system (because I've already emailed entire apps with copies of transcripts that I scanned in, and then some sites didn't want them at all). I was working on them tonight and these 4 have deadlines of Dec 29th and Jan 5th. My school's registrar's office is closed until Jan 2. They also won't express mail to PO Boxes, which of course, APPA CAS has. I don't know what to do about this. Will it let me submit the apps without them? I do have a scanned copy of my transcript so could send it as a document that way, but are sites going to a) not get the app because I don't have a transcript in the system, or b) even if they get the app, take issue with the fact that I don't have the transcript in the system and dump my app anyway?

Any thoughts that might be helpful?

As Cara Susanna said, you can submit before everything has arrived. Your application won't be marked as complete, but sites will still be able to see everything that you've uploaded. You'll probably want to email training directors and let them know, though.