2019-2020 Postdoc Interview Thread

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Anxiously awaiting to hear back from my top site, and had cookies and peanut butter cups for dinner.

Happy Monday, fam.

teemingimmaterialamethystsunbird


edit: also, can I just say, I am personally offended each time SDN randomly decides it can't post one of my hilarious gifs. KEEP YOUR SECRETS, SDN, NO ONE LIKES YOU ANYWAY
Please describe it in painstaking detail. 😉 SDN CAN'T KEEP YOU DOWN.
 
msy.gif

Me watching y'all get interview invites. So proud and excited!

Anyone else finding it insanely difficult to concentrate on literally anything internship-related? My stack of pending reports is decreasing at a pretty negligible rate...

(Also, shout out to Slaney for teaching me how to use gifs on SDN!)
 
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msy.gif

Me watching y'all get interview invites. So proud and excited!

Anyone else finding it insanely difficult to concentrate on literally anything internship-related? My stack of pending reports is decreasing at a pretty negligible rate...

(Also, shout out to Slaney for teaching me how to use gifs on SDN!)

That’s exactly how I’m feeling! Like, writing notes is such a struggle cuz I’m just so distractible!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Hi all -- Has anyone else had a site where they emailed the invite, you replied yes, and then you don't hear from them to acknowledge your response? They said they'd be sending details in the original email, but you would think they'd reply to my response to say something, right?

It's making me anxious that they never got my email.
 
Question...especially for any TD's who might be lurking. I got 2 interviews within the same hospital but in different programs. The dates offered were 1 week apart. I asked one of the sites if there was flexibility in dates and they were accommodating. Now I'll be interviewing a full week after the other candidates. Is this a disadvantage? In my head I'm picturing that they will already have their minds made up by the time I get there...
 
Question...especially for any TD's who might be lurking. I got 2 interviews within the same hospital but in different programs. The dates offered were 1 week apart. I asked one of the sites if there was flexibility in dates and they were accommodating. Now I'll be interviewing a full week after the other candidates. Is this a disadvantage? In my head I'm picturing that they will already have their minds made up by the time I get there...

Most places, this is a pretty minimal issue.
 
Thanks for keeping this forum updated, everyone! It's been extremely helpful. Has anyone heard from or knows someone who has heard from the neuro tracks for Medical College of Wisconsin, AMITA Alexian Brothers, or MGH?

Also, another potential question for lurking TDs (maybe @WisNeuro?): when is an appropriate time to contact our sites to inquire about our status? Is there a ballpark range (e.g., after 4 weeks) in which such an inquiry is acceptable? I am curious to know my standing with these sites but do not want to appear overly anxious by inquiring too early.

Thanks!
 
Please describe it in painstaking detail. 😉 SDN CAN'T KEEP YOU DOWN.
SOOOO, it was of everyone's favorite sidekick to Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, shoveling spoonfuls of a giantass sugary sheetcake in her mouth with a fevered, harried look in her eye that may or may not have also been twitching. It was really speaking to me on a spiritual level
msy.gif

Me watching y'all get interview invites. So proud and excited!

Anyone else finding it insanely difficult to concentrate on literally anything internship-related? My stack of pending reports is decreasing at a pretty negligible rate...

(Also, shout out to Slaney for teaching me how to use gifs on SDN!)
I'm so proud!
 
SOOOO, it was of everyone's favorite sidekick to Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, shoveling spoonfuls of a giantass sugary sheetcake in her mouth with a fevered, harried look in her eye that may or may not have also been twitching. It was really speaking to me on a spiritual level
I literally sent a gif of that to my partner today when they asked if I wanted anything from the store. It is applicable on every level.
 
Thanks for keeping this forum updated, everyone! It's been extremely helpful. Has anyone heard from or knows someone who has heard from the neuro tracks for Medical College of Wisconsin, AMITA Alexian Brothers, or MGH?

Also, another potential question for lurking TDs (maybe @WisNeuro?): when is an appropriate time to contact our sites to inquire about our status? Is there a ballpark range (e.g., after 4 weeks) in which such an inquiry is acceptable? I am curious to know my standing with these sites but do not want to appear overly anxious by inquiring too early.

Thanks!

By MGH, do you mean Harvard Partners? The rejection list says they notified people 12/21 for neuro so I'd imagine interview invites were sent out already.
 
Since I see peds neuro has been notified and I am now stressed out, has anyone heard from Indiana University (adult neuro)?
 
By MGH, do you mean Harvard Partners? The rejection list says they notified people 12/21 for neuro so I'd imagine interview invites were sent out already.
Ah, I should have specified, sorry! It is not Harvard Partners; I am thinking of the pediatric neuro site at the Psychology Assessment Center (PAC) at Harvard Medical School/MGH (TD: Dr. Margaret Pulsifer).
 
Hi all -- Has anyone else had a site where they emailed the invite, you replied yes, and then you don't hear from them to acknowledge your response? They said they'd be sending details in the original email, but you would think they'd reply to my response to say something, right?

It's making me anxious that they never got my email.

I had multiple sites do that, and they eventually got back to me (in one case...in the other I'm still waiting). How long has it been that you haven't heard? I think you could politely request details after a week or 10 days or so, given that you'll need to notify your internship site and maybe cancel clients and so forth.
 
Hi all! Not to be Debbie Downer but I applied to 16 sites and have only gotten 1 interview so far... Maybe (hopefully) this is preemptive but does anyone know of any good resources if someone doesn't match the first go around?
 
Hi all! Not to be Debbie Downer but I applied to 16 sites and have only gotten 1 interview so far... Maybe (hopefully) this is preemptive but does anyone know of any good resources if someone doesn't match the first go around?

Are you applying for a specific track or area of focus? I think I saw some information possibly in one of the postdoc webinars about the possibility of postdocs opening up later in March or so. This might not be an option though if you require a specific type of fellowship for boarding.

I mostly just came here to comment that I don't think you are being a Debbie Downer. I feel the same way and I would rather have a back-up plan to exercise a sense of agency in the event of a worst-case scenario. It helps me feel more sane in this process to know all is not hopeless.
 
Yep haha. I do nothing but refresh my email from 9 am til 9 pm

We just started reviewing applications today. Probably won't finish our rankings until late next week at the earliest. Try your best not to get too caught up in the waiting game. Hang in there, all
 
-Salem VAMC
-Track (if applicable): SUD and PTSD
-Invite or rejection: Invite
-Date notified: 1/11
-How notified: personal e-mail
-Interview date: 2/11
-How are you coping? throwing myself into my new internship rotation
(I was super relieved because I saw someone else got an interview invite for SUD four days before!)

-Hampton VA Women's Health and Trauma
-Track: N/A
-Invite or rejection: Rejection
-Date notified: 1/7
-How notified: mass e-mail
 
Hi all! Not to be Debbie Downer but I applied to 16 sites and have only gotten 1 interview so far... Maybe (hopefully) this is preemptive but does anyone know of any good resources if someone doesn't match the first go around?

Hi! I have been re-assured by many different supervisors that there is a sort of domino effect that happens within a day or two after UND, and a whole bunch of spots end up being open! I would join the postdoc listserv if you haven't already!

But also, I am still waiting to hear back from many sites as well (9 or 10 I think) and I have one site whose due date hasn't even passed yet. I wouldn't worry too much, we might still hear back over the next week or two. Good luck!
 
-Salem VAMC
-Track (if applicable): SUD and PTSD
-Invite or rejection: Invite
-Date notified: 1/11
-How notified: personal e-mail
-Interview date: 2/11
-How are you coping? throwing myself into my new internship rotation
(I was super relieved because I saw someone else got an interview invite for SUD four days before!)

-Hampton VA Women's Health and Trauma
-Track: N/A
-Invite or rejection: Rejection
-Date notified: 1/7
-How notified: mass e-mail

Congrats! I’ll be at Salem too!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
What's the name of the post doc list Serv you all use? I'm trying to settle some of my anxiety!
 
Hi all -- Has anyone else had a site where they emailed the invite, you replied yes, and then you don't hear from them to acknowledge your response? They said they'd be sending details in the original email, but you would think they'd reply to my response to say something, right?

It's making me anxious that they never got my email.
This happened to me. I was told by the woman in our program who sends out invites that after 48 hours, you should call or email to check in
 
Couple more updates!

Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Health Behavioral Health Fellowship
preliminary phone interview (kind of by surprise!)
1/11/19

Boston Child Study Center
Invitation to preliminary phone interview
1/15/19
Personal email
Interview date: 1/16/19!

Coping? What's coping?
 
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Palo Alto VAMC - Geropsych Track
Invitation for in person interview (personal email 1/11)
multiple dates given

Milwaukee VAMC - Geropsych Track
Invitation via personal email for in person or phone interview (1/15)
date TBD

Salt Lake City VAMC - Geropsych Track
rejection - personal email 1/14

learning to adjust to different tracks reaching out at different times! Coping is a work in progress - but loving on my pups is a help!
Best of luck to everyone!!
 
Are you applying for a specific track or area of focus? I think I saw some information possibly in one of the postdoc webinars about the possibility of postdocs opening up later in March or so. This might not be an option though if you require a specific type of fellowship for boarding.

I mostly just came here to comment that I don't think you are being a Debbie Downer. I feel the same way and I would rather have a back-up plan to exercise a sense of agency in the event of a worst-case scenario. It helps me feel more sane in this process to know all is not hopeless.

I am applying to neuro postdocs. I will be sure to keep my eye open for those later types of opportunities.

Thanks for the reassurance - it's nice to have such a supportive forum and group of fellow applicants during this crazy time!
 
Couple more updates!

Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Health Behavioral Health Fellowship
preliminary phone interview (kind of by surprise!)
1/11/19

Boston Child Study Center
Invitation to preliminary phone interview
1/15/19
Personal email
Interview date: 1/16/19!

Coping? What's coping?

Congrats on BCSC! They rejected me a while ago.lol That is short notice though!
 
Question for you all!!! I had an interview today and to say I’m in love is an understatement. It is definitely my number 1 site for sure. Anyone have any input on sending a thank you email to those ininterviewed with and how to get across that it is one of tops!!!?? I wanna make sure I send it professionally but all enthusiastically!!! Any input would be incredibly helpful!! Thanks all! Happy post doc hunting
 
Hello friends! I'm wondering if anyone has done a neuro interview yet. I have a video one that is only allotted 30 minutes and I'm wondering what on earth I am supposed to cover during such a short amount of time. Do you all have any ideas?
 
Sutter Pediatric Neuropsychology
Invitation
Personal email
Option for phone interview or in-person slots on 2/4, 2/6, 2/7
Coping: Watching endless makeup tutorials on youtube LOL....and figuring out my existential crises with my conflicting interests in behavioral medicine and neuropsychology 😵
 
Pitt VA
Interprofessional Care (health psych)
Invite 1/16
on-site and telephone interviews for the following dates at Heinz Division:
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 8:00-12:00
Monday, February 4, 2019 from 8:00-12:00
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 1:00-4:00
DOGS
 
I missed a phone call from Berkeley, CA almost an hour ago...which happens to coincide with waiting to hear back from UC Berkeley...so I'm doing what any reasonable human would do, which is refresh my email every 30 seconds.

Coping: refreshing my email every 30 seconds.

Haha! I know the feeling well....waiting on a site in San Francisco. Get a call from SAN FRANCISCO! Like what are the odds....of all cities in the country. Turns out is was Amnesty International calling for money? Here's to hoping your Berkeley call is more legit!!
 
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