- Joined
- Feb 15, 2009
- Messages
- 19,211
- Reaction score
- 26,744
It is an increase that is diminishing in value as one variable (#of apps) increases. It is a diminishing return.
Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, and point out where I am missing it by all means.
1 to 5 applications Match rate = 68% n = 114
6 to 10 applications Match rate = 76% n = 176
11 to 15 applications Match rate = 89% n = 843
16 to 20 applications Match rate = 92% n = 880
21 to 25 applications Match rate = 93% n = 322
26 to 30 applications Match rate = 95% n = 85
31 or more applications Match rate = 89% n = 28
To me, as you increase in applications, you go from 68, 76, 89, 92, 93, 95%. The percentage is increasing. Not by a statistically significant rate, but still shows a relative linear correlation.
If you have the resources to apply to more sites, and all those feel like a potential good fit, then who cares? Data (like above) can show general trends but obviously doesn’t tell anyone if applying to more or less sites is the right move for any individual applicant.
I know you are excited about the sites you applied to! Don’t let people discourage you. Best of luck this cycle!
The data would most likely be more quadratic in nature, or at the very least show a firm asymptote at the upper tail.
Of course. I believe if you CAN afford it, why not? I think this, much like grad school selection is a very personal decision. There are numerous factors to consider that are most likely very different across applicants. I know several of my colleagues are geographically restricted (which sucks), others are financially restricted to an extent. I'm not rich, but I have a spouse (who has excellent credit), so that helps as I have no income. This is one, of several benefits of being married lol. I suppose what I am trying to convey is, if we look at the cold hard data, while not statistically significant, the more places you apply, your chances of matching increases in a linear fashion. If we were to plot this data and look at the data points, we would see this.
Absolutely. The law of diminishing returns is great information to apply if you owned a production business of some sort. You *can* apply it to those numbers and say, you get less for your effort at higher levels. However, if you have the time/money to submit more applications then why not? It doesn’t hurt your chances.
Sure. My thought is that if I were to receive 20 interview invitations across the country, which is possible when one submits 30 applications, I would be very overwhelmed and probably not be able to attend them all.
Very true. It is something I too worry about. Perhaps I just lack confidence and tried to overcompensate. I am hopeful, but I suppose I just don't want to have to wait a whole year to do this again in the event I don't match. I'm 31, I really want to move along with my career, settle down, buy a house, etc.
Sure. My thought is that if I were to receive 20 interview invitations across the country, which is possible when one submits 30 applications, I would be very overwhelmed and probably not be able to attend them all.
I was trying to see if they had released part 2 results for 2019 or 2018 and they haven't. I think it would be important to look at the difference in match rates between 2016 up until 2019 due to the fact that over the most recent couple of.
Match Statistics has all the statistics through last year.
I think it is not inappropriate/BS for a TD to point out this pattern to students, though. Many students in grad programs are limited in both time and money, so it can be helpful to know that point of diminishing return. But yes, if you have the resources or particular circumstances (e.g., your specific track has fewer slots as mentioned) also completely fine to go for more!
Match Statistics has all the statistics through last year.
They probably did it because of the matching “crisis”. Now that it’s over, it probably doesn’t matter as much. There are more internship slots than applicants now.Under "Survey Results", it seems like they haven't released "Part 2: Applicant Placement by Applicant & Program Characteristics" since 2016 though, right?
I agree! I had a friend who applied to only 2 sites the first round. They were sites that were extremely competitive but ones she was interested in but she knew she probably would be rejected. But she did that on purpose so she could apply to as many sites the second round for free! And she got placed at a really good neuro site and is happy she decided to wait until Phase II. People should just do what they think is good for them.I feel like some of you are being quite pedantic about this "diminishing returns" business. It is a personal decision which sites to apply to, and people need to make the choices they are most comfortable with. I know someone who only applied to 5 sites and matched. Some people choose not to apply at all and wait a year. Everyone should just do their own thing and it would be nice if this forum didn't police other people's choices.
I feel like some of you are being quite pedantic about this "diminishing returns" business. It is a personal decision which sites to apply to, and people need to make the choices they are most comfortable with. I know someone who only applied to 5 sites and matched. Some people choose not to apply at all and wait a year. Everyone should just do their own thing and it would be nice if this forum didn't police other people's choices.
Would you mind sending to me or posting the link?I sent out a tutorial for all of those applying in my program to make sure folks have their stuff locked down, not that many of us post wildly inappropriate things, but it's always safe.
I applied to 14 sites and am praying I don’t get this many interviews 🙁 7-8 would be okay, more than that and I don’t know what I will do....probably skype/phone option.Sure. My thought is that if I were to receive 20 interview invitations across the country, which is possible when one submits 30 applications, I would be very overwhelmed and probably not be able to attend them all.
Whoa thats a really interesting way to go about it! Your friend is smart and thought outside the boxI agree! I had a friend who applied to only 2 sites the first round. They were sites that were extremely competitive but ones she was interested in but she knew she probably would be rejected. But she did that on purpose so she could apply to as many sites the second round for free! And she got placed at a really good neuro site and is happy she decided to wait until Phase II. People should just do what they think is good for them.
Whoa thats a really interesting way to go about it! Your friend is smart and thought outside the box
Yes I definitely do not think most people should do that, but she was under some significant financial pressure and was not able to apply to many sites the first phase. So she decided to only apply to the two sites she really wanted just to see if she would get an invitation.Not sure I would advocate this approach. Definitely make sure you apply to the sites that are a great fit for you in the initial round, no great chance that any of those sites are in Phase II, it varies wildly every year. If saving money is more important than your top picks, go for it, but that's missing out on most of the best training experiences to save a few application dollars.
Yes, she had some financial issues that limited her ability to apply to many sites the first round. So she did what was best for her, even if it probably wasn't the best approach lol but it worked for her!Whoa thats a really interesting way to go about it! Your friend is smart and thought outside the box
Would you mind sending to me or posting the link?
I feel like some of you are being quite pedantic about this "diminishing returns" business. It is a personal decision which sites to apply to, and people need to make the choices they are most comfortable with. I know someone who only applied to 5 sites and matched. Some people choose not to apply at all and wait a year. Everyone should just do their own thing and it would be nice if this forum didn't police other people's choices.
Yes, she had some financial issues that limited her ability to apply to many sites the first round. So she did what was best for her, even if it probably wasn't the best approach lol but it worked for her!
On the topic of social media, I would be mindful of what is posted on this forum as well. Certain subfields are so small that it's often not difficult to identify folks with just a little bit of information. I'm pretty sure that I know the identity of at least one poster in this thread based on information that they have shared on SDN.
I can attest that my full legal name is, indeed, psychlife19.I accidentally found a fellow student on DDN because they post here under their full name. It felt weird.
I accidentally found a fellow student on DDN because they post here under their full name. It felt weird.
I need to pick up a new hobby that isn't thinking about internship.
You could try refreshing your email inbox! j/k
Ugh seriously tho. I was doing well until today (since last year some interview invites for my sites went out on the second Thursday of the month).
I'm recovering from surgery (since early September), learning Portuguese, and slowly trying to introduce foods back into my diet...and watching TV. I'm enjoying it..just relaxing. Taking "off" from psychology."
I have a question about letters...so is there some sort of rule that you have to include 1 from your academic institution? Or can folks do 3 letters clinical supervisors unless sites state otherwise.
I would read the program's brochure to be sure exactly what they want. They tend to be overt about it, at least the programs I've applied to. I had one from a clinical supervisor, one from a professor, and one who was both my professor and a secondary clinical supervisor at one of my sites I rotated through.
Some sites have deadlines of the 15th and the 1st, so I am sure some people are still plugging away.everyone done with applications?
How many suits do others have/ are they planning to buy? I have one but I'm considering buying another as backup. I could see myself spilling coffee on it or something while I was away for a couple interview in a row...
How many suits do others have/ are they planning to buy? I have one but I'm considering buying another as backup. I could see myself spilling coffee on it or something while I was away for a couple interviews in a row...
I have two.. just in case I have back to back interviews. Someone in my lab had to do 3 interviews in the same week so I think it’s helpful to have more than one just in case.
Definitely helps to have two. I had one week with 3 straight interviews as well, it was nice to let one air out while interviewing in the spare. Also, helps alleviate some anxiety in case of wardrobe malfunction. You can get by with one, but two would be ideal.
Thank you! I will plan to pick up another.
No problem. Now, just don't do what I did on one of my trips out for an internship interview, I had dry cleaned my suit and forgot to put the pants back with the suit coat and left them at home. I had to make a trip to JCPenney which was near the place I was interviewing and find a pair of pants that matched the exact shade of the suit top. Not fun.
How many suits do others have/ are they planning to buy? I have one but I'm considering buying another as backup. I could see myself spilling coffee on it or something while I was away for a couple interviews in a row...