APPIC Interview Invitation Thread (2021)

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
neurogirl93 said:
If you dont receive an invitation to interview when the mass email goes out, is it safe to assume that you will receive a rejection? Not sure if anyone has any insight on this.
Click to expand...
I think someone talked about this earlier in the thread, that a rejection is not for certain in this case. Some sites have a tiered system of applicants that they invite or rolling admissions (based on review process, not date of submission necessarily). If some applicants do not accept interviews, they can invite replacements from the second tier if they have the system . That said, I think it is more likely that a rejection is incoming than an invitation based on my experience. šŸ¤·šŸ»ā€ā™€ļø But itā€™s probably very site-dependent.
 
neurogirl93 said:
If you dont receive an invitation to interview when the mass email goes out, is it safe to assume that you will receive a rejection? Not sure if anyone has any insight on this.
Click to expand...
From my n=1 personal experience, there were definitely sites that I never heard anything from. I can't remember how many exactly but it was more than one.

I was fortunate to be in a position where I felt good about the interviews I received so I didn't bother following up with those sites.

It's possible some sites are holding off notifying in case they get last minute drop-outs (but aren't sending waitlist emails). But it might be more likely that factors such as poor organization, low conscientiousness, or being too busy may be at play.

I think it's pretty rare but I've heard of some sites that may rank people even if they didn't interview (I'm guessing extenuating circumstances such as multiple people dropping out before interviews or no-showing them, lots of in-person red flags, etc) so it could be worth following up at some point in the future, especially if you aren't feeling great about your chances and want to pursue every match opportunity, even the super longshot ones.
 
modestmousktr said:
Hi! I was in your shoes last year... I see folks talking about rejection after rejection and how hard it is hitting. I just wanted to let y'all know that I felt like that too and it was so demoralizing. I think I had like six rejections and one interview by the second week of December and I was panicking. Then all of a sudden invites started to roll in, and by December 28th I remember I had 7 interviews and maybe 8 rejections. They will come!


And if they don't, all it takes is one site. And, that site doesn't even have to be in Phase I. There were a number of sites that were very prestigious with quality training in round 2 last year, as well as a number of applicants with quality training that just didn't find the right match. It will work out.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing this helpful insight. I do agree that it only takes one, but after all of the years of training I think most of us want to feel like the desirable applicants we've worked hard to be and have a few choices to rank rather than everything boiling down to literally one option.

beardedshrink said:
Since most interviews will be held virtually, what are people's thoughts on dress attire? Would it be best to dress fully in a suit and tie, or does a nice dress shirt suffice? I know if I had an in-person interview I would dress in a suit and tie, however, I'm wondering if I would feel a little funny doing that over zoom (but I'll get over it if that's the norm) šŸ˜†
Click to expand...

All of the advice I've been given is dress appropriately for an interview and definitely wear appropriate bottoms in case you have to get up for some reason (e.g., grab something, switch computers). For general video conferencing the advice I have been given is keep jewelry to a minimum and make sure it doesn't reflect light, avoid patterns that may look too busy or be distracting, sleeveless shirts (even professional one's) make your arms look fatter on camera so perhaps not the best choice, and if wearing glasses tip them slightly to reduce the screen glare.
 
I've run into a scheduling conflict and need some advice from the group - it looks like my email address was picked up by the VA spam filter and so none of my emails are going through to VA training sites that offered me an interview (I found out because my VA interviews TDs sent me a "we haven't heard from you yet" email). Because of this, my interview dates are all booked up now. I have one site that I would like to interview with, but their only day left conflicts with another site that I have not heard from yet (their mass invites went out last week so I am not sure if I am second tier or rejection yet). Is it appropriate for me to reach out to that site to ask if I am still under consideration so that I can have a better idea of my schedule? Has anyone else had this issue and/or know anyone who has in the past?
 
neuro_trainee said:
I've run into a scheduling conflict and need some advice from the group - it looks like my email address was picked up by the VA spam filter and so none of my emails are going through to VA training sites that offered me an interview (I found out because my VA interviews TDs sent me a "we haven't heard from you yet" email). Because of this, my interview dates are all booked up now. I have one site that I would like to interview with, but their only day left conflicts with another site that I have not heard from yet (their mass invites went out last week so I am not sure if I am second tier or rejection yet). Is it appropriate for me to reach out to that site to ask if I am still under consideration so that I can have a better idea of my schedule? Has anyone else had this issue and/or know anyone who has in the past?
Click to expand...
If you couldnā€™t attend, would they try to give your interview slot to someone else?
 
student9295 said:
If you couldnā€™t attend, would they try to give your interview slot to someone else?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure - I really like both sites so I am conflicted about how to handle this. Of course, if I can't attend one or the other for sure then I would definitely tell the training site ahead of time so that they can interview others. I'm just not sure whether it is appropriate to reach out to site B to see if I am on their rejection list already (if I am, then there is no longer a scheduling conflict, but if they wait until their notification date of 12/15 then that makes things a bit more complicated I think).
 
neuro_trainee said:
I've run into a scheduling conflict and need some advice from the group - it looks like my email address was picked up by the VA spam filter and so none of my emails are going through to VA training sites that offered me an interview (I found out because my VA interviews TDs sent me a "we haven't heard from you yet" email). Because of this, my interview dates are all booked up now. I have one site that I would like to interview with, but their only day left conflicts with another site that I have not heard from yet (their mass invites went out last week so I am not sure if I am second tier or rejection yet). Is it appropriate for me to reach out to that site to ask if I am still under consideration so that I can have a better idea of my schedule? Has anyone else had this issue and/or know anyone who has in the past?
Click to expand...
Ugh that's so frustrating! Has their interview notification date passed? I'm assuming no, but if so, I think it's fine to reach out. If not, then I'd probably schedule the confirmed interview, and ask the other site if they're able to accommodate an alternate day. I'm in a similar boat with a site that I really like but scheduled an earlier interview on their date, so I'm waiting to hear back to see if they can provide another option.
 
melat0nin said:
Ugh that's so frustrating! Has their interview notification date passed? I'm assuming no, but if so, I think it's fine to reach out. If not, then I'd probably schedule the confirmed interview, and ask the other site if they're able to accommodate an alternate day. I'm in a similar boat with a site that I really like but scheduled an earlier interview on their date, so I'm waiting to hear back to see if they can provide another option.
Click to expand...
Their notification date is 12/15 and they have already sent out a batch of mass email invites last week (I think I am probably in their rejection list and will be notified of that on 12/15 which is how all of my other rejections were). The site requested that I put my preferred interview date in the cover letter and so if I took the interview at site A, then it would be in the slot I requested in my site B cover letter. I am not sure how that will look since it was the date (out of 3-4) that I asked for initially from site B (assuming that I get an interview offer).
 
neuro_trainee said:
I've run into a scheduling conflict and need some advice from the group - it looks like my email address was picked up by the VA spam filter and so none of my emails are going through to VA training sites that offered me an interview (I found out because my VA interviews TDs sent me a "we haven't heard from you yet" email). Because of this, my interview dates are all booked up now. I have one site that I would like to interview with, but their only day left conflicts with another site that I have not heard from yet (their mass invites went out last week so I am not sure if I am second tier or rejection yet). Is it appropriate for me to reach out to that site to ask if I am still under consideration so that I can have a better idea of my schedule? Has anyone else had this issue and/or know anyone who has in the past?
Click to expand...
I just read this in the APAGS workbook: "...it is sometimes necessary and permissible to call an internship site prior to Dec 15 to ask whether you have been invited for an interview there so that you can coordinate travel plans. This is okay to try, but remember to be very nice to administrative assistants!"
 
melat0nin said:
I just read this in the APAGS workbook: "...it is sometimes necessary and permissible to call an internship site prior to Dec 15 to ask whether you have been invited for an interview there so that you can coordinate travel plans. This is okay to try, but remember to be very nice to administrative assistants!"
Click to expand...
APAGS Workbook to the rescue - thank you so much for finding that! Hope everyone is hanging in there! šŸ™‚
 
neuro_trainee said:
I'm not sure - I really like both sites so I am conflicted about how to handle this. Of course, if I can't attend one or the other for sure then I would definitely tell the training site ahead of time so that they can interview others. I'm just not sure whether it is appropriate to reach out to site B to see if I am on their rejection list already (if I am, then there is no longer a scheduling conflict, but if they wait until their notification date of 12/15 then that makes things a bit more complicated I think).
Click to expand...
What does your advisor or TD think about making contact? They are your best source for whether or not to contact as well as how to go about it. They could help you with wording as to not step on toes or come off the wrong way to a site. I would be mindful of reaching out and coming off in a way that seems like I donā€™t have a solution to offer. If you ask site B if youā€™re still under consideration and they say yes, what then? Again, this is something your faculty should be able to provide better guidance on.
 
neuro_trainee said:
I've run into a scheduling conflict and need some advice from the group - it looks like my email address was picked up by the VA spam filter and so none of my emails are going through to VA training sites that offered me an interview (I found out because my VA interviews TDs sent me a "we haven't heard from you yet" email). Because of this, my interview dates are all booked up now. I have one site that I would like to interview with, but their only day left conflicts with another site that I have not heard from yet (their mass invites went out last week so I am not sure if I am second tier or rejection yet). Is it appropriate for me to reach out to that site to ask if I am still under consideration so that I can have a better idea of my schedule? Has anyone else had this issue and/or know anyone who has in the past?
Click to expand...
I had this exact same thing happen to me!! A VA site wasn't getting my email responses and I had no idea why - good to know that it's likely due to the VA spam filter! I was so worried none of my sites were getting my emails.

I ended up calling the VA site that never received my emails and explained what happened and they added me on to one of their other interview dates that they said was "full" in their email. Have you tried calling to see if they're willing to add you on to another date?
 
melat0nin said:
I just read this in the APAGS workbook: "...it is sometimes necessary and permissible to call an internship site prior to Dec 15 to ask whether you have been invited for an interview there so that you can coordinate travel plans. This is okay to try, but remember to be very nice to administrative assistants!"
Click to expand...


Since there are little to no travel plans required for virtual interviews, I would be cautious with contacting sites prior to their notification dates.
 
One of the sites I applied to said they would notify by the 30th but I still haven't heard from them. Would it be okay to email and inquire about my status or should I wait a little longer?
 
NeuroGal1994 said:
One of the sites I applied to said they would notify by the 30th but I still haven't heard from them. Would it be okay to email and inquire about my status or should I wait a little longer?
Click to expand...
Our advisor told us to give it 1-2 days after their deadline before emailing incase they are behind. So I think it would be okay to email today or tomorrow! But itā€™s totally up to you šŸ™‚
 
NeuroGal1994 said:
One of the sites I applied to said they would notify by the 30th but I still haven't heard from them. Would it be okay to email and inquire about my status or should I wait a little longer?
Click to expand...
I believe that APPIC just sent out an email on the 29th about this and said wait til at least the morning after the deadline but then youā€™re safe.
 
WisNeuro said:
Since there are little to no travel plans required for virtual interviews, I would be cautious with contacting sites prior to their notification dates.
Click to expand...
Thank you for this - my TD also said to go ahead and schedule with Site A and just wait to hear from Site B (for others who might have the same/similar situation). Thank you to everyone for their thoughts - this was very helpful! šŸ™‚
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
APPIC 2025-2026 Interview Thread and Sheet
Replies
25
Views
16K
PsychPsychBaby
PsychPsychBaby
N
Postdoc Interview Invitation Thread 2025-2026/2027
Replies
8
Views
6K
BendDontBreak
B
L
APPIC Cover Letter Air Force
Replies
2
Views
355
Litegreenout123
L
abouttobeadoctor
APPIC Internship Phase II Interview & Support Thread (2024)
Replies
7
Views
4K
theSteppenwolf
theSteppenwolf
U
New APPIC Notification Sheet
Replies
0
Views
3K
ultra-rare-furby
U
Top