APPIC Interview Invitation Thread (2021)

Started by psykhe
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Does anyone have insight on whether or not it makes sense to reply to a mass email interview invite? Email from training director, letting me know dates and times of interviews, says that I am allowed to call starting this Friday to set up an interview time. Started with "Dear Applicant.." so I'm not sure if it is odd or unnecessary to respond.
 
Does anyone happen to have a screenshot/list of the positions that were available in phase II last year? I can’t seem to track it down on the interwebs
 
classic01 said:
Does anyone have insight on whether or not it makes sense to reply to a mass email interview invite? Email from training director, letting me know dates and times of interviews, says that I am allowed to call starting this Friday to set up an interview time. Started with "Dear Applicant.." so I'm not sure if it is odd or unnecessary to respond.
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I would reply and say that I am looking forward to confirming a date and time on Friday and thanking them for the opportunity.
 
KKint said:
I would like to reach out for my own sanity. Just wondering how to do so without sounding desperate!
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Haha! I did reach out to one site that rejected me because it was one of my top choices and made practically zero effort not to sound desperate. Basically just said I was looking to grow so the feedback would be appreciated.
 
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soexpsyded said:
Is anyone else kind of thrilled that interviews are virtual this year?? I can't imagine having to pack a suitcase, buy and coordinate airline tickets, book cars and hotels, etc. over the next couple months. Being at a steady home base sounds so ideal! Though this pandemic is obviously horrible for a multitude of reasons, I feel like this lockdown comes at the best time for intern applicants. Of course, the downside is not SEEING or FEELING out the internship sites, but I'll take that downside any day for the rest of the money/time/energy saving.
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Yes! There are definitely pros to the virtual format, as unfortunate that the state of the world is. We will likely be more rested, have access to notes during interviews if we need, and of course saving money on traveling! Hopefully we can offset the fact that we cannot see/feel the site in person with some really good discussions/questions with current interns.
 
classic01 said:
Curious if you got a response from the site on this? I am curious too but don't want to bother them haha
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I asked a site and I received a really nice response. Some sites really do encourage that you reach out. I looked at the last year’s thread for advice on how to approach it.
 
classic01 said:
Does anyone have insight on whether or not it makes sense to reply to a mass email interview invite? Email from training director, letting me know dates and times of interviews, says that I am allowed to call starting this Friday to set up an interview time. Started with "Dear Applicant.." so I'm not sure if it is odd or unnecessary to respond.
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I would just wait to call on Friday. I imagine TDs are getting a million emails right now and stressed with scheduling-- I wouldn't want to add an unneeded email to their inbox. But that's just my 2 cents!
 
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?
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TD here. Scheduling conflicts are not uncommon (yikes about your spam situation! I’m sorry that happened). Go ahead and reach out to the TD and explain you are in a tight spot with scheduling and wanted to know more about the options. As long as you phrase it courteously, it will be fine. We get emails like this frequently. Good luck to you!
 
Does anybody know if I can apply to externship and internship simultaneously (not at the same sites though)?
 
Official site name: John D. Dingell VA Medical Center
Date invitation received: Dec 2
Method of invitation (phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): mass email
Specialty track or site (e.g., for consortiums): general track
Interview dates offered: 12/16, 2/11, 2/19
(In honor of years past) If & how you’re staying sane:
My masochistic self got a puppy. She will be both my stress relief and my ultimate undoing (SO much pee...)
 
Neurotic&Sassy said:
Official Site Name: Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan (University of Denver GSPP Internship Consortium)
Date Invitation Received: December 2, 2020
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): mass email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): N/A
Interview Dates Offered: January 7, 8, 12, and 13th

Just got the email at 4:30 pm EST!
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Great site and great people! Lots of changes since I was there over 10 years ago. Good luck to you!
 
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All these posts have been helpful despite how discouraged I've been feeling. I've gotten 3 rejections so far, no invites, and at least 5 places I've seen mentioned on here where people have gotten invites but it's been radio silent on my end. One rejection didn't make much sense to me - they told me how impressive my application was and how it fit with the position yet rejected me.
 
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healthpsychenthusiast said:
Yes, one thought I had is since interviews are virtual perhaps applicants have applied to a greater amount of programs than in previous years (due to not having to travel). I wonder if this has increased the sheer number of applications for programs to sort through.
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I also strongly suspect this is possible, but still hope that virtual interviews remain a permanent new normal. The insane travel and cost burden was absurd with zero guarantees. Now if virtual interviews do remain a thing I hope APPIC mandates a cap on how many sites applicants can apply to like the system literally won't allow you to choose more than 15. Seriously 15 is enough, I don't care what the circumstances.

gothology said:
In addition to the suggestions offered by other insightful contributors in this thread, I also wonder if the Argosy closure is related. I know that several Argosy students were very close to completion and internship application prior to the sudden shut-down of the program. Several hundred students were delayed by one year, which may have resulted in a slightly lower applicant pool for the 2019-2020 internship class, and a slightly higher pool for the 2020-2021 class. However, I imagine these changes are largely due to effects of COVID-19 impacting traveling/interviewing. Application rates to graduate programs (at least in Clinical Psychology) have increased as well - up to 40-60% higher than in previous years.
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It would not surprise me in the least if this batch of students who seriously got screwed finally gathered what they needed to be able to apply to internship and then sent out a crapload of applications, like 25+, with the hopes of matching anywhere and getting their degree before its threatened again. I think there has been so much focus on their student debt burden no one was looking at what internship and licensing might be like for them. Now we may be seeing it and some of us may end up unintended collateral damage.

student9295 said:
What about if an applicant waited until the following year?
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I will admit that for some time waiting until the following year has been my preferred contingency plan over Phase II or Post Match. The latter two are still contingency plans and it is way too early for me to have to go the contingency route, but I do know that I am not willing to go just anywhere. I had that openness for programs and the misery that ensued has been more than anyone should ever have to endure. The following year option does have to be done strategically otherwise it won't help. With that option dissertation should be close to or totally done and perhaps another publication. If hours weren't the concern the first time around then it might make more sense to diversify the type of hours rather than just accrue more for the sake of more.
 
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Spydra said:
I also strongly suspect this is possible, but still hope that virtual interviews remain a permanent new normal. The insane travel and cost burden was absurd with zero guarantees. Now if virtual interviews do remain a thing I hope APPIC mandates a cap on how many sites applicants can apply to like the system literally won't allow you to choose more than 15. Seriously 15 is enough, I don't care what the circumstances.



It would not surprise me in the least if this batch of students who seriously got screwed finally gathered what they needed to be able to apply to internship and then sent out a crapload of applications, like 25+, with the hopes of matching anywhere and getting their degree before its threatened again. I think there has been so much focus on their student debt burden no one was looking at what internship and licensing might be like for them. Now we may be seeing it and some of us may end up unintended collateral damage.



I will admit that for some time waiting until the following year has been my preferred contingency plan over Phase II or Post Match. The latter two are still contingency plans and it is way too early for me to have to go the contingency route, but I do know that I am not willing to go just anywhere. I had that openness for programs and the misery that ensued has been more than anyone should ever have to endure. The following year option does have to be done strategically otherwise it won't help. With that option dissertation should be close to or totally done and perhaps another publication. If hours weren't the concern the first time around then it might make more sense to diversify the type of hours rather than just accrue more for the sake of more.
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I second you. I’d better apply for an externship rather than go to Schitt’$ Creek.
 
mamux said:
I second you. I’d better apply for an externship rather than go to Schitt’$ Creek.
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By externship do you mean a practicum that is done during your program, like while you also take classes? Or is it something different?
 
Spydra said:
By externship do you mean a practicum that is done during your program, like while you also take classes? Or is it something different?
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As far as I know, you can do externship (which is unpaid) when you finish your graduate courses.
 
mamux said:
As far as I know, you can do externship (which is unpaid) when you finish your graduate courses.
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In my program, practicum and externship are synonymous.

Edit: This may be because all of our clinical training opportunities are outside of our program (i.e., with academic medical centers, VA, etc in the city). However, to my knowledge this is also the typical terminology in Chicago/Chicagoland broadly.
 
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I've seen a few people, myself included, wondering about UPenn's child/developmental disabilities track interview offers since the APPIC date listed was 12/1. Below is an update posted on their website today. Fingers crossed for all of us waiting on emails!

UPDATE 12/2/2020: Interview invitations for the adult track have been sent out. Invitations for the child/developmental disabilities track will go out by 12/8. We apologize for the delay.
 
One lonely DM AND an important reminder!

Official Site Name: Weill Cornell/New York Presbyterian Hospital (Cornell Campus)
Date Invitation Received: 12/1/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): n/a, one track
Interview Dates Offered: Jan 7, 8, 11, 12
 

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student9295 said:
Do you know people who have not matched and applied to the sites that rejected previously rejected them during the next application cycle?
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My clinical supervisor (neuropsych) applied in year four for neuropsych sites and did not match. She waited a year, (6 years total) and improved her dissertation, received additional hours, and re-applied to many of the same sites. Received tons of interviews and matched at her top site. A rejection one year does not equate to a rejection the following year or in post doc, at least based on what she shared with me 🙂 .
 
neuropsychnerd15 said:
Official Site Name: Rusk Rehabilitation/NYU Langone
Date Invitation Received: 12/3/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): One Track
Interview Dates Offered: asked to specify availability between December 10 to January 22
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Congrats! I'm still waiting on this one!
 
Spydra said:
I also strongly suspect this is possible, but still hope that virtual interviews remain a permanent new normal. The insane travel and cost burden was absurd with zero guarantees. Now if virtual interviews do remain a thing I hope APPIC mandates a cap on how many sites applicants can apply to like the system literally won't allow you to choose more than 15. Seriously 15 is enough, I don't care what the circumstances.



It would not surprise me in the least if this batch of students who seriously got screwed finally gathered what they needed to be able to apply to internship and then sent out a crapload of applications, like 25+, with the hopes of matching anywhere and getting their degree before its threatened again. I think there has been so much focus on their student debt burden no one was looking at what internship and licensing might be like for them. Now we may be seeing it and some of us may end up unintended collateral damage.



I will admit that for some time waiting until the following year has been my preferred contingency plan over Phase II or Post Match. The latter two are still contingency plans and it is way too early for me to have to go the contingency route, but I do know that I am not willing to go just anywhere. I had that openness for programs and the misery that ensued has been more than anyone should ever have to endure. The following year option does have to be done strategically otherwise it won't help. With that option dissertation should be close to or totally done and perhaps another publication. If hours weren't the concern the first time around then it might make more sense to diversify the type of hours rather than just accrue more for the sake of more.
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I wouldn’t judge an entire group of students’ training and application behavior based on articles you may have read about what happened. This is likely a competitive year for a variety of reasons. It may be more productive to support each other than look for scapegoats for “collateral damage.”
 
Official Site Name: Rusk Rehabilitation/NYU Langone
Date Invitation Received: 12/3/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): i applied to both adult and child, however the email didnt specify which one i was invited for
Interview Dates Offered: asked to specify availability between December 10 to January 22
(In honor of years past) If & how you’re staying sane: trying to stay busy and prepare for interviews
 
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mamux said:
Does anybody know if I can apply to externship and internship simultaneously (not at the same sites though)?
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In what way are you defining “externship” and “internship?” And, why are you considering this? It is not possible to do both at once, based on how we define those terms.
 
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dcpsychdoc said:
In what way are you defining “externship” and “internship?” And, why are you considering this? It is not possible to do both at once, based on how we define those terms.
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I view externship as an opportunity to spend an additional year in a “practicum” outside of my program and a way to gain additional skills to be a more competitive trainee for the internship. Not getting interviews may be a sign that there are some gaps that need to be filled with additional skills. This is how I am explaining myself why I have only rejections and 0 invitations. But maybe I am wrong 🤔
 
Spydra said:
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.



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.
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What does my body size have to do with my interview?
 
Official Site Name: Clemson University CAPS
Date Invitation Received: 12/03/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Mass (appearing) email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): General track - no other options
Interview dates offered: 1/4/20-1/12/20 via Sign-Up Genius Link (45 minute interviews...I'm a little concerned about this because how will I get a feel for the site in 45 minutes? Any tips appreciated, but we shall see!)
 
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Spydra said:
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.



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.
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The comment about sleeveless shirts/arms is fatphobic. If a site does not want to work with someone because of the size of their body, then that is likely a toxic site and somewhere you do not want to be.
 
Official Site Name: Washington DC VA Medical Center
Date Invitation Received: 12/2/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): General
Interview dates offered: 1/5, 1/7, 1/8, 1/11

Official Site Name: Leavenworth VA
Date Invitation Received: 11/24/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): General
Interview dates offered: 1/7, 1/8, 1/14, 1/15

Official Site Name: Topeka VA
Date Invitation Received: 11/20/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): General
Interview dates offered: 1/6, 1/8, 1/19, 1/21

Rejected from Philly VA on 12/3 via email
 
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