I_love_brains
Full Member
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Same! [emoji16]
APPIC thread?
Started by suzypep
Same! [emoji16]
I_love_brains
Full Member
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
I really appreciate you sharing your experience and I am glad you were able to find options and apply this cycle. I agree that disability as a whole is embarrassingly not discussed enough in our field, yet we get the referrals from everywhere else when someone is having trouble adjusting to anything disability-related.
Random question that I didn't see addressed previously... for those applying out of their area, how are y'all judging the locations? I've thought about perusing citydata or even individually traveling to the areas I'm likely to rank higher. but is anyone else concerned about diversity, safety, food, housing?...
I haven’t crunched any numbers but I did screen sites based on certain criteria. I chose places that were close to loved ones or easily accessible (e.g., major airport). Cost of living was the number one factor, so my sites are generally clustered in certain geographic regions. I looked up apartments in each area on different websites and compared that to my current location, which is very affordable. Everywhere else will be more expensive but I expected that. In terms of diversity, I looked up demographic trends and applied to sites with significant % of people of color. And got in touch with people of color I knew grew up in or near these places. I also did some browsing to see what I could find in the way of other aspects of diversity, for example LGBTQ+ resources, resources for different religious groups, etc.
In addition to what everyone else has suggested I looked for ethnic restaurants, religious options, refugee resources, trends on relationship status, what singles say about the area (in terms of dating, things to do), transplant trends, what the locals suggest are must see/do's for visitors, where low income resources are, trends in poverty rates, what the primary employment industries are, obesity and other health trends, and local shopping options. Not all of that is stuff I personally need, but it gives me a sense of what other people are there and have access too.
Yes! I was just looking up one area with <10% black population and >53% of those in poverty... oof.
In terms of looking for internship locations, be broad, just aim for the best training that will give you the most flexibility career-wise. Save the fine grained details for when you settle down longer term for an adult job. Don't hamstring yourself this early in the game.
As someone who belongs to multiple minority groups, location (including COL) was the #1 criterion for me. It comes down to general safety moving around where I live, doing day-to-day things. There’s great training in many places, especially if you don’t have interests that are too niche. I don’t believe I’ve missed out on some one of a kind training experience by making this a priority.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I definitely relate to this. I know figuratively we should be able to live anywhere for a year but, speaking as a disabled person reliant on public transportation, this isn't the case for many of us. It is very important to prioritize your daily safety and comfort regardless of the period you'll be living somewhere.
I completely agree with this and this has been a big concern for me. The Society for Black Neuropsychology is actually hosting a webinar for minority students approaching interviews and internship considerations in general on Monday if you're interested! May be a good place to ask question related to these issues. I know I'll be asking some of my own.
Perfectly fine, but sometimes people get way too tied up on minutiae of location and discard top training sites in their areas. For example, New Haven is a terrible location IMO, but that name and letters of rec will help you later on. I would personally rather not like where I live for one year *which will be very busy anyway) in order to set myself up to live wherever I want after internship and command a good salary while doing so.
I happen to be from that area and think it’s a great place to live, particularly for people of color. But Yale (and other local programs) isn’t the only good training site to launch a good career from. And only so many interns can go there anyway, that the large majority will miss out simply for lack of spots.
Myself and others have brought up important issues that go beyond minutiae. Many people live in less than ideal locations for short periods of time, whether for college, grad school, internship, or post-doc, and suffer for it because of issues rooted in much larger, systemic factors. We are fully grown adults helping each other out and giving each other more things to think about. Apps are already submitted for almost everyone, so the locations we have to choose from are already locked in. Your comments come off as dismissive.
Speaking only for myself, something like this is helpful to know in terms of housing options. Internship stipends are not designed for us to live like royals, but if the only affordable housing options are concentrated in neighborhoods that are also food deserts, other resources are limited, there's no hospital nearby, and it doesn't seem like there is any real effort to revitalize (and no I don't mean gentrify) that area then its probably not where I want to be.
This was also a large factor for me because I am applying to places where I won't have family or friends nearby (just like when I applied to programs), and I am a minority woman traveling and living alone. While I won't live a life afraid to venture out in the world, I also want to make the best choices I can. I want to be somewhere that I feel safe at home, going to and from the inevitable evening shift, using public transit, and engaging in any other normal tasks anyone else does. I ruled out a number of sites because when I visited the area I did not feel safe there at all and I have zero regrets about that. I don't care how great the training may be, my well-being comes first.
Are applicants with other minority identities and different specialties welcome to attend this? If so I would appreciate the registration details.
Take the comments however you choose to do so, just as you can take the advice however you choose to do so. Que sera, sera.
Don’t be so hard on @WisNeuro; they have a bad tendency of displaying a supercilious attitude on these forums
Don’t be so hard on @WisNeuro; they have a bad tendency of displaying a supercilious attitude on these forums
I love how you had to make an alternate account to say that. Makes me feel special 😉
Would love to know this as well, @babkelneuro!
An odd way to respond. I will stop commenting on this and contributing further to the derailment.
I’d like to see this thread get back to its purpose—a space for applicants to bond as we go through this journey together 🙂
SubCorNeuroGal
Full Member
Below is the email about internship interviews to help prepare minority trainees 🙂
Dear all,
ANST in collaboration with the Society for Black Neuropsychology (SBN) are hosting a free webinar to help prepare minority trainees with internship interviews this Monday, November 16th at 5pm EST | 2PM PST.
Please register today at bit.ly/intern-prep. Those who register will be emailed the meeting link prior to the event. This webinar will be recorded and made available for those who cannot attend.
For more information, please see the attached flyer or email us at [email protected].
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
The board is open, applicants like to ask those reviewing their applications questions. It's ok, you can take the advice you want and ignore the advice you don't want.
Amazing! Thank you!
I appreciate learning from everyone's insight/input and I think it's just overall a stressful time
For myself, I found it interesting to note that some sites don't weigh interviews very heavily given the feedback I've been given from TDs I know, but that just goes to show how everyone has such divergent opinions
We'll all get through this! I haven't heard from anyone yet so it's cool to see others' interviews rolling in
For myself, I found it interesting to note that some sites don't weigh interviews very heavily given the feedback I've been given from TDs I know, but that just goes to show how everyone has such divergent opinions
We'll all get through this! I haven't heard from anyone yet so it's cool to see others' interviews rolling in
Variable depending on the site. IME for neuro, quality of practica, letters, and quality of research activity were by far the main factors (assuming decent fit with site).
If I had to guess, I would say:
~1. Cover letter and CV (e.g., clinical AND research experience/match)
~2. Hours and quality of practica
3. Letters of rec
4. Essays and interviews
5. Transcripts
I think the continued importance of research match for internship is something that's not talked about enough within doctoral programs, even more research intensive programs.
Last edited:
I would definitely agree. I've always worked/supervised at sites with active research components, so that had to be a factor. Also, neuro is a specialty which definitely requires a good research foundation to know what you are doing and to properly evaluate new and existing measures. If you don't have some meaningful research activity, you were not even considered at our sites.
This certainly happens, but there do seem to be a larger than average number of programs extending deadlines. From the updates I’ve seen, the programs are indicating a reduction in hours required for assessment or intervention due to the pandemic.
foreverstudent13
New Member
After submitting many of my applications, I realized I used 1.5 spacing instead of single spacing for my essays and cover letters...will this significantly impact how my applications are reviewed? I'm so frustrated with myself for overlooking this 🙁
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Not likely [emoji846]. We care about your interests, goals, experiences, and how well suited you are to the training program. Give yourself a break. If that is the worst thing you overlooked, I think you’re going to be just fine. Hang in there.
I truly can't imagine why this would be a problem. You got this!!
This probably forced you to sell yourself more concisely, which doesn't seem like a bad thing given how many applications sites go through. Any site that dings you for something this petty does not deserve you.
It may be an unpopular view, but I think it would be great if the US had a single interview notification day as well. Otherwise I'm keeping busy with dissertation, other research projects, clients, classes, cooking from the freezer/pantry, and packing.
I would agree with this as long as it was in the first half of November 🙂 maybe deadlines could be shifted a couple of weeks earlier too.
PsychStudent0218
Full Member
I've been spending much more time exploring new outdoor spots for hiking/swimming, because the further I can get with my dog into nature and away from electronics the less I can obsessively check my email hahaha Avoidance maybe? But it works for me 🙂 And I recently got into HBO's The Undoing if anyone likes a good drama/mystery! Good luck to all of you 🙂 We'll get through it one way or another!
Location was also very important to me during internship/postdoc. The National Latinx Psychological Association hosts something similar to SBN's webinar and put together a spreadsheet of sites which answered our inquires about training/practice/supervision opportunities in Spanish - see attached. This might be less helpful now that applications are in and it might help folks narrow down options later in the process.
Thank you! I will be sure to check that thread out. Is December usually the time we get offers for interviews?
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
I think this is such a good question. I’m a current intern and we’re trying so hard to keep applicants engaged throughout the day and get a feel of the place. I would say make sure to talk to the interns and it would be a red flag if they’re not available. For my rankings, I weighed staff interacted with interns and interpersonal comfort heavily. I think during the online interviews you can still get some of that. I also think asking about how training has been adjusted during COVID and how they’ve kept the interns safe are some big questions. More than happy to chat in PMs if you want! Good luck with the process.
Off the top of my head:
- Ask current interns about the level of support for postdoc apps/first-job prep and other non-clinical things (e.g., career development didactics, EPPP prep or support).
- Ask current interns how rotation selections are handled and what happens if multiple people want to do a rotation and there isn't space/time to accommodate everybody.
- Ask if any of the listed rotations/clinical options were not available this year and what the plan is for next year.
- Do you get dedicated time to work on dissertation? Are you allowed to or encouraged to do so if you have down time at work?
- Some sites have opportunities for research so if you're interested, ask about eligibility (I believe that you had to have defended your dissertation at my internship to do the research rotation).
- Some sites are very encouraging and supportive about allowing interns/staff to use leave while others may make it more restrictive since they may rely more on interns to provide clinical services.
Okay, so I'm one of the few that have received all rejections so far. Waiting to hear back from four sites but I want to think ahead regarding phase II if/when things don't work out. Since we only have about 6 days(after match day) to submit our applications for phase II I wonder if we have to send out a request to our recommenders all over again like we did in phase II or if there is a way to re-submit and/or choose from the old ones we already have....does anyone have any info about this?
According to the APPIC info you can use the same LORs and the same essays. I'm guessing there will be an option to just attach these because it would make zero sense to have letter writers resubmit the same letter. There are no supplementals which is nice, but new cover letters are a must.
Hopefully you have a good DCT to guide you through Phase II, if not look at the APAGs workbook which has tips for this process and find out who else in your department or at practicums you can reach out to for guidance.
Sorry to hear that but glad to see you be proactive.
If you haven't done it already, I'd really recommend working closely with your DCT and advisor to 'autopsy' why you didn't receive invites, especially if you feel in the dark about how your application is being viewed. This could also be a good time to solicit brief feedback from a few select sites, especially if you felt like you were a great fit for them. A Aot of training DCTs are very busy now but they most likely got into their roles due to wanting to help and mentor future psychologists.
And for LORs, I like to see both congruence between what an applicant says and what their writers say, as well as getting more details on objective facts (like how you approach the assessment process to complement your hours/instruments).
If you decide to solicit new recs, you could share your AAPPI and ask your original writers if they can amend their letters by adding their perspectives on things you're highlighting about yourself (if they did not speak to some of those elements originally).
Good luck!
Thank you this is helpful!
These are some really good points. I reached out to some sites to ask for feedback regarding my application, so I hope they have the time to contact me as I think that would be so helpful.
Appreciate the advice!
I'm a bit confused about ranking. I applied to only one track at a site that I was offered an interview for. However, when I attended the Q&A about the track, the director encouraged us to rank another track with it, and to let them know which tracks we are going to rank at the time of interview. I am confused about how this works. Could I still rank a track that I did not officially apply for? Also, how much am I allowed to disclose about rank with the site?
Many times separate tracks will have their own match IDs, meaning that applicants rank individual tracks rather than an entire site. So, there's no need to indicate your preference to the site, because everything would just happen during the match process. Applicants can technically rank any site or track, even ones they never applied to; however, (obviously) those sites would not rank the applicant.
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
