How do I know which APA Internships I would be likely to get into?

[psyc]

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I am a second year PsyD student planning on applying for internship this fall to be completed in my 4th year. I attend The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. We are an APA accredited school but do not have a significant reputation across the country.

More about me: I have a MA in counseling psychology. I have previous experience as a case manager and a research coordinator before entering my doctoral program. I practice from a CBT perspective. My practicums include two adult OP years and one year in a high school. Next year's placement is an IP psych hospital and some assessment. I have one publication and several posters but do not want to do research as a career. I am applying in nine major cities.

My MAIN question is: how do I know which places are more likely to accept me? I know that certain places prefer PhDs as indicated on the APPIC directory. But how else do I know how competitive the programs are? I'd like to apply to a few top notch programs (Mass General where I worked previously in research, Montifiore) but know they are longshots. So I want to find a few "safety" programs. How can I tell which those might be?

THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ANYONE WHO MAY OFFER SOME INSIGHT!

 

[erg923]

There really are no more "safety" sites for internship. The numbers are so out of whack, its nothing for sites (even a CMC in Wyoming) to get well over a hundred apps for a handful of spots. Obviously, looking at the number applicants on the APPIC profile page would be a good start for gauging just how competitive a site is.

The hard fact is that you DON'T know what sites are likley to accept you. Obvioulsy, as a Psy.D with minimal research productivity, some places are going to be automatically out, but besides that, its really hard to know who might give you an interview and who wont. Much like grad school, you should apply to places that fit well with your interests, experiences, and can offer something to supplement your training and career.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I could be mis-remembering things, but I believe I recall some sites requiring that students be (at minimum) in their fourth year. Thus, I would recommend checking each program's website individually to be sure you'll meet their various application criteria.

Beyond that, I second the above post--look for sites that are a good match with your career interests and prior experiences. Basically, when choosing sites, imagine yourself answering the question, "so why did you apply here?" The site should ideally provide more in-depth training in those areas that interest you as well as opportunities to help you round out your areas of weakness/limited exposure.

In terms of competitiveness, you can glance over the numbers of applicants to interviewees to interns for the past few years, as that can give you a VERY general and incomplete idea. Also look at how the stats of past interns (when available) compare to your own. Finally, while not always the case, sites that are in "less-desirable" geographic areas often receive fewer applications, and thus may offer slightly better chances of acceptance. Mind you, this often has nothing to do with the quality of training received at the site; rather, it's just a measure of the fact that fewer people would be willing to relocate to the area. Limiting yourself only to major cities could significantly reduce your chances of matching.

Although as erg said, at this point, there don't look to be any true "safety sites" left, especially not when discussing those with APA accreditation.

 

[O Gurl]

I agree that there is no formula for internship search. However, it is helpful to:

1. Not restrict yourself geographically
2. Not restrict yourself to by setting (e.g. applying to VAs only or university counseling centers only)
3. Take advantage of the APPIC directory http://www.appic.org/directory/search_dol_internships.asp and look at the stats for trainees that these programs typically accept. Also pay attention to their degree preferences. (e.g. if a place says the clinical PhD preferred, BELIEVE them)
4. Consider the degree of fit between your interests, experiences, and their training program
5. Consider applying to a decent number of sites (at least 5) that have accepted students from your program in the past or employ alumni from your program

 

[BiggE]

i've been told by many and having finished the process myself I would say that the interview selection seems like a random process-sometimes you get an interview at a site which you thought you never interview at, but at the same time you would not be called for an interview at a "safety site". So yes, there are no safety sites anymore.

 

[docma]

Even "safety" programs will be interested in your dissertation progress and you will need to keep in mind that you will be competing with students who are in their 4th or 5th year of a doctoral program. So be sure you find a way to make your prior degree and clinical experience prior to entering the Wright clear in your cover letter--as well as your dissertation progress. In big urban/competitive sites, rule-outs like year-in-program and dissertation stage are common I believe.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You'll be at a disadvatage for a few reasons: less experience than other applicants, your program has a low APA match rate, and sites in major cities are some of the most competitive in the country.

You should ask your program director where previous students have matched, as those sites may give your application a longer look if they've had previous success with someone from your program.