Oh,
@PSYDR...you are incorrigible.
First
@albpsych85 - Make sure you thoroughly read each program's brochure...don't ask questions about info that is already printed. Reading the brochures gives you a jumping off point for asking individualized relevant questions, and definitely shows you've done your homework (it's the beginning to the end...just kidding), and shows your deepened interest in that particular program.
So, some good questions for doctoral program admissions (it's been a while for me...), for any program, are:
1) Do you begin an externship in the first year? (Some programs don't; but mine did...I personally liked starting in the 1st year b/c you jumped into the clinical work).
2) In relation to the model of the program (i.e., scientist-practitioner, scholar-professional, etc. - Know this about each place you interview...if it not clear, ask...), how does this program mainly train you, and where are most of the graduates? (e.g., university-based professors, clinicians in private practice, clinicians/ researchers in academic medical centers/ AMCs, etc.).
3) What qualities are they looking for in an applicant? (This assesses for what existing qualities they want you to possess coming in...and you can consider if you actually are demonstrating those qualities in the interview- Wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
4) What are the available opportunities to publish and contribute to scholarly work? (This is a personal favorite b/c if you are interviewing at a slacker program, they will not have anything to say or you will smell the BS miles away. However, if the program is solid, they will be confident in their scholarly contributions to the field, and then, you learn and get excited about the chance to work with someone who trained with Edna Foa/trauma, or Nancy McWilliams/psychodiagnostics...some of my personal favorite researchers/ authors/contributors).
5) Again, if it is not clear, ask about the conceptual models (i.e., are you going to be trained in a foundation of behavioral theories, psychodynamic theories, more cognitive theories) and is there any flexibility? My program would've said 'we'll train you psychodynamic conceptualization, but we will expect you to pursue and enhance your cognitive-behavioral techniques'). Because, to me, at the end of the day... when these approaches are combined, they become useful to understand the most effective way to build an alliance and to develop interventions with the patient you are treating. There is never a one-size-fits-all in psychology.
Programs will have strength in one main area or another, but you want that clearly defined up front to align with your existing worldview (i.e., my business-minded husband would suck at a psychodynamic program b/c he's all about 'get over that, move on'...but, that's his worldview, so I would recommend a more behavioral program for him, if he pursued a second career. But, no worries. He's not.)
That's all I can come up with for now (in addition to the sage advice from above). If anything else compelling pops up, I'll be back.