Postdoc Invitation Thread (2021-2022)

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GameOfLoans23 said:
Right!? Like, how can I, or they, rank blindly. I might ask if there is an open house or Q&A that I can attend.
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At many places, the rankings are done on application alone. The interviews generally don't change rankings much, if at all.
 
VA MIRECC advanced fellowship vs. AMC T32 for someone who wants a primarily-research career... any thoughts on factors to consider in deciding, beyond research area/mentor fit? Both would allow me to accrue supervised hours for licensure and write a CDA/K (two of my goals for postdoc).

I’m a little confused about clinical time for the MIRECC fellowships. On paper, it says 25/75% clinical/research split, but I’ve heard elsewhere that for the VA it’s actually something like 49/51% split, but some of that “clinical” time in the latter is activities like diagnostic interviewing, providing treatment as a part of research studies, etc. so it counts as “research” when they say that you’re spending 10 hours a week in direct clinical service and 30 in research.
 
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Thank you!!! However, I have many questions about the program. I feel like interview Process goes both ways. Us trainees also evaluate programs/ask questions...and that affects my rankings! I will reach out to them and ask if I can speak to a postdoc or something at least!

.
WisNeuro said:
At many places, the rankings are done on application alone. The interviews generally don't change rankings much, if at all.
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Hey everyone. How are you all preparing in advance for the quick turnaround in accepting an offer? It's so challenging doing virtual interviews to really get a sense of the program and vibe and city. Somehow I'm getting quite a few interviews (corrective experience from internship indeed!) and all of the sites have great training opportunities - I feel like I would be happy/well-trained at most of them. Anyone else in the same boat? Or feeling like the decision-making will be extra challenging (not saying I miss the match system, but...). Share your advice/ranking techniques please!
 
poodles4life said:
Hey everyone. How are you all preparing in advance for the quick turnaround in accepting an offer? It's so challenging doing virtual interviews to really get a sense of the program and vibe and city. Somehow I'm getting quite a few interviews (corrective experience from internship indeed!) and all of the sites have great training opportunities - I feel like I would be happy/well-trained at most of them. Anyone else in the same boat? Or feeling like the decision-making will be extra challenging (not saying I miss the match system, but...). Share your advice/ranking techniques please!
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I don’t know if this will help, but I think if it’s closer to where I want to eventually live. If training will be equal, I weigh the health insurance (I do have some minor health issues so coverage is important)
 
Official Site Name: Bay Pines VA
Date Invitation Received: 1/15/21
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Mass Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): Neuropsychology
Interview Dates Offered: Open House on 1/25/2021 or 2/3/2021, interview to be scheduled soon
If & How you're staying sane: 100% not staying sane
 
DrDPsyDHangingOnByAThread said:
With that in mind, should it or can it be assumed that if you get an interview for a postdoc that you will be ranked by the site?
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Unless you do something during the interview that gets you thrown in the "Do Not Rank" pile, yes, you will likely be ranked if interviewed.

PsychGirlN said:
Thank you!!! However, I have many questions about the program. I feel like interview Process goes both ways. Us trainees also evaluate programs/ask questions...and that affects my rankings! I will reach out to them and ask if I can speak to a postdoc or something at least!

.
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Definitely, especially at the postdoc level, it's a chance for both parties to get a feel for each other and see what there is to offer. My pre-rankings changed a ton after interviews, my #1 where I ended up at was ranked 4th before interviews.
 
poodles4life said:
I feel like I would be happy/well-trained at most of them. Anyone else in the same boat? Or feeling like the decision-making will be extra challenging (not saying I miss the match system, but...). Share your advice/ranking techniques please!
Click to expand...
If you feel like training is pretty equal all things considered, I'd probably use some non-clinical factors, such as interest in remaining on in a staff role if offered that opportunity later on, short and long-term geographical fit, fringe benefits, and quality of life factors (work and non-work) to help further refine my list.

On the clinical side, if some sites offer more specialized/intensive experiences in areas you may want to focus on in your career, that could boost their ranking as well.
 
poodles4life said:
Hey everyone. How are you all preparing in advance for the quick turnaround in accepting an offer? It's so challenging doing virtual interviews to really get a sense of the program and vibe and city. Somehow I'm getting quite a few interviews (corrective experience from internship indeed!) and all of the sites have great training opportunities - I feel like I would be happy/well-trained at most of them. Anyone else in the same boat? Or feeling like the decision-making will be extra challenging (not saying I miss the match system, but...). Share your advice/ranking techniques please!
Click to expand...
I’m in the same situation - and my approach changes every few days. This weekend I looked up housing options for all the programs I have interviews. I’ve also looked at work life balance, how established the site is, possibility of staying on as faculty, research opportunities and how dynamic or exciting the program would be for training. It’s super challenging!
 
Official Site Name: Salt Lake City VA
Date Invitation Received: 1/15
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): Health track
Interview Dates Offered: 1/25
 
parametric said:
VA MIRECC advanced fellowship vs. AMC T32 for someone who wants a primarily-research career... any thoughts on factors to consider in deciding, beyond research area/mentor fit? Both would allow me to accrue supervised hours for licensure and write a CDA/K (two of my goals for postdoc).

I’m a little confused about clinical time for the MIRECC fellowships. On paper, it says 25/75% clinical/research split, but I’ve heard elsewhere that for the VA it’s actually something like 49/51% split, but some of that “clinical” time in the latter is activities like diagnostic interviewing, providing treatment as a part of research studies, etc. so it counts as “research” when they say that you’re spending 10 hours a week in direct clinical service and 30 in research.
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THIS!! I’m having the same dilemma/thought process. So just know you are not alone. I am also curious about this and would love to hear other people’s thoughts, pretty please ☺️
 
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I AM SHOOKETH


Official Site Name: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Bradley Hospital
Date Invitation Received: 1/18/2021
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): DBT for Adolescents
Interview Dates Offered: They will work it out mutually, some time between now and February 11th!
If & How you're staying sane: Just jumping for joy and savoring gratitude for all the amazing sites that are somehow considering me! Also there's no time to be stressed anymore, hahaha.
 
parametric said:
VA MIRECC advanced fellowship vs. AMC T32 for someone who wants a primarily-research career... any thoughts on factors to consider in deciding, beyond research area/mentor fit? Both would allow me to accrue supervised hours for licensure and write a CDA/K (two of my goals for postdoc).

I’m a little confused about clinical time for the MIRECC fellowships. On paper, it says 25/75% clinical/research split, but I’ve heard elsewhere that for the VA it’s actually something like 49/51% split, but some of that “clinical” time in the latter is activities like diagnostic interviewing, providing treatment as a part of research studies, etc. so it counts as “research” when they say that you’re spending 10 hours a week in direct clinical service and 30 in research.
Click to expand...
I think this will depend on your career goals. Assuming they're both good fits and you feel like you would work well with your research mentor at both places, I would then prioritize the future research you want to do. If you want to do research in a VA setting, then the VA MIRECC is great. Technically on paper they're supposed to say 51% research, but as you mentioned, some of this time is doing clinical services for the purpose of research. If you want to do non-veteran research or NIH funded research, then the AMC is likely the better route to go.
 
Does anyone know if there are any APPCN match statistics as there are for the APPIC internship match? If not, does anyone have a general idea of what might be a suitable number of interviews to have in order to increase the likelihood of matching?
 
neuronoxious said:
Does anyone know if there are any APPCN match statistics as there are for the APPIC internship match? If not, does anyone have a general idea of what might be a suitable number of interviews to have in order to increase the likelihood of matching?
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This is about as good as it gets

APPCN Match | Statistics

natmatch.com natmatch.com
 
Anyone heard from UT Health- Mcgovern or Baylor Bilingual track-both for Neuropsych?
 
Official Site Name: NOLA VA
Date Invitation Received: 1/18/2021
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): PTSD
Interview Dates Offered: either 01/22 or 01/25
If & How you're staying sane: not sane
 
Official Site Name: NOLA VA
Date Invitation Received: 1/18/2021
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): PTSD
Interview Dates Offered: 1/22 or 1/25
If & How you're staying sane: so many puzzles
 
This may be a basic question, but will all sites notify the applicants who they reject for interviews like they did for internship?
 
Official Site Name: Central Arkansas VAHS
Date Invitation Received: 1/19/2021
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): PTSD
Interview Dates Offered: 2/12, 2/19
If & How you're staying sane:
 
Anyone hear from the Miami VA? I'm a bit confused by their deadline, the brochure said 1/15 but will consider and offer interviews sooner and the portal says it's a rolling deadline. I submitted my application 3 weeks ago and haven't heard I'm curious if anyone is in the same boat?
 
Official Site Name: The Menninger Clinic
Date Invitation Received: 1/19
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Mass email with personal letter attached
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): N/A
Interview Dates Offered: 2/3, 2/5, 2/10, 2/12
If & How you're staying sane: re-watching schitt's creek on netflix
 
Official Site Name: Milwaukee VAMC
Date Invitation Received: 1/19
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Mass email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): Geropsych
Interview Dates Offered: 1/26, 1/27, 1/28, 2/3, 2/8, 2/9
If & How you're staying sane: I don't think I am at this point
 
Fun update; finished my first interview and the site was very kind. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard in an interview. Also, I was surprised with the amount of confidence I spoke with...like guys, we know things...after 10+ years of formal education, we got a lot we can say about these things 🙂
 
WinterMountain91 said:
Fun update; finished my first interview and the site was very kind. I don't remember the last time I laughed that hard in an interview. Also, I was surprised with the amount of confidence I spoke with...like guys, we know things...after 10+ years of formal education, we got a lot we can say about these things 🙂
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What a great experience! Can you believe WE KNOW THINGS? That's awesome!
 
Hello. Is there a thread where we can post/see what positions have been filled already?

Thank you
 
At what point (during? after?) interviews should we inquire about how they plan to make offers and our own availability via phone/email?
 
Um, I might’ve not explained myself correctly. I was just wondering if there is a thread where we can post what positions have been filled. For example, two of my colleagues have received/ accepted offers already and I thought others might find that information helpful in case they’re waiting to hear from that site.
 
GameOfLoans23 said:
Um, I might’ve not explained myself correctly. I was just wondering if there is a thread where we can post what positions have been filled. For example, two of my colleagues have received/ accepted offers already and I thought others might find that information helpful in case they’re waiting to hear from that site.
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Post docs are definitely a vague process! This thread seems more oriented towards post docs that follow the uniform notification date. I don't see many posts for private practices or community mental health for example. You most likely need to contact the site to check availability!
 
GameOfLoans23 said:
Um, I might’ve not explained myself correctly. I was just wondering if there is a thread where we can post what positions have been filled. For example, two of my colleagues have received/ accepted offers already and I thought others might find that information helpful in case they’re waiting to hear from that site.
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I haven't seen any thread for this, but would definitely be interested in this information! It seems like this is the most active post-doc related thread these days.
 
Has anyone heard from Cambridge Health Alliance - Program for Psychotherapy?
 
norbert44 said:
At what point (during? after?) interviews should we inquire about how they plan to make offers and our own availability via phone/email?
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I've asked during interviews when they bring up if/when they bring up uniform notification day.
 
Official Site Name: Harris County Juvenile Probation
Date Invitation Received: 1/20/21
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): mass email
Specialty Track or Site: ---
Interview Dates Offered: asked to fill out application for HR before scheduling interviews

ya'll, I am over the moon. This site was a far shot for me (I didn't even get an interview when applying there for internship!) I would think what if they made a mistake in emailing me, but my name was included at the top.
 
bluecolourskies said:
Official Site Name: Harris County Juvenile Probation
Date Invitation Received: 1/20/21
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): mass email
Specialty Track or Site: ---
Interview Dates Offered: asked to fill out application for HR before scheduling interviews

ya'll, I am over the moon. This site was a far shot for me (I didn't even get an interview when applying there for internship!) I would think what if they made a mistake in emailing me, but my name was included at the top.
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I AM SO FREAKINNNN HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I had a friend who went there for internship- she is a WONDERFUL and extremely talented psychologist. Super good job!!!
 
modestmousktr said:
I AM SO FREAKINNNN HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I had a friend who went there for internship- she is a WONDERFUL and extremely talented psychologist. Super good job!!!
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Thank you so much!!! This was the other juvenile place I applied to besides clark county, so I was like omg my hopes of working in this setting are still alive!! :’)
 
Official Site Name: VA Portland HCS
Date Invitation Received: 1/20
Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email, Snapchat): Personal email
Specialty Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums): Palliative Care
Interview Dates Offered: 2/1
If & How you're staying sane: Being thankful this has gone differently than phase I of the APPIC match
 
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