Research output for matching at neuro internship

[BrainStormer]

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Looking to receive current information on how important research output is in an application for securing a solid neuro internship (with some protected research time) at an AMC or VA. What's the range of pubs and posters I should aim for? I know the mode is 0, but this seems to not be the case for those pursuing neuro.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I haven't reviewed apps in a few years, but I'd say it'd be nice to have at least a couple pubs (not necessarily all first author) and a handful or more (e.g., maybe 5-10) of posters at regional and national conferences.

From my perspective, if I saw that, I'd think the person had at least decent research output.

 

[RxPsych]

I haven't reviewed apps in a few years, but I'd say it'd be nice to have at least a couple pubs (not necessarily all first author) and a handful or more (e.g., maybe 5-10) of posters at regional and national conferences.

From my perspective, if I saw that, I'd think the person had at least decent research output.

Do non-neuro pubs/posters count as part of this? I will likely have 3 first author pubs (as well as around 3 second-third author) in well known assessment and SMI journals, and maybe 1 will be neuro-related. Conference presentations will likely be similar, though maybe more. This is mainly due to a lack of neuro research opportunities but plenty neuro clinical opportunities.

 

[BrainStormer]

This is mainly due to a lack of neuro research opportunities but plenty neuro clinical opportunities.

Are your prac supervisors involved in research? I know a couple people in my program who hopped on research projects with their prac supervisors and came out with 3 additional pubs. Then again, those supervisors were employed at an R1 AMC that had resources and funding.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Do non-neuro pubs/posters count as part of this? I will likely have 3 first author pubs (as well as around 3 second-third author) in well known assessment and SMI journals, and maybe 1 will be neuro-related. Conference presentations will likely be similar, though maybe more. This is mainly due to a lack of neuro research opportunities but plenty neuro clinical opportunities.

Broadly speaking, yes. Neuro-focused pubs are ideal, but any amount of research productivity is going to be appreciated. The challenge there will then be explaining how/why you're interested in neuropsych despite the non-neuro research. If you've have neuro-related practicum experiences throughout grad school, that probably be will be less of an issue.

 

[jdawg2017]

I was just talking with my internship TD and another mentor (also a TD). It does seem to anecdotally be a stronger expectation to have evidence of research productivity in neuropsych vs. the broader clinical/school/counseling psych tracks, but not a must and it definitely does not offset the necessity for well-rounded externship training and other foundational clinical skills.

FWIW - having a dissertation that will be defended (or close to defended) before internship begins is something that I know a lot of folks perceive as valuable given that the internship year is a full-time gig (and often well over 40+ hours per week), leaving you little time to practice effective self-care or engaging in additional opportunities (e.g., student governance roles) if you have your dissertation hanging over your head.