What are the consequences of breaking APPIC match agreement?

[~Soñadora~]

Assume an applicant has been matched to an internship position through APPIC. However, due to personal circumstances, they are no longer able or no longer want to carry out this internship.

Assume this applicant has no interest in completing an APA accredited internship and has already secured a non-APA internship. Assume the internship they matched to is not APA accredited.

What are the consequences of this, other than being barred from the APPIC match in the future?

Does anyone know of a case of someone breaking the APPIC match in the past?

The question isn't for me. I am a physician and in the residency match, I know that applicants are required to complete the first 45 days of the program by match agreement but in theory they could go somewhere else after that. If they break the match before completing those 45 days they are then barred from the match but as far as I am aware of there are no other consequences of breaking the match. I was wondering if it is similar for APPIC or if there are other consequences or requirements of the match.

Thanks!

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[WisNeuro]

The consequence is that they get a non-accredited internship and a huge number of jobs and higher paying opportunities are closed to them. It is also much more difficult for them to get licensed or PSYPACT accreditation.

 

[~Soñadora~]

The consequence is that they get a non-accredited internship and a huge number of jobs and higher paying opportunities are closed to them. It is also much more difficult for them to get licensed or PSYPACT accreditation.

The internship they matched to is already non-accredited so it's the same either way.

 

[WisNeuro]

The internship they matched to is already non-accredited so it's the same either way.

Well, that student already hamstrung themselves, so doesn't matter much what they do at that point. What's a few more burnt bridges?

 

[silverway]

The internship they matched to is already non-accredited so it's the same either way.

APPIC membership is still one kind of stamp of approval for internship sites, albeit a lower bar than APA accreditation (as far as I know). So getting an internship that's non-APA but still an APPIC member looks better than getting an internship that's neither, and might make getting licensed or hired easier or more straightforward. My licensing board asked if my internship was either APA accredited or an APPIC member.

 

[Ollie123]

Agree with the above. In addition, there may be program-specific consequences. Last I knew, some programs "require" APA/APPIC internships. So a non-accredited internship means they flat out don't get their degree. Obviously that is very program-specific and I don't know how widespread that may be.

I have heard of one instance where a person matched, did NOT go on the internship due to personal circumstances but I believe was actually allowed to re-apply despite the policy (or at least eventually completed an internship at an accredited site somehow). I don't know any of the details or how this was handled administratively. It was a very unique/extreme circumstance (cancer diagnosis between match day and internship start) so however it happened I'm glad some flexibility was granted in that case.

 

[~Soñadora~]

Well, that student already hamstrung themselves, so doesn't matter much what they do at that point. What's a few more burnt bridges?

The student is from Puerto Rico, lives there. The student wants to remain in PR for personal/family reasons and the availability of APA accredited programs in PR is limited/most program are reserved for the students of the specific school and they were not an option available to them unfortunately. My understanding is that the lack of APA accredited internship is not an issue with the PR licensing board in the same way that it is in the US due to the particular situation of the island. The question is more are there any consequences with APPIC/legal implications/etc. and not about the benefits of APA vs non APA internship. The person is not interested in ever practicing psychology in the US, only in PR.

 

[~Soñadora~]

APPIC membership is still one kind of stamp of approval for internship sites, albeit a lower bar than APA accreditation (as far as I know). So getting an internship that's non-APA but still an APPIC member looks better than getting an internship that's neither, and might make getting licensed or hired easier or more straightforward. My licensing board asked if my internship was either APA accredited or an APPIC member.

This is helpful, thank you!

 

[~Soñadora~]

Agree with the above. In addition, there may be program-specific consequences. Last I knew, some programs "require" APA/APPIC internships. So a non-accredited internship means they flat out don't get their degree. Obviously that is very program-specific and I don't know how widespread that may be.

I have heard of one instance where a person matched, did NOT go on the internship due to personal circumstances but I believe was actually allowed to re-apply despite the policy (or at least eventually completed an internship at an accredited site somehow). I don't know any of the details or how this was handled administratively. It was a very unique/extreme circumstance (cancer diagnosis between match day and internship start) so however it happened I'm glad some flexibility was granted in that case.

Very helpful, thank you! That is definitely one way APPIC is different from the NRMP match, for resident physicians matching/completing internship/residency is completely separate from graduation from medical school/degree.

 

[WisNeuro]

The student is from Puerto Rico, lives there. The student wants to remain in PR for personal/family reasons and the availability of APA accredited programs in PR is limited/most program are reserved for the students of the specific school and they were not an option available to them unfortunately. My understanding is that the lack of APA accredited internship is not an issue with the PR licensing board in the same way that it is in the US due to the particular situation of the island. The question is more are there any consequences with APPIC/legal implications/etc. and not about the benefits of APA vs non APA internship. The person is not interested in ever practicing psychology in the US, only in PR.

They'd have to check with the Puerto Rico statutes in that case. As to other consequences

"Violations of the policies of the Match may result in a formal complaint submitted to APPIC. The APPIC Board may decide to impose penalties on those who violate the policies. Furthermore, applicants could be subject to disciplinary actions by their doctoral programs, and applicants and programs could be subject to legal action by APPIC and/or other Match participants."

 

[~Soñadora~]

They'd have to check with the Puerto Rico statutes in that case. As to other consequences

"Violations of the policies of the Match may result in a formal complaint submitted to APPIC. The APPIC Board may decide to impose penalties on those who violate the policies. Furthermore, applicants could be subject to disciplinary actions by their doctoral programs, and applicants and programs could be subject to legal action by APPIC and/or other Match participants."

Thanks! That's helpful. The language is so vague it's hard to imagine what that might mean, it could mean anything. It seems to be a fairly rare occurrence in the APPIC match, in the medical side I have heard of multiple cases of this happening and it is easier to find information on it. I thought it might be similar but I guess the answer is no! Seems much more complicated in terms of repercussions.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks! That's helpful. The language is so vague it's hard to imagine what that might mean, it could mean anything. It seems to be a fairly rare occurrence in the APPIC match, in the medical side I have heard of multiple cases of this happening and it is easier to find information on it. I thought it might be similar but I guess the answer is no! Seems much more complicated in terms of repercussions.

Based on my prior involvement in training--interns being dismissed or otherwise leaving sites, even in accordance with APPIC rules, is rare; I don't know if I've ever heard of an intern leaving a program without permission; so I would say yes, it's exceedingly rare.

Generally speaking, and from first-hand experience, dismissals and other situations in which an intern leaves an internship are handled on a case-by-case basis and are taken very seriously, with direct involvement from leadership of APPIC, the internship site, and the graduate program. I don't know that APPIC is able to levy any punishments against the student beyond permanently barring them from the match. But as was said above, there could also be punishments from the graduate program, in part because APPIC might choose to somehow sanction the grad program in addition to the student. I've not heard of that happening, but as I said, I've also never heard of an intern violating the match agreement, and I have to imagine any punishments would be kept private.

 

[thebalmofhurtminds]

Agree with the above. In addition, there may be program-specific consequences. Last I knew, some programs "require" APA/APPIC internships. So a non-accredited internship means they flat out don't get their degree. Obviously that is very program-specific and I don't know how widespread that may be.

I have heard of one instance where a person matched, did NOT go on the internship due to personal circumstances but I believe was actually allowed to re-apply despite the policy (or at least eventually completed an internship at an accredited site somehow). I don't know any of the details or how this was handled administratively. It was a very unique/extreme circumstance (cancer diagnosis between match day and internship start) so however it happened I'm glad some flexibility was granted in that case.

I very much hope we know the same person this happened to, not that it has happened more than once.

 

[GregK]

The individual is welcome to consult with me about the situation and to discuss options.

I will say that, in general, APPIC is very clear with students and programs that participating in the Match means that they are entering a binding, contractural commitment and strictly enforces that. Having said that, there are also certain circumstances, such as a life-threatening medical condition, in which other options could be considered. I am always open to consulting with someone about their circumstances and options.

You should not assume that any aspect of the medical Match applies to the APPIC Match, as they are entirely different. For example, I've never heard of the 45 day thing, and that isn't a part of APPIC's policies.

Greg