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Many applied clinical, counseling, or school psychology doctoral programs require a one-year predoctoral internship prior to completing your degree. But what does this process entail?
The most common way to get an internship is through a computerized application run by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). Each year, students apply to programs in the fall (most deadlines are in November and December) and are invited to interviews in December and January. One of the primary steps in applying for internship is completing the APPIC Application for Psychology Internships (AAPI). You can see an event timeline here. |
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After interviews, students rank their prospective sites in order of preference, and programs rank their prospective applicants in order of preference. Then, a computer program takes the rankings and “matches” students to programs based on their rankings. This computerized match is run by National Matching Services (NMS). The match day is usually set for a Friday in February; students and programs are notified of their matches via email on that day. Internships usually start in the summer or fall of the internship year and last 12 months.
PLANNING INTERVIEW TRAVEL
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PACKING TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS
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How do you get to your interviews? For most of us, it meant scheduling flights and perhaps event renting a care. When scheduling flights, be sure to compare traditional airline searches against aggregate search engines. Some companies, such as Southwest, allow you to change your itinerary for free so you could book during a sale and always change the flight later. Either way, be mindful of the time of year and potential for inclement weather, and leave yourself plenty of "breathing room" on layovers in the event of a flight delay or cancellation.
To minimize the personal and financial impact of travel, consider staying with friends/family. Also, instead of traveling back and forth between your home city, consider several one-way tickets from interview city to interview city. It may be cheaper (and less stressful) to spend another day in a hotel then fly home. Also: to rent or not rent? The benefits of renting a car primarily means that you are able to transport yourself at will. The downside: car rentals can be expensive, and it also may be stressful to try to navigate a new and perhaps large city. Parking at large medical centers can also be confusing and time-consuming - and cost money. Check out the public transportation options in your interview cities, which can often be found as links on the airport websites. You may also consider checking out the expense of taxi fares, and comparing against sites like Uber and Lyft. |
Assess your professional attire. Seriously, when's the last time you bought a suit? For most of us, it was doctoral interviews years ago! If needed, purchase new clothes, shoes, or accessories. Three words: Black Friday sales! You can get great deals on nice suits that you could make last through postdoctoral fellowship and perhaps even job interviews in the next couple of years. When planning your interview day attire, remember that conservative is best. You want to stand out from everyone based on the achievements on your curriculum vitae - not on a bright green blazer, or a dangly and sparkly pair of earrings.
Take a look at your travel gear. Do you need a new suitcase? New briefcase? What might you need to stay comfortable? Things applicants report that have been helpful for them include: - Comfortable shoes (ladies, consider a wedge heel or flats) - Suit cover should any toiletries leak in your baggage. - Tide pen or "Shout" wipes for stain removal. - Travel-sized lint roller. - Earplugs for noisy neighbors on the airplane or in the hotel. - Wipes, antibacterial gel, or Halo spray to keep germs away. - Red removal eyedrops, portable room humidifiers for dry air. - Pack a home dry cleaner kit. Many hotels have laundry rooms...just pop a kit in the dryer with your suit and it's as good as new! |