Community Corner – September 2020

Author: Ivy Cho

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The Community Corner for September is all about internships and post-docs! Below you will find information regarding statistics, COVID-19 related changes, and any additional thoughts compiled from our Student Committee. 

INTERNSHIP

Match Statistics

General Match Statistics 2020

  • Match Results (Acceptance %)
    • Combined Phase I/II: 96%
    • Applicants from Canadian Programs: 94% 
      • 97% matched to a Canadian program
      • 3% matched to a US-based program 

COVID-19 Related Changes

Categorization of Telemental Health Intervention and Assessment Hours 

  • Videoconferencing-based Telemental Health Services
    • Remains unchanged and counts as direct face-to-face hours
  • Telephone-based Telemental Health Services 
    • New as of March 2, 2020
    • Can be categorized into Telephone-based Telemental Health Intervention or Assessment 
      • Will be asked to indicate the total number of hours for each category accrued since March 2, 2020
  • Text messaging-based
    • Classified under support hours not direct hours 

Recommendations from the APPIC Board of Directors (summarized below)

  • Competencies: Applicants must still meet competency requirements to apply.
  • Evaluation of Applicants: In addition to minimum hour requirements, other factors/variables should be considered in the evaluation of candidates.
  • Exclusive Use of Remote and/or Virtual Interviews/Recruitment Formats: Remote and/or virtual interviews are highly encouraged. 
  • Access: Programs are encouraged to provide access to the necessary resources for their trainees for remote/virtual interviews. 
  • Public Materials: Accurate description of the program (and additional COVID-19 related updates) is encouraged to be reflected in program materials.
  • COVID-19: The impact of COVID-19 should be described in any public program materials. In addition, it should be indicated if trainees are considered to be “essential” employees and the responsibilities associated with this status. 

Questions 

  1. What is one thing you know now that you wish you knew before applying? 
    1. I didn’t have to record every single clinical and supervision hour. It is okay to estimate if hours are predictable from week to week. But it is important to record the number of each test administered and patient demographics.
    2. Most neuropsychology trainees think neuropsychology-focused internship sites only do assessment work, but while I cannot speak for all the sites, it is equally important to be able to remember and articulate your psychotherapy/ intervention cases and experiences during interview because most “neuro” sites still require interns to do some level of psychological intervention/cognitive rehab work.
    3. I do want to emphasize that this is a financially expensive process but going to the site in person is really helpful to get a better sense if you want to live and work there with the neuropsychology department for the next year.
  2. Is there one piece of information you did not include, but wish you had included in your application?
    1. I was advised to include everything that I am involved in, all research, clinical, and administrative work. This inclusion was very helpful as sites had different interests from my CV.
  3. Do you have any advice on how to prepare for the internship application process?
    1. Start early and create a timeline for yourself. Make sure to take time on the cover letters as well as the essays. Take time to self-reflect on your priorities regarding training, quality of life, as well as any other variables when ranking internship. Do not forget about self-care!
    2. I recommend doing extensive research on the sites, so you can tailor each cover letter.
    3. Keeping a very detailed and up-to-date record of all assessment tools administered throughout your doctoral training!
    4. Psychological preparation: Don’t stress too much on the number of sites you “should” apply for and the number of interviews you get. Fit and connection with the site’s training and supervisors are important. Ultimately, you only need one site of training to complete internship training! 
    5. Talking to the current interns at the internship site during interviews can reveal a lot about the level of work and learning satisfaction – something not always written on brochures!

POST-DOC

Match Statistics

General Match Statistics 2020

  • Applicants
    • Participated in the Match: 160
    • Applicants Matched: 111 (69%)
    • Average Number of Rankings Submitted per Applicant: 
      • Matched applicants: 6.7
      • Unmatched applicants: 3.1
      • Overall: 5.6
  • Programs
    • Number of Residency Sites Participating in the Match: 85
    • Number of Programs Participating in the Match: 102 
    • Number of Positions Offered in the Match: 128

Questions

  1. Are there other external factors that I should consider before deciding where I apply for my post-doc? 
    1. Geography, whether the fellowship abides by the Houston conference guidelines (if you want to be board certified), whether you want to focus on research or clinical, whether there is a specific population you want to specialize in (e.g., epilepsy), whether you can acquire skills needed for independent practice (want more independence).
  2. What are the advantages/disadvantages of APPCN match and non-match sites?
    1. APPCN:
      1. Advantages: less documentation needed for board certification later.
      2. Disadvantages: feel like there is less control in which site you end up in; longer wait for final placement
    2. Non-APPCN: opposite of above
  3. Does it matter if the state of the postdoc training is not the state that I want to practice in?
    1. No, you can take the EPPP and apply for licensure in the state you do want to practice in.

Some additional resources are: 

  • Navigating Neuropsychology podcast (53| Internship Preparedness, Applications, and Interviews – With Dr. Suzanne Penna) 
  • Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (Downloadable Materials)
  • KnowNeuropsychology (Lectures)
  • Summary of sites offering the opportunity to work with Mandarin Chinese speaking clients (provided by Jackson Hsu). This was previously sent out on the listserv, but we are re-attaching the document again here for those who may have missed it! 
  • Past community corner posting with additional information on internship applications. The document is attached to this email.