20 Tips for the APA Internship Application Process

Students Applying to Internships:

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the internship application process? It's probably more manageable than you think. Based on my own experiences as an applicant and interviewer, I've compiled a list of tips that you may find useful in your application process. As a founding member of the Asian Pacific Student Network (APSN) at the Los Angeles California School of Professional Psychology, I was once invited to submit something similar to our APSN student members. What you'll find below is a modified and expanded version of what I originally offered to APSN years ago. This will hopefully help you break down the sometimes (unnecessarily) overwhelming task ahead of you into easier steps. I'd also like to invite you to submit your own comments and suggestions based on experiences with the application process. Best of luck and remember that you're not alone!

Regards,

Michi Fu, Ph.D. Past AAPA Student Board Member

The Preparation Stage

1. Perspective.

Approach the internship application process as a part time job. Take it on as if you were assigned a project that necessitates organizational and people skills. Allocate enough resources (time and money) to devote to this project. Collaborate with others and be sure to do your research.

2. Create a calendar/timeline.

Start with a working timeline. Have a calendar devoted to this process. Everything from application deadlines to interview dates goes in here. Include things like when to request transcripts, when to have letters of recommendation back from letter writers, when to have proof-reader's feedback for your essays. Pen-in inflexible deadlines. Pencil-in personal goals.

3. Create a realistic budget.

This is a costly process to undergo. Make sure you set aside funds early in the process so that you'll be able to afford travel costs, interview attire, etc. Plan on spending for smaller items as well (e.g.: copying costs, resume paper, transcript requests, postage, etc.). Check out student travel agencies geared towards job search/interview discount rates. Some travel agencies will even offer student discounted rates on three-way travel (perfect for interviewing across the country!).

4. Inquire early.

Start sending out inquiry letters or postcards as soon as possible. This is a process that starts months in advance. Think of this as applying to graduate programs all over again. You'll need enough time to gather all your resources (e.g., letters of recommendation, transcripts, application materials). You may want to rethink applying during a given year if you don't have enough time to devote to this task.

5. Do your research.

Get your own copies of the APPIC Directory, APA listing of accredited sites, and internet url's. The internet is a great resource to get preliminary information. Also, contact the site for brochures regarding mission statement, types of programs they offer, etc. Personal interviews with previous interns and current staff are always a good idea for the ¡°inside scoop.¡± Ask around among your mentors, colleagues, etc. Attend conferences to make connections with people who can give information regarding specific sites.

6. Create a support network of people going through the same application process.

This may be a life-saver, so you know you're not going insane! Have a network of at least 2 other people that you can commiserate or check-in with. You can share resources and ideas of how to problem solve through this process. You may feel isolated at certain points throughout this process so it'll be important to have a sanity check-in with some colleagues. You can even turn to those applying to the same sites on your ranking list, they may be able to understand your frustrations or excitement about specific sites more than others. (Due to the computer ranking appointments, your colleagues are not necessarily your direct competition.) You may also benefit from having a ¡°junior¡± mentor who has gone through these steps just a year or two prior and can help guide you through the hoops.

The Application Stage

7. Proof read your essays and application.

Double check all your hours and percentages on the form. If something doesn't add up right, your whole application may be tossed! It would be preferable to have more than one person read your essays. You may want to consider having someone in your field (to look for content material) as well as unrelated to your field proof read on your behalf (to watch out for grammar, structure, etc.). If you lack confidence in your own writing abilities, you may want to consider having a professional editor look over your writing. (Remember to think of this as part of a job.)

8. Don't use outrageous font, paper color, etc. to distinguish yourself from the candidates.

While there are some really cute fonts out there, this can also be very distracting and considered unprofessional. Now is not the time to purchase goldenrod stationary in bulk. It's safer to stick with your cream or white cotton bond professional stationary for your resume paper. I know, it's boring, but do you really want to look like this when describing your professional accomplishments? This is a time to let your professional accomplishments speak for themselves, do not consider this a time to show your creativity and experiment with how to send out your holiday letters.

9. Don't give more information than requested.

For example, don't include a 8x10 glossy photograph of yourself just to give your reviewers a better idea of what you look like. If you're laughing, don't. Someone has actually done this! Don't throw in extra information either. For example, if they don't have a supplemental essay question, don't give them another essay because you think it will further distinguish you from the applicants. Chances are, it will – but not necessarily in a good way. Internship application reviewers may have up to hundreds of applications to read through, they depend on being able to predict where to find the answers in the application forms based on uniformity of the applications.

10. Remember to include a cover letter.

Your cover letter should include a ¡°thank you for considering me¡± section, ¡°why we are the perfect match for one another¡± section, and ¡°please contact me if you have questions¡± section. Some of the second section may seem redundant, but this is your chance to introduce yourself. Oftentimes, your cover letter will either be your shoe in the door, or your own personal escort out of the running for the internship site. Perhaps one of the most important things to emphasize in this section is to highlight why you're choosing to apply to this particular site. What makes this so appealing to you and what do you think you have to offer in return?

11. Adhere to instructions strictly!

If the site says no more than 500 words, don't think you're the exception to this rule. Writing 1000 words will only reduce your chances of being considered. Reviewers often depend upon applicants to be succinct. If you can't get your point across within the prescribed word limits, have a colleague make suggestions after looking over a draft.

12. Identify ample and appropriate letter writers.

Even if most sites only ask for three letters, identify at least one extra person prepared to write letters on your behalf. Unfortunately, our letter writers are human and there is a chance that one may fall ill, miss the deadline, etc. Also make sure that the letter writers are appropriate for the site you're applying to. For example, get a sense of whether the site places emphasis on clinical or research work. This may mean that some of your letter writers will apply to some sites that emphasize clinical work while others will write to sites concentrating on research. Submitting more than that will make you look like you want extra attention for your application.

13. Prepare as much in advance for your letter writers.

Create packets which include pre-addressed envelopes, confidentiality seals (e.g.: ¡°The contents of this envelope are confidential if this seal remains intact upon arrival.¡±), stamps, your application essays, a letter stating what you'd like for your writers to emphasize, etc. You may want to also consider including materials, which will help them to highlight your strengths. For example, you can give them a copy of your vita, unofficial transcript, examples of your written work, excerpts of positive feedback from other professors, etc. Remember, your letter writers are doing this as a personal favor to you. Make this process as ¡°user-friendly¡± for them as possible.

The Interview Stage

14. Ask informed questions.

Sites want to know that you've done your research in advanced. Your questions at the end of the interview should reflect the knowledge you've already acquired about the site. The questions you choose is still a part of the interview. Many interviewers except you to ask informed questions, indicating that you've seriously considered their site.

15. Everyone is an interviewer.

Keep in mind that in addition to the training director and clinical staff, there are support staff or trainees that are often asked for impressions. This is done more informally and not considered an official part of the selection process, however a receptionist or current intern with a negative interaction may affect the overall impressions of the selection committee. This means: Be nice when contacting secretaries for tracking information on your application. This also means that folks in the waiting area or the halls could be your interviewers.

16. Visit the site, if possible.

Financial limitations may prevent some applicants from visiting the sites so it will be important to plan ahead with good financial planning. Set aside savings as early as possible to visit at least 1/3 of the sites you are applying to (this is an arbitrary formula based on the average number of interviews offered out-of-state). Some sites do not require an in-person interview, but if work environment is important to your job satisfaction, it may be worthwhile to conduct a site visit after you are offered an interview (and before you rank order).

17. Ranking.

Only rank sites you would not mind working for. It is acceptable not to rank all your sites, even if they interviewed you. There is a possibility you will get your last choice, so take your rankings seriously. Consider whether or not you would prefer to work at an undesirable site or wait another year for more optimal training opportunities. Just remember that you may end up with ANY of the sites that you rank. Once your rankings are sent off, it won't help to second-guess yourself. Be sure to keep a copy of your rankings, it is not enough to send off the original rankings to APPIC (things get lost in the mail easily during this process!).

The Final Stage

18. Write thank you letters to everyone and their mother.

Ok, not to their mothers, but everyone who helped in the process. This includes the letter writers, everyone you came into contact with at the site (interviewers, administrative assistant, and interns). While you need not write separate letters to everyone who helped you, you can address the letter to your primary interviewer and then ask them to relay the message to those you came into contact with during your application process.

19. Relax and trust the system.

Once you have submitted your rank order, stop second-guessing yourself and the system. The computer ranking system has been chosen by our profession for matching due to the efficiency and has largely resulted in satisfactory matching for both trainees and trainers. It's now up to the computer matching to determine the optimal matches for everyone. Worrying will not help. Instead, congratulate yourself on your efforts (perhaps celebrate with your colleagues) and relax until notification day.

20a. Pre-Notification day.

If you're one of the folks who didn't get matched during the first round, don't be discouraged. There are many excellent sites that enter Clearinghouse. Many satisfactory matches are a result of the Clearinghouse process. Think of this as an opportunity for you to gather all the resources you've used to carry you through the process thus far to help you find another potential match. This round should be easier since you have most of the materials you need from the months prior, you will just have to exercise efficiency and time limited coordination among your references. This does not mean that you are out of the running, think of this as another chance to find a potential match for internship.

20b. Notification day.

If it's possible, you may want to try and take the day off of work/school. You will need this to celebrate and/or recuperate from the process. Most likely the results will be available a few hours prior to the posted time, especially if you are located on the West coast. Make sure all your friends and family realize how special of a day this is so that they can provide extra support for you. Be sure to call your sites to thank them and inform them of how much you're looking forward to working with them. Chances are, they're just as excited to have you on board. Before you start planning your big move across the country (or town), take some time to congratulate and celebrate for all your efforts!

Remember this is a process and a part of your professional development! Use your colleagues and mentors as your resources. Enjoy the process and best of luck!

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