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Application Process

The materials found on this web page and the standardized APPIC application make up the internship program application packet. The program is a participant in the APPIC Internship Matching Program. Our Program Code Number for the Internship Matching Program is 160411. This program and website strictly abides by the APPIC Match Policies.

To be eligible for the internship program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Currently enrolled in a doctoral program in counseling psychology or clinical psychology
  • Successful completion of comprehensive examinations
  • Approved for internship by your academic training director

Questions should be directed to Director of Training, Laura Miller at lauramiller@vt.edu or 540-231-6557.

EEO Statement:

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061.

Your application must include:

  • The fully completed AAPI Online Application Form
  • Cover letter describing your interest in this internship and how the program is a match for your training goals
  • All official graduate transcripts
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty member or clinical supervisor within your doctoral program and at least one letter must be from an outside clinical supervisor (such as a practicum or externship supervisor not affiliated with your program). It is preferable that at least 2 letter writers have directly observed your clinical work with clients.

Only those applicants who have completed an APPIC Applicant Agreement and have registered for this match can be matched to this internship. If you are in the process of applying to this program and have not yet requested materials describing the APPIC Internship Matching Program, you can access the necessary materials and agreement form from the APPIC Internship Matching Program website.

Completed applications should be submitted via the APPIC electronic submission process.

The deadline for all application materials is November 1. Applications will be reviewed and applicants selected for interview will be contacted by December 15. Formal interviews are scheduled for early January. Match Day is in late February, at which time official offers will be made.

In adherence to university policy, matched applicants must subsequently complete a university employment application and the successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

The intern training year begins August 10 and ends on August 9 of the following year.

When applications are received, a team of staff and interns review each application. The review gives consideration of the quality of letters of recommendation, practicum and other relevant experience, GPA, dissertation progress, training goals detailed in the cover letter, personal statements, and overall match.

After individual review, a meeting of the reviewers is held to discuss each applicant and together it is decided which applicants will be invited to interview. Applicants who are not invited to interview are no longer under consideration and will be sent a notification via email. Notifications are made to all applicants by December 15.

Applicants remaining under consideration are notified via email and offered an opportunity to interview. Interviews will be scheduled during early January, and conducted via Zoom. Applicants needing further accomodations should contact the Training Director.

Interviews follow a standard format. Interviews are scheduled for a half day. Each applicant rotates through a series of meetings with small teams of interviewers, as well as meeting separately with the training director and the current interns. Interviewees should be prepared to answer general questions about their interest and preparation, as well as respond to practice-based questions such as clinical scenarios and role play. Interviewees are welcome to contact specific staff directly if they have additional questions after their interview.

Following the interviews, each applicant is again evaluated and ranked independently by staff and intern interviewers and individual rankings submitted by each reviewer for compilation. A subsequent meeting of all reviewers is held to discuss their evaluations of each applicant and at this meeting, a final decision is made concerning whether an applicant remains under consideration or is dropped from consideration. For the applicants that remain under consideration, a final rank order is determined by consensus of reviewers. The Training Program participates in the National Matching process and the rankings are submitted electronically to NMS by the prescribed deadline.