Getting Started

Getting Started

The APPIC Match

  • What is the APPIC Match?

    The APPIC Match provides an orderly process to help applicants obtain positions in psychology internship programs of their choice, and to help internship programs obtain applicants of their choice.

    The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) is responsible for establishing the policies of the Match and for monitoring the implementation of the Match. The Match is administered by National Matching Services Inc. (NMS) on behalf of APPIC.

  • What's involved in participating in the APPIC Match?
    1. Identify Programs of Interest

      Applicants should investigate internship programs of interest and determine whether or not they are participating in the Match.

    2. Register to Participate in the Match

      Applicants interested in programs offering positions in the Match must register online to participate in the APPIC Match.

    3. Apply and Interview

      You must be registered for the APPIC Match before you can submit any applications to programs participating in the Match. All programs that participate in the APPIC Match use AAPI to collect applications. AAPI is a separate and distinct service from the APPIC Match, run by a different organization. Many programs use NMS Interview, which is a component of the NMS Match System, to schedule interviews.

    4. Submit Rank Order List

      After applications and interviews are complete, each applicant and program submits a Rank Order List of preferred placements in the NMS Match System. The Rank Order List indicates your order of preference for the placements you are considering.

    5. The Matching Algorithm Processes the Rankings

      NMS uses a matching algorithm to process the preferences stated on the Rank Order Lists and place individuals into positions. The matching algorithm will place you into the most preferred program on your Rank Order List that ranks you and does not fill all its available positions with applicants it prefers.

    6. Get Your Result

      Match results will be released on the Match Results Day for each Phase of the Match by email and online via the APPIC Match website.

  • Am I eligible to register for the APPIC Match?

    To register for the Match, an applicant must be from a doctoral program that is eligible to send students into the Match, and have permission to register from their Director of Clinical Training. Only doctoral programs that are APPIC Doctoral Program Associates (DPAs) are eligible to send students into the Match.

    Internships also set their own eligibility requirements for admission. You should check the APPIC Directory for information about each program's application and eligibility requirements.








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