NPTC is excited to announce the addition of a new site in our Central Region! CoxHealth is offering one position for the 2026-2027 training year. You can read more about the site here.
Are you currently working on your application?
We asked our site Training Directors (TDs) to rank the sections of the APPIC AAPI that are most important to them in their review. You can read guidance from NPTC and our TDs below regarding the top three ranked sections. For the full overview of the application sections, visit our Application Resources page.
1. Professional Conduct/Complaint History
Sites will vary in their response to a “yes” on the professional conduct part of the application. Some sites though, will truly value your explanation. Be sure it is well written and detailed.
2. Experience
Sites do not expect you to have every competency and experience, but they do expect you to be hungry to learn new things and to be open to new experiences. Sites look at the breadth of the intern applicant’s professional and life experiences and the extent to which those experiences fit with what the site offers.
- “A variety is going to be key. I don’t think there’s going to be any exclusionary sites.”
- “We are looking for someone who comes in believing two things: 1) that you have a lot to offer and 2) that you have a lot to learn.”
- “I think how our training site fits into your long-term goals is just as relevant, if not sometimes more so, than what experiences you’ve had thus far.”
3. Letters of Reference
What do you look for in an intern applicant’s reference letters?
- “No major red flags. I am also looking for people that previous supervisors found teachable–not just open to hearing feedback, but implementing it.”
- “Reference letters stand out when the person is described as building rapport with clients, faculty and fellow students/colleagues. Also, the applicant stands out if the supervisor/professors indicate the person can work independently, take good feedback and use it, ask good questions and has a desire to learn.”
- “I look for strong endorsements by recommenders and review specific limitations they describe for the applicant’s professionalism, maturity, clinical skills, or ability to work well with others. I prefer to read specific examples of the positive attributes referenced by a recommender and judge that to be a stronger recommendation than more vague letters.”
- “I am looking for your reviewers confidence that you can perform well in a medical setting or the ability to adapt to new settings, evidence of self-directed learning, and a growth trajectory across a rotation.”
- “I’m looking for information about how the intern handles feedback, what their supervisors and references have to say about them and their work ethic. I’m looking for more personalized feedback and not just a generic reference letter. I also want to see that they highly recommend them and would want to work with them.”
- “Referencing the prospective interns character and ethical strengths, how they relate clients and fellow professionals (staff included) is helpful. Mention of strengths and areas for growth are helpful. I prefer brevity vs. a lengthy letter.”
- “Information relevant to their future goals, experience, strengths, and growth edges. We also look for insight into the applicant’s professionalism, interpersonal style, and openness to supervision.”