Beliefs about the predoctoral internship selection process: A national study of academic training directors and internship applicants

Because of the increased competition and anxiety associated with securing a clinical internship site placement, this study examined internship-related beliefs and perceptions of internship applicants. Academic training directors were also asked to indicate the degree to which they perceived their internship applicants to hold these beliefs. Significant differences were found between internship applicants and academic training directors by total score and on eight of the nine internship belief domains. Academic training directors attributed more unrealistic internship beliefs to their students than students actually endorsed. In addition, internship applicants reported many fears and stressors related to the internship selection process. Implications of the findings are discussed.