Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers

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About APPIC > Postdoctoral > APPIC Postdoc UNDr > UNDr Policy

Uniform Notification Date with Option for Reciprocal Offer (UNDr)
March 14, 2012



UNDr Procedure


All APPIC non-neuropsychology postdoctoral programs (those that do not offer the specialty of clinical neuropsychology) will make offers to applicants only on the APPIC selected date for offers. Programs may make an exception if an applicant is made another earlier bone fide offer, which must follow the guidelines below. On March 14, 2012 at Noon EST, the program will call their top candidate. Once an offer is made to an applicant, the applicant may proceed with one of the following actions: accept the offer, decline the offer, or hold the offer for four hours. If the position is held, it is considered to be frozen and cannot be offered to any other candidate during that time period. (At the four hour mark, the candidate must either accept or decline, otherwise the offer is no longer valid). Candidates may not hold more than one offer at a time. Once a candidate accepts an offer they should call the remaining programs that are lower on their preference list and inform them that they no longer wish to be considered at those facilities. Postdoctoral Training Directors (or their designee) will contact all applicants by phone or e-mail on the day of the UND to inform them of the status of the position. After a site and an applicant come to an agreement, a formal offer letter will be mailed to the applicant who will then formally accept the offer in writing.

Reciprocal Offers Process

Candidates who have been made an offer from a non-APPIC site (whether clinical or research postdoc or job offer) requiring a decision prior to UND date may contact an APPIC site request a reciprocal offer. The candidate would indicate the name of the program making the competing offer and how long they have been allowed to hold their offer. Before making a reciprocal offer to the candidate, the APPIC site should call the candidate's Internship Training Director and verify the offer or ask the applicant for written verification of the competing offer (e.g., a faxed or scanned letter or a forwarded e-mail).

When an APPIC program makes a reciprocal offer, the candidate is expected to accept immediately. The acceptance is binding. If a program declines to make a reciprocal offer, only then is the candidate permitted to contact another site indicating it is (now) their #1 choice.


Application Deadlines

Application deadlines are permitted at any point prior to UND as determined by each program.


Notification of Applicants Who are No Longer Being Considered

APPIC programs should notify applicants at the point that they are out of consideration for the position for which they have applied.


UNDr Posting by APPIC Postdoctoral Members

By September 24, 2011, APPIC postdoctoral programs are expected to update their brochures, website, and directory information to explain their use of the UNDr process.


Programs who Wish to Make Offers after UND

Programs are permitted to make offers after UND if they are uncertain of funding at time of UND.


Clearinghouse

No clearinghouse will be set up during this initial year. Programs that do not fill positions on UND may fill their empty positions on any future date.



UNDr Frequently Asked Questions


Does the UNDr process apply to non-APPIC postdoctoral programs?

APPIC is currently marketing this process to non-APPIC postdoctoral programs as a mechanism of providing increased collaboration among all training programs. Many non-APPIC postdoctoral programs previously participated in an informal UND process. These programs in particular have all been contacted personally to request their continued participation as in years past. Any program who would like to participate is most welcome to do so and we strongly encourage every program to follow this procedure. We ask any non-APPIC program who wishes to participate to contact Dr. Lisa Kearney at Lisa.Kearney3@va.gov so that they can be kept informed of any updated processes as they occur.


Does APPIC plan to move forward to a formal match system for postdoctoral programs as it previously did with the internship?

There is no current plan to move forward to a formal match system. However, the APPIC Board will continue to survey members regarding their interest and commitment to a formal match system, and implement as voted on by the membership.


If I do not obtain funding for a new postdoctoral position until AFTER the UNDr date, may I proceed with filling the position after the UNDr date?

Yes! If you receive funding after the UNDr date, you may proceed with recruitment for the fall. This is also the same for new internship programs who receive funding after the Match date.


I have a Neuropsychology Postdoctoral program which does not participate in the formal neuropsychology match system. Must I participate in the UNDr process?

No, Neuropsychology Postdoctoral programs are not included in this process as they already have a process for organizing offers available to them through the APPCN match system.


What should I do if one of my top ranked applicant calls with a legitimate confirmed offer before I have completed all my in person interviews but after some interviewees have made travel plans? May I make a reciprocal offer?

Yes, you CAN make a reciprocal offer at any time; however, in this case, it would be beneficial FIRST to ask the applicant requesting a reciprocal offer how long they have been given to hold their confirmed offer. This may allow adequate time for you to complete your interview process and then decide AT THAT TIME if you wish to extend the reciprocal offer.

If we are unable to participate in the UNDr because we do not receive funding in time to participate, when is the latest a "late" offer can be made? When would it become an "early" (and inappropriate) offer?


APPIC would expect that if you are planning to start the position in the current academic year it would be appropriate to make the offer. For example, if you receive word in June 2012 that you have funding and you wish to bring someone on prior to the next academic year, it would be appropriate for you to continue to make the offer (i.e., the postdoc applicant would be expected to start in the 2012-2013 academic year). If however, you were postponing for the start date to be in the 2013-2014 year, that would need to fall under the next UNDr date.