essay about clinical psychology

Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics

This page provides a comprehensive list of clinical psychology research paper topics , designed to support students navigating the complexities of mental health studies. Aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of psychological assessment, therapeutic methods, and the myriad issues faced by individuals with mental health disorders, these topics cover a broad spectrum of areas within clinical psychology. From exploring the efficacy of different therapeutic approaches to examining the impact of cultural and social factors on mental health, this list serves as a vital resource for students seeking to contribute meaningful research to the field. Whether you are interested in the latest trends in neuropsychology, the intricacies of forensic psychology, or the challenges of mental health in children and adolescents, these carefully selected topics offer a rich foundation for your academic inquiries and research endeavors.

100 Clinical Psychology Research Paper Topics

Clinical psychology plays a pivotal role in understanding, diagnosing, and treating mental health issues, standing at the forefront of efforts to improve psychological well-being and quality of life. This field combines rigorous academic research with practical therapeutic applications, making it essential for students to engage with a wide range of topics that reflect the diversity and complexity of human psychology. The topics listed here span foundational theories, cutting-edge therapeutic interventions, and the nuanced interplay between mental health and societal factors, offering students a comprehensive overview of the landscape of clinical psychology.

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• The history and evolution of clinical psychology
• Major theoretical approaches in clinical psychology
• The role of clinical psychology in integrated healthcare
• Ethics in clinical practice and research
• The impact of technology on clinical psychology
• Psychoanalytic theories and techniques
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Foundations and evolutions
• The scientist-practitioner model
• Measurement and evaluation in clinical psychology
• Training and professional development in clinical psychology
• Psychological testing and assessment tools
• Neuropsychological testing for cognitive disorders
• Behavioral assessment strategies
• The DSM-5 and diagnostic criteria
• Cultural competence in psychological assessment
• The role of functional assessments in clinical settings
• Innovations in diagnostic methodologies
• Assessing risk and protective factors
• Personality assessment instruments
• Challenges in diagnosing complex cases
• Comparative effectiveness of psychotherapeutic techniques
• Mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions
• The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic therapies
• Innovations in cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Group therapy dynamics and outcomes
• Teletherapy and digital interventions
• Integrative and holistic therapeutic models
• The therapeutic alliance and outcome research
• Psychotherapy for chronic illness
• Ethical considerations in therapeutic practices
• Advances in understanding and treating depression
• Anxiety disorders: Phenomenology and treatment
• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
• Personality disorders: Challenges and therapeutic strategies
• Eating disorders: From etiology to recovery
• Bipolar disorder across the lifespan
• Substance use disorders and dual diagnoses
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-informed care
• Child and adolescent mental health disorders
• The psychology of chronic pain and its management
• Developmental psychopathology
• Behavioral interventions in schools
• Autism spectrum disorders: Diagnosis and intervention
• Adolescent mental health and identity formation
• Parent-child interactions and therapy outcomes
• The impact of technology on youth mental health
• Eating disorders in adolescents
• Childhood anxiety and depression
• ADHD: Contemporary approaches to assessment and treatment
• The role of family therapy in treating childhood disorders
• The brain-behavior relationship
• Cognitive rehabilitation strategies
• Neuroimaging techniques in clinical assessment
• Neuropsychological impacts of neurological disorders
• Aging and cognitive decline
• Pediatric neuropsychology
• Concussions and traumatic brain injury
• The neuropsychology of emotion
• Memory disorders and dementia
• Psychopharmacology for neuropsychological disorders
• The psychology of chronic illness management
• Behavioral interventions for physical health
• Psychoneuroimmunology: Stress and immunity
• Health behavior change models and strategies
• The role of psychology in pain management
• Psychological aspects of cancer care
• The impact of sleep on mental and physical health
• Eating behaviors and nutrition psychology
• The psychology of addiction and substance misuse
• Mind-body interventions in health care
• Psychological assessment in legal contexts
• Competency and insanity evaluations
• The psychology of criminal behavior
• Treatment of offenders and risk assessment
• Victimology and psychological impacts of crime
• Eyewitness testimony and memory reliability
• The role of psychology in law enforcement
• Ethical dilemmas in forensic psychology
• Child custody and family law
• Psychological interventions in correctional settings
• Cross-cultural psychology and mental health
• The impact of socioeconomic status on mental health
• Gender and sexuality issues in clinical psychology
• Racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care
• The psychology of immigration and acculturation
• Indigenous mental health and healing practices
• Stigma and mental illness
• Community psychology and social change
• The role of religion and spirituality in therapy
• Cultural competence in therapeutic settings
• The future of psychotherapy: Trends and predictions
• Virtual reality and augmented reality in therapy
• The use of artificial intelligence in mental health services
• Digital phenotyping and mobile health
• Genomics and personalized medicine in mental health
• Ethical considerations in the use of technology
• The impact of social media on mental health
• Neurofeedback and biofeedback
• E-mental health interventions and apps
• Integrating technology into traditional therapeutic models

The depth and breadth of clinical psychology research paper topics reflect the field’s dynamic nature and its critical role in addressing mental health issues. These topics not only offer students a wealth of areas to explore but also the opportunity to contribute meaningful insights and advancements to the discipline. By delving into these diverse areas of clinical psychology, students can play a part in shaping the future of mental health treatment and understanding, enriching their academic journey and the field at large.

What is Clinical Psychology

Introduction to the Field of Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology merges the science of psychology with the treatment of complex human problems, making it one of the most critical areas within the realm of psychological study and application. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists employ various therapeutic approaches to treat individuals across the lifespan, dealing with everything from minor stress and life transitions to severe psychopathology.

Importance of Research in Advancing Clinical Practice and Understanding

The bedrock of clinical psychology lies in rigorous research. Research in this field serves multiple purposes: it enhances our understanding of the etiology and progression of mental disorders, evaluates the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, and tests new treatment approaches. Without research, clinical practice would lack the empirical basis necessary for effectively treating patients. Research ensures that clinical interventions are both safe and effective, thereby safeguarding the well-being of clients and advancing the field.

Exploration of Diverse Research Topics in Clinical Psychology

Research in clinical psychology is as diverse as the field itself, covering a wide array of topics that reflect the complexity of human behavior and mental health. These topics range from understanding the neurological underpinnings of mental disorders to exploring the effectiveness of new psychotherapeutic techniques. Research in this field also investigates the social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence mental health, thereby contributing to more holistic approaches to treatment and prevention. This diversity not only broadens the scope of clinical psychology but also ensures that the field remains responsive to the changing needs of society.

Recent Advancements and Innovations in Clinical Psychology Research

The field of clinical psychology has witnessed significant advancements and innovations, thanks in part to technological progress and a deeper understanding of psychological processes. Recent research has explored the potential of teletherapy, digital interventions, and mobile health applications, providing access to mental health services for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to treatment. Additionally, advances in neuroimaging and psychopharmacology have offered new insights into the biological aspects of mental disorders, leading to more targeted and effective treatments. These advancements underscore the dynamic nature of clinical psychology and its continuous evolution in response to scientific discoveries and societal changes.

Ethical Considerations in Clinical Psychology Research

Ethical considerations hold paramount importance in clinical psychology research, given the vulnerability of the populations often involved. Ethical guidelines ensure that research is conducted in a manner that respects the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing potential harm. Ethical research practices are crucial for maintaining trust between researchers and participants and for upholding the integrity of the field.

Future Directions for Research in Clinical Psychology

Looking ahead, the field of clinical psychology is poised to explore new frontiers that promise to further enhance our understanding of mental health and improve treatment outcomes. One area of future research may focus on personalized medicine, tailoring interventions to the unique genetic, biological, and environmental factors of each individual. Another promising area involves integrating clinical psychology more closely with other disciplines, such as neuroscience and public health, to develop more comprehensive and effective approaches to mental health care. Additionally, as society continues to evolve, ongoing research will be necessary to address the psychological impacts of emerging societal challenges.

The Impact of Research on the Evolution of Clinical Psychology Practices

The trajectory of clinical psychology is indelibly shaped by research. It is through the diligent efforts of researchers that the field continues to advance, offering new insights into the human psyche and more effective treatments for mental disorders. Research in clinical psychology not only enriches our understanding of mental health but also plays a critical role in shaping policies, therapeutic practices, and public perceptions of mental health issues. As we move forward, the continued emphasis on research will ensure that clinical psychology remains a vital force for good in the lives of individuals and communities worldwide, epitomizing the profound impact that research has on the evolution of clinical practices.

iResearchNet’s Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we recognize the unique challenges and complexities involved in crafting research papers within the field of clinical psychology. That’s why we offer specialized writing services tailored specifically for clinical psychology students and professionals. Our mission is to support your academic and research endeavors by providing custom, high-quality papers that reflect the latest advancements and ethical considerations in clinical psychology. Whether you’re exploring novel therapeutic interventions, dissecting complex case studies, or examining the societal impact of mental health issues, iResearchNet is your partner in navigating the intricacies of clinical psychology research.

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Clinical Psychology Research Topics

Stumped for ideas? Start here

Clinical psychology research is one of the most popular subfields in psychology. With such a wide range of topics to cover, figuring out clinical psychology research topics for papers, presentations, and experiments can be tricky.

Clinical Psychology Research Topic Ideas

Topic choices are only as limited as your imagination and assignment, so try narrowing the possibilities down from general questions to the specifics that apply to your area of specialization.

Here are just a few ideas to start the process:

• How does social media influence how people interact and behave?
• Compare and contrast two different types of therapy . When is each type best used? What disorders are best treated with these forms of therapy? What are the possible limitations of each type?
• Compare two psychological disorders . What are the signs and symptoms of each? How are they diagnosed and treated?
• How does "pro ana," "pro mia," " thinspo ," and similar content contribute to eating disorders? What can people do to overcome the influence of these sites?​
• Explore how aging influences mental illness. What particular challenges elderly people diagnosed with mental illness face?
• Explore factors that influence adolescent mental health. Self-esteem and peer pressure are just a couple of the topics you might explore in greater depth.
• Explore the use and effectiveness of online therapy . What are some of its advantages and disadvantages ? How do those without technical literacy navigate it?
• Investigate current research on the impact of media violence on children's behavior.
• Explore anxiety disorders and their impact on daily functioning. What new therapies are available?
• What are the risk factors for depression ? Explore the potential risks as well as any preventative strategies that can be used.
• How do political and social climates affect mental health?
• What are the long-term effects of childhood trauma? Do children continue to experience the effects later in adulthood? What treatments are available for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in childhood?
• What impact does substance use disorder have on the family? How can family members help with treatment?
• What types of therapy are most effective for childhood behavioral issues ?

Think of books you have read, research you have studied, and even experiences and interests from your own life. If you've ever wanted to dig further into something that interested you, this is a great opportunity. The more engaged you are with the topic, the more excited you will be to put the work in for a great research paper or presentation.

Consider Scope, Difficulty, and Suitability

Picking a good research topic is one of the most important steps of the research process. A too-general topic can feel overwhelming; likewise, one that's very specific might have limited supporting information. Spend time reading online or exploring your library to make sure that plenty of sources to support your paper, presentation, or experiment are available.

If you are doing an experiment , checking with your instructor is a must. In many cases, you might have to submit a proposal to your school's human subjects committee for approval. This committee will ensure that any potential research involving human subjects is done in a safe and ethical way.

Once you have chosen a topic that interests you, run the idea past your course instructor. (In some cases, this is required.) Even if you don't need permission from the instructor, getting feedback before you delve into the research process is helpful.

Your instructor can draw from a wealth of experience to offer good suggestions and ideas for your research, including the best available resources pertaining to the topic. Your school librarian may also be able to provide assistance regarding the resources available for use at the library, including online journal databases.

Kim WO.  Institutional review board (IRB) and ethical issues in clinical research .  Korean Journal of Anesthesiology . 2012;62(1):3-12. doi:10.4097/kjae.2012.62.1.3

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Career Goals — My Future Career: Why I Want to be a Clinical Psychologist

My Future Career: Why I Want to Be a Clinical Psychologist

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Published: Apr 2, 2020

Words: 692 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited:

• Bridge Structure. (2019, June 13). Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation.
• Bridge Types: Tied Arch Bridges. (n.d.). National Steel Bridge Alliance.
• Engineering Bridges. (n.d.). Science Reference Services, Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/tracer-bullets/engineeringbridgesTB.html
• How Are Bridges Built? (2017, July 26). Live Science.
• How Do Engineers Design Bridges? (2019, November 5). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2019/11/05/how-do-engineers-design-bridges/?sh=736cd986250b
• Introduction to Bridge Engineering. (2018, April 2). The Constructor. https://theconstructor.org/structures/introduction-bridge-engineering/18398/
• Materials Used in Bridges. (2013, December 14). What-When-How.
• The 10 Most Amazing Bridges in the World. (2016, October 14). Engineering.com.
• Types of Bridges Based on Span, Materials, Structures, Functions, Utility, and Position. (2011, February 4). Brighthub Engineering.
• Woodford, C. (2022, January 17). Bridge Engineering. Explain that Stuff!.

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Clinical and Social Psychology Essay

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• As a template for you assignment

Clinical psychology is the scientific application of psychology with an aim to understand individuals, families, or groups’ dysfunction and in the process promote personnel development. It is a regulated mental health study that involves psychotherapy and psychological assessment. Social psychology on the other hand concerns itself with the behavior of people in a society. While psychology focuses on the individual’s feelings and behavior sociology is centered on the interaction of people

A clash between an idea and an individuals’ perception causes uncomfortable feelings. This arises from a logical inconsistency. Induced compliance without sufficient justification causes cognitive dissonance. The clinician can draw information from studying the social behavior of the client. For instance, a smoker’s desire to live long is dissonant with smoking because the latter causes cancer and reduces his chances of living.

The social psychology of the smoker informs the clinician on the attitude and beliefs held by the client. The first task of the clinician is to change the attitude of the client. An understanding of the client’s background information is crucial to the treatment and promotion of subjective well-being. To the client, there is a need to understand the behavior pattern as a means of accepting the situation and facilitate behavior change.

Social psychology informs the clinician why traits in people occur as it appears. To the clinician, it is important to infer the behavior of the client in a social group. Internal attribution is in the case where the cause of a behavior is attributed to internal factors within the personality. In the explanation of a client’s behavior, internal attribution informs the clinician of the client’s attitude, belief, and character. External attributions explain the consequences of behavior as hinged to the environment in which the action was done.

Internal and external attributions lead to different perceptions of individuals. The clinician is able to apply this concept of social psychology in treating psychological disorders. A person’s internal and situational engagement in a behavior explains why attributions about another person’s behavior are deficient in the external factors. Schacter, (1982) convincingly illuminates the creative mental reconstructions in the process of memory. He points out that memory is affected by the disease. In the understanding of the human mind, the clinician is presented with an opportunity to draw from the client’s memory pattern.

Reconstructive memory is essential for envisioning future events. Memory is a reconstructive process that involves recalling by storing abstract features which are used in the future to recollect the memory. This is an essential process for both the therapist and the client. For instance, a client who has lost memory is taken through a process of reconstruction to build up and recollect the mental faculties. Social psychology is pivotal to the therapist in building up scenes for the client to connect and build up the desired response. Group interactions are important in memory reconstruction. Daniel Schacter (1982) argues that the brain has the power and limitation of the mental record. Hence mental reconstruction is essential for the search for memory.

The clinician becomes an expert in providing psychotherapy to the client when equipped with the knowledge of a client’s psychological functioning. Clinical observation entails the gathering of data by observation. A theory of how people explain things has influenced possibilities in clinical psychology. Attribution tends to explain why people behave the way they do. A client’s mental ability to store and retain information is influenced by socio-psychological concepts. To understand and explain how a client’s feelings and behavior are influenced, the therapist draws resources from social psychology.

Social loafing and social facilitation

In the psychology of groups, the tendency of people to put in less effort to achieve cooperate objectives is referred to as social loafing. (Karau and Williams 1993) articulates that social loafing is caused by a feeling of dissatisfaction and un-motivation in a group. In social psychology social loafing details the objectives and tasks of the group. Motivation is a key remedy for social loafing to encourage members to collaborate in a meaningful working environment.

On the other hand, people in a social group exhibit tendency to work better under the eye of people. This habit is dominant in people who are concerned about their image and opinions of people. This is social facilitation. The audience effect is very instrumental in shaping the behavior of an individual. Social facilitation is also influenced by the co-actor effect. This is the competition with others. For instance, in a cycling race, the presence of other competitors increases the speed of a cyclist, and attention is paid to improve performance.

While social facilitation is enhanced by the presence of other people who in turn makes a person work better, social loafing on the other hand entails a person’s demoralization in the presence of others. The difference between social facilitation and social loafing is mainly in the role of the present people influence the behavior of a person. The former is the tendency for people to perform well on simple tasks and worse on a complex tasks where their performance is evaluated. The latter, the presence of people relaxes a person’s effort in a group because individual performance cannot be evaluated. A person’s performance in the group is greatly hinged on the influence of the group members. Evaluation of individual performance in the presence of other people arouses and improves performance on simple tasks (social facilitation). Performance that cannot be individually evaluated in the presence of other people decreases performance on simple tasks (social loafing).

Biological factors involved in personality development range from the genetic component, disease, and biological correlations such as physiological arousal and neurochemical changes. Personality seems to become stronger and people respond differently to situations due to inherent features of the nervous system that are inborn and caused by biological factors. Biological contribution to intelligence is the application of a biological mechanism by which the effects of complexity of stimuli are unified to produce potentials and abilities. The distribution of I.Q. follows a normal distribution curve pegged on biological factors underpinning achievement. Biological factors such as hormones contribute to behavior genetics in psychopathology. The manifestations of behavior and experiences can be related to biological factors such as mental illness exhibited in hallucination. The vulnerability of people to deal with stress varies because of a strong genetic element. The difference in people’s vulnerability is seen in biological factors associated with susceptibility to posttraumatic stress disorder.

To sum up, biological factors have great implications for intelligence, personality, psychopathology, and stress vulnerability. The biological factors involved in their products result in the difference in the human attributes displayed by people. Both clinician and the client draw resources for clinical psychology upon interaction with social psychology. An understanding of a client’s social subscriptions is essential for the therapist’s practice.

Schacter, D.L (1982) Stranger behind the engram: of memory and the psychology of science . Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Web.

Wegner D.M and Pannebaker, J.W. (Eds) (1993). Handbook of mental control. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice – Hall. Web.

• Carl Rogers' Client-Centered Therapy
• Person-Centered Theory of Carl Rogers
• Social Influences on Human Behavior
• Social Influences on Behavior
• The Attainment and Sustenance of Creativity in a Team
• Psychology. Existential and Person-Centered Theories
• Psychoanalytic and Adlerian Theories in Psychology
• Gestalt and Behavior Therapies: Theory Critique
• Psychology of Gratitude and Underlying Philosophy
• Definition of Five Perspectives in Psychology
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Degree In Sight

Pulling away from the pack

Training directors offer tips on writing winning internship application essays

By SADIE F. DINGFELDER

gradPSYCH Staff

After going through the arduous process of counting every hour of his therapeutic experience, fifth-year counseling psychology student Jason Prinster actually looked forward to writing the essay portion of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) application. The AAPI, or APPIC Application for Psychology Internship, is the standardized application students use to apply to the more than 600 APPIC-member internship sites.

"I found the essays to be the most entertaining part of the AAPI," says Prinster, who attends the University of Utah. In particular, he enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on his career goals, he says.

Those reflections are also the most interesting part of the application for training directors to read, says AAPI coordinator Joyce Illfelder-Kaye, PhD, associate director for training at the Center for Psychological Services at Penn State University. In fact, says Illfelder-Kaye, many training directors place the most weight on that part of the clinical internship application.

"It's the first time we get to see the student as a three-dimensional person," she says.

Training directors search the essays for clues into a student's motivation, personality, commitment to diversity and flexibility, among other qualities, says Illinois psychologist Gary Kaniuk, PsyD, who heads the training program of the Cook County Jail mental health services program.

The essays prompt students to write an autobiographical statement, detail their diversity experiences, explain their theoretical orientation, list their research experience and--in a final optional composition--explain why the particular internship site would make a good match for them.

However, the most effective applicants approach the essays as a unified whole, using the autobiographical statement to hint at what's to come and tying everything together in the final essay, says Carol Williams-Nickelson, PsyD, associate executive director of the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students. When approached this way, the five essays read like chapters in a book rather than disjointed statements, she says, noting that a coherent composition showcases students' writing skills.

And applicants must provide this insight within the 2,500 words--500 for each essay--the AAPI allows.

"If I think an applicant has gone way over his or her word limit, I start counting," says Kaniuk. "If they won't do something as simple as follow instructions...they may be someone who will violate the rules right off the bat."

Successfully matched students and training directors offer these tips on penning each of the AAPI essays.

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

The first AAPI essay prompt asks students to "provide an autobiographical statement," an intentionally open-ended assignment, says Illfelder-Kaye.

While composing their response, students may want to weave in information they plan to include in the upcoming essays, perhaps on their career goals or commitment to diversity, notes Williams-Nickelson.

Many applicants write about what drew them to psychology, says Kaniuk. While he enjoys the opportunity to hear about students' personal histories, Kaniuk warns applicants to avoid what he terms "TMI," too much information.

"If someone writes about their mother with schizophrenia, that seems too personal to me," he says. Instead, a student might mention "a family history of mental illness," Kaniuk suggests.

Other students choose to write more generally about themselves. Daniel Morjal, a fifth-year clinical psychology student at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Campus, wrote about how his close-knit family provides him vital support while also allowing him to strike out on his own. This tack set Morjal's essay apart from the pack, says Kaniuk, now Morjal's internship supervisor.

"I got the impression that he is a reflective person, one who is thoughtful and considers things from many vantage points," says Kaniuk.

CASE CONCEPTION

After tackling the open-ended prompt of the first essay, students may feel at home with the second, which asks them to explain their theoretical orientation and how they apply it to actual cases. Students can approach this question by using a specific example--without violating patient confidentiality, of course--or they can write more generally about their approach, says Illfelder-Kaye.

In either case, training director Jack Teitsma, PsyD, looks for applicants to show they can explain complex ideas clearly.

"Our interns work with people who have high school educations and with people who have double doctorates," says Teitsma, of the Menta Group, a Chicago-area network of schools, group homes and community-based programs for children with serious behavioral problems. "We are looking for someone who can communicate with everyone."

Teitsma also suggests that students show how their treatment philosophy will jibe with the internship site's tradition, he notes. Because the Menta Group uses a behavioral approach, he looks for students with a similar orientation or the willingness to learn more about structured incentive programs. People who are strongly committed to another theoretical orientation would probably be frustrated as a Menta intern, he says.

DIVERSITY EXPERIENCES

The third essay asks applicants to describe their experiences working with diverse populations, and training directors want to evaluate student's willingness to work with people from varied backgrounds, says Kaniuk. Perhaps most importantly, students can use this essay to show they are aware of their background and how it informs their work.

Students may want to write about specific experiences with diverse clients, highlighting how they put their self-awareness into use and what they learned from the experience.

Internship directors generally look for students who have experience working with the clients typical of their program, Kaniuk says. But many, including him, will consider an outstanding student without that particular experience, he adds.

"In this case, the student should write a passionate argument of why he or she wants to receive training there," says Kaniuk.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Students may be tempted to detail their dissertation projects, but with just 500 words, students should write broadly about their research interests, says Williams-Nickelson. Note your overarching research interests, experiences and goals, and then home in on how they connect with your clinical interests, she suggests.

Practice-oriented internship sites, such as the Menta Group, may pay less attention to this essay than the others do, says Teitsma. However, even in such cases, internship directors may use the essay to evaluate a student's writing ability, he notes.

In the final essay, students synthesize their previous points and make the case for why they should match with the site, says Williams-Nickelson. While students can recycle the previous four essays for many of their internship applications, they should tailor the fifth to each internship site, says Williams-Nickelson.

Kaniuk looks for students who demonstrate knowledge of the internship program--perhaps by citing specific rotations offered by the program. Students who express that they want to work in a setting like his site especially catch Kaniuk's eye.

While the final essay is optional, Kaniuk and Teitsma strongly suggest that students take the opportunity to explain why they would make a good match for the internship, perhaps building on points they made in the AAPI cover letter.

"If they are unwilling to take the time to write out that fifth essay that says to us that they are unwilling to be inconvenienced, and they may struggle in our training program," says Teitsma.

However, other training directors don't mind an omitted fifth essay, as long as the student thoroughly discusses the training match in the cover letter, says Williams-Nickelson.

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