ballerina18

I just received an email detailing my financial aid award for one program. I know this program is currently sending out admission decisions, but I haven't received a decision yet. What does this mean? This is my second year applying to graduate school and I don't remember getting a financial aid award last year when I was wait listed at this same program. What say you? Legitimate email heart attack or does everyone get a fin-aid award email?

I've heard about Nova, but I never looked into their program. I think online programs are what you make of it. I've read that some believe graduates of online SLP programs are less experienced overall than an SLP coming from an on-campus program. However, there will be more time for additional volunteer work so there is no excuse to not get the same amount of experience imo. I think Nova might be the only program that is known widely as an online school by employers. If you attend an online branch through a university the degree will not state that you took classes online. It shouldn't be an issue with employers.

Yes, I can tell you what program they each attended. However, it is important to note that I live in an isolated, small college town. The SLPs at the hospital in my town do not see the same volume of patients as a hospital in a larger city would. I don't know if that makes a difference to you. All SLPs below are contracted to work in an Early Learning Center in addition to the hospital. SLP #1- MS-University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I know for a fact her CFY was in the school district and that she worked ~5 yrs in a school system before switching to med SLP. SLP #2- MA-Washington State. Specializes in voice therapy, swallowing. Medical CFY SLP #3- MA-Washington State. Specializes in feeding/swallowing. Medical CFY SLP #4- MS- Idaho State University. Specializes in Autism/Dementia. Medical CFY.

From my understanding, online programs are just as competitive, if not more competitive, as on-campus programs. Last year I applied to one program (ISU online) was wait-listed and ultimately rejected. This year I am applying to 3 online programs and 2 on-campus programs at three different universities. Two of the programs I applied to expect to receive 200+ applicants for ~20 online spots and the last program receives 400+ applicants for 30-40 online spots.

I cannot speak from experience, but I have looked into this topic. From what I've read it does not matter in the field of SLP. What matters is that you have your Cs and attended an accredited program. If it helps, I've volunteered with three different SLPs in a hospital setting and they were a mix of MA & MS degrees. I think it ultimately comes down to experience in this field. I will be interested to hear what others have to say on this matter.

......for the REST OF YOUR LIFE! lol

Leech apocalypse.

That is horrifying! Oh my GOSH!

Do you have any idea of when you might hear some news? I don't think I will hear from ISU or Northern Colorado until April, but I think this week could be the week for WKU.

Whoops..double post.

I'm a mother as well. =) I have a beautiful six year old daughter. I applied to 3 distance programs and 2 on-campus programs. If I am accepted to a distance program I absolutely plan on working. I am currently searching for full time job opportunities. My current job only offers me 25 hours a week. If I am accepted into one of the on-campus programs I will have a lot to sort out as those on-campus programs are 6+ hours from where I currently live. I will definitely get a job, but it will have to be under 15 hours of work a week as I am determined to do additional volunteer work/research during grad school. I am lucky to have a supportive SO who has a good income and is willing to handle other responsibilities while I attend school. I don't have everything figured out yet. I'm still waiting to hear from my programs so I think we'll work through the details as news comes in. This is my second year applying so I am hoping for the best.

I'm still waiting to hear from Western Kentucky as well. I applied to their worldwide distance program.

Arrgghh! Today I had two missed calls from Bowling Green, Kentucky. I live in Washington state so it's not like I get phone calls from KY often (especially from a town where I am applying to graduate school). I was thrilled when I saw the phone number! I called back immediately only to find out it was some kind of utilities marketing company. They called again later this evening. My boyfriend answered the phone, rushed to give it to me and said "Your grad school is on the phone". Nope. It was the same marketing company wanting me to take a survey. Of all places, why did it have to be a marketing company from Kentucky? Are they trying to torture me? lol

I still haven't head any news yet. I am hoping (begging even!) that I get accepted somewhere. However, I think it is important to consider back-up plans. My back-up plan is to study for the GRE (Actually study! I pretty much just walked in cold to take my GRE last time) & re-apply to SLP programs next fall. I will try to do as much SLP volunteer work as I can, but I also plan to look around for full-time job positions. Those student loans wont wait for me to find my dream career. While I plan to do everything I can to get into an SLP program I also need to stay realistic and pay off those loans.

Does anyone else use those erasable wall-style, dry erase, 12 month calendar planners? I absolutely could not have gone through undergrad without one. I bought one every year and it was a life saver. I would plan out due dates for the entire semester and see assignments/exams coming up every time I looked at it. If I am accepted into a SLP grad program you better believe I will have one of these hanging up on my wall: =) http://www.officedepot.com/a/browse/erasable-wall-calendars/N=5+2819/

Thank you for the link!

Agreed! Does anyone know if graduate programs absolutely HAVE to let you know their decision by April 15th? Or it is possible that it can take until May before everything is said and done?

I never used a recording device in undergrad, but I think one would be especially helpful in an SLP program.

I've had two crazy dreams to contribute. The first was a dream I had a few weeks ago. My family and I went out to eat at a restaurant. The manager sat us down and handed me my acceptance menu to graduate school. It was for Idaho State University, but the acceptance "letter" was totally in menu form and it said things like: "Try our tasty classes salted with excellence." "You'll love our crispy clinic hours" "Send in your acceptance to the grad program, get a free chocolate cake dessert!" The manager continued to "upsell" during our meal, by asking if we wanted a yummy cocktail to go with my acceptance and that the ISU program was her favorite menu item. LOL I had a less exciting dream last night. In my dream I received a magazine in the mail, but it ended up being a magazine titled "REJECTION from UNCO". It was filled with pages about how un-qualified I was for the UNCO graduate SLP program. It was just like a real magazine, but it had articles and letters written by current UNCO faculty, staff, and students who went on and on about how I was rejected from the program. YIKES! lol

How is everyone doing? Staying calm? I am still reminding myself that no news is good news. We still have a chance. The adcoms haven't rejected us yet and that is GOOD news. Perhaps there is an adcom member out there somewhere who loves our SOP and is fighting to have us in their program! We just have to wait until they convince the other adcom members that we are a perfect match for the program. =D Breathe in, breathe out, and cross your fingers!

My suggestion is to research programs where you would be interested in volunteering and personally reach out to individuals who already work at that program/university/clinic/hospital. I have found that when you personally contact the director, SLP, audiologist, or researcher they are much more interested in discussing your interests and finding a place for you at their establishment. Good luck!

I applied to three distance programs and two on-campus programs at three different universities for my masters in SLP this year. While I was completing my undergraduate education I took several online courses. I really enjoyed the dynamics of online learning, so much in fact, that I decided to do my SLP post-baccalaureate entirely online. It was a wonderful experience and I loved my post-bacc program. I learn best when I am online where I can take my time and really absorb the information. With that said, there are certainly pros and cons to online learning. One main con to online learning is having to really work hard to develop those relationships with professors and other students. Networking is much more difficult in an online environment, but it is not impossible. Also, it is certainly helpful to know your way around a computer when taking an online class. I had a few classmates who really struggled with the basic computer knowledge and formatting required for each class. A huge pro to online learning, for me, was the time saving aspect. When I was an undergrad at a large university I had to drive to campus, take the time to find a parking spot, walk the additional 10-15 minutes to my campus classes, and then go back again after classes were over. I always felt that my commute time cut into my study time. I study best when I am at home so I loved the fact that I could start my online course in my own home office and then study right after my class without having to worry about the commute. I have a six year old daughter and I work as well so online programs are definitely helpful in that aspect. When it comes to the field of speech language pathology, a large part of our graduate experience will be working with patients. Patient interaction will be much much obtainable in an on-campus program, so I think that it is essential for online students to work hard to seek out similar patient interaction during each semester. One criticism of online SLP programs by professionals in our field is that online graduate students do not experience the same level of patient interaction as on-campus students. Therefore, critics claim online students are not as readily prepared for the field as on-campus graduates. I personally believe it is up to the individual student to overcome this criticism and seek out clinical opportunities during their graduate education. :-)

Good luck mheroux92 and twinguy7 on your interviews! I'm sure you will both do great! Let us know how everything goes. =)

Thank you for making this thread! I have been overcome with worry and fear this application cycle. I only applied to three programs as well and this is my second year applying. If I don't get accepted to any program I will be heartbroken. My back up plan is to study like crazy to bring up my GRE scores, start working full time to pay off my student loans, and stay current on SLP/Aud articles. I will definitely consider applying to programs with Spring and rolling admissions, but I really think I need to bring up my GRE before applying anywhere else. In the meantime, I am trying to stay positive and do everything I can to keep my mind off of my applications. Bedtime is the worst though. I had insomnia before this application cycle started and now it takes me forever to fall asleep as I can't quiet all of my crazy application thoughts. lol I can't tell you how much reading this thread has helped though. It's nice to know I am not alone on this emotional roller coaster.

Everyone has given you great advice so far. As previously stated, you are obviously well qualified for their program and surely everything will work out well in the end. =) I just wanted to give you a great big HUG!