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Kozo

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Everything posted by Kozo

  1. OK, I went ahead and made us a group : ] You all should join so I don't feel awkward being the only member haha It's Boston University SLP Class of 2015 https://www.facebook.com/groups/535456946492838 I made it a closed group so people have to ask to join. I thought it'd be better in case people wanted to use it to look for roommates and wanted to post personal information for that. Let me know if you'd rather I make it an open group
  2. Thanks SLP2013! That sounds awesome, I really wish I could've gone. I have also decided on BU, so I'll be seeing you in the Fall!
  3. I wasn't able to attend the BU open house but I'm really curious to hear how it was! Would anyone be willing to share their impressions?
  4. I received a $44,000 scholarship from BU. I also got an assistantship for $2500 for the first year and I was told that would be divided and paid weekly for 5 hours of work/week. According to the sheet that was in the acceptance packet, assistantships are $20 an hour for about 5 hours/week. I've officially decided to attend BU. Sent my deposit today. So excited :]
  5. Thank you so much for your answer! That's good to hear, I'm glad those things don't seem to be true
  6. I just found out I got $30,000 a year at Northwestern, which is exciting and a bit of a curveball. Does anyone know what they mean by they will "attempt" to provide funding at the same level? Under what circumstances would they not provide funding if you follow the conditions set for it? Also, a question for TalkItOut and anyone else who goes to Northwestern. I've heard that the atmosphere there (potentially just at the grad level?) tends to be less than warm, professors and others can be snobby/unfriendly, and they look down on those who aren't interested in research/don't want to pursue a phd. Is there any truth to those statements? I don't want to bad mouth NU at all, I know it's an excellent school and program, it's just that hearing those things alarmed me.
  7. Just fyi, I know for sure Emerson will reassign merit funding. On the information sheet for my fellowship it said to let the apartment know ASAP if I want to decline so that they can give it to someone else. I am almost certain that I will decline, so someone's gonna get lucky :]
  8. It's nice to find someone in the same boat, SLP2013. I wish I could decide based on the feel of the schools, but unfortunately I couldn't go to the Emerson open house and will not be able to go to BU's. I visited both two years ago during the summer but I still wish I could go. I got a good impression of both when I visited, I just don't want to end up making the wrong choice. I'm interested to see what people on here will have to say about the BU open house.
  9. Thanks for starting this thread! I've also been doing a lot of thinking about this. I was admitted at BU, Emerson, and MGH. Right now I'm leaning strongly toward BU. Here's my reasoning: It was easy for me to take MGH of my list. I didn't get any sort of funding, making this program pretty expensive. I'm not as interested in the medical aspects of this field as I think many people choosing MGH are. While I know MGH offers a variety of opportunities, I still think it's best suited to people with more medically inclined interests. Also, I think the program lasts about 6 semesters and that's a bit too long for me. However, I really liked MGH when I visited it and while I don't think it's a good fit for me, I think it'd be a wonderful choice for many people. I have been going back and forth between BU and Emerson for a while. I received a scholarship from Emerson and a scholarship + an assistantship from BU, making them roughly the same cost. What I like about Emerson is friendly everyone I've talked to from the department is. Also, I think the location is great and the Robbins Center is really nice. However, it concerns me that Emerson doesn't have a lot going on in terms of health sciences beyond SLP. Another problematic thing is their class selection. They have fewer class options and it seems that they don't focus as much on giving students a somewhat personalized curriculum. Also, all classes are later in the day. But they do offer an Early Intervention Certificate. On the other hand, I really like BU's selection of classes. I also think it's good that Sargent College doesn't just have SLP but also strong programs in PT and OT, I think this could provide more resources and chances for collaboration. I also think interdisciplinary rounds sound really cool. It seems that the program gives you a lot of support during clinical practicums as well. And I think the BU name is more well known, which could be helpful if I come back to work in Illinois. I like that BU is the smallest program in Boston, I think that will make it easy to get to know everyone and get individual attention. I talked my dilemma through with my mom who is an SLP and we went over both programs. She said it seems to her that BU would provide a stronger and more comprehensive theoretical background. Does anyone have any other thoughts on BU vs. Emerson or any "insider" knowledge about either of those?
  10. Also still don't have my packet. I'm kind of surprised it's taking this long. Can someone who has theirs say what's in it? Is it just basic information?
  11. Thank you so much lele and rcacemek! From my interactions with Emerson, I also got the feeling that everyone is incredibly friendly. However, I wonder if it's a big downside that Emerson as a whole doesn't have a strong health sciences focus and how much that affects the quality of the education/amount of resources. I was just notified on the portal that I got a fellowship and now I'm really torn between BU and Emerson...
  12. Good luck to both of you! I wasn't able to make it out to Boston for the open house tonight, could you (or anyone else) share your impressions of Emerson???
  13. I emailed them about this. I just got a response back that they are deciding today and decisions should be up on the portal by tomorrow.
  14. Definitely agreed with everyone staying you should stick with the formal title unless told to do otherwise. Although many of them would not be mortally offended if you didn't, there are some that take their titles very seriously. Better safe than sorry
  15. Just saw that someone posted that they were notified of a scholarship on the results page. Has anyone else already heard? I don't want to be one of those people turning the results page into a conversation but I'm really tempted to post on there asking that person how they were notified...
  16. No problem. Another thing about placements I forgot to mention is that for those longer full time placements during the 2nd semester of your 2nd year, you can go pretty much anywhere you want and that will take you. A lot of people go to Chicago or the suburbs, but you can go to a totally different state if you want. You may be surprised to learn that Champaign is no Vegas. I personally find the surrounding area to be kind of sad; lots of tract homes and little houses where the locals live and then a whole lot of nothing. Of course, there is always something going on on campus but a lot of that is overrun by undergrads (for example, the bars because you can get in at 19). On Green Street in Champaign, which is right by campus, you can find lots of bars, restaurants, and some apartments. I don't spend a lot of time in downtown Champaign, but I know a slightly more "mature" crowd tends to hang out there. There are also bars and restaurants there and those tend to be nicer. Further of campus there is a mall and other stores as well as residential areas. Urbana tends to be a quieter place to live than Champaign. I suggest you look at the city guide on this forum, there's one for Champaign/Urbana and people have different perspectives on the things I said. But basically it's a typical college town. Since you're coming from Las Vegas, be sure to update your wardrobe so you're prepared for midwestern winters.
  17. I'm a U of I undergrad in Speech and Hearing Science. It really is an awesome program, I've had some practicum experience and some classes with grad students so here are my impressions. 1. The professors are really helpful and supportive. I've never had a truly bad experience in a class at any level. 2. What many grad students say they like about the program is that you get a lot of different placement experiences, I think as many as 8 which is more than other schools. You start off at the school's clinic and then do placements in the community and further away. You have some full time placements during your last year. You do have to stay for at least part of the summer between the two years. I've heard that it can be a little hard to get hospital placements even though there are some hospitals nearby. It can be hard but definitely not impossible if that's what you really want. If you have a car, DEFINITELY bring it, it will open up a lot more options for you. Public transportation on and near campus is pretty good but if you need to get out farther it's really tough to do so without a car. When I asked a clinical supervisor if it was possible to be a grad student and go to placements without a car, she said "...well not impossible. But it will be hard". My general impression is that grad students feel really well prepared at the end of the program. The clinical supervisors I've had have been great. 3. Unlike many schools, the building where most of your classes will be and the clinic are completely separate. It takes something like half an hour to walk between the two or a 15 minute-ish bus ride. Which can add some complexity to your schedule if you don't have a car. The clinic is newer than the speech and hearing science building though, so it really is quite nice. If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask!
  18. I'm a student at UIUC and it's definitely not the worst place in the US in terms of being cold. It is typically warmer and less snowy than Chicago because it's further south. Of course it does get cold in the winter and it does snow but we actually have barely gotten snow the past couple years. I second what others said about it being possible to get used to colder weather. I'm from Russia and I hate the cold. My roommate is from India and it doesn't bother her nearly as much. Goes to show where you're from doesn't always make that much of a difference in the long run. Also, as you already know, engineering at UIUC is really great. The facilities and engineering library are pretty much better than what every other department here has going on. So I don't think you'll regret coming here. Definitely buy a long coat, good boots, and something that will cover your ears.
  19. Congratulations tuckerma and miscarthur! I also just got in. Did anyone hear anything about funding or know when we will?
  20. Great idea to have a BU thread SLP2013! I talked to Brie Goellner today and she sent me a flier with more info about the open house: April 5: 4:00-6:00 Reception with current students and faculty April 6: 9:00-9:30 Breakfast with students and faculty 9:30-10:45 Program Overview, Financial Aid QandA, introduction of faculty, grad student panel 10:45-12:15 Tour facilities, observe clinical sessions, interact with clients, tour research labs 12:15-1:00 Light Lunch You can talk to Michelle Mentis during the program if you want to observe a class the week of April 8. RSVP to Brie Goellner at 617-353-3188 or goellner@bu.edu by March 28 and indicate which events you will attend (that date might change I'd assume, Brie said it was taking them longer than they expected to send out packets) Sounds like a solid open house to me :] I hope I'll be able to fly out for it and meet some of you!
  21. Does anyone know anything about BU's graduate apartments (I can't find anything on this thread, sorry if I just missed it though)? Is it worth it to look into that or are they likely to be a rip off? Also, is it a good idea to get a realtor? I see posts on here, like AlHal's, saying it's possible to get a studio in a decent area for under $1000 a month. I've looked on craigslist and other random websites and I haven't seen anything that cheap. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Is it just too early to start looking? I'm fairly certain I'll be attending BU's Sargent College in the fall and the apartment search prospect is starting to make me very nervous. I'm looking for something close to public transportation and that's in a safe area for under $1200 preferably. I want to be able to get to BU and Harvard (where my boyfriend is an undergrad) fairly easily. I'm coming from Champaign, IL and I'm totally lost. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
  22. Congratulations occamstoothbrush! I'm an undergrad at UIUC right now and can tell you the speech program is great. Feel free to message me/let me know if you have any questions about it. Same goes for anyone else. :]
  23. Most places don't require volunteers to have academic background. However, it might be hard to find volunteer experiences that apply directly to the field depending on where you are. I would definitely recommend shadowing or observing SLPs working in whatever areas appeal to you. Also, most graduate schools require a certain amount of observation hours before you can start working with clients, so if you can get a licensed SLP to sign off on some hours for you, it might be helpful. You might consider reading some journal articles or just general articles from ASHA/the ASHA leader, the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, and so on. If you're looking for something like an introductory textbook, the survey course at my University uses Introduction To Communication Disorders: An Evidence-based Lifespan Perspective 4th Edition. But that is if you really just want a basic overview of what this field deals with. You can also find basic information about options within the field and other resources on the ASHA website. Once you decide what you're interested in specifically, you can look for journal articles pertaining to that or search for books online. If you're interested in textbooks/academic texts, you could even go to a University bookstore website and see what books the classes are using. This field is getting very competitive, however, if you are able to get into it, it offers a lot of great opportunities. There are many options for places that you could work (schools, rehabilitation centers, clinics, hospitals, private practice, nursing homes, etc.) and populations/disorders you can work with (infants-geriatrics, Autism, articulation, swallowing, neurological, stuttering, voice...you name it). I would say it could be very beneficial for when you are applying for graduate programs to have taken some related classes. There are also post-bacc programs that you can do before graduate school, but I don't know a lot about that. I feel that being multilingual is an asset in this field, especially being able to speak Spanish. My mother is an SLP currently working in a nursing home and rehab center so I was always exposed to the field. I was always interested in medicine/healthcare as well as teaching. But I am not exact science minded (chem, bio, physics...not for me) and I wanted more varied and stable job options than teaching could offer right now. I'm also interested in language and languages. I put all those interests together and decided speech-language pathology was a good option. Also, this field has really high job satisfaction and almost 100% of students from some programs find jobs shortly after graduation (according to their websites). What more can you ask for? I applied to several graduate programs in Boston so I know there are some wonderful options where you are. I really hope to be out there next year. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
  24. Someone just posted on the results page that they got a scholarship from MGH. I'm really wondering what their criteria is. Congratulations to that person though. I just read this on thewebsite: "The MGH Institute of Health Professions offers scholarships to approximately 20% of the incoming students in these entry-level programs. Recipients receive scholarships that cover part or all of tuition... New students are notified of scholarship awards in their Letter of Acceptance." And now I'm feeling kind of disheartened. I know I should just be happy I got in because not everyone gets that opportunity but a program that doesn't make financial sense to attend is as much out of the running as a program you didn't get into.
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