Coltie

I chose this particular institution because it was in-state tuition and spoke to many graduate students who said if you don't get funding the first year, it is likely you would get it the second year. For the ones that did offer me funding, one was too far away distance wise, the other would have been $30,000 for my 4th year (cannot get funding for that year) even if my tuition was waved for 3 years, it would only have been $10000 less than the worst case scenario (never getting funding) at the one I chose. The last program just wasn't highly ranked and I did not like the program/location as much. Although, it would have been extremely cheap. I think my post is venting.. not asking anything in particular, but looking for advice on funding. I am making a lot of assumptions, just upset I did not receive anything.

Well, I applied to 8 schools and was accepted into 6/8. These included Purdue (ranked #12) and Northwestern (ranked #8). I was waitlisted at the other two. I was offered funding at 3/6 places.This is for an Au.D program. I ended up choosing an institution ranked #29 with no funding but in-state tuition. I happen to know a fellow person (went to same undergrad) that also accepted the spot at the same university and I know that person received funding (TA w/stipend) and I did not. I guess I am bothered because they give out 2 assistanships with acceptance (according to a grad student) and I had a higher GPA and more research and clinic experience than the one person I know of who received it. I am not sure on test scores, but I am sure of the other two factors. I also know that person is out of state and I am not (why I really think they got it over me). There are only 6 spots and based off the results search on this website, I had higher scores and GPAs than 2 people that listed their stats on here as well. I also called the director and he said they had already given out some 25% assistantships (stipend with GA) but still had some 15% (stipend only) to give out. Now, judging that if 2 people received the 25% and 2 are for sure below me.. wouldn't I have received the stipend for sure?? I feel like they didn't actually give those out. When I asked if he had made any other offers since our phone call (while I was deciding on schools) he said Some funding offers have been made and they are now exploring other options...? What gives. I think I am a great applicant and based on what I know, I just don't understand why I received nothing and don't want to pester and ask again.

I second whoever said to go to less competitive areas. For example, I got into some really "top" ranked schools but was waitlisted at CU Boulder. Did you know that the majority of states on the West Coast get in-state tuition there? To me that said 5+ states are full on applying there which makes it harder to get in, even if it's not a competitive program. My friend also applied at Towson (very lowly ranked) and she didn't get in because they told her 80+ people applied to their incredibly small school. At Nebraska, they offered me a fellowship and admitted me into both their SLP and Au.D programs. This tells me they need people! Apply where not everyone else does!

This is for Audiology but I will be attending the University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign! I am declining NIU (with full tuition-waver), Purdue (with TA), Northwestern, IU, and Nebraska-Lincoln (with fellowship). Hope that helps someone!

I am not positive CI is exactly what I wish to do (since it is only truly presented in graduate school), but the prospect of it is definitely very intriguing to me and I would love to work in Pediatrics with CIs but who knows, maybe once I take a class in it, I'll hate it! I am just off put by NIU not even offering a class and not actively researching this topic. I plan on calling them on Monday to see if I could take an elective in it or pursue research. I know a few people who are in NIUs program and they all sound genuinely pleased with it. When I ask Purdue Au.Ds, they like it but they always say how challenging it is first and exhausting. That is not a bad thing, and I am not a lazy person, but it's comforting to hear the former! I wish I knew someone at U of I so I could get their perspective! If I get a lot of TA help from Purdue, it will cost the same as U of I $60,000 but that is an if and assuming U of I will never give me any money. My Dad says I should do Purdue for the prestige, but I feel it's not as important as initially thought? hmm.

Okay, so I need help deciding on a grad school. I got into 6 Au.D programs (Nebraska, Northwestern, U of I, Purdue, IU, NIU). I was wait listed at Colorado boulder (didn't wanna really go here anyways) and WashU in St. Louis. Tuition, curriculum, faculty/students, location are my factors. I believe I have narrowed it down to 3 schools. 1.) Northern Illinois University- Pro: cheapest option by far. In-state, 1st year tuition waver as well, possibly can get a GA the other years, and no tuition 4th year. Also, new clinic, small class size. -Con: Not a great location. Lowest ranked program on list. 2.) University of Illinois- Pro: In-state tuition. May get funding through a GA. Middle rank, Good cochlear implant curriculum and connections (something I wish to pursue). Con- Don't know a whole lot about this school/program 3.) Purdue- Pro: Have a TA for (only) a semester with a professor I love (my undergrad). May get a tutoring GA but still waiting to hear from someone. Love professors. High rank. Con: Difficult program from what I hear, out of state tuition. Tuition wise-- NIU is the smart choice. But NIU bothers me and that it doesn't look like they have a cochlear implant class but curriculum looks less stressful overall. Rank wise, Purdue. U of I seems like a solid middle choice but I feel tied to Purdue somehow. Would like to work in Illinois eventually Opinions??

Thanks everyone for all the input so far! I think I've narrowed it down to 4 choices (Northwestern, U of I, NIU, and Purdue). I will probably side with U of I or NIU since, as much as I would want to go to a prestigious school, I don't think ranking has too much of an impact on your career but lots of debt later in life sure does! lol I spoke to a girl in her externship at NIU right now and she said they have lots of great places to do an externship for (which really is what's important in finding a good career). But if anything changes funding wise, I'll probably have to think all over again..

I was admitted into 6 graduate school programs for Audiology (a 3-4 year program) Funding is a big deal to me but no one has officially announced funding to me but one school so far. Especially with people saying audiologists don't make a lot for the amount of schooling they have. How big of a deal is rank? Choices: 1.) Northern Illinois University-- con: low rank, crappy city, pro- new speech and hearing clinic, hour drive from home, was recommended for a tuition waver +cheapest option 2.) Northwestern con: expensive with only scholarships, no TAs/RAs/fellowship options ever pro: high rank, lovely campus, also close to home, on waitlist for partial tution scholarship, 3 year program. 3. University of Illinois: con-not as many research opportunities as I'd like, middle rank pro- short distance from home and my boyfriend, in-state tuition, possibility of an RA/TA position. 4. Purdue-- con- expensive, not a medical campus, out of state tuition pro- high rank, went here for undergrad and loved it, know people, love professors, etc. Possibility of RA/TA/Fellowship 5. Nebraska con: low rank, far away from boyfriend, friends, etc. pro: offered a $45000 fellowship, cheap, cousin goes there for 2 more years. Don't really want to go here. 6. Indiana University-- eh overall for me pro: close to bf, 3 year program On wait list for Washington University (which I would love to go to with funding) and colorado.. but I didn't really wanna go there anyways.

I was admitted into 6 graduate school programs for Audiology (a 3-4 year program) Funding is a big deal to me but no one has officially announced funding to me but one school so far. Choices: 1.) Northern Illinois University-- con: low rank, crappy city, pro- new speech and hearing clinic, hour drive from home, was recommended for a tuition waver +cheapest option 2.) Northwestern con: expensive with only scholarships, no TAs/RAs/fellowship options ever pro: high rank, lovely campus, also close to home, on waitlist for partial tution scholarship, 3 year program. 3. University of Illinois: con-not as many research opportunities as I'd like, middle rank pro- short distance from home and my boyfriend, in-state tuition, possibility of an RA/TA position. 4. Purdue-- con- expensive, not a medical campus, out of state tuition pro- high rank, went here for undergrad and loved it, know people, love professors, etc. Possibility of RA/TA/Fellowship 5. Nebraska con: low rank, far away from boyfriend, friends, etc. pro: offered a $45000 fellowship, cheap, cousin goes there for 2 more years 6. Indiana University-- eh overall for me pro: close to bf, 3 year program On wait list for Washington University (which I would love to go to with funding) and colorado.. but I didn't really wanna go there anyways.