I was between Emerson and BU before attending the open house and decided on BU after attending. I was really impressed by the research labs at BU and I think I would have better research opportunities there than at Emerson. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to actually end up doing research, but I want the option to be there. (That's not to say that Emerson doesn't have research--I just got the impression that it wasn't as big there.) And there were a lot of students who didn't do research and some who did, so I feel like it's totally fine if you don't want to do research. The professors and students were all wonderful at both BU and Emerson, but I felt like I clicked with the BU students better. That's a personal thing, though. All of the students at BU called the professors by their first names and I just felt like there was a sense of community there. The students stressed how they're always supporting each other and sharing notes and how they also get incredible clinical support from the faculty. The alum who did a q&a said that she knows she'll be able to contact her professors whenever she has a question about a client, even though she's no longer in the program. The students all seemed to love their placements and most of them said they got what they wanted and that the professors really try to get you the type of placement you want. BU also has the opportunity for accent modification, which is something that really interests me (Emerson has this too, though) and they have an aphasia group, fluency group, and a Parkinson's group. The Parkinson's group involves working with a PT and an OT on the same case, which is something I really like. At Emerson, there are no opportunities to work with students in other health profession programs because they don't have those programs. BU also seemed really strong in aphasia, which is another topic I'm very interested in. I'm kind of all over the place with my interests, but it seems like at BU I can try a lot of different things, which is great. I felt like I would get a a more well-rounded experience at BU because they're pretty strong in pediatric and adult disorders, whereas Emerson seems to be stronger in pediatrics (although that could just be a rumor--I couldn't quite figure it out at the accepted students day). Also, most students work in the clinic (in a fluency or aphasia group, for example) while they're doing their external placements, so I felt like I might get a greater variety of experiences. Another thing that was great about BU is that if you know you want an initial teaching certification in another state they will help you fulfill the requirements for that state, instead of just those for MA.
Sorry that was a little rambly--I was just kind of spewing my thoughts. Essentially, it came down to research opportunites and the fact that program just felt right for me. It may not be right for everyone, but I just felt like it clicked!
And to those of you who have also chosen BU, I can't wait to meet you in the fall!
If you're still looking for places to take online courses, SUNY New Paltz offers a bunch. I would double check that your program will accept them, but I know they're offering Audiology, Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism, Intro to Communication Disorders, and I believe Language Development as well. (Not sure about that last one though because I'm not taking it.)
