karita

The only thing I have heard about the grad program is that they have had some trouble finding enough medical placements for students. I don't know for sure if it's true, but that's what some other people have heard. It's only the first year of the program, so hopefully it's a kink that they are working out. I like most of the professors, there are a couple that I don't care for at all, but I think that can be expected anywhere. I am taking classes on campus. The College of Health Sciences is a really nice building, right on what's known as the Medical Mile, so it seems convenient for anyone who gets a placement at the hospitals. It's a bit outside of the rest of the downtown campus, but I think GVSU is expanding more in that area as well. Grand Rapids is a great city, too! Beer City, USA, apparently, for anyone who likes craft beer

I'm applying to some less competitive programs in Michigan mostly because I have a family, and while it would be awesome to get into a top program, it's really not likely that we will be able to move just for me to go to grad school. If I end up getting in somewhere, I get a bit of funding, AND my husband finds a job in that particular city, then we will go! I know the likelihood of all those things panning out is relatively low. So I am hoping to get in to either Grand Valley State University or Western Michigan University. I'm actually at GVSU right now completing prereqs, I see you're applying there twinguy7!

I saw that you mentioned that some students had children. Do you know how those students did in the program? Did they find the workload + kids to be manageable?? I have two little ones, and I am doing a leveling year full-time right now. It is going fine, but I know grad school will likely be a lot more work. Definitely feeling anxious about being able to manage everything!

I think students can get up to $30,000 in scholarships, but even with that much money, it can still be costly to go there.

There are tons of great bilingual SLP programs! University of Arizona, University of Texas- Austin, UNC-Chapel Hill (I think), Indiana University- Bloomington, Marquette University... just to name a few. If you go to ASHA's edfind and use the Browse EdFine feature, you can select 'Bilingual Emphasis" or something like that to search more programs. You should have opportunities to work with various populations. I know bilingual SLP's in my area are very high in demand, both in schools and in the medical field. It might be a good idea to look at the focus of a particular program that your interested in to see if it aligns with your future plans. You are definitely not limited to one language depending on the area you work in, but as far as programs that focus on Portuguese.. I have no idea!

Western Michigan University's deadline is Feb. 1. It does require LOR, though.

I am taking my leveling courses at a university here, and I am really loving it. I'm not sure how things would work at UW, but here, all the students who already have a bachelor's degree in another field are put in the 'fast track,' and we have only classes with each other. The majority of students are between 23 and 25, a couple students in their thirties, and one student who is in her fifties! I was worried about feeling out of place as well, but I have actually found that I have a lot in common with the other 'fast trackers' as we are all coming in from out-of-field. I'm also a mom, so getting out and being with other people has been a breath of fresh air for me, in a lot of ways. I consider the days I have class my 'days off' from mom duty. I can't speak for online courses, but it seems like a lot of people were happy with their experience going that route as well. Good luck with the decision!

Here's the form.. does this link work? http://www.ciee.org/study-abroad/downloads/alumni/cieeTranscriptRequestForm12-12.pdf Mine got to csdcas pretty quickly, but I'm not sure how fast you would need it. Might be best to fax it.

Me too.

I had the same thing! I had grades in my transcript from the semester I was abroad, and they were included in my cumulative GPA. I called in to ask about it, and they still wanted the company transcript for those. I was told that they include it as a sort of additional transcript from your home university.

Grand Valley State in Michigan doesn't require letters, but you do have to put 3 people down that they will call.

Awesome, glad to hear it wasn't too bad I have actually been using conversationexchange also! It has definitely been helpful. Thanks for your reply, maybe I'll see you in grad school! That's too bad that they accept so few, especially considering the need for bilingual SLPs.

Hey all, I'm applying to IU-Bloomington's bilingual program, STEPS. Does anyone go there and have any advice going into the interview? I have my interview on Monday, and I'm kind of nervous. I was a Spanish major in undergrad, but it has been several years since I have practiced on a regular basis. Thank you for your help, and good luck to anyone hoping to enter the program!