Nala

Multiple programs (but not all) said they would accept my astronomy class. I say you should email the program you're planning on attending and see what they say

Definitely spent all morning looking up various schools instead of studying... Thanks so much! You are very resourceful

Northeastern is up! Check your app portals!

Check your messages!

You should be fine! I know people who got into the CSULA post-bacc program last year with lower GPAs. I'll PM you with information. This is a great field and I'm happy for you. I also made the jump and I could not be happier with my decision

So I've been doing a ton of research on this topic... if you work in public service and never miss a payment, you are eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 years. There are payment plans such as "pay as you earn" that make these payments completely manageable (no more than 10% of your income). These laws are quite new, so I don't know how educated people are on these options. Because I want to get my PhD and eventually work at a university, the dream school option doesn't seem so crazy. Being employed at a university would qualify as a "public service" setting. Sources: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans/pay-as-you-earn http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service#what-kinds-of-employment http://www.myfedloan.org/manage-account/loan-forgiveness-discharge-programs/public-service-loan-forgiveness.shtml

Ahhhhh I hope that's the case too! This is the last school I'm waiting to hear from and I want to be finished with the waiting. I can't imagine what it must be like to still have numerous schools to hear back from. Fingers crossed for everyone in that boat! Also, I really hope they let us know if we got any sort of funding... it seems like in the past they've waited until after you've committed, but they must know that they lose a lot of applicants that way. Oh well.

I admire your attitude about this situation! And you know better than anyone else what truly matters to you. I think it's great that you know how much your education means to you and you're willing to pursue it. It's funny you say that you had to fight back the urge to cry, because I've definitely shed some tears realizing that I have to give up my dream school and dream city (it doesn't help that some of my best friends moved out there as well). The biggest thing for me though is that my parents have been in a rough financial situation for a long time and I have some undergrad loans. If it weren't for that, I really think I would choose to go. What's giving me solace is that I know I am blessed to have these opportunities, and I will work my tush off these next few years to open up even more doors in the future

I've been talking to numerous friends and family members and they all have the same advice: that's a lot of money. Go with the affordable school unless you're okay with that kind of burden. I'll probably end up going to the local school, but I'm feeling something close to heartache. It's okay, some things in life just aren't meant for you... /endcliche

What one program told me is that it's a matter of technicality- where exactly the slp program is housed in your school. For instance, if it's housed in the "health sciences" department, it'll most likely be an MS. If it's housed in the "special education" or "human services" dept, it'll likely be an MA. They told me it doesn't make a difference.

I am so stressed too and I completely know how you feel. I think what Sayjo said is really valid- my friend also goes there for another program (not speech) and she said that it has a great reputation in Chicago... It really could open many more doors for you. I hope the open houses bring clarity! And I'm about 90% sure I'm going to turn down my 11k scholarship to Rush by the end of this week, so I really hope they redistribute it quickly They really are! I'm pretty sure I am going to do a master's thesis since I want to keep the door open to getting a PhD. I would recommend contacting the more affordable schools and see how much support they would give in doing a thesis, and maybe ask if there have been students who have been successfully admitted to PhD programs. I haven't made my decision yet, but I want to be as informed as possible...

Hi all, I know there are numerous threads on this but I wanted to start a general thread. So I recently found out I got admitted to a local school. I didn't think it would affect me so much, but this has truly become the most difficult decision of my life... After making some calculations, I saw that including living costs and interest, the difference would be about $75,000. That is SO much money. I'm having a really, really difficult time letting go of my dream school, especially because I am maybe thinking of getting my phd... But I know that isn't a guarantee, it's just something Im considering right now. I truly don't know what to do. Anyone else in this predicament? What are you guys thinking/your reasoning? Also, are there maybe some first year grad students reading this? I saw some of you have posted some really helpful advice, and I wanted to know how confident students are of their choices/their regrets/ etc. Thanks in advance!!!

I didn't apply for a scholarship- they emailed saying it's based on prior background/academic performance. They gave me about 2 weeks to decide so that if I don't take it, they can redistribute it to someone else. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do at this point, but if I don't end up accepting it I hope it helps you out!

CONGRATS!!!! The first acceptance is the best- knowing that you made it and you'll actually be going to grad school. You're gonna be an SLP!!!

Just got notified of scholarship for Rush! Bit of a curveball, since my gut is telling me BU... The universe is not keen on making my decision easy.