AudMel2014

Sounds like we are kinda in the same boat! I would really like to be able to do my externship in a larger city and I'm also wondering if the clinic and rotations at CMU would really set me up well for that. From what I've heard, externship sites of past students are similar to those in other programs - you can really go anywhere in the country. I did get the impression that students are more responsible for setting up their own externship at CMU as opposed to working together with a faculty member, but I could be mistaken! And yes, as far as I know, CMU is not really connected with the VA As far as transportation goes, I would think that most graduate students just drive to the building - Mt. Pleasant isn't really a big enough town where driving is an inconvenience and from what I gathered students can just buy a parking permit to park right on campus. I am also considering Rush, Western Michigan, and Pitt - and right now I'm kind of torn! I can't believe that in 15 days my decision will be finalized! Especially when I don't even know what I've decided yet!

Hi! I am also considering CMU. I couldn't go to the open house either, but I did go up and visit on my own! The faculty that I spoke with were very nice and welcoming. The students I spoke with were all happy with their decision to go there and had positive things to say. The only things I didn't really love about the program were the location (in Mt. Pleasant) and the locations of their clinical placements. Mt. Pleasant is a pretty small town and there is not really a wide variety of externship sites near CMU for clinical rotations, which is kind of a turn-off for me. The locations for your rotations just seemed kind of limited to me. That being said, their on-site clinic is really nice and it seemed like that is where they get a lot of hours in. Although knowing Mt. Pleasant, I don't know that the CMU clinic would get a whole lot of variety in clinic patients, but who knows! As far as the area, if you are okay with living in a smaller town and dealing with a little snow in the winters, I think you would like it! Mt. Pleasant isn't really close to any bigger cities, so depending on what you're used to it might be a big change. I've lived in MI my whole life, so maybe I'm just used to it, but the weather isn't that bad Cold and snowy in the winters, but spring, summer, and fall are gorgeous! If you have any other questions let me know!