_byhisgrace

As a current SLP grad student (halfway there!), I would like to share what I have found to be important purchases over the past year:
Laptop (an obvious one, but seriously invaluable. I bought a MacBook Air and have had no compatibility issues, although I did purchase a student subscription to Microsoft Office. The Word Notebook feature that someone mentioned is great!). Games! Our clinic has some, but it's not uncommon for pieces to be missing or things to be broken. It's nice to have my own. I wouldn't spend a ton of money, but if you can get them cheap or here and there (BNJ2017 has the right idea!). A few popular ones: Pop the Pig, Gooey Louie, Cariboo (no longer available, but sometimes you can find them at yard sales or thrift stores), Jenga, Headbanz, etc. The best games tend to be those that can be modified for whatever purposes.  Books for collecting language samples: A Porcupine Named Fluffy (two copies, one to read and one to cover with tape), the Frog books by Mercer Mayer, Doctor De Soto (two copies), etc. I bought the books used in the SALT databases. Although we can check them out, they are relatively low price and nice to have available at any time. Plus I have kids, and they like them, too. Files/folders. I was always one to use binders, but now I find that files/folders make things much easier and less bulky. I make a file for each client in which to keep data sheets, protocols, notes, etc., and a folder for each class. When the quarter is over, I shred the client documents that don't get placed into the client's clinic file, and I place the syllabus and other important papers from class in a binder for reference and safe-keeping. Clipboard that has storage for papers. If you're extra cool, you'll get the one with the separate compartment for pens. A watch. You can use your phone, but I find it easier (and less distracting to kids) to use a watch to keep track of time. Timers are also a great idea, if your clinic doesn't have them (or you want your own). A small flashlight for oral mechanism examinations. Your phone's flashlight will not cut it. Assessment in Speech-Language Pathology: A Resource Manual by Kenneth G. Shipley and Julie G. McAfee. Expensive, but worth every penny! It's like several books into one. It has so much information and includes pages for copying to use in your assessments. Sharpies and dry erase markers. We have whiteboards and markers for use in clinic, but the markers don't always work. I can never find a Sharpie when I need it. (I must confess that I haven't bought markers; I borrow from others :/ They're on my "To Buy" list). Red wine, craft beer  Also, there is NOTHING lame about a wheeled backpack/bag. Many people have them, and they look professional. For voice recorders, most people use their phones (or laptops in class). I guess it would depend on your school's policy about recording clinic sessions. This may be a very individualized list, however, I hope it gives you an idea of the things that you may need in grad school. Good luck to everyone! 

I'm really surprised nobody has posted a list like this yet...
These are the majority of the schools that offer spring admittance. Hope this helps someone out!
 
 
 
Alabama A&M University
 
October 15th
Appalachian State University
 
October 1st
Baylor University
 
September 15th
College of Saint Rose
 
Rolling Admissions
Eastern Michigan University
 
July 15th
Eastern New Mexico University
 
Rolling Admissions
Grand Valley State University
 
July 15th
Kansas State University
October 1st
Kent State University
October 20th
LIU Brooklyn
November 1st
LIU Post
November 14th
Marquette University
November 15th
Nazareth College
October 1st
Nova Southeastern University
Rolling Admission
Southeastern Louisiana University
October 1st
St. John's University
October 1st
Tennessee State University
July 1st
Texas A&M University, Kingsville
September 15th
Texas Woman's University
October 1st
University of Central Florida
October 1st
University of Central Missouri
September 1st
University of Kansas
October 1st
University of Louisiana, Monroe
September 25th
University of Missouri
October 15th
University of Northern Iowa
September 15th
University of Rhode Island
October 15th
University of South Dakota
October 15th
University of Texas at Dallas
September 15th
Valdosta State University
July 1st

This was a pain to read. You might want to go back and edit some.

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

If you aren't planning to settle down right after grad school, and spend a few years working full-time with contract on the side, I'm sure you could pay it off pretty quickly. Something that hopefully should calm your debt fears a bit is remembering why you were drawn to SLP and your educational investment will bring you years of career stability and pleasure. Someone who was doing SLP "just because" and taking out 90k in loans seems more a cause for concern, particularly if they realize they want to go back to school two years into the profession. 
 
(for myself) I am limiting grad debt as much as possible as shortly after grad school I would like to buy a house, have a child, and work part-time (or in a school district.) If I only plan on making 60k/year after taxes tops, I won't attend a 90k program. 
 
Thus, if you are drawn to career goals, 90k in debt isn't too shabby if you're making 90k/year in a mainstream city after taxes. You'll be debt free in seven, eight years depending on other aspects of your budget. 
 
Meanwhile, if you are not drawn to career goals and only plan on working part-time, I would be quite concerned about that sort of debt load. Fulfilling your educational dream is awesome, but not when it comes to wrecking your future finances for the next twenty years. Also, if you creep into the 100k/over debt bracket, that seems quite the stretch for the $$ that SLP makes. 

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

I know we talked the other day, but I officially accepted my seat at Samford today! Very excited to build this program up and be apart of the first class!

Great! I just created a profile so hopefully you can find me! 

Hi!
 
I was wondering if anyone else has accepted their "seat" in Samford's CMDS Program for the Fall?! I am currently looking for apartments, and I think it would be beneficial (and cheaper rent) to stay with someone in the major. Please let me know so we can chat and hopefully help others who are wondering the same thing.   
 
Blessings!