Jolie717

YOU GUYS! I got my first non-rejection! I was wait-listed at La Salle. Does anyone know any additional information on how La Salle's waitlist process works? I'm wondering if I have an actual chance or if it's likely to turn into gentle rejection. 

I called UW Seattle this week (because patience is clearly not my virtue) and found out that the MedSLP admits might find out about the only possible funding we qualify for - tomorrow.  (recruitment scholarships)
After that, I seriously think I will be taking a break from grad cafe for a while, because I am finding it way too intense.  I had a nightmare that I accidentally hit the "decline acceptance" button for all my schools last night.  ?

I called UW Seattle this week (because patience is clearly not my virtue) and found out that the MedSLP admits might find out about the only possible funding we qualify for - tomorrow.  (recruitment scholarships)
After that, I seriously think I will be taking a break from grad cafe for a while, because I am finding it way too intense.  I had a nightmare that I accidentally hit the "decline acceptance" button for all my schools last night.  ?

I think most of us would need more info on your background in order to give advice on how to get into a grad program.  Stats, previous experience, undergrad experience, letters of rec quality and from whom, your SOP quality (as judged by impartial and qualified others) and the list goes on.  I know you're anxious about SF, but you interviewed, so I see that as a positive.  I would honestly stay away from this site until you receive your answer, if you can.  It's out of your hands for this cycle - hopefully you will receive some good news and won't need our advice!  ?

I think most of us would need more info on your background in order to give advice on how to get into a grad program.  Stats, previous experience, undergrad experience, letters of rec quality and from whom, your SOP quality (as judged by impartial and qualified others) and the list goes on.  I know you're anxious about SF, but you interviewed, so I see that as a positive.  I would honestly stay away from this site until you receive your answer, if you can.  It's out of your hands for this cycle - hopefully you will receive some good news and won't need our advice!  ?

You too?  I get so scared when I reread my acceptance letter because I'm scared of accidentally deleting it or declining acceptance.

I called UW Seattle this week (because patience is clearly not my virtue) and found out that the MedSLP admits might find out about the only possible funding we qualify for - tomorrow.  (recruitment scholarships)
After that, I seriously think I will be taking a break from grad cafe for a while, because I am finding it way too intense.  I had a nightmare that I accidentally hit the "decline acceptance" button for all my schools last night.  ?

Got my third acceptance today! I was notified via email from Governors State University, earlier today. I'm absolutely blown-away. Congratulations to all of those who have been accepted, and hang in there to those who have not been (yet). 

I was accepted to Northeastern last month (my first choice - yay!!!) and will be attending in the Fall. I am also a veteran (6 years Active Duty Navy - Arabic Cryptologic Linguist) and will be using my Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program to pay for both years of tuition. I just wanted to reach out to see if there are any other veterans or military members in the SLP forums who have any experience with the Yellow Ribbon Program. I used my G.I. bill to pay for my post-bacc, but because I took the courses at a state school I didn't need to worry about using the Y.R.P. to cover additional expenses. I have already submitted my Y.R.P. application to Northeastern's veteran's office and am just waiting to register for courses at this point, I suppose. I have read accounts of Y.R.P. awardees also getting free parking passes at Northeastern (which would be incredible since passes cost somewhere near $500 per semester - yikes!) and an additional book stipend from Northeastern...I sent an email to the vet's office asking about those specific perks but have yet to get a response. I posted this topic in reddit's SLP grad student forum but haven't gotten any comments...figured I'd give it a shot here!

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Just received my acceptance for Boston university. First choice. Couldn't be happier 

I just received an acceptance from Purdue! I'm floored. I really considered this program a reach. ;-;

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

I'm not applying to any of your schools, but I definitely see myself in this post. I think I've started to make myself and my boyfriend insane over how much I'm stressing about the cost of these programs. I'm also trying to decide whether it's worth it to stay in a location that I really dislike in order to go to a (potentially) cheaper program. I just don't know. It's an nerve-wracking decision, and I've never dealt with anything like it before. Blah.

Wow. You're really hoping that you beat out someone more qualified based on your gender?

I know one male SLP. He was a stellar student all around, and he's a medical SLP now. He said he might have had a slight edge getting started in medicine, but he's not even sure about that. 

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Nah - even interviews won't do it.  Studies have shown that job interviews do not provide a good indication of how well an applicant does in a position.  Interviews provide very superficial information about people - think about how well an introvert might do in a typical interview setting vs an extrovert.  I think the universities do the best they can (for the most part) with the resources they have.  I wouldn't be upset at someone who gets into a program over me based on stats alone, because there are so many other factors at play.  I read an SOP that literally blew my mind for an applicant that had lower-end stats.  This person also had amazing rapport and in-depth experience working with the faculty writing the letters of rec.  

Congrats, those are two great programs!
After graduating with my M.S. and working for about ten years, I came to the realization that where you go to school doesn't matter anywhere near as much as I thought it did. There are bad schools, sure, but you'll get just about the same education at any of the top 100 or so schools. I realize this may surprise you -- it surprised me! I went to a very highly regarded school. I thought that was important. Since then, I've worked with colleagues from a few different schools, some in the top 20, others in the 50-100 range, and to be honest, there is very little correlation between school "rank" and quality of the SLPs they produce. The biggest correlation with SLP quality is social skills and attitude -- how well do you interact with your patients? While all top 100 schools do a great job teaching the science and theory, they don't do the greatest job of teaching interaction skills (it's hard to teach), and to be honest that's something that takes years to truly learn anyway.
One thing I have noticed, however, is an increase in young folks (gah, I sound old) spending endless time stressing about tuition costs. Many of these kids volunteer at my clinic, they get accepted to a number of good schools, and once they're accepted, they believe they should go to the "best" (most highly ranked) school they were accepted to, but that school is often out-of-state and almost always the most expensive. Let me give you the same advice I give them: go to the cheapest top 100ish school that will take you. We are lucky enough to be in a field that has great salary prospects, at least in the long term, but why saddle yourself with unnecessary debt and anxiety?
It's hard to avoid the draw of a top 5, top 10 school. Those numbers are marketing. Try to ignore them.
Best of luck to you!
In my experience, salary is determined primarily by your environment. Where are you working? (school, hospital, specialty clinic, etc) Everyone who works in a hospital makes roughly the same salary, no matter where they went to school. The MedSLP track is a great idea, but many schools don't (yet) have that track, and their students have no problems getting hired in hospital/medical settings. Did you do well in a top 100ish school? Are you a nice person with good social skills? If you can answer yes to both questions, you should have no problems finding a job in a medical setting.
That said, if you plan on living in a specific city after graduation, you may have an easier time finding your first post-grad job if you go to school in that city. Schools often have local connections. That doesn't mean you won't find a job if you move after graduation -- you will -- only that you might have to look around a bit more.
I don't have a PhD, so most of this advice comes second-hand  Where you get your PhD certainly matters. Academia is enamored by rankings, unfortunately. However, I don't think it matters as much where you get your M.S. Wherever you go, make sure you get involved in research. That's what gets you into PhD programs as I understand it. It may actually be easier to get involved in research at mid-ranked schools as those schools may have fewer students interested in research. Less competition for you. Note also that the mid-ranked schools are usually staffed by professors who graduated from top-ranked schools, so even at the mid-ranked schools you will find professors that do great research.
The PhD path is long and hard. Best of luck to you if you decide to take it!

I'm also going to struggle making my final decision...  As someone from Los Angeles however, the cost of living in Seattle is lower (especially with certain "off campus housing" opportunities - $1100 for a two bedroom apartment).  Traffic is definitely worse in Los Angeles, the homeless population is much larger, and I'm fairly certain drug problems are more prevalent.  San Diego is similar.
The dilemma comes down to this, for me at least.  How do you determine the true "value" of your SLP graduate education?  You only get one shot at this for the most part - no "do-overs" lol.  For example, will certain doors open that wouldn't have otherwise by going to a more expensive and more highly ranked / more prestigious university?  Will my salary be higher if I train as a medical SLP (in a medical track program) than if I had studied elsewhere, and will it make up for the difference in the cost of the program?  While I am not currently committed to pursuing a PhD or other doctorate degree, I might wish to do so in the future - how will my grad school choice influence my potential for acceptance into these programs?  
Additionally, the fact that it is impossible to predict finances and student debt throughout the duration of the program makes the decision especially difficult for me.  What if I turn down a more expensive program due to a lack of initial funding, without realizing I would be qualified for a fellowship or significant aid in the second year of the program?  Some of the scholarships I am applying for will not have final decisions made until late May or even June.  But most programs want a decision by April 15th - how will this factor in for me?  
UW has not yet given the accepted students any financial aid info - they do have "recruitment scholarships" available for select students that they will email us about later (for the MedSLP students).  This will be an important factor as well.  I have read many forum posts that state that our profession is so in demand, that it doesn't matter what school you attend.  This may be the case for many, but I don't buy it as a blanket statement of truth for all SLP majors.  I intend to speak to some of my professors to get their take on my acceptances and what they think.  Hopefully this will help me make my final decision!

just received an acceptance from csulb! so happy/relieved! good luck to everyone!