slpPLS

Not sure about the cost but if it helps you calculate there should be around 48 credit hours total that includes classes and practicum/internships. Also there's no deposit deadline or fee

Hi guys - so I visited the UTD Communication Disorders program in March and totally haven't had time to write my impressions of the program (which I think some of you wanted to know!) so here goes: 
The Callier Center is its own building in the Southwestern Medical District of Dallas, about a half hour from the Richardson campus. The building is really unimposing and unimpressive, with plenty of parking in the lots and parking decks, but decently nice inside. 
Dr. Stillman is a wonderful human being - he was so welcoming! This goes for every faculty member I interacted with. Everyone was relaxed, kind, and helpful... faculty and administrative doors were open and people were very accessible, which surprised me considering what a large program UTD is. One of the students remarked to me that she had never needed to make an appointment to interact with Dr. Stillman or the clinical advisor. 
Most of the students I spoke with work part time either out in the community or in the department or with work-study, and said that it was easy to balance practicums, class work, and a job. Paid positions included research, if anyone is interested in that, as well as more administrative positions. There are several research programs going on and the lab facilities seemed very nice, and there is a new center for studying Autism that is being built (might be almost done/near opening!). 
The degree program itself is very flexible, with only 6 (I believe) core classes and a huge number of electives. If you know what you want to specialize in, this is the place to do it! If you want to explore, this is also a great place. Related to that - there are practicum placements all over Dallas, with public and private schools, medical centers, the Callier Center, as well as opportunities on the Richardson campus. Students said that they usually got the practicum placement that they wanted because the students all have such broad interests, no one is studying on the exact same track as someone else. This creates an environment that isn't very competitive, but rather, supportive. The two required practicum experiences are child and adult based, but from there you can follow your interests. 
 
Overall, if you couldn't tell, I really enjoyed my visit to the program and am seriously considering attending. Let me know if you have any other questions or comments or whatever. I asked about 8000 questions while I was there and everyone was so patient with me, as well as knowledgeable. Yay! 

WOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!
 
JUST GOT MY FIRST ACCEPTANCE FROM UT DALLAS! I AM BEYOND ECSTATIC!!!!!     

It might sound weird, but it will be a very strange feeling when all of this waiting is over. It has become such a consuming part of life! Haha. I think I have doubted almost every part of my application since I've been waiting. I have avoided opening my personal statements because I'm scared I will see mistakes on them. I have also went a little overboard and made a document on my computer with my programs' dates that they sent out decisions from past years. Yep, I have hit rock bottom. Isn't admitting you have a problem the first step to recovery or something like that? I accept my neurotic tendencies! 

haha because it's completely normal to be paranoid when you have so much on the line. And most professors in the past have said that it would be unethical to write a bad letter of rec and they would instead decline to write one if asked by someone they were unsure about. 

The other day I suddenly became worried that my application essays were horrible, or that maybe one of my references said I was not fit for grad school. It's so absurd because I spent endless amounts of time writing my essays and I know my LOR writers so well... why am I so paranoid?! 

Excuse me neuronparty, I am not passing judgement on anyone's character here as you have. I may sound too stern for you, but let me remind you that culture plays a big role in people's use of language. I come from a very stoic Nordic background. I am sorry that some may find what I have to say insensitive, but deal with it. I am only expressing my thoughts on applying to one school. I think it is unwise, and I have been advised as much myself. Thank you for your delightful conversation.

As Chandru said, people who apply to one school have intelligent and practical reasons for doing so.   And what is the hurt in asking about funding? I think it's a great question, and I can see several reasons why someone might have information to share in response - like having discussed funding with someone who has served on an admissions committee.    In this case I don't think you have any reason to have said something about these posts. But just in general, even if you are genuinely perplexed by something someone says, that doesn't mean you aren't being rude. It all depends on how you phrase what you say. It might be helpful for you to think, "How would I react if someone said this to me?" before you say something.      (@Chandru1 sorry for the downvote, I was aiming for the green but I guess I missed! :/ ) 

Ever heard the saying "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all?" It's a legitimate question that other people who have been through the process may know. As for your other rude comment to the person applying to one school, that was not necessary. After all, the whole purpose of this website is for people to share information about graduate school. With comments like that, I can't help but wonder how people like yourself go into a helping profession when you choose to be condescending and rude to other people. I would for one not want a clinician with those attributes. Move along now. 

While I would never apply to just one school, I am grateful that I happen to be single and have the funds available to relocate and study full time. If I had a family or was tied down due to a job, I would have to apply to one school (the nearest SLP school is 30 mins away, the second closest is 1 hr, more in traffic).

Why are you being so rude?

Hello,
 
I was just wondering if anyone who has been to an interview day for Speech-Language Pathology programs could share a little about what to expect. I was just invited to an interview day (nearly had a heart attack) and I am curious about what it's like. The email said that there will be a tour of the facilities and interviews with faculty, graduate students, and the head of the department. There is also a written part of the interview process (?).
 
Also, how does it work when you do group interviews with a few other students? It said that we will be doing interviews in groups too.
 
Lastly, does anyone have any good resources for how best to practice for interviews in SLP? Are there any questions that they generally always ask at these types of interviews? I have a list of some questions I think could be asked but I'd like to hear if there's more that are likely to be asked. I am trying to get a little familiar with the types of things I may be asked so I wont be caught completely off guard. 
 
Any insight is welcome! 

Other discussion, I'll tell you there. Don't wanna be spammed

To give you some hope-- my  combined GRE score was lower than yours, with a lower math score (148) and higher verbal score (156). I got into all of my top schools. I did have a good GPA and two years of related experience and spent months on my personal statement, but my scores were definitely on the lower end for those who were applying/accepted into my program. I spent months agonizing over my poor scores (and even took the test again and did worse) but everything ended up working out. My feeling is that schools generally (at least the ones I applied to) cared mostly about your combined score, and as long as you were above a certain mark (usually 300) you were fine. Don't lose hope! The GRE is not the end all be all. However, if it is causing you that much anxiety you COULD take them again, just to feel like you're doing everything in your power to boost your application. Taking the GRE again didn't improve my score but it did lessen my anxiety about the whole process.