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CaidanFire

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Posts posted by CaidanFire

  1. On 12/17/2019 at 11:05 AM, MadisonMachelle said:

    I'm pretty sure those are all of the ASHA-required courses.

    I'm more so talking about classes like: Aural Rehab, AAC, Autism, Counseling, Clinical Methods, Speech Sound Disorders, Fluency, etc., the classes that are just like specialized courses that they consider "pre-requisites." 

    Good luck on a post-bacc though :) 

    Hi,

    Out of the classes that cnice98 mentioned, only one is an ASHA requirement (anatomy and physiology) the rest are pre-reqs for most graduate programs. The ones that you mentioned are mostly graduate level courses. I say this from experience. I have recently taken most of them in my grad program and slated to take the others you mentioned in upcoming semesters. Just thought I would let you know so that you can take the actual pre-req's that you need.

  2. It's most important to submit LOR's from the sources requeted by the individual grad progrms.

    If not specified, it is always good to try to submit a recommendation from an academic source who can attest to your ability to meet the rigours of a grad program.

  3. I had one from my undergrad at USU. One from my anatomy (ASHA prerequisite course) professor because she asked me to be her  TA. And a supervisor when I worked as a RBT. Between them, they were able to attest to my potential as a grad student, my academic profile and abilities, and my work ethics. Also my desire to help others, work with others, etc. 

    Just be sure to get your LOR's from the sources the grad school asks for.

  4. The USU professors are more than willing to provide LOR's. Its actually part of their job. Be sure to ask WAY in advance and give them what they ask for and more if it will help them to get a better picture of you. Remind them how well you did in their class. When you took it. What you took away from it, etc. 

    Understand though that most will wait until you have completed the course so plan accordingly. Remember that they write alot of them so ask early and submit the documents and submission links to them as soon as you can.

  5. Hey everyone. It is frustrating but USA fully plans to open the Dallas campus. The process is involved and sometimes out of their hands. They do have a very good program in Austin and expect that Dallas will follow suit. 

    The program in Austin is on target to recieve full acreditation within 3 years (though they are given 5). 

    Im not officially associated with USA other than I'm a student in their second cohort.

    Hope that sets some worries at ease.

  6. Try to have an opening statement that makes them WANT to keep reading. Best advice I received. So, when I wrote mine, I thought about that.

    Here is the first line, "My radio crackled with just two words 'Caleb' - 'pavilion.' My heart sank as I raced across the campgrounds hoping to reach Caleb in time."

    In the next few sentences, I continue with the story (boy with special needs heading to a meltdown that I was trying to get to in time, but didnt) and how my experiences with scouts with special needs led me to SLP and then tied it into the prompt "why I felt I could make a difference in SLP." I also wrote what I had done to prepare for grad school. (In my case, I knew I wanted an online program so I did my undergrad as a hybrid) so I told them that. Advocate for yourself and dont be afraid to showcase your strengths. Just find that balance so you dont sound arrogant. 

    Everyone has a story. Tell YOURS and find a way to draw them in from the beginning. 

  7. 5 hours ago, bm34384 said:

    Hi! Can any current SLP students at St. Augustine tell me what their clinicals are like? (How often, are they each semester, how long?)

    Thank you!

    I'm in the second cohort. Our clinical rotation is a bit different than the first cohort. We do clinicals each week through SImucase and have a debriefing on the cases each week. You have to get a 90% on each case. This is the format for the first 2 semesters. Each semester is 15 weeks.

    For the subsequent semesters, we will have onsite clinicals. USA will find you a placement. They will ask you for suggestions and then they take if from there. You dont have to find your placements.

    This format allows for the student clinicians to be better prepared for clinicals.  Hope that helps.

     

  8. Just be yourself. Really. I know everyone says that but its true. I interviewed very close to the start of the semester. The program director asked me how I felt about starting so soon and if I was prepared. I said, "Honestly, I feel like throwing up!" The director laughed and said she completely understood the feeling of "wanting to hurl" (her words..haha). Then I went on to explain how organized I am and what all I have done to prepare myself for an online master's program.

    I honestly can't remember the other questions, but they were not hard questions. They didn't ask me about therapy or anything like that

    They know you are nervous. Just relax, breath and remember, they are interviewing you because they are considering offering you a spot. Let them see the real you.

  9. The current tuition is 55k. They dont offer financial aid beyond fafsa and grad loans. The program is stellar as was mentioned. They have many resources to help each student be successful!

    For example..each week we are told what part of the praxis tbe lessons are covering so we can study that portion at the same time. I dont know if other programs do this or not, but USA does.

    You are also given the opportunity to remediate certain assisgnments/tests if you do not do well. They want you to LEARN not just get a score.

    I had the choice of 2 programs that were more expensive and one considerably cheaper. I chose USA.

     

  10. On 5/19/2019 at 3:30 PM, SoCali said:

     I noticed ASHA posted about the new course requirements on social media same time I was on so I asked if the classes can be taken for credit/no credit or a grade. I was so relieved I found out credit/no credit is an option! I am the worst at math and honestly chemistry does not sound "fun". Lol 

    I would caution everyone to check with the grad programs you are considering before taking any pre-reqs for pass/no pass (even the non COMD ones). I applied to 4 online programs (and spoke with 3 other online programs) they ALL said I had to have a letter grade (well, one said I didnt but that it would be counted as a C  because thats the lowest passing grade and they had no way of knowing what I got)! Just dont want anyone to waste any time and then find out the schools have different ideas about grades than ASHA. (Each program has the right to decide if they will accept pass/no pass or CLEP. Just because ASHA says its ok doesnt mean they have to adhere to that and many of them dont).

    A great option for Chemistry is online through Shasta Community College in CA with Prof. Cliff Gottlieb. Google his name. He even has a blog about how he makes it easy to learn and knows that SLP's need and take his course! Gives out a study guide that has all the actual questions for tests on it. So, answer the guide and then use it for the tests! All open book. Super easy.

    Hope that helps someone.

  11. And anyone still waiting for interview/decision. It's not over until you are officially notified. I know of at least one person who was accepted the Friday before classes started on the following Monday (because someone deferred until fall). I know waiting and not having answers is hard, but they do look at everything and try to give everyone a chance to get applications in when they are making decisions. They dont just fill the positions as quickly as possible.

    Its an awesome program and I feel fortunate to be in it. I wish all of the best of luck.

    Let me know if I can answer any questions. I am very busy with studies, but I do check this thread.

  12.  

    4 hours ago, slplo said:

    It wasn't too bad and they really make you feel comfortable. I did the online interview so I am not sure if it's different, but it started with an orientation and then we were separated to groups. I was in a group with a few other students. The questions were about ourselves, how we were as students, professionalism and clinical questions. There were a couple situational questions as well. We had a time limit of 45 minutes I believe so we didn't get through all the questions. 

    I just recieved an acceptance email today!

    Congratulations!!! I am currently in USA grad program. Which campus was your acceptance for?

     

  13. No worries at all! Everyone in every program has to prove hours. Its easy though. You keep track of them in an online program called Calipso. I talked with ASHA becore applting, they assured me that there will be no problem with getting the license. I also talked to my state..same answer. 

    Yes the program is in accreditation candidacy status. No big deal. Every program was at one time. The program director and her team are phenomenal. They have developed a great program and truly care about the students success. 

    Hope that helps.

     

  14. Hang in there everyone!  Its a great program. They really look at everything and their biggest concern is whether or not you will be a great clinician - not just if you meet the stats that everyone usually focuses on. My cohort is filled with people from different backgrounds and the stats are all over the board. I heard that some people think the program is easier or accepts only those with lower stats. Not the case. Just to put it in perspective and not to scare anyone off. I had a solid 4.0, Verbal GRE 168, Writing score 4.5, Math, not so good - 143!!! (and we will never speak of that score again!! LOL)  Lots of experience with ABA. No research and only shadowed SLP.

    But, a member of my cohort had a 3.4, GRE score 293 (dont know the break down),  former military and has 3 years experience working as an SLPA.  We are all different and bring something different to the program. 

    Hope you all hear great news soon! And since the older cohorts mentor newer cohorts, I might get to know some of you a bit better and walk this journey with you!

    (p.s. Semester ends next Fri, so its finals week and I may not be around to answer any questions. But, good luck!!)

  15. On 4/1/2019 at 11:21 AM, slp2323 said:

    I got accepted off the wait list for my #1 school (my undergrad school) and now I'm feeling incredibly inadequate. First of all, I get how this looks -- I got in, I should be happy and there are a lot of people still waiting to get in. So, I'm sorry for being insensitive. However, I can't shake this feeling. I put everything into my undergrad. So much time and energy. I got the grades, participated, did the extracurriculars, got to know my professors, and so on. So there is this feeling of, they know me and didn't want me. Now going into this program I'll know that of my cohort, I was the runt of the litter. Has anyone else experienced this? 

    Being waitlisted doesnt mean you were somehow not good enough or deficient.

    Two different program directors explained it this way:

    Many times, programs are looking to fill their cohorts with people from various backgrounds, interests, locations, experience, basically many things beyond grades and scores. They are often looking to diversify the cohort.

    People who are waitlisted have what the program is looking for, but the cohort is developing a certain way as far as diversity and the 'feel' for the cohort. If the dynamics change or someone declines, then they have room and will fill that slot and the dynamics change from the original plan for that cohort. Does that make sense?

    Hope that helps

  16. On 4/13/2019 at 7:38 PM, CANDYLAND said:

    I took a course titled .... physical science  will this meet criteria. do i need to chemistry or physics

    Hi,

    Contact the grad programs you are interested in and check. My experience was that all of the ones I applied to required a stand alone physics or chemistry course. I had an advanced Astronomy with HEAVY physics that was listed under the physics department and it wouldnt fly. I had to take a stand alone course, but was allowed to do it after acceptance to my grad program. Some will let you do it after acceptance, some programs will state it must be done before. So, best to ask.

  17. 14 hours ago, slplo said:

    Thanks for responding and that's great to hear! It makes me more excited about the prospect of attending. Do you know how the interviews work? Do they interview only a handful of students at a time because some interviews have happened already although the deadline hasn't passed. I heard that the cohort size is about 15.

    Also how do externships and clinicals usually work in this online format? Is it something you set up or the school? What is the workload like and are courses live streamed?

    Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions!

    I believe they have two rounds of interviews. They strongly encourage you to attend if possible but also do them by skype. They want to see how well you fit and that its also a good fit for YOU. I did my interview by skype -  so it doesnt disadvantage you.

    The first cohort is 15 students and the second one is 17. So the size isnt necessarily set in stone.

    Our first residency weekend - we did actual hearing screenings, speech/language screenings and evals for people from the surrounding community.

    As far as externships -  the first semester is through simucase - this is actually VERY good prep as it allows you to try different things within each case and you learn so much! There is tremendous feedback and personalized attention as you go through with each case. The vice-president of simucase is our instructor for this course. You get familiar with various screening/assessments before you go out into the field (for those who are coming from out of field, this is really good experience).

    The rest of the clinicals are done at actual sites. They will ask you for recommendations in your area and then they take it from there. They do all the reaching out and placements for you.

    The courses are all online. Much of the material is print work, videos, recorded lectures and scheduled skype sessions for additional discussions. Some courses have a requirement that you log on, but they offer more than one time slot in order to accommodate everyone. Sometimes, you just have to pick the one that works best for you even if its not ideal.

    There are assignments due each week. Depending on the course there may be live interactions (they try to do these at times convenient to as many people as possible). Many of the instructors have live office hours to skype into as well as individual sessions if needed.

    The workload can get heavy sometimes, but most of us have at least a part time job and its doable. We all stay connected and message each other frequently with questions and support. They also have tutoring in place from previous cohorts for some of the courses.

    I know in my undergrad program, I sometimes felt like we were given "busy" work. That doesnt happen in this program. The assignments are targeted and teach to ASHA competencies. USA also recommends a praxis study book and they tell you which pages (areas) that each assignment correlates to so that you can study for the praxis as you work through the program.

    I know that the idea of doing a residency weekend each semester (there are 5 total) may seem like a deterrent, but honestly, I believe it adds a tremendous bonus to the program.

    I hope that answers some of your questions a bit better.

     

  18. On 3/9/2019 at 4:50 PM, slplo said:

    What do you think of the program so far and what is the online format like? I completed my application after the first interviews were sent out so I don't know if my chances are slim, but it is a program I'm really interested in. Like the pp said, there isn't much information online about it

    I am very pleased with the program. Everyone is very supportive and there is a close knit feel with the entire staff. The professors have been sourced out from very prestigious positions and they really know their stuff!! I feel very fortunate to have been accepted here.

    They do require a weekend residency attendance during each semester (so 5 visits) but they are sooo worth it! We learn so much and get to know each other very well and it really makes a BIG difference in an online program. Even though it is an additional cost and inconvenient, most everyone in my cohort looks forward to the residency weekends. Because they also have PT and OT cohorts, we get to interact with them as well to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations.

    They also have an actual lab to supplement neuro-anatomy during one of the residence weekends. This is rarely offered even with campus programs.

    There have been a few hiccups (it is a brand new program afterall) but they were swiftly and efficiently addressed.

    They have 5 years to get full ASHA accreditation but have solid plans to complete it within 3 years.

    If anyone is considering applying, I would strongly encourage you to do so. They TRULY look at the whole package.

    Also - call and talk to an admissions counselor! They are very helpful, especially Heather. They will clear up any confusion you might have. If they dont answer, be sure to leave a message. They WILL call you back. You can also email them

     

  19. HI,

    To the OP. I completed my undergrad online at Utah State. The courses and teachers were top notch and every bit as rigorous as on campus classes. I applied to 5 grad programs and got excepted into all 5. I even told them all in my SOP that my BS was online. They are well aware of that online program and didnt have any problem with it. Most grad programs are aware of the various online post bach and bach programs for slp. I honestly dont know of anyone who has been rejected solely because their degree was earned online.

    Hope that helps. Good luck!

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