dude_diligence_

I was just notified this morning about my acceptance into the Fulbright ETA in Andorra. I was previously an Alternate and apparently a new available space opened up at the last minute. It's a lot to digest, especially since I've already started leveling coursework within a graduate program (I couldn't stop thinking about it in class today haha). I'm hoping to make the best decision (whether to accept or decline) by Monday. Are there any other Fulbrighters headed to Andorra on here?

Hey Amanda, if you haven’t tried it already, the SLP subreddit appears to be pretty active with both students and professionals. You might receive more responses from clinicians over there.

24-month program I declined this morning. Dr. Boles never responded to my question about financial aid. It would have been nice to consider what were my options in terms of making the program somewhat affordable.

Dr. Boles, the Director. He still hasn't returned my email though regarding potential financial aid.

Last Friday I received a call and an offer of admission from UOP. I’m assuming some spots have opened up in their cohort since I was initially wait-listed and then rejected a few weeks ago haha before being admitted. I’m looking into what kind of financial aid package I’d be eligible for (if any) but will most likely be declining. Hopefully this will help anyone who is/was on the Pacific waiting list!

Hey @would-be, I can speak to your fourth question regarding 3-year SLP programs. They do exist but they seem a bit rare. I’ll be starting one at Duquesne in the fall. Duquesne offers a 5-year M.S. in SLP program for its undergrad students (3 years of undergrad and 2 years of grad school as opposed to the 4 and 2 model) and allows recent graduates who are out-of-field and from other universities to join the course of study through a Post-Bacc Program. My first two semesters will be leveling classes as well as specific courses for the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification as a Teacher of the Speech and Language Impaired (which is a nice thing to have built into the program). I’ve never tried distance education before so I wanted to stick with formal classroom learning instead of going for online courses. After the first year, I’ll transition automatically into the grad program without having to reapply (definitely a plus). Another perk is being able to already engage in graduate research during the Post-Bacc year at the different SLP labs. Let me know if you have any other questions!

I would say that the religiosity of a Christian university manifests itself differently depending on the group that founded the institution. Most places are usually divided into two camps: those that actively foster a spiritual atmosphere (e.g., campus chapels, theology courses) and those that treat their religious dimensions like vestigial organs (nice to have but not necessarily central to their mission). From a denominational perspective, Catholic universities tend to operate differently than say Protestant bible colleges. Since the caliber of a university depends on a variety of factors, not all Christian universities offer the same quality education per se so they all can’t really be lumped together. From my undergrad experience at Notre Dame, I came to see the value of a holistic approach to education, a sort of spiritual uniformity of academia with curricula and research aimed at and ordered to a common Truth (my Philosophy major is probably showing haha). Of course, not everyone at ND is religious (which is most likely the case at other faith-based universities) so you can still come to appreciate the diversity of perspectives regardless of the spiritual atmosphere (which doesn’t necessarily have to be a hindrance either way). Every applicant is different so that’s why selecting a grad program with the right fit is pretty important. @EESpeechie, yeah, I never got the impression that SMC was overly religious. While things like dorm/Basilica Masses or trips to the Grotto are common at ND and SMC, everyone is pretty much able to participate if they choose. It’s definitely pressure free.

Definitely a good insight, @kpm121. I imagine that cross-cultural competency would be helpful for any allied health professional. Studying abroad or volunteering in ethnic neighborhoods (even an upbringing in a cosmopolitan area) can cultivate a nice appreciation for diversity. I think people tend to limit the phrase “diverse applicants” to just underrepresented minorities but I think the category should include anyone with intercultural experience or sentiments. You also bring up a good point on the fact that universities, while understanding that we benefit from undergoing their programs, also want to admit people who can contribute different perspectives/skills to the rest of the campus community since a cookie-cutter cohort would be a bit boring It would be interesting to see which programs operate with an open definition of diversity (e.g., taking into account socioeconomic status, international experiences, etc.) as opposed to one strictly based on ethnicity/race.

Thanks for the responses @Jeff Barton. While I definitely agree that individuals ought to earn their way into programs, I do believe that universities also place great weight on whether applicants can contribute fresh perspectives and a diversity of experiences (that was my impression during my internship with the Enrollment Division at Notre Dame). I think that out-of-field applicants in particular can share an interdisciplinary approach to CSD study. I know that my undergrad background in French and Portuguese will definitely inform my research interest in Francophone/Lusophone populations in the same way that Philosophy sheds a bit of light on the role of language in knowledge formation. I imagine that the liberal arts (not just hard sciences) can also be helpful for future clinicians. When you wrote that you had been on both sides of the table I thought you meant you had worked in Admissions I appreciate the offer for application help, though, but I'm actually already headed to a grad program this fall. I agree that the application process itself was pretty complicated (looking at you CSDCAS haha). Are you considering pursuing a PhD after the MS?

Ah, that makes sense. I guess programs use them differently. DU maintains a Post-Bacc option for leveling courses and then seamless entrance into the graduate cohort (the majority of whom have already been at DU as undergrads and so only a few are from other universities).

I always thought the terms “Post-Bacc” and “leveling” were used interchangeably (both of which are distinct from earning a 2nd bachelor’s degree). In my program, they phrase it as the Pre-Professional (in which recent grads take the leveling courses) and Professional phases, which is made a little more confusing since DU has a 5 year combined SLP undergrad/grad program so technically I’ll be a Post-Bacc student as well as a 3rd year (reliving junior year I suppose haha).

I’ll be starting the Post-Bac phase of the SLP program at Duquesne this upcoming fall. I was an out-of-field applicant too (French and Philosophy) and so was fairly limited by where I could apply. Duquesne’s setup is nice since it allows Post-Bac students to automatically matriculate to the grad program after successful completion of required coursework. Other Post-Bac programs either do not offer a graduate level or ask students to re-apply to the university’s grad program (which is a hassle I didn’t want to endure twice haha). In any case, I think you should apply directly to programs that are open to those without an undergraduate degree in CSD or dive into some leveling courses instead of becoming an SLPA.

This is great advice, especially in regards to being genuine and original in the SOP for each program. I know these are topics that may have been discussed before in the forum but I was interested in what you might have to say about the following (granted that each applicant and program is unique) : How do out-of-field applicants usually fare when compared to traditional CSD major applicants? Is it an advantage to come from a different discipline? Do SLP grad programs place any particular consideration for diversity (e.g., underrepresented ethnicities, males, etc.) in their admission decisions?

It sounds to me like you have already made a decision at least on some level. I guess you’ll have to reevaluate your motivation for applying for the Fulbright ETA, especially since you have had international experiences and don’t necessarily want to pursue a teaching career (I had mentioned my SLP plans in my application). If your heart really isn’t into it, it might be nice to allow someone else to enjoy the fruits of a Fulbright year. Otherwise, you may end up regretting giving up the opportunity to go to Vandy (even though you still might have a chance at getting in again for the next admission cycle). Also, you’re not necessarily a year behind. Everyone goes at their own pace so it’s no use rushing into things. Instead, you probably are a year ahead of others who don’t have extensive travel or work experience.

First off, congratulations! I'm an Alternate for the Fulbright ETA in Andorra but I'm just happy I made it this far haha. Since I had been thinking about what I would do if I was in a similar situation, I would recommend pursuing the option that will best help you achieve any goals you might have. There's no question that both the ETA and Vanderbilt SLP will offer formative experiences but in different ways. The Fulbright ETA will be a memorable year for you, no question. Not only will it look good if you choose to work in academia but it’ll also develop your language skills and cultural awareness through traveling and teaching in your capacity as a representative of the U.S. Two of my friends are currently completing Fulbright years (one in research and the other on an ETA) and they have enjoyed their time so far. If you choose the ETA (definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience), I’m sure your application can only get stronger for Vanderbilt and other programs. There’s truly no downside as long as you view the decision in light of good discernment. Whichever option you select, you will still have the potential to become a good clinician and so you’re not missing out