intotheairwaves

Grad school is definitely a full time job but it's all about time management. I did not work this past year and relied on loans and I'm glad I could just focus on school. However it's doable for some people if you can find a TA job or something on the evenings or weekends. I wouldn't try much more than 10 hours though. It just is too much with classes and surviving clinic. One other thing that would help is trying to minimize time planning for sessions. You don't need to spend hours creating crafty things. If your clinic had a good materials room take advantage of anything ready made or games/toys so you can save time on session planning. 

Definitely follow up. I was rejected from my top choice program last year, followed up, was given feedback, made those improvements, and now I will be attending their program in the fall! Good luck!

It worth a shot at least. Seriously. After getting the dreaded rejection letter, I e-mailed and asked for feedback on how I could improve. The response was an apology/correction; the rejection letter was sent out by mistake. They subsequently made an offer of admission with funding. Had I not inquired, who knows when/if they would've realized it. Also not sure how often this really happens....but you never know. 

I agree with all the benefits of having a pet, but in addition to time constraints, please also keep the costs in mind. There's the recurring costs of food, litter, and routine vet appointments (these can be reasonably priced if you schedule the vaccines or spay/neuter with the SPCA or a similar clinic). However, also be prepared for the emergency bills. I was a veterinarian's assistant in college before turning on to this path and I can't begin to tell you the weird stuff that the vet had to surgically remove from the dumb pets who had swallowed them. Also, beware of the pets you find through Facebook posts. My friend recently adopted a cat that had been left behind by its owners, and then she discovered a week later that the cat had kidney failure. It was a lot of heartbreak and a hefty bill. Go through your local adoption or petfinder.com, since they will have screened the pets for health concerns and are honest about any special needs.
Not trying to deter you at all because I know how comforting pets can be, but definitely make sure you're in a place where you can handle those costs that unexpectedly pop up, especially when you're in such a financially unstable time during school!

Absolutely sobbing over here! But for me, going to the program I love the most is absolutely worth the cost of the loan. I will be attending a Boston program (high price tag, high cost of living) over my local NYC programs (also a high price tag potentially reduced by scholarship, but simultaneously save thousands by living at home). And like you said, SLPs make decent money, so it'll be worth it in the long run!

Absolutely sobbing over here! But for me, going to the program I love the most is absolutely worth the cost of the loan. I will be attending a Boston program (high price tag, high cost of living) over my local NYC programs (also a high price tag potentially reduced by scholarship, but simultaneously save thousands by living at home). And like you said, SLPs make decent money, so it'll be worth it in the long run!

Cool, thanks for the link! I don't understand the placement of the rankings, how can there be two #1's, zero #2's, two #3's, and so on? Why aren't #3's bumped to #2's if nothing ranks between them and the #1's? What am I missing... haha. I wish they also broke down the ranking into different areas, which could be helpful for people choosing a program based off their interest in one specific field.
But like I just said in another thread, I've heard from established SLPs that program rankings among ASHA certified programs do not matter because the content is universal!

I've been told by two SLPS (one graduated ~10 years ago from MGH and one graduated 20+ years ago from Penn State, for whatever the time difference and ranking difference is worth...) that program ranking doesn't matter because as long as ASHA certifies the program then you're learning the same material as the other programs. The difference is in the program's focus areas and if that fits what you want to do!

Is anyone else looking at estimates for attendance and internally sobbing / laughing hysterically? Add in cost of living and I'm not sure that I'll have any spare money once the program starts. Plus, I'm pretty sure it would be next to impossible to work while completing the MS program. My mom was right about saving for grad school (I still do not regret my impulse purchases... yet ). 
I know SLPs make decent money, but I'm wondering when the loan becomes too big of a loan-- if that makes any sense. I have one program that's going to be super cheap, even with the ridiculous cost of living for the area, but it's not my favorite school. And my top program choice (that I have yet to hear back from) could potentially be the most expensive program.
Thoughts?

Congrats to those who got into their respective programs!  Are any of you already making decisions, or waiting for the rest to respond back?
Waiting for emails, but not wanting to contact them in fear of sounding impatient.  

It's not all about stats. They probably had more experience / better LOR's / statement of purpose. People who think they deserve acceptance to programs because of "better stats " ? Now that's what "bugs me" . Stats don't tell you how good you'll be in a certain career. Just sayin. ?

Oh my goodness thank you you're an angel 

Just called Emerson's grad admissions office today and was told that they're going to start posting acceptances tomorrow or Friday and continue into the end of next week. Good luck, everyone!!

Just called Emerson's grad admissions office today and was told that they're going to start posting acceptances tomorrow or Friday and continue into the end of next week. Good luck, everyone!!

Just called Emerson's grad admissions office today and was told that they're going to start posting acceptances tomorrow or Friday and continue into the end of next week. Good luck, everyone!!

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.