Cowsy

Hi there! I'm really interested in knowing more about this. Would you be able to be more specific about the program and its flaws? PSU is my top choice, primarily because of location but also because their research on the intersection of culture and SLP is incredibly interesting to me. I've talked to a few others in the post-bacc program who don't love it, but haven't really heard from any grad students about that program and have hoped that it is a more positive experience. I went to PSU for undergrad and loved it, but my department was small (Black Studies) and I felt very connected/supported.

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Yeah, I agree! I know it's not logical and I would be SHOCKED if it happened to me, or to anyone else. I've never read or heard about something like that happening and it just doesn't make sense. It's just my darn mind being mean to me, and I wish it would stop. Haha.

Is anyone else dealing with anxiety about a school rescinding their offer? I'm petrified even though I know it's not realistic. Right? It's not realistic, right?!? Hahaha... ha... ha... I only applied to two schools. I heard back from one with an acceptance a few weeks ago, and I don't think I'll hear from the second for another few weeks. Part of me just wants to accept this offer before they... take it away. It's a sure thing. But is it really? Ha. Argh. I'm emotionally damaged by this process, obviously. Just needed to vent.

I agree. I can't offer any information or advice to help with your dilemma, but I'm glad you said this. It just stands out to me that we are discussing how expensive it is to simply house oneself in some of these cities, and then also discussing the number of homeless people in the same cities... I lived in Chicago for four years and I'm not sure where that city stands on the list of violent crime or homelessness, but I was never a victim of any kind of crime. I've lived in Portland on and off for a total of six or seven years, and while it's a smaller city and I'm guessing it doesn't rank highly on the list of violent crime, it has a major "homelessness problem." Nothing has ever happened to me here, either. I don't know. While things obviously DO happen due to these situations (your story illustrates this), I would advise against making huge life decisions based on that kind of thing. So I guess I actually do have some advice, haha. EDIT: I just recalled that you have children and can absolutely see how these kinds of things might seem more pertinent to your decision than for a single person like me! I definitely understand that.

I had a dream last night that I was rejected by PSU (my top choice), and somehow my volunteer supervisor, an SLP I've worked closely with, knew about it before me and posted about it here on gradcafe. Hahahahaha. ? Also, I was in some building and there were posters full of information about accepted students on the walls... plus one about me, with all my info and, like, essays about why I was rejected. HAHAHHAHA. Goodness gracious.

I'm hoping beyond hope that this doesn't happen to me. I would almost (ALMOST) rather get outright rejected than have to deal with the uncertainty of accepting one school's offer yet still holding out hope for another. And this doesn't even touch on the ethical issues and guilt I would feel from essentially going back on a promise. To actually answer your question though: from what I've read, at least, this does happen in our field and others, and while schools obviously frown on it, I don't think there's anything legally binding us to a school if we later decide on a different one. But I'm interested in any other insights...

Hey again! I think this is a great use of your time! Positive thinking. :-) Let's see, about Portland... I do feel safe here! However, I might not be the best barometer of safeness level, haha. Any larger city is going to have some amount of crime, obviously, but I try to never let fear dictate my decisions. Obviously try to watch out for myself as well though. :-) I live in the Woodlawn neighborhood in NE Portland, which is affordable and feels safe and comfortable to me. Lloyd Center is also NE but a very different area. My concern with that area would be the price of rent. I do think it would be very possible for you to find an apt or other living situation that would accommodate your dog in another neighborhood! But I've never had my own dog, so I can't give more advice than that. Portland has a reasonable cost of living, but housing prices have skyrocketed recently. It's cheap to eat and live here in general, though. It's also very dog-friendly! There are dogs everywhere. Some restaurants allow dogs! That's why I think you'll be okay finding housing that works with your pup. Public transportation is good, and it's a good place if you like to ride your bike instead of driving. It's also pretty easy to navigate. Most of the city is set up like a grid, but in some parts of SW Portland the roads get all twisty turny. Some pretty/fun/interesting neighborhoods/districts include Alberta, NW 23rd, Sellwood/Moreland, Mississippi, Laurelhurst (beautiful old houses), Old Town, Downtown, Hawthorne/Belmont...there's lots to explore. If I think of more to share, I'll you know, and feel free to ask more questions.

Yeah, I really like Portland. I grew up here and went to PSU for undergrad. It's a good city, combo of big city stuff but a more laid back feel. Good food, music and art, lots of green, pretty close to mountains and the coast. The PSU campus is basically right downtown and is really fun and pretty, it's just totally integrated into the city. It doesn't snow much in Portland, maybe 1-2x on average a year. It sure rains a lot though. That's what you'll have to be prepared for! Overall the climate is pretty mild, but if rain bothers you, it's not ideal.

Also the term "non-acceptance" is hysterical to me ?

Oh wait. They said they decide by mid-March, but notify late March. Okay. ? "Our faculty selection committee plans to finalize their review and decisions by mid-March. You should expect to receive an email communication by the end of March notifying you of acceptance, waitlist, or non-acceptance."

Oh my gosh, I hope the lady from PSU misspoke. The email said mid-March, which I believe is historically when they've notified. I think worst case she meant late March, as March just arrived and maybe she thought we were still in February, ha. :-) But even if that's the case (late March)...boo. They said mid-March. They'll definitely notify before April 15th though, unless they're totally deviating from their standard protocol. Late next WEEK would sure be nice!

Hi there! I would be happy to look at your SOP and give feedback, alghough I am no expert. EDIT: and although I apparently can't spell "although"... ?

Hi there! I took three online classes through Northwestern and three through USU. Planning one more through USU this summer. Northwestern's program only has five classes, which could potentially be an issue when it comes to fulfilling all requirements for certain graduate programs. However, each class I took covered a lot, perhaps more than the course title might indicate. For example, Intro to Audiology covered sound and acoustics, anatomy, physiology and neurology of the ear and hearing, and audiological history, principles and methods. Obviously not all topics were covered to the degree they might be in a standalone course on acoustics or neurology, though. Northwestern is expensive. The classes were $1600 or $1700 each. The classes were small, though, which was a major advantage as I was able to form relationships with my professors even online. I had two letters of recommendation from NU professors. USU was great. The classes are huge and your work may be graded by TAs, but the professors are still accessible. It's a very well-run program. I felt NU's program was a little haphazard at times, for example not knowing who the professor for a course would be until the day before it started. I don't think that would happen with USU. Also, the number and variety of course offerings are extensive, and the price was about 1/2 of what I spent on NU for each course. I feel the course content of each program helped prepare me well and I would recommend both overall. :-)

That post is from 2013, so I wonder if they were accredited in 2013 or after.

What a great quote! And what a great perspective you have! I absolutely agree that allowing yourself to actually process the emotions makes it easier to move forward, and I am so glad that's the case for you. Your thoughtfulness and maturity make it clear to me what a wonderful SLP you will be. :-) Thank you for the congrats and best wishes!

That does suck. I'm sorry. I know what you mean about developing self-esteem and having that majorly challenged by this process. I've never felt more vulnerable! One thing I've told myself is that it takes a lot of courage to put myself out there at all. I'm guessing that if you're anything like me, there were points along the way where you nearly gave up. And lots of people did. But you didn't! It's definitely not the end, don't count yourself out, and ultimately this experience will hopefully help build character/confidence/self-esteem, because you WILL get through it!!!

I have a question that's going to expose just how naive I am about this whole world and process: if I've received an acceptance and am still considering it, waiting for responses from other schools, etc., I just...don't say anything, right? As I type this, I know that's what I'm supposed to do, but, well, I'm paranoid. I'm not used to letting important correspondence simply sit in my inbox, hahaha. It's just another question along the lines of: what if they made a mistake and I wasn't meant to receive that email? What if they take another look at my application and decide they don't like me after all? Ahh. Ahhhhh. ? I have a few questions about the program, though, and I guess reaching out and asking for more information would also be a method of expressing that I received the acceptance and am interested... I actually have another, related question about etiquette. I was accepted by U of O, and they have a Visit Day where prospective students can meet current students and professors, ask questions, tour campus, etc. I would absolutely love to attend but I've very unfortunately got something else that day that I've just got to prioritize. ? Is it appropriate for me to not attend, but still reach out and ask questions or speak to an advisor? I feel like that's basically me saying, "we have to do it on my timeline!" rather than conforming to the opportunity they're offering. But I do genuinely have a few questions I would like to have answered, particularly about prerequisite coursework between now and September. I'm scared of making a mistake, in case that wasn't clear. Ha. Appreciate any help!

Neither Portland State University or the University of Oregon do interviews. Not in California, but not too far either. :-)

Hi everyone. :-) I also got an acceptance email from the University of Oregon this morning. I wasn't expecting it and I'm happy but still kind of numb. I only applied to UO and PSU, so I'll just have to see what PSU says and go from there. I'm so excited...underneath the shock. I'm also scared. Haha. But thankful I don't have to go through this process again. Congratulations to everyone who has received good news, and best wishes to all. I've spent so much time reading this forum and relating to all the experiences and emotions.