J Mack
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Posts posted by J Mack
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57 minutes ago, hopetobeSLP said:
Okay well now I'm confused. There's been at least ten people on here that said they declined their acceptance to Western? Did they admit more then 37 people first round?
Oh really?? Hmm, I am confused too then. I was pretty shocked when she told me that. Maybe I misunderstood. But I did rephrase it to see if I understood her...Maybe the 37 acceptances included some people that got off the waitlist from the people mentioned here that declined? I am sure Janet would clarify if she got an email. If anybody finds out, post on here! I would like to know as well.
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1 hour ago, klfstudent said:
Thanks for the info! When is the deadline for the tuition deposit? There might still be some shifting before that date.
Hmm, good question. I haven't heard anything about that but ya, you are right! That is the point of more commitment.
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On April 18, 2016 at 8:41 PM, speechiehopeful said:
Hey guys, I will be going to Western as well, just wondering if anyone is planning on working part time during the program? I have heard it is very difficult to work but I have always worked throughout my undergrad and I"m not willing to not work and accumulate massive debt, anyone else in the same situation?
Hey fellow Westerner,
I totally get where you are coming from! I have always thought that grad school would be too hectic to work and after visiting the program this week, I was assured that it is NUTS busy and just juggling the courses and clinical are more than enough. I am sure it is not impossible though! I am not the fastest learner so I know that I won't be able to handle a job, but I am sure some people can make it happen. At least we have July/Aug of the first year to pick up some hours somewhere
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Hey everybody,
I toured Elborn College at Western yesterday (OMG beautiful campus) and just wanted to pass on some things that Janet told me that might clarify a few things.
Of the 37 applicants that Western admitted first round, 36 accepted! This is pretty amazing and they are really thrilled to have such a great response. But, unfortunately that means that only one person is getting off the waitlist as of now. But, things can still change and people can still change their minds and withdraw if they get off the waitlist at their dream schools or whatever
Just wanted to pass that on.
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5 minutes ago, SpeechBubble said:
For those who accepted Western, how long did it take for your Student Center to change from the green check-mark (offered admission) to the green circle (accepted offer)? I accepted last Friday but mine hasn't changed...I got my confirmation number from orpas though....
I just checked and mine has changed to the green circle. I think I accepted a week ago? Not sure when it changed though.
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3 hours ago, speechteach said:
Thank you J Mack! Relocating isn't an option for me unfortunately. I will be completing all of my pre-requisites at the U of A as well. I'm crossing my fingers that there are exceptions to the rule! If not, I'll have to apply again the following year. I won't be able to finish them all (7) in one semester, so I'll have to apply with a couple pending. Thanks again for your feedback!
No problem! I hope things work out for you
Hopefully, there are exceptions!
Is it possible to take any prereqs this spring/summer? Maybe that way, you could have less in progress next Winter...? In terms of waiting an extra year, the silver lining is getting to pace out your prereqs and, at least in my case, get better grades. Also, the GRE sucks a big one and although many people do, I didn't study for it on top of a full course load, and I was thankful for that.
Good luck!
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On April 7, 2016 at 3:32 PM, speechteach said:
This thread has been so helpful! I'm returning to University after 5 years as a kindergarten teacher, so I'm taking a year of prerequisites this fall/winter and will be applying to U of A for 2017.
Has anyone been accepted pending the completion of their prerequisites? I will have 3 left in the winter semester. Thanks!
Hi speechteach!
I am not done my prereqs for Toronto and so my acceptance there is conditional that I complete the one class before schools starts. It doesn't matter because I have declined there but still helpful to know that you can't even get away with have 1 incomplete prereq. I have also heard a few times that having your prereqs in progress for U of A can actually hurt your application enough for them to decline you entirely. The schools in Ontario don't seem to care as much but just want you to make sure you finish them before the program starts. I know it is probably not possible, but I would try and get all your prereqs done for U of A before you apply or, if you have to take prereqs next winter, maybe apply elsewhere in the country just in case U of A doesn't work out
Hope this helps and good luck!
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Here is the pdf comparing schools:
Someone pointed out to me that each program provides the same amount of clinical hours, thankfully, so I went back to this pdf to see why I thought that they were all different. The table comparing clinical hours at each school is actually measured in weeks! So one school may span your hours over more weeks but that doesn't mean that you are actually getting more hours. Ah! Sorry to mislead anyone!
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14 hours ago, sfnslp said:
Hi everyone! I got accepted to both UWO and UofT as well, and I have no idea which one to pick.
I have some major concerns:
What I dislike about the program at Western is that they have some of their placements at the same time as their classes. It sounds like a lot of work!! What if you get a placement outside of London?!
Also, how do the clinical and academic units come together at UWO, if they don't do blocks of class time followed by relevant placements? Like what if you get placements on topics you haven't covered yet or things you're just starting to hear about? I really don't understand UWO's structure. I saw Saturday classes on a friend's schedule, too... Is that for real?!?! I'd really appreciate it if someone in the program could clarify things for me
Lastly, how come I keep hearing that people can get external placements in their hometown? During the UWO open house, the coordinator told us multiple times that out of town placements are not guaranteed... I'm from Toronto, so I feel like I can't count on getting placements in the GTA unless I go to UofT.
I know I sound like I have a lot of doubts about UWO, but I'm not very keen on going to UofT again lol
Thanks in advance!
Hey!
It looks as though our placements that occur during classes are all at the in-house clinic and about half a day a week? That might make it more manageable. I know what you mean though about the first spring term where we have to take voice disorders yet I have been told I can travel for that placement? That is a little confusing. The clinical placement page on Western's website is helpful too. I know that coming out of Western SLP, you will have accumulated the most clinical hours compared to any school in the country. I think I saw this on a CASLPA pdf comparing each program. So that is a plus I think! But it depends on what you think is most important. I would imagine that you would not be advised to do a placement in an area that you have not taken a class on yet, but I don't know for sure. I think that every school has to say that out of town placements aren't guaranteed, because technically they are not, but for me for example, I know I will have more choice and less competition getting a placement in my hometown (Winnipeg) because there isn't a program there! My SLP friends had a lot of success getting great placements in Winnipeg and liked that they got to make connections at home. If you are from a city that has a program, than you are right, chances are less I think. I have heard that each program has placement "turf" so if you are from the Toronto area you may have some competition with the Toronto SLP students for placements. If you are willing/wanting to travel somewhere completely different in Canada for placements, than I think you are in the same position at either Western and Toronto. You should go back a page or two and look at umsinger's comment, she is in her first year at Western and will know a lot more than me
What are your reservations at Toronto? I definitely see the appeal of Toronto's layout! My only concern with it is what if you are super interested in one population or a couple of areas, and you find this early on, you are still required to spend your placements how the program wants you to. For me, I wouldn't want to spend 8 weeks doing adult neuro if my passion is child language. I would want to definitely dabble in everything, I think we have to to get our license, but I would want to get the most clinical practice in my area of interest. Western allows you to tailor your placements to suit your interests and future job aspirations I think while making sure you hit your hours in each sub-field.
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4 hours ago, klfstudent said:
My guess is that you won't be able to accept both U of T and Western since they're both Ontario schools on ORPAS, but they probably wouldn't know if you accepted U of A. I'm in a similar situation and plan on accepting U of A because I don't want to make a decision before the U of T open house. I also feel bad but I'm going to make a decision hopefully right after the open house.
Hey kjfstudent! Thanks for your reply. You are totally right, I even confirmed with Janet. I was a little scared to ask her but she said that ya, the schools don't communicate about this stuff and you can't (firm?)accept at both Toronto and Western. She said it is totally reasonable and fine to accept at two school if it means you are given more time to really evaluate your options
Phewf!!
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1 hour ago, mogibear said:
Thanks for sharing! It seems like a lot of people are choosing based on personal reasons, which I think are totally valid. For me, I live only a 45 min GO train ride away from the downtown Toronto campus. So U of T gives me the option to commute for even just the first year or so if I want, and that way I can live at home and save money. London seemed like a cool adventure for me but I think practicality is pretty important. I went to U of T for my undergrad and I loved it there, I'm excited about the idea of going back.
I also want to point out that apparently a U of T professor called for me last night - I was at work so I didn't get it, but he left his number and I will call him tonight probably. That made me feel a LOT better about the school because I was so impressed that Professor Orange called from Western, the faculty seems so nice there. I'm hoping to find just as many nice people at Toronto! And while 50 students seems like a lot, it will still be much smaller than the undergrad classes I was used to
There you go! Sounds like your mind is made up
Toronto sounds like such a good fit for you. I wish I was that close to any program There are no programs within a 12 hour drive from Winnipeg, in Canada at least. And if you know that you love U of T, than you know you will enjoy your time as grad student there! That is so great that Toronto made some calls. I didn't know about that because I already declined there, but that is such a nice touch! All the schools should do that. And yes, good point! Your class of 50 will still feel small. At U of Winnipeg where I went, my classes were usually 50 and under so that is what I am used to. Oh! I have to add that if I accepted at Toronto, I would have to take human anatomy this spring (may and june) and I am getting married july 2! No thanks ahah! That is not how I want to spend the month before the big day lol!
Good luck in your decisions!
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8 minutes ago, SpeechGal said:
Does anyone know how many people are the waitlist for UWO and UoT?
I have heard 60 at Western but am not sure about Toronto.
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1 hour ago, mogibear said:
I will be there on Friday too! I would also be very interested in why people are choosing one of these over the other. I'm pretty sure I'm leaning toward U of T but it would be nice to know what other people are thinking to help them decide.
2 hours ago, RO_SLP said:So I have officially RSVP'd to the U of T's open house on Friday - hope to meet some of you there!
I have also booked a tour with Janet at Western. I'm hoping that after these tours, I'll be able to make a decision...
For those of you who have chosen to attend Western or U of T, do you mind sharing your reasoning? Thanks!Hey guys! I am 99% sure that I will be attending Western instead of the other schools (U of T being one of them) for a few reasons. I am moving from Winnipeg, which is a pretty affordable city to live in and so for my fiancé and I, London seems more similar in terms of cost of living than Toronto. I really like how the class size at Western is 37 rather than 50 at Toronto. Also, getting a call from a faculty member at Western after acceptances went out was really nice and gave me chance to connect with the program on more of a personal level. Friends of mine who are out of grad school just keep telling me to create a simple life for myself during my program so that I am not distracted and can focus easier on school. Coming from Winnipeg, Toronto is a big and busy city! There are coupe of other reasons why I prefer Western like the fact that my fiancé's mother's boyfriend has all of his family in the area and so they will come visit more and also the teaching clinic at Western is a huge plus!
A lot of this is just personal preference and I think that all of the other schools in Canada are great! You just have to decide what is most important to you I suppose
Good luck!!
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Hey guys!
Does anybody know if the programs communicate at all?
I am in a position where I will be accepting at two schools until I can visit my top choice and make sure the program and city works for myself and my partner. I feel bad doing this but I cannot visit my top choice until finals are over, which is past my the two school's offer deadlines. I plan on making a decision by the end of April so I am not holding someone's spot on the waitlist at the school that I end up declining.
I imagine that I am not the first person who has needed to juggle this but I don't want the schools to find out somehow. Does anybody know anything about this or find themselves in the same position?
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On April 2, 2016 at 1:01 PM, SLP_a said:
I got into Western and I'm going to accept the offer!!! I am so excited to start in September! Is anyone else planning on going to Western?
What is the living situation like in London, is there a lot of grad housing or do most people live off-campus?
Hi SLP_a! I am nearly positive that I am going to accept at Western as well
Woohoo class of 2018! I have also been looking at accommodations there and have been having a lot of luck just looking on Kijiji. Also, Platt's Lane grad housing seems pretty great and my fiancé and I are going to check it out in a couple of weeks when we visit.
Good luck in your searches!
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19 hours ago, umsinger said:
Since I'm in the program at Western, I thought I would clarify some things about clinical placements.
Your first clinical placement will be at the in-house clinic from January-April of your first year. It could be in pediatric speech and language, fluency, voice, or neuro depending on your individual trajectory (which you will have an opportunity to discuss in the fall with our Clinical Placement Coordinator)
The second placement for the majority of students is a full-time external placement (may and june). This can be in London, your home town, or wherever you would like to go. We do have some issues getting placements in the GTA, but that is because the U of T gets priority for their student's placements in those areas. It's not impossible to get a placement in the GTA, but it is tricky. The remaining students remain in the in-house clinic and do a full-time placement and have the option to assist with our summer fluency camp. Whether you stay in-house or go external depends, once again, on your individual trajectory.
In the fall of your second year, you will do your second in-house clinic placement. If you were in-house during the summer, you will have an external placement in London or the surrounding area (depending on your access to a vehicle)
New for our class in 2017 will be the full-time month long external January placement. This replaces the former January-April placement in second year. This allows for even more full-time experience. This can be done anywhere in Canada, and since most people go home for winter break, most are opting to stay in their home town to do this placement.
Then there is a condensed final semester (February - April)
And of course, there is one more final full-time external placement once you are done classes.
Our clinical placement coordinator does an excellent job at working individually with students to build a placement trajectory with their interests in mind. You will get a very balanced clinical experience and the opportunity to work with many different populations. Also, the in-house clinic is a fully functional clinic, meaning that you work with real (not simulated) clients in a structured and supportive environment.
hope that clears things up!
Hi umsinger! Wow! Thank you so much for this info
I already really liked the curriculum set up at Western, and even more after reading this! So basically, nobody ever has to do a placement in London, off campus, if there aren't enough or there isn't a placement that aligns with your interests? That is very smart. Having a placement that follows the holidays is so smart too. I know my family will be happy to know that I can be home for that extra time if I decide to.
Thanks again!
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Hey everybody! When I got a call from Western this morning, I asked the person calling a bunch of questions: (a professor who I am sorry to say I cant even remember the name of, I was so shocked to get the call):
Here is what she said about the focus of Western versus Toronto: Western has always had a reputation of being strong in child-language while Toronto, speech and motor. Western has 3 profs right now doing child language and autism research alone. She also said though that they have great profs and classes in the all the other field areas.
In terms of how they pick applicants: They take GPA very seriously, especially prereqs. She said that most applicants are arts students and are strong in their ling and psych, but they also want to see good grades in the sciences (human phys and anatomy) because medical SLP is tough. They look very closely at the clincal references and she even mentioned a few details from mine = shows that every question they ask your references they actually care about. They also care about the academic references because she said that they dont want students that only have high grades, but also those that profs can speak to about their strong overall character and people skills. Lastly, they look at your letter of intent to see if you have strong writing skills, which they want, and if you seem to have a sense of what you are getting yourself into haha, her words. They dont want students to be accepted and then really struggle she basically said.
So ya! I know all of you know the admission requirements, which I pretty much just listed here, but I thought her details on them were helpful and will help someone else out!
- slpbye, SLPka, treaclemineroad and 2 others
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1 hour ago, rachelfreed said:
Anyone else who got accepted to Western get a call from them? I saw above an earlier poster got one but wondering if anyone else did. I haven't received anything. Congratulations to everyone on their acceptances!
I also got a call! I am sure yours is coming today
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2 hours ago, Beeee5 said:
I have heard really good things about the program at U of A and it is way closer to home for me, which makes the cost of relocating a lot more affordable. I would be really excited to move across the country and experience living farther east if I do end up at Western. And I have also heard great things about their program as well. I would be curious to know if it is still true that they often have difficulty finding placements for people... Anyone know? I also find it very frustrating that U of A won't give people an idea of where they are on the waitlist... It makes it feel as if there are still so many unknowns for me at this point.
I am also weighing U of A and Western, so I know how you feel. I have also heard some concerning things about placements at Western, but looking at their program layout, I think it will be okay. So, most of the first year you are at their in house clinic = guaranteed spot, then the first spring placement off campus doesnt have to be in London so think about how many people will travel home for their placement and then the rest of the summer, I will probably be doing this. So for those staying in London, there are more placements because of that alone! And then in year 2, same thing, you are guaranteed a place at the in house clinic and then there is an off campus London placement, where I could see things get tricky because everyone has to stay in London for this one. But after that, you have your final placement and can do it anywhere = lots of people will go home I imagine.
This is just my reasoning, hope it helps!
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4 hours ago, SpeechBubble said:
Emerging from lurkdom: I have been accepted to both Western and UofT! So unbelievably excited....I couldn't even say anything but "thankyouthankyouthankyou" when Western called to congratulate this morning!
I have no idea which program I will be choosing yet....Any advice on program/ location / general atmosphere would be so greatly appreciated. Is anyone else going to the UofT open house on April 8th/ scheduling a tour at Western?
Hey! Congrats! I am going to do a tour at Western in April, Janet has been very nice about it
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2 hours ago, speechies said:
Waitlisted at U of T!! If anyone wants to give up their spot that would be great haha!
Accepted at Toronto! But just gave up my spot. Hopefully this helps you out! Good luck
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Janet told me it April 15!
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2 minutes ago, klfstudent said:
Waitlisted at Western... when's the date to decide by?
April 15th
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Accepted at Western!! It is very hard to see the little checkmark but its there
2017 Canadian Application Thread!
in Speech-Language Pathology Forum
Posted
Hey all! I am a current student at Western and would be happy to help or answer any questions that you have. I know this whole process is really stressful, so get in touch if you need!