SopranoSLP

Hmm. I did initially consider going the 3-year masters route because it seemed more efficient. I chose to do the UW postbac because I really wanted to stay in Seattle. I appreciated that UW gave me a comprehensive background in speech & hearing science so that I'd feel extremely prepared wherever I wound up for grad school. But if they had had a 3-year option, I would have been thrilled to skip the stress of applying for the masters program!! ? I guess my advice would be, don't choose a 3-year program at a school you don't love just to save yourself the hassle of more applications in the future. But if you could really see yourself spending 3 years there, it's a pretty efficient way to go.

A lot of people get in off the waitlist! (I think there are at least 5-7 in our current cohort.) If you can swing the plane ticket, come check it out and demonstrate your continued interest.

Congrats! :) I applied for grad school right away, as did at least half of my postbac cohort. Your point is a good one though, and I was definitely stressed about having so little time to make an impression. The thing is, it’s anxiety-inducing for the students, but it’s totally normal for the faculty because the postbacs are in that position every year. If you’re engaged in your coursework, research, volunteering, etc., faculty members will get to know you quickly enough to write a good letter on your behalf. I’m pretty sure everyone in my cohort who wanted to go straight through to grad school got in somewhere (and 6 of us stayed at UW). Does that help?

Hi @mangomaddness73 (and anyone else who might find it helpful) -- I'm currently a first year in the CoreSLP program, and I'd be happy to answer any questions about the program, UW, Seattle, etc.! If I don't know the answers, I'll find someone who does. Feel free to ask here so everyone can benefit from the info, or to message me privately if you'd prefer! Congrats, and happy Friday!

@imunsterThanks! I'm in the postbac this year, so I'm already there... sort of. ? Whole new level of UW, coming this September!

@Luna529 What did you decide?

I already had a masters degree in another field, and I definitely used those classes to calculate my last 90 credits GPA, etc. I agree with the previous poster, that it helps prove that you can succeed in grad school.

A friend of mine did online CSD classes through LaSalle and was accepted to something like 7 schools. (She goes to Pitt now!)

I'm probably going to overlap with some of the good advice that others have already given, but here are my two cents. I also came to SLP Land from outside the field, so I had to decide between doing a postbac and applying for 3 year masters programs. Initially, 3 year masters programs were the obvious choice, because they come with a guarantee of a masters degree. Very shortly after I started researching those programs, though, I fell in love with a guy who was geographically bound to Seattle. It seemed against "the rules of feminism" (thanks, Gretchen Wieners) to make such an important life choice for a man, no matter how strongly I felt about him. Also, I was 30, divorced, and had been around the block enough to know that not every relationship works out. I felt really torn. It eventually occurred to me that a postbac year would buy me time to see how things unfolded in my personal life, while also allowing me to gain research and volunteer experience (being a total newbie to the field). I reasoned that I'd only have MORE options with a CSD degree under my belt -- the postbac could improve my odds for the UW grad program (in order to stay in Seattle) OR I could apply anywhere else I wanted (including the 2 year versions of the 3 year programs I'd been considering). It seemed like the postbac was a low risk, potentially high reward option... so I chose it. That said, I'm more than halfway through the postbac, and I can admit that there have been pros and cons. Here are a few I can think of right now: PROS 1) I formed solid relationships with the faculty. Since I'd been out of school for 7 years and was coming from a totally different field, I wouldn't have had strong LORs without that component. 2) I got research experience that is only available to current students. 3) There were student loans available for at least part of the tuition expenses, vs. presumably paying out of pocket for online courses. 4) I got a solid foundation in CSD. Since I will have clinic clients in my very first semester of grad school this fall, I am super grateful for that. I probably wouldn't have felt prepared for the clinic without the coursework I've taken over the past year. CONS 1) There is no guarantee of UW grad admission. They definitely give you more consideration as a postbac, but some members of my cohort were waitlisted or straight up not accepted, and that sucks. You only get 2 quarters (~6 months) before your grad application is due, so I felt like I had to be PERFECT the entire time. If you're Type A, it's a relatively competitive, high pressure situation. After I applied, I was stressed out of my mind waiting for my admissions decision. 2) You'll end up paying for a lot of classes that most schools don't require, especially on the audiology/hearing side of things. Since postbacs pay per credit, it can be very frustrating to consider that you're stuck paying $1700 for a class that isn't required anywhere else, but is required for your degree. 3) It's expensive to be in school full time, and student loans will only cover $12,500 of the tuition cost. If I had known that before I enrolled, I may have decided to keep working and go the online postbac/prereq route. Then again, I would have had to pay everything out of pocket, so... Who knows. I guess my point is, a 3 year grad program may give you more funding options than the postbac does. Regardless of the drawbacks, I'm really glad I did the postbac. I was accepted to the Core program, which means I can keep living with my incredible boyfriend (still head over heels!) here in the Emerald City. It also means in-state tuition, ongoing research opportunities, continued relationships with faculty members, and hopefully the opportunity to make connections that will lead to a future job in the city I intend to continue calling home. It's perfectly acceptable to consider your whole life when you're making a choice like this, and that includes your relationship. (I love love love that 'Lean In' tidbit that @schwastressed shared. I would have lost my mind without my boyfriend's support.) TL;DR: Personally, I think the postbac is low risk. It will probably only make your application stronger, and it may give you time to see how your long distance relationship unfolds. BUT if the idea of applying for grad schools again next year is going to stress you out, or if you will be haunted by letting go of a sure thing now.... go with the sure thing.

I'm in the Core track, but I think both tracks are supposed to hear by March 23. So far I've just received my federal loan offers. I do know that they have very few scholarships to give out. Keep us posted if you hear anything!

Also, there's a thread to list and/or find Facebook groups!

Community colleges usually have relatively cheap online options! That's what I did for mine and I highly recommend it.

Congrats on your acceptances (and funding)! Personally, I don't think cost is everything... but it's definitely a significant factor. Does Vanderbilt have a specialty or unique placement opportunity that you wouldn't be able to get at MGH? (Voice comes to mind, but it's a bad example since both schools have a voice track haha). I'd seriously consider that component. I also think it's worth considering where you want to put down roots when you're out of school. For example, I live in Seattle and plan to keep doing so after grad school, so I looked at the places I want to work in this area, and most of the SLPs are UW grads. Staying here to make connections was important to me, so maybe that's a factor for you to consider as well? Lastly, I'd add up the tuition + fees (including books and materials) + living expenses (rent, car, public transportation fares, etc.) and see what you'd really be paying per year. (Go look at actual apartments on CL or wherever that you'd theoretically be renting and see what they cost.) Congrats again, and best of luck with your decision!

Just started one for UW Seattle (Core & Med)! https://www.facebook.com/groups/261431784395786

It's definitely on the early side, but I figured I might as well start the 2018 version of this thread! (I was just procrastinating studying for finals searching for a Facebook group for my chosen program, and I found last year's version of this post.) Definitely more efficient than scanning the Results page, etc. If you create a group, please post a link here! When others commit to a school, they can find the groups here. Congrats to everyone, and best of luck to all those still waiting and/or deciding!