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Thank you @mcamp!! Their tuition is pretty much the same. I would be paying rent in California for longer, but Boston is more expensive. I guess I really need to break down how much living expenses would be in both places. I'm happy you brought up the fact that I need to really investigate whether or not they really are "supportive environments"—I got that feel at Emerson, but need to find out more about Redlands. Thank you again!

Holy cow, I just realized how long this post is... sorry!!! But thanks for any help!

Thanks for all of this info!!

I am weighing two programs on opposite sides of the country. I have only been waitlisted at Redlands, but they only give you 24 hours to accept or reject their offer if accepted off of the waitlist. It may not even be an option but I am trying to get prepared in case I am accepted! I was able to tour Emerson and loved it, but have only visited the Redlands campus when it was closed for the holidays. Does anyone have any positives, negatives, or other information not listed here about these programs? I am obsessively thinking about this and I am not sure I am going to be able to tour Redlands before I would have to accept an offer from them. Both are terribly expensive so that is not an issue THANK YOU!!! EMERSON COLLEGE Pros: -Brag about their supportive environment -In-house clinic with some really interesting specialty areas and programs -As an out-of-fielder, I would be finished May 2019 -54-credit program -Faculty with varied backgrounds + teaching and clinical faculty separate -Interesting research being conducted -Boston = interesting and varied clinical opportunities -Highly ranked -More grad schools for partner to apply to -Good "feel" when I visited... I pretty much fell in love -Well-rounded program Cons: -In Boston... far away! And expensive living. And I don't think I'm a "city person"... but Boston is also really cool! -Larger cohort -Would need to start online prereq classes this May (not sure if this is a + or -) -Have to start clinicals one semester later than in-field cohort -Other than SLP, it is not medical/education-focused - it's an arts school UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS Pros: -Also brag about supportive environment on website -In-house clinic (no knowledge of specialty areas, but it caters to all ages and disorders) -**Location = close to family (this one is big due to some family issues, and may make me accept an offer either way) -I would like to move back to the west either way after graduation (but probably not southern Cali), so I would already be in the region - not sure if this matters -Beautiful campus -Small cohort -I have heard great things about the school as a whole -Cheaper cost of living than Boston -60-credit program -Well-rounded program Cons: -I really only know what I have seen on their website and this forum... not a lot! -As an out-of-fielder, I would graduate May 2020 -Wouldn't start until January 2018 (not sure what I will do until then, as I had to quit my job already in preparation for Boston) -Small faculty group, limited research and focuses -No specialty areas (other than bilingual) -Not a lot of grad programs my partner can apply to -Can do research, but final project cannot be a thesis (not sure if I want to do research, but I want to keep my options open!)

Wow!! Well, I know you are not asking for advice and that you are already taking care of it, but I would take the post-grad employment rate very seriously and find out what that's about. I think we like the same things... Ithaca (as a location) has always sounded awesome to me! I am out-of-field and Redlands doesn't start until spring 2018 for us And I would start with the next cohort's grad program the following fall.... So it delays my graduation almost a whole year. Huge drawback in my mind!!! I would be 31 by the time I graduated, which I know is still very young, but it also contributes to my mindset. I do not want to waste any time! And my parents are big supporters of me graduating asap so I'm stumped.

I used to use Myers-Briggs and it did help in my career search. INFP (or J, not sure) here!

Emerson! I loved the city when I visited for my interview! I like to think I am a small mountain town girl though, so it's a little scary! And yes, I think the cold will be hard for a native Californian but you will get used to it While we wait for others to comment, I have been told that Allston and Brighton are where most students live, but Allston is pretty young (I'm not sure how old you are or what ind of environment you are looking for, but that kinda worries me). I have also heard Somerville is good, as well as Jamaica Plain. My friend lives in Dorchester and he says it's scary but more affordable. I'm hoping it's not too terrible to find a place to rent from a distance!

I am from Colorado and my family lives in California now. I may also be moving to Boston and am also so excited and nervous! Thanks for starting this thread @wannabespeechy!

No, I did not have to care for a parent growing up. Like Callen, my parents are in the medical field and I have always been drawn to it. I do have a disabled sister who required care growing up, and I have wondered if this had anything to do with my drive to pursue a helping profession.

Thank you for your input... really! This has been weighing on my mind. I will just be really disappointed if Redlands doesn't ever become an option because of the circumstances! And no ugly tears!!! Fingers are crossed that you hear tomorrow!

Well, I'm 90% sure I'll accept my offer at Emerson (which I am SUPER excited about), but Redlands is the one that might be worth it. Honestly, I think both programs would be an equally good fit, but Redlands is near my parents and a very sick dad, so I'm considering holding out for it. I haven't lived near them in a long time and the time might be right for it! However, Redlands means I would graduate almost an entire year later, so I am still weighing the options. Do you mind telling me your good fit/cheaper options? It's nice to talk to people who are dealing with the same kind of things! The fit vs. $ thing is such a talked about topic on this forum, and I wish there was a clearer answer.

That makes it so hard. No, all of mine are terribly expensive I am just not sure what I will do if I get off the waitlist at one school. I will have already paid for the summer term at another school by the time I hear back. And they are on opposite sides of the country so that's interesting!

I feel the same way! This is the hard part. And waitlists make it even harder...

Thank you so much for posting this! I assume you like the accelerated format? As a leveler, my understanding is that I would have two full semesters of prerequisites to complete and 15 months in the grad program... is that right? How is living in Stockton, specifically in terms of safety and clinical opportunities? Do you find there are more opportunities for one work setting over another (school vs. medical)? Can you choose where you do your final externship anywhere in the country? I know I have way too many questions, but thank you for your help!!!

Now that you say that, I am realizing I wasn't even counting the classes I would be taking this summer....! I just keep reminding myself that in two years I will be an SLP!

Emerson is about $30,000 per year. And Boston living expenses... eek. Thankfully, I will be living with my partner, so I will be able to split rent. It's looking like we will spend anywhere from $500-$700 each per month living in an itty bitty place and possibly having roommates. Still not 100% on this decision... if I am admitted to Redlands I could move in with my parents for the two years and save a lot of money. I am jealous of the people reporting tuition under $10,000! If only...

Congratulations!

Hi there! I am also on the wait list, and my stats are in my signature. I really need to think hard about whether I will take an offer from Redlands if I am accepted! My family lives around there and I would like to be near them right now. However, I am excited about where I have already been accepted. Congratulations on your other acceptance @AVG244! Any other information on Redlands is appreciated... I know very little about the program and visited the campus when it was closed for the holidays.

I know... if I got into CU Boulder I would be there in a heartbeat! Not necessarily for the program, but for the in-state tuition! I am planning to submit a deposit for Emerson but need to decide if I will still consider Redlands if I get off the waitlist. I also need to put in some serious thought, though! I keep reconsidering NAU, too....

How do you feel about it? I might consider it if I am accepted off of it because it is so close to my family.

^ I'm sad, but relieved to have an answer!

Wait listed at Redlands today!

MGH has excellent medical placements, but I would check with CUNY on how many medical contracts they hold for externships. Many people assume MGH is medically-focused, and although they have medical opportunities available and you work with other medical professionals in the same building, they have a big literacy focus. If MGH is THAT much more I would do CUNY!

CU Boulder does allow you to do your final clinical externship anywhere in the country. As others have said, it depends on the school.

From what I have been told, they never matter. I think we need to pretend like they don't exist, and do our own research to determine which schools are the "best." This article doesn't cover graduate school/SLP programs specifically, but it shows how the rankings are somewhat arbitrary: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/09/10/why-u-s-news-college-rankings-shouldnt-matter-to-anyone/?utm_term=.25744e0ef6ab HOWEVER, it does say that the school's reputation receives a lot of weight in the ranking. I would say this oftentimes does not reflect the quality of education (I truly believe a small school in Ohio could have as much support, range of clinical placements etc. as a "top" school) but I suppose reputation can have some clout later (people will dispute this in the SLP field, though!)