plume

Thank you so much to everyone for all your thoughtful words of encouragement!! I truly truuuly appreciate it! I am so incredibly happy to say that today I received an acceptance from LIU POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????? I literally cried tears of joy as soon as I saw the words "Congratulations" in the email subject. I am seriously so incredibly overjoyed. You were so right @plume. All I need is ONE! After 5 CONSECUTIVE PAINFUL REJECTIONS.... the 6th is a YES!!!! Thank GOD!!! ???

Guyssss Redlands offered me a spot today with 24 hours to accept! I should be more excited but I feel ill.....!

Guyssss Redlands offered me a spot today with 24 hours to accept! I should be more excited but I feel ill.....!

Guyssss Redlands offered me a spot today with 24 hours to accept! I should be more excited but I feel ill.....!

I can't really answer your questions because I have not attended these schools but I wanted to contribute since you haven't heard anything back yet! I have a friend at MGH and visited their facilities, and it looks amazing. I know nothing about UCF. I hope you were able to visit UCF because I feel like that would help you immensely! Just from the information you've stated here, unless there is something really wrong with the program, it sounds like UCF if going to be a GREAT school for you. MGH is excellent, but Orlando would have access to great clinical experiences as well. And the in-state tuition.... wow! But we all have different backgrounds and motivations, so my input can only be so helpful. I hope you have been able to get some more information on UCF!

It looks like you already have everything you need to do lined up! I know that a big factor is that NY is a competitive state, too.
Yes, I would personally contact schools you have already been rejected to. I wouldn't contact schools you haven't heard from yet. This is a total side note, but I wonder if it would help if you contacted schools you haven't heard from yet to show your interest...? I have heard (rare) stories of people getting in because they were on wait lists and were accepted after reaching out to their top choice, saying they were their top choice and that they would enroll if admitted. No idea if this would work here, but it's just a thought.
Your GPA is great and it sounds like your statement and recommendations were excellent, too. Another idea is that I read that some schools/programs will not look at your essay if it is over their word limit AT ALL because they consider it as not adhering to requirements/following directions. Did you actually go over on any? Again, I'm not sure if that happens often and only the schools can tell you if it did. I also had a hard time fitting everything in I wanted to say, but I have been told it is important to mention why each school is a good fit.
I know this sucks to hear, but you could work on your GRE scores for the next round if needed, since you did not meet the cumulative 300 threshold. If your math score was a little higher and you had a writing prompt that allowed you to manage your time for that 4.0, it might make your application stronger.
I say all of this, but I had weak areas in my application (see my signature), and I truly believe my LoRs and experience made the difference. Maybe more in-field experience could make the difference for you, too.
 

I just officially accepted my offer to UW-Milwaukee's program 
Reasons? First, it is the only place I've fully been accepted to. I'm on some waitlists, but yeah. Second, I just visited and their program seems really nice! They have a professor there who is interested in Voice Disorders and has been researching Transgender Voices, which I would love to be a part of. I also found that they have some electives in Adult Neurogenic Disorders (!!!), which is one of the things I'm most interested in! I really would like to work with TBIs, etc., so that's right up my alley
Cons to the school: price! I'll be in debt forever. lol. (I laugh, but it's really not that funny)

I know a couple of music therapists. They adore their jobs, and they were both very passionate about music before starting their profession (I think in art and music therapy, most people will have a strong passion for either field before going into it). I am not sure if this is true across the board, but I think it is harder to find a music therapy 9-5 job. My cousin's wife did find a job like this in Arizona, but I can't say how readily available they are. I am pretty sure you need to sit for a certification exam for both art and music therapy.
I am not sure where your interests lie (is it language, behavior, or therapy in general?) but someone on this forum told me about being a hearing aid dispenser. You make good money doing it, too. More info can be found on ASHA's website: http://www.asha.org/Advocacy/state/info/CO/Colorado-Hearing-Aid-Dispensing-Requirements/. I don't think you're going to get around putting in a lot of time for this job, though.
Have you thought about ABA (is this the same as BCBA?), OTA, or special education?

This is the speech pathology forum—you will probably get some better information in another forum! Good luck!

I feel like this thread shows how it doesn't mean anything. My program is a humanities-based school and they offer an M.S. And no school I applied to changes the degree from M.A. to M.S. based on whether or not you write a thesis. I hope this is helpful—it means you can choose the right program for you based off of other factors! (Or maybe it makes it trickier!)  

@k8! Ha ha, I just have to say that I love your "Decision" line, it cracked me up. I know it's so hard to choose and I'm not trying to minimize that at all! It's just that "idk help" perfectly encompasses how I have felt through this whole process  

M.A. vs M.S. does not actually mean anything, as far as I understand. I went to an open house for a program that offered an M.A. but they were very research-focused and I know they were not more educationally focused. I really think that it is up to each program to decide which degree they award, but it does not say anything alone about the program or their focuses. I am not sure if employers care if you were awarded an M.A. or M.S. (hopefully someone else can chime in here) but I doubt they would. Good luck with your decision!

Yes, the rankings (US News) are based largely on research and self-report. Research should be important to every practicing SLP whether wishing to pursue it or not. Every program hammers EBP (evidence based practice) into us - as practicing SLPs we need to be comfortable evaluating the research (even if not at the PhD level) in order to ensure the efficacy of the treatment we are providing to our clients. That said, several other benefits were mentioned not directly related to research. I also maintain that the calibre of the faculty that teach the curriculum makes a huge difference in the quality of the instruction. 
Let me also put it this way - ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL (or close), which would you choose, a higher or lower-ranked school?
And FYI, we simply can't make the assumption that most grads of a given top program want to practice in that same city. I've heard (anecdotally) that it might be the opposite for my particular cohort, but I haven't exactly taken a survey.
Here is a ranking system that might make some feel more comfortable, as it's a bit more comprehensive:
http://cwur.org/methodology/world-university-rankings.php
And here are the university ratings that go along with the methodology (scroll to audiology):
http://cwur.org/2017/subjects.php#Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
 

Here is US News's explanation: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/articles/health-schools-methodology
It looks like they send out a survey to administration and faculty of programs to rank other programs. For SLP programs, they received a 33% response rate. That doesn't sound very accurate to me.
However, I am not against choosing a more expensive program.... everyone has different priorities for school and everyone's financial situation is different. I think choosing the school you feel you can succeed the most in (based on faculty support, clinical and research opportunities, location, individual interests, etc) is completely reasonable. I also think it is reasonable to choose the cheapest school if you find you will be able to excel in that environment, and I guess a lot of people will argue that you can excel in any program. And I don't think, based on the methodology of the rankings, we can make many conclusions about programs—they may or may not be a reflection of each one (especially with programs that are close in ranking).
I will be paying a lot for my education, and I am happy with my choice! (The cheaper option would be to do a post-bacc next year and reapply, and that is just not worth it to me!)

Wait listed at Redlands today!

I just put in a deposit at Ithaca yesterday, and just now I got an email saying I got off the waitlist at UNCG and I would be notified if I've received funding by April 15th. I realize I am in a very fortunate position right now, but this is still so stressful. 

@k8! Ha ha, I just have to say that I love your "Decision" line, it cracked me up. I know it's so hard to choose and I'm not trying to minimize that at all! It's just that "idk help" perfectly encompasses how I have felt through this whole process  

I'm sorry to hear that! Remember, it only takes one acceptance, so don't count yourself out yet. But of course, it is smart to be prepared for a plan B.
I would really look into the weak areas of your application. If you're not sure what those are, I would contact a couple of schools you were rejected from and ask them, letting them know that you are trying to get some more information so you can improve your application for the next year. Keep in mind that weak factors can also include the competitiveness of schools you are applying to, or a weak personal statement (the obvious ones might be GPA, GRE, experience). If weak factors are obvious to you, maybe you could post it/them on here and we can give you some ideas on how to approach them.
Good luck! I am hoping you hear some good news soon!

Congratulations!!!! I am feeling the same way but I'm sure we will be so happy with our decisions!

GUYS, I JUST GOT INTO NORTHEASTERN!!
Now, that I have another school to consider, what do you guys think of Northeastern/Boston for school?
Can anyone find the cost for Northeastern?

Unfortunately, this is not true. Even though there is a huge need out in the school districts, University of Redlands prohibits SLP grad students from working on a waiver during the program.
I am currently finishing up the Master's program at Redlands. I can confirm that it is a very supportive environment. The faculty are invested in helping you learn, not in proving how much you don't know. The on-campus clinic is a great way to gain confidence in your clinical skills before you go out to do your full-time medical and school externships. The cohorts are close & collaborative. We all want to see each other succeed. It's not at all like the competitive environment of undergrad. I have been very pleased with my education at UofR! I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about the program.

I think the family circumstances is a HUGE con in my book. If you can be close to your family, especially under your circumstances, I would take that opportunity. 
Plus everything @twinguy7 said I've heard as well!

I live in Redlands currently and grew up 20 miles away and have always heard good things about the school and program.  I have lived in Redlands for a year now and it is a GREAT little city.  Population of about 60-70k and away from the major CA traffic (though if you want to go to the beach or Disneyland, etc then your back in that traffic).

I can confirm that if you do move to the area to go to Redlands, you WILL be able to work as an SLP on a "Credential Waiver" with just a bachelors degree.  You get paid around $40-50k (depending on the district) working with a credential waiver.  So that could help you a lot as far as work.  EVERY school district in the area is in HIGH need of SLP's so finding a job is very very very easy.  You basically get to pick where you want to work for the most part since very School District is at least 1 SLP short if not 5-10 short every year.  

Feel free to Message me for more specific info if needed.  

That is definitely a lot think about! I wish I had a good answer! All I have are more things to think about...
I think cost is a big consideration, and you're right: Boston is an expensive city. Sounds like Emerson might let you finish quicker. THey're both private. Is tuition comparable? 
Can you work as an SLP-A in either California or Massachusetts with your current qualifications? If so, it might be a good part-time job option to help pay for Boston or to do from August to Jan while waiting to start at Redlands. 
Both schools mentioned "a supportive environment" but you'll have to take that with a grain of salt. Have you called and talked to faculty at both schools? See which ones make you feel more comfortable. 
You mentioned you're not a "city person." That's cool. Consider your commute and life in Boston vs Redlands. Boston you'd probably live without a car, walk a lot, and take the subway. Are you okay with that? Try Google mapping the areas you might live in and do the street view. How does it seem?
I wish I had some good, solid advice but it is a decision only you can make. Either way, you'll be fine Both are great schools! 

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