AlwaysaFalcon

Of course it will depend on the different personalities and the feel of the cohort itself, but in my experience once you get to grad school you have a "we're all in this together mentality". I get along with a lot of my cohort and I'm lucky to be going through this program with some of these awesome women! ❤️ . Personally I feel that the competitiveness that happens with undergrad is gone and that you're more willing to study and help one another out.

I was in your boat once! Do not give up! For me third time was the charm

I believe I had 3 C's total in undergraduate, 2 in classes not related to CDIS and 1 related to CDIS. My last cycle of applying I got into 3 graduate programs!

Do not give up! It took me three application cycles to become accepted into graduate school! Maybe you can take time to volunteer or work in areas related to the field. Take time to improve your application. Feel free to PM me!

Personally I live by myself and I think it's so worth it! Yes I pay more in rent living alone but I don't have to worry about arranging cleaning schedules and personally after class I like to come home and unwind, but that's also the introvert in me talking. Studying is nice too because I can do so without an distractions.

Personally for me I am the type of student that needs to keep myself busy in order to keep myself accountable so I do have a part time job. I work on campus as part of federal work study about 15 hours a week. For me it's just enough to make some extra money to support myself with food & utilities. However when I start my full time practicum experience I will not be able to work, which will be in the Fall semester so I am working while I can. Personally it's up to what you can handle and the program. For my program it's very manageable to work and have classes, most of my classmates work. That's one of the reasons why I like my program. It's easy to manage both

Personally I think you risk annoying the Department if you call and call frequently but it's ultimately up to you. I personally didn't want to risk it and waited for decisions. You'll probably hear more after the April 15th deadline.

Feel free to pm me! It took 3 application cycles for me to be accepted! Please don't give up. Trust me I understand how frustrating it can be!

I personally chose the cheaper program because one of my goals is to one day be debt free and I wanted to try and take out as few loans as possible. I've heard that it doesn't matter where you go to school as long as the program is ASHA certified and you get your license that is what matters. Make those connections during your clinicals and with your professors. That's what matters! Ultimately it is up to you but my advice would to decide what your priorities are.

A short summary of my grad school journey, it took three grad application cycles to get into graduate school. I ended with a gpa very close to a 3.4 and was disappointed when I wasn't accepted. At the same time I know that this was something I wanted to do and I couldn't give up! My last time applying I was accepted into 3 graduate programs. Do not give up! PM me if you have any questions!

Ultimately it comes down to your priorities and what you are comfortable with. I know multiple girls in my program that commute 45min to an hour away. Would I want to do this? No, but they've made it work! I personally live 5 min away from my program and love how easy my commute is lol. Just think through the amount of gas you would spend and also stamina driving an hour there and back each possible day.

It's going to be dependent on the state you attend graduate school in about residency. My state school in Illinois for example required that you live hear at least 6 months have proof of residency (drivers license and apartment lease), copies of utility bills and filling out an application at the school. It was very easy and it's saving me an additional amount of money. Someone from my financial aid office made me aware of applying for instate residency. I wouldn't have even known unless someone told me.

So for my practicum experiences it is on off campus sites because my program does not have a clinic. My program you complete all of your classes first and then start your practicums full time your last three semesters. I start my practicum settings in the fall semester so I can't give you advise about that right now! However, I know that our practicums count as a class so they are graded on the A, B, C scale.

I agree with what people have been saying and go with the cheaper option. Since you mentioned that you really liked the set up of the program itself the fact that it is cheaper is the icing on top of the cake in my opinion. But it also depends on your priorities and goals. For example one of my goals is to try and be debt free as soon as possible. So I chose the cheaper program because I wanted to save money. I really like the program I chose so it worked out for me

I totally agree with @EileenD. I myself moved 10 hours away from my home to attend graduate school. I"m not going to lie in the beginning it was hard not knowing anyone and making new friends. I'm so glad I made this decision though. I've grown stronger as a person and am now more independent and also get to explore a new city! Plus I have made so many friends in my program! It's a great supportive group of people. My thought process behind it is it's such a short time and I can always return home after if I decide to go back there for my cfy. For me the program I ended up attending was considerably cheaper than the one program I would've attended 5 hours away..this was also one of my deciding factors too. If you are looking for a little adventure make the leap! I don't think you'll regret it

I agree with @S_H19 and @caterpillar!!! Apply to programs with interviews. This way a program can place your face with what they see on paper. It also is a good way to make a personal connection and make you seem personable. I think one of the reasons I got accepted after 3 application cycles was because I applied to programs with less "competition" aka less applicants and a higher ratio of acceptance with those that do apply. I also applied all over the US.

Let me know if you have any questions! Overall I ended with a very similar gpa and I was accepted. It really depends on the applicants that year and also the program as well. It myself took 3 application cycles but I was accepted

I agree with @charlottearoora. My program you can qualify for instate tuition by applying to be an instate resident after 6 months. That alone has saved me a lot of money. I also work part time as part of federal work study. So definitely consider that as well!

Feel free to send me a message! I applied there twice and had two interviews with them!

It isvery reasonable to have the fear that you might not get anywhere. It’s hard especially since you naturally compare yourself to others in your class or on grad cafe. What I didn’t realize through this process it is so dependent on the applicants a school recieves. Just because you do not get an acceptance does not make you unworthy. I recieved so many rejections my first 2 cycles of applying. I took it so personally but it’s hard for them to make decisions just like us to apply. If you don’t get an make a back up plan and keep trying! ?

I had both a skype interview and two in person interviews for programs. The program I am in now had the option of doing a skype interview which I appreciated because for financial reasons I could not go out to the university because I lived far away. The only downside was I was not able to see the university and explore the area but I figured that for graduate school it was less important to me. I don't think as far as impression goes it made a difference on my behave since I was admitted.

I agree with both @bibliophile222 and @SpeechOblongota it does not hurt to fill out the FAFSA! I personally rely on the those student loans to attend graduate school while also applying to scholarships. It was funny when I first was accept to grad school I didn't know that they offered work study at the graduate level. But after I interviewed with an on campus job I found I qualified for work study. If not for filling out the FAFSA I wouldn't have gotten the job!

Under ASHAedfind for the program you are looking for it'll have the number of applications received and then under it i'll have the the number of admissions offers. That gives you a good idea of the ratio.

So my position wasn't a pay position but for a school year I was a preschool assistant volunteer at an integrated preschool. I went once a week and helped assist the preschool teacher and interact with the children. I also got the opportunity to sit in on speech therapy sessions with the slp and also witness what it was like working with an interdisciplinary team. It was a great experience and confirmed my interest in the field! So as plan b I would recommend volunteer experience!

It's in my signature but Governors State University!