bibliophile222

Personally, I'd go with option 2, the one hour commute. You still save some money but are less isolated. 1 hour each way means you could get some homework done but not have an absurdly long day. 4 hours a day commuting sounds way too exhausting, and it sounds like you would have more fun living with friends closer to the city.

Yeah, I applied to schools in the first semester of my post-bacc. You can definitely list ongoing coursework. Send an updated transcript after fall grades are posted. If you still need prereqs completed by the time you get a decision they'll just need you to send final transcripts when you're done. They might grant a conditional acceptance based on completing the prereqs, but my school gave me a regular acceptance.

If you just want to retake a few classes it might be easier to take them as individual courses. A number of schools have in person and online programs. The catch is that if you don't do an official post-bacc program then you won't qualify for financial aid and will have to pay out of pocket- to get financial aid look for "certificate" programs and do the entire post-bacc. There are a bunch of reasonably priced options out there, and if you're okay with online classes this greatly widens your options. I did my post-bacc online through Pacific University. Other programs that cone to mind are UVM, Northwestern, ENMU, and Idaho State. Search past threads for other options. There's an application process for a post-bacc but it's not like a real college application, they typically just want your information and educational background, and maybe a brief personal statement. I found the process to be pretty smooth and have enjoyed my program.

I got a partial scholarship, but I'm out of state, so I will still be taking out a small fortune in loans. As much as I dread the extra debt, I think I would hate reapplying, and I don't know if my LOR writers would even do it again--my undergrad was online, and they didn't really know me very well. I'm also not a spring chicken anymore (32 next week) and I decided that loans or no loans, I'd be ready to start my CFY in two years, no ifs ands or buts. That being said, that is my situation. Everyone's is different, so I say ultimately go with your gut on this one.

Yes! Don't forget that although those with high GPA/GRE seem to have it made, a lack of experiences also creates a lopsided client that not every school wants (see my stats below!). An abundance in one area can make up for deficits in another. Don't lose hope, schools definitely care about more than just numbers!

Yes! I'll be starting my Masters in Speech-Language Pathology. The plan is to find an apartment for August 1st and move up around the 15th, so I can keep making money as long as possible. Have you visited? I grew up in Vermont but had not been to the Burlington area in many years. I visited in March and found it so beautiful and welcoming that it definitely influenced my decision, although I'm a bit bummed to be moving back into the (slightly) colder climate. I'm kind of terrified about housing costs and will definitely be taking out loans. I'll be moving with my boyfriend into a one-bedroom apartment, and the goal is to find a somewhat decent place under $1000, but we'll see.

That sucks! I know a bit about how you feel, minus the anxiety/PTSD aspect. I'm very sensitive to sound when I'm trying to get to sleep. I'm sorry if a bunch of people have already asked this and you're sick of hearing it, but have you tried ear plugs? I've been sleeping with ear plugs for almost half my life now and they work pretty well. You can still hear sounds close to you, like an alarm clock, but the farther away the sound is the more it is muffled. I also have a fan blasting on me and the combination is great. I almost always sleep through thunderstorms and can't hear things like car doors at all.

This whole discussion on housing cost is hugely dependent on where you are living. I'll be moving to where the typical one bedroom apartment is $1200 and up. I would imagine a 3 bedroom house there is more like three grand. And that's not even close to the prices in New York or Boston. If a 3 bedroom house is only 1200 I can only imagine how wonderfully cheap a one bedroom apartment is!

I currently live with my long-term partner, and wherever I go he goes, so obviously I'll be living with him. We've had our own apartment for years and are totally over having roommates (too much drama!). His dad is currently harassing us to share an apartment with this apparently really cool student he met somehow. He's sending us pictures, wanting us to email the guy, and being totally oblivious to our needs and desires. The plan is to ignore him until the student rents the room to someone else. It's definitely going to cost more to have our own space, but it's just not worth the potential worry of clicking with a total stranger. If you're a more social person then it's probably a good idea, but I'd rather not have someone throwing parties at 3 am or bitching about the four toast crumbs I left on the counter!

I just got my financial aid award and was very disappointed with my work-study allotment - only $900 a semester. I thought about trying to get an off-campus job that is flexible enough for my schedule and won't make me a burnt-out zombie, but I realized that with the amount I'll be realistically be able to work I might as well just say screw it, take out extra loans, not have to work and be a much happier, healthier, well-rested person. I've been working 50-60 hours a week and doing school for the last four years, and working full time for the last 6 years before that. Being able to actually put all of my efforts into school, have two days off a week, and experience a break longer than five days sounds like sheer bliss. I'll have so much debt already that I might as well toss on some more!

Imposter syndrome rears its ugly head again! From what I've read on this site and online, what you're feeling is extremely common for grad students in general, not just future SLPs. Personally, I'm feeling pretty confident about the workload, but I have zero experience in anything even remotely related to any sort of therapy, so I have no idea if I'll be any good or even like it. I love the subject matter, but it remains to be seen how well I can transfer this love and knowledge to a therapy setting. Don't worry though, we're all in this together!

It's not that long after the deadline, so hang in there! I'm rooting for you!

Many schools have a nonrefundable deposit that you have to send them when you are admitted (mine was $500). It goes towards your tuition if you attend, but if you back out you lose it.

I'm planning on writing notes by hand because I can write faster than I type. I make lots of typos when I type that I have to correct immediately because I'm obsessive with spelling and grammar, so I feel like I'd be more distracted. I like the idea of dating each page and writing the topics down the side for easy reference. At the end of the semester I'll scan the notes into my computer. Another reason I plan on handwriting is that I read (possibly on a grad cafe thread) that something about the physical act of handwriting helps people remember the information better than typing. That being said, I do really like the idea of typing notes on the powerpoints.

If you take individual courses you'll have to pay out of pocket or get a private loan, but some programs offer the post bacc as a certificate program, meaning you're at least eligible for federal loans, if that's what you're referring to? I don't know of any programs that offer school-based aid, like grants or scholarships. If you only need a couple courses it would make more sense to find the cheapest program you can and pay out of pocket, but either way I'd recommend online programs. I'm getting my post bacc as a certificate program through Pacific University and paying for it with federal loans.

I know my program will have evening classes once we begin externships, so I feel that it is probably somewhat common across programs. I am personally not looking forward to evening classes. I had one evening class in undergrad and even though I am a night owl and the subject matter was somewhat interesting I had the hardest time staying awake in class. I am doing my prereqs online, meaning I watch video lectures in the evening after work, and I have to nap on the couch all the time, sometimes mid-video. I don't know about any of the programs you mentioned, but I would imagine that as long as you are able to get a hospital placement and the program is somewhat balanced you should be fine. I say go with the cheap program and pound a 5-hour energy before each class!

A few years ago I happened upon Goodwill when they were having a 50% off sale on furniture. I got a kitchen table, coffee table, and TV cabinet for about 40 bucks.

Fortunately I caught it in time, but I almost completely sabotaged the acceptance process. I had to commit by April 9th because I got a scholarship, so I emailed the program chair on April 6th accepting my admittance. She said that the Graduate College adviser would be in contact with me. So throughout this week I've been waiting for more information. I figured out I probably would need to send in a deposit, etc, but I figured they would let me know when that needed to happen. I then wondered if there was a portal where I could pay online. I've been checking my financial aid portal for the official aid package, and I figured any other pertinent information would be in that portal. Tonight I decided to search the UVM website for admitted student info and a page led me to my application portal (NOT the financial aid portal). I assumed the two were one and the same, and I realized with a shock that there was a button to click and a letter detailing the next steps, where to send the deposit, etc. I'm mailing the deposit tomorrow and I emailed the graduate adviser, which I should have done right away. I'm guessing I'll be fine as far as the scholarship goes since I did accept it from the program chair, but I wonder how potentially screwed I might have been if I hadn't found my portal again. So if any of you out there don't have a clear idea of where/how to accept, for the love of God investigate and actually ask people instead of assuming you've done all you've needed. D'oh.

I'm completing my online post-bacc at Pacific University. I definitely feel like I've learned a lot. It's 8 courses (27 credits) that do a pretty good job of covering prerequisites. I would be wary of programs with only 5 or 6 courses as you may have to take additional ones after you're done. I did take a combo Audiology/Aural Rehab, which worked fine for me but some programs require 2 separate courses. I have zero related experience (still finishing up observation hours, even). On my CV I stressed the time commitment of my two jobs to show both that I can handle the rigor of grad school and that I don't really have any extra time for volunteering, etc. I relied on my strong stats and writing. As you can see I didn't get in everywhere I applied, but I probably should have picked less competitive programs. And one acceptance is all you need anyways!

Sleep? Oh, you mean the thing I do only on weekends... :-)

I know this thread is ancient but I can't resist (see name). I read mostly historical fiction, classics (tons of 19th century fare), books that are in some way about books, libraries, creative play with language, etc. I've read a good deal of extremely bizarre (Naked Lunch) or ponderous (The Tale of Genji) books just because I was curious and wanted a challenge, which is partly why I don't read as many books as some other people I know who devour vast quantities of frothier fare. My favorite part of reading is getting to learn more about another time or place, which is why I love old/historical/world literature. I just finished reading Baudolino by Umberto Eco: medieval historical fiction with pseudo-Biblical fantasy (maybe--the narrator/protagonist is a shameless liar). Umberto Eco is always a good choice. I think Jane Austen's Persuasion is next on the agenda. I really hope I can still do some pleasure reading when I start my program. I currently work more than full time and do school online, so I have dedicated my lunch breaks to pleasure reading. I could talk about books for hours but I should probably stop...

Granted it's not grad school, but I've been doing my online undergrad and post bacc programs full-time while working 50-60 hours a week. If I had gone with an online grad program I was planning to quit my part-time job and work "only" 40 hours a week until the externships started. I'm very busy but it's doable (I just procrastinate doing chores/errands until it's absolutely necessary). I'm really lazy by nature and even I can do it, so as long as you're good at time management you should be fine.

Yeah, I toured the Eleanor Luse Center and got to peek in one if the clinic rooms (It seemed like a decent size), the graduate workroom (lots of students were on the computers) and the only classroom. Apparently they're expanding the workspace and adding computers, which is nice. It seemed big enough but cozy at the same time. Fun fact: the building used to be the medical college in the 1800s and they performed dissections, so some people say it's haunted! Everyone also seemed very friendly and welcoming. Good vibes all around.

I definitely think you're going to love UVM when you visit. The cozy, collaborative nature of the program really stood out to me (since there are only about 18 people, everyone has the same class schedule and there is only one classroom! It's almost like being in a one-room schoolhouse). The campus and city are beautiful, and I'm really looking forward to enjoying Lake Champlain. I've been looking at various websites with tips on renting out of state--if you can't visit in person try to get a Skype tour of the apartment, or if you know someone close have them check it out for you. Other options are trying to get a short-term lease in case the place is a nightmare.

Fees definitely vary by program. Any CSDCAS schools have application fees built into the CSDCAS application. However, if a school has a supplemental application you may have to pay a fee for CSDCAS and the supplement (I did). However, one of my schools waived the application fee if I attended an online information session. Some schools may have priority deadlines with cheaper fees. In my experience the typical fee was around $60, but they ranged from $0 to $125. All this information should be somewhere on each program's website.