Hey there! I am in the same boat as well as having George Washington University in the mix. I have no idea what to choose and have yet to come across anyone who can provide "inside" info. Unfortunately, the GWU and TU open houses are on the same day. I don't know about Loyola - maybe the Monday email will have more info about this. I did get to visit Towson for a meet and greet in October and was blown away by their program just from that little introduction. The clinic facility is state of the art (and I feel that's still putting it mildly), Dr. Fallon, the program director, is AMAZING. She is incredibly authentic, kind, energetic, humorous, and clearly CARES about her students - all of them. The faculty are combo teachers and clinicians, rather than a heavier focus on research vs teaching. Not that they don't do research! I've just been learning more about these kinds of differences in program focuses. I talked extensively with two of the grad students after the session (well over an hour), and they sold me completely. We talked about other programs, and one of the girls even went to the school where I am finishing my post-bacc. Being able to compare Towson and my current school program detail to detail was incredibly helpful (and lucky)! Two things that are holding me back from just signing on the dotted line immediately: my love of DC and wanting to be there as well as wanting more of a medical focus track with some other specifics that it appears GWU offers/specializes in. Towson gives a well-rounded and terrific education (so I believe/feel), but it appears to be more pediatric/school focused. If this is your main interest, I can't encourage you enough to attend the open house and see what you think.
As for Loyola, I'm in the dark, but the program seems great from the website!
I'm also a career changer, and I applied to their online program as well and was accepted. The statistics look good regarding the Praxis pass rate and employment rate. They seem to have good externship opportunities as well, and the program coordinator has been very helpful and responsive. I have been told by SLPs in the field and former professors that JMU has an excellent SLP program, which I imagine would extend to online as well. If anyone has attended this program, I would love to hear about your experience!
Following and seconding SLPCareerChanger! Am strongly considering accepting an offer from this program as a newlywed career changer. Hopefully the virtual open house will answer some of our questions tonight!
SLPCareerChanger got a reaction from lasmith in Come vent with me!