BioCook

I started working towards the end of my first semester of grad school. I wanted to get a feel for how school and clinic were in terms of the commute and workload before committing to something else. Luckily, I was able to get a GA position at my school (clinicals were at my school's clinic), but I do know some people in my cohort who work around where they live and some who commit solely to grad school. See how the first few weeks of grad school goes if you are able to!

I can only speak for what's going on in my program (MGH IHP) but I've heard that other programs are similar... 
I'm a current 1st year CSD student at the MGH IHP and I'm dropping a quick note (before the chaos of finals weeks begins) to recommend that you DEFER your admissions offer. As you all know these are challenging and chaotic times with many looming questions and very few answers. But I want to share my personal experience so that you know what might be on the horizon for you if you start at MGH IHP this fall...
All of our summer classes are online (and nobody knows how long this will go on for) for 1st year students this will mean 10 hours of virtual classes on Wednesdays with electives and a few other classes spread throughout the rest of the week, this could change but as it stands that is our summer Y1 schedule No financial transparency from the institute!  the IHP maintains that their quality of instruction remains the same, and as such are not discussing lowering tuition for students in the midst of this worldwide pandemic  for me this means that even though I was anticipating a summer placement, I will only receive clinical practicum hours this summer online through virtual Simucase practice our class has made an effort to negotiate lowering general student fees and getting transparency about what where tuition dollars are going to no avail (though the institute does post some information on their website and in program manuals) (note: fully online courses like prereqs cost $525 per credit-hour but our summer semester courses will cost us $1,364 per credit-hour)  What about telepractice? right now all the telepractice placements are going to second year students who need their 375 direct client contact hours to meet ASHA certification requirements - which, of course, makes sense! BUT - you could be in my shoes next year when the lasting impact of the quarantine means that your placements go to rising second year students who need extra clinical placements and supervised hours to graduate Obviously the entire incoming cohort can't defer, and I'm not expecting everyone to want to, but given what is going on if you are on the fence about starting I recommend you consider deferring! Online learning is not for everyone, and grad school already comes with incredibly taxing emotional and financial burdens. If you were most excited about the clinical practicum placements WAIT! Wait until you know they will be available, because no program can guarantee face-to-face practicum placements right now. 

I'm a current first year at IHP too (HELLO @musicalmini) and I'm interested in joining that group!

I'm a current first year at IHP too (HELLO @musicalmini) and I'm interested in joining that group!

Hello all!
My name is Megan. I'm currently a 1st year student at MGH-IHP and I work for the Office of Enrollment Services. With COVID-19 affecting schools around the nation, including ours, we've been challenged to be a little more creative than usual. To that end, I've been asked to create "Why IHP?" resources. I already have a few ideas influenced by how I picked my attendance at the IHP, but I'd love to hear what you have to say! What questions do you have about MGH IHP? Are there questions you have that are making settling on one school difficult? Ask me anything! Help me help you  Wishing you all the best with this process ❤️
 

MGH IHP is transitioning into online courses for the rest of the spring semester. We are currently on spring break and we just got word that our client sessions at the in-house clinic will be cancelled next week. No word on what it will look like for the rest of the semester for sessions, but I can only imagine that even if the school decides to reopen the clinic, it will ultimately become the family’s decisions. I know it really is a bummer especially for our clinic hours...

There are a few people in our cohort who live together and it works out fine for them! I think we have a mix of interests, but honestly the majority of people in my class come into grad school with no specific populations they want to work with (I really know of maybe two people who are interesting in swallowing disorders). Also, don’t count on getting medical placements and/or placements at specific sites you really want! The only time a medical placement is guaranteed is if you take the medical concentration. But that should not be the only reason you go for a concentration!

There are a few people in our cohort who live together and it works out fine for them! I think we have a mix of interests, but honestly the majority of people in my class come into grad school with no specific populations they want to work with (I really know of maybe two people who are interesting in swallowing disorders). Also, don’t count on getting medical placements and/or placements at specific sites you really want! The only time a medical placement is guaranteed is if you take the medical concentration. But that should not be the only reason you go for a concentration!

Hi! I'm at my second semester at IHP. I was choosing between BU and IHP (and some other schools) when I was making my final decision last year. I ultimately decided on IHP because of the focus on interprofessional education, the option for a medical concentration, and to expand my professional network. Anyway, I have some answers to your questions!
Some people opt to live in Charlestown, which is very close to school (can be a 10-15 minute walk depending on where you are) and others commute in. I take the T into North Station, which is about a 10-15 minute walk to campus depending on which building I have to go to. If you time it correctly, there is also the Partners shuttle that cycles between MGH (the hospital) and the Navy Yard (where IHP is) and those run early/late (convenient for the evening classes). I haven't run into any issues with my commute tbh. My commute is about an hour from when I leave my place to when I get to school. 
 
The first semester is pediatric-heavy, but you start getting into adult stuff in the second semester. I started grad school really wanting to do adult stuff, so I just had to push through the first semester and remind myself that it's better to get the ped stuff out of the way haha (the classes/professors were fun in the first semester!). In terms of CFs, I don't think it actually makes it "harder" to get one because of the extra semester. I believe you don't have to start your CF as soon as you graduate. It's just like applying for a job - you can do it any time.

Hi! I'm at my second semester at IHP. I was choosing between BU and IHP (and some other schools) when I was making my final decision last year. I ultimately decided on IHP because of the focus on interprofessional education, the option for a medical concentration, and to expand my professional network. Anyway, I have some answers to your questions!
Some people opt to live in Charlestown, which is very close to school (can be a 10-15 minute walk depending on where you are) and others commute in. I take the T into North Station, which is about a 10-15 minute walk to campus depending on which building I have to go to. If you time it correctly, there is also the Partners shuttle that cycles between MGH (the hospital) and the Navy Yard (where IHP is) and those run early/late (convenient for the evening classes). I haven't run into any issues with my commute tbh. My commute is about an hour from when I leave my place to when I get to school. 
 
The first semester is pediatric-heavy, but you start getting into adult stuff in the second semester. I started grad school really wanting to do adult stuff, so I just had to push through the first semester and remind myself that it's better to get the ped stuff out of the way haha (the classes/professors were fun in the first semester!). In terms of CFs, I don't think it actually makes it "harder" to get one because of the extra semester. I believe you don't have to start your CF as soon as you graduate. It's just like applying for a job - you can do it any time.

Got the info today! I am planning on coming up assuming my work schedule allows, this is definitely one of my top programs 

Yup! There will be an accepted student open house I believe at the end of this month. Keep a look out in your emails! If anyone here attends, perhaps I’ll see you there.

I heard from MGH via call on March 6th last year and then received an acceptance letter via email the next day. For TC, I received an acceptance letter via email on March 11th. Good luck!

I heard from MGH via call on March 6th last year and then received an acceptance letter via email the next day. For TC, I received an acceptance letter via email on March 11th. Good luck!

I second @musicalmini’s response. IHP does a great job with looking at students/applicants as a whole. There are many ways you can make a rockstar application that don’t involve numbers. Good luck!

I’m a current student at IHP and my personal statement was very similar. The school really does well with inclusivity and cultural competency. Our professors are open to all kinds of feedback so they can ensure that everyone learns and grows in a safe environment. I feel very safe and happy to be surrounded by a great cohort!

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!

I'm finishing up my last semester of grad school (not at BU) and just had to smile at this. Not to scare you or anything, but stressed out and tired is the name of the game in grad school! I wouldn't say it reflects negatively on BU. 

I second @musicalmini’s response. IHP does a great job with looking at students/applicants as a whole. There are many ways you can make a rockstar application that don’t involve numbers. Good luck!

I'm currently attending the IHP and I would say you have really good chances! Knowing the teachers here though, of course grades are important, most of what they take into consideration when picking the class is your essay (especially the diversity essay) and the letters of rec. They really care about people and not numbers. Good luck!

@samiamslp ah that’s good to hear!! I wrote my diversity essay about being lgbt and gender non-conforming & why that perspective is important in speech (& about my out of field background) which felt a little risky but i think my essays are strong and I was hoping MGH would be a program that would value that so fingers crossed! 

A little over 100,000 for the whole program they do offer some scholarships and a lot of ppl in my cohort have GA positions

I applied to 9 and that honestly feels like a lot now that I look back. Save your money! I think 3 schools is a solid number. 

I had a lower GPA and got in my first try. Definitely don’t give up! Rather than retaking courses and spending $$$$, focus on your applications and making sure you show that you are awesome!

1. Some sort of planning system, whether it's a physical planner or on your phone/computer. There are so many moving pieces in grad school that I can't imagine not using a planner--I'd probably forget about half my deadlines! And this is coming from someone who NEVER used a planner before grad school!
2. A working laptop. Pretty much everyone in my cohort brings their laptop to school every day to take notes or just do work.  It does NOT have to be fancy, just something that is fairly portable and not likely to break down anytime soon, ideally with a decent battery life. If you already have a nice computer, then that's fine, but don't feel like you have to get the latest MacBook Air or anything that will wreck your budget!
3. A clipboard with storage. Mine has enough room to hold miscellaneous papers for 2-3 clients at a time, my audio recorder, and a couple pens. 
4. An audio recorder that ISN'T your phone. Seriously. Most people just use their phone as an audio backup, but some people have had trouble with their phones stopping part-way through if they also decide to record video or use a phone app during the session. I have this audio recorder here:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XFTWCBJ/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and I absolutely adore it. The sound quality is excellent and it has a USB drive so I can download files onto my computer.
5. Nice pens! You'll be doing a lot of writing, so you might as well use pens that make you happy. I'm partial to Pentel Energels.
6. A lot of people will say a laminator. Honestly, so far I haven't seen the need for it. I've used self-adhesive laminating sheets for the few things I've needed laminated, so I don't think a laminator would have been worth it for me. Also, some schools have a laminator for student use, so I would double-check before you buy anything pricey.
7. I don't think it's worth buying a penlight unless your school/internships have a strict no-phone policy in sessions. I use my phone flashlight and it does just fine. But to each their own, I guess.
8. Maybe this should have been in the top five... Clinic-appropriate clothes! On-campus clinics tend to have stricter dress codes than your placement sites--for instance, I can wear sneakers at my placement, but not in our on-campus clinic. Get a good variety of business casual clothing: pants that aren't jeans, blouses, cardigans, skirts/dresses, close-toed shoes that aren't sneakers ? No cleavage, no exposed skin when you bend over or raise your arms, nothing really tight, and definitely wear pants if you're playing on the floor!
9. Miscellaneous office supplies! Our grad room has scissors and tape, but I've had to use my own post-it notes, paperclips, and index cards.
10. As far as any toys/games/materials go, I say skip it unless you're sure that you want to work in a school and need to start slowly accumulating materials. The school clinic and placements should have everything you need. If they don't, just do what your supervisor does and make do. Grad school is expensive enough as it is! Plus, if you're forced to make do with what you have, it makes you adaptable and hones your creativity!
11. A combo printer/scanner/copier (this should also have been in the top five). This one isn't essential, just super convenient. Your school will probably have a printer you can use for clinic stuff, but ours isn't in color, so I have to use mine at home if I want color. Also, some professors are better than others with going digital, so some of them may give you a lot of handouts, and once you scan them you can get rid of them. 
I'll add on if I think of anything else!