Lita E

Hello all! 
I’ve commented on this forum a few times but I’ve been seeing lots of questions about things that I feel like only a current student (or faculty members) might know the answers to so I wanted to reach out and provide some opinion and information I’ve learned from others/experience. 
1. Funding and scholarships- there are a few scholarships available distinctly for AuD students one that I know is the ASHA Graduate Student Scholarship it has a May deadline. Funding varies greatly by department. Based on my experience information about most departmental funding was provided with admissions. I had 2 funding offers with my acceptance, 1 acceptance mentioned they had limited funding available, 1 school told me unfortunately I wasn’t offered for the first semester (likely as I was in-state) but they try to give everyone 1 semester of funding, and various others that mentioned university scholarships for in-state tuition. It’s also not wrong to reach out to a school about funding. I would compile a list of questions I wanted to know (did students work while in school, clinical placements examples, what are funding opportunities for the future, ask about research if interested). 
2. I was never placed on a waitlist for a school, but from what I’ve heard YES people do get off waitlists. But I think it depends on the school. I know my university hasn’t had to move to the waitlist for years. Think about it so many people are accepted to all the same programs and you can’t only attend one so the option is possible. If you’re on a waitlist reach out, see if they’d be willing to tell you what your place on it is. Show that you’re still interested. 
3. Admitted students days- I am SO sorry for your class as you can’t experience these amazing departments in person because of COVID-19. However, I know at least at my university we are doing all we can to still make our virtual admitted students day as personable as possible. If your school isn’t having an admitted students day this is even more of a reason to reach out and ask questions. Ask for a contact of a current student and ask them questions!
4. Loans- loans will likely happen because unfortunately AuD programs don’t have a ton of funding. But in this profession you’re in it for the work you’re doing not the payday. In my honest opinion loans are okay in moderation. I have taken out loans but I’ve also had funding opportunities, but I took out loans when I didn’t have funding. I work part time to offset the loans I need to take out. 
 
I hope this is helpful for some of you guys. If you got into a program (or multiple) congratulations, if you’re waiting on a waitlist spot don’t give up, if you didn’t get in anywhere reach out to those programs and ask what could make your application stronger in the future then work on that. Feel free to message me and I would love to help as I can (social distancing really gives me more free time then I know what to do)
Best of luck to all!

If you got your flight during March you can cancel and receive a voucher to use later. I know that Delta and American Airlines are doing this, probably other airlines as well. Try calling and letting them know and see if they can apply the voucher. Good luck!

Hi everyone! 

Western Washington University, Utah State University, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Northern Colorado

Interviewed / No Word Yet
 @allaboutears and @mertsncy - did we apply to the same UNC or did ya'll apply to other UNC (North Carolina)? 

Hi there! I have a higher GPA (3.94) but my GRE was 155 V /145 QR / 4 AW, and so far my GRE has not been brought up at all. I was going to retake it but didn't and am glad that I didn't bother. As far as less competitive programs - I realized through this forum that not many people apply to the schools that I applied to. I believe I'm the only one in the forum that applied to Western Washington Univ or Utah State - and only a couple people applied to the CO schools. I've already gotten in to Utah and expect to hear from Western next week. 

Good luck to you!

Hey! So I have pretty much the same stats as you do, and I still got into 2 schools, waitlisted at one, and got invited by one school to an interview. I became more involved in research in my CSD department, and I volunteered ALL the time. Letters of recommendations are a HUGE HUGE plus (I cannot emphasize how important they are - most of my interviews asked questions based on what my LORs said because it’s about your character). Show that you are a hard worker, are involved in orgs and volunteerism, and maybe get a part time job in pediatrics as a hearing screener. GRE and GPA aren’t everything! You got this- good luck!

I'm waiting to visit and get more information and hear about funding and then I will be accepting admission at one school before the deadline.

I feel like unfortunately you may need to wait for the next application cycle. It may be worth your time to connect with someone in that audiology department at that university and ask. But I know my university does separate admissions entirely for SLP and Audiology and I think the decisions committee is composed of all different people. It doesn’t hurt to ask but I know programs accept individuals based on the number of applications received and it likely is too late to switch even within the same university.

UNC north carolina chapel hill for me!

Hi! I think I have you beat on different backgrounds.
10 years out of grad school. MA in different field (Applied Linguistics: TESOL), undergrad in Linguistics and Pre-Med. 10 years of college level teaching, about 4 courses of CSD under my belt. Perfect GPA in Grad school, top 94% percentile in verbal and writing on GRE--admittedly sucky math. I just walked in and took the test with no prep and was like "Well, let's see if anyone accepts me, lol." 
I was accepted to all schools save 1. If the application committee is any good, they're looking for a truly diverse group of people. The fact that you're even being asked for an interview is a very good sign that they like what they see on paper--now give 'em the ol' razzle dazzle in person! 

Hey! I was just waitlisted at Auburn as well and I went there for undergrad. I wouldn't feel down and out about it at all. I think you still have a really good chance of getting into one of those other schools! From my understanding, Auburn accepts very few people out right. I have heard of people having all sorts of backgrounds at different programs around the country. I know WashU has said that they are looking for a diverse class and I'm sure other programs are too! I hope that puts you at ease a little!

I just wanted to share a bit of advice as a current AuD student and someone who went through this process a few years ago. 
On interviews: be yourself, know why you want to go to that school, be able to talk about what brought you to audiology and what some of your interests may be. 

When it comes to picking a program it is important to consider costs and GA positions but it is SO MUCH more than that. Obviously don’t collect a bunch of debt if you can avoid it, but also don’t pick a school solely on cost. Look at what the clinical opportunities are and are you required to find your placements or does someone do that for you (during the first 3 years of 4 year program). Do they have any specialized classes that you are interested in or faculty members that are known for a specialty (ie. tinnitus). Visit the school and try to imagine if you could see yourself there for 3+ years. Ask for contact information from a current student there. If your considering a 3 year program definitely talk to students there and think about what you can handle, especially if you have to work part time in school. I definitely couldn’t imagine fitting everything I am learning and doing into 3 years (which I did consider) and I applaud the students who are able to do that. 
 
Best of luck to all of you in this exciting process!

Hi everyone! I applied to CU Boulder, SDSU/UCSD, Purdue, University of Northern Colorado, and Sacramento State's new program. Has anyone else applied to these schools and heard back yet? I got an interview with Purdue!