SomedaySLP

Well, here's hoping for some (good!) news tomorrow!

Yeah, it's killing me. I wish I could just relax and stop caring so much, but I just can't stand being stuck in this in-between state. I just really want to be able to plan and have an idea of what the next two years of my life are going to look like...

She is still the head and she was at the Motor Speech conference in California over the weekend which delayed things a tiny bit. That conference might have delayed other schools too, as a lot of people from our field go and if they're presenting it entails a lot of preparing. I received news that we'll hear "very soon, before the end of the week..." from UW. Not specific enough for my liking, but I'll take it I guess.

Yeesh. Is it one of your top choices? You've been accepted to really great programs, I'd probably skip them if I were you, but I don't know how high they were on your list or what reasons you had for wanting to go there. I just wouldn't be able to make a decision that will impact the next 2+ years of my life feeling rushed...

Agreed. Plus the resolution is more of an honor code system than anything, it's not legally binding and they aren't required to give you that much time, they just kind of should. I would just ask for an extension, I'd be really surprised if they told you no.

I've never heard of them doing that before, so I would still say it sounds like it's a good sign! Definitely, feel free to message me whenever! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

UMD gave us like 2 weeks to make a decision. I've found if you just call them and ask for an extension, almost every program will give you until April 15th to decide. Definitely worth a try! Congrats on your acceptance!!!!

Definitely! I loved Boulder's program, so it was nothing against it. One small reason I didn't apply was that it's hard to get in as an undergrad in their program (they like a diverse cohort, so usually only 1-2 CU SLHS undergrads per year seem to be accepted. I think I probably would have had a good shot since I'm super involved in research there, but still didn't like those odds. The biggest reason though was just that I really want to get a change of scenery and do something new during grad school. I've lived in CO since I was 9 and in Boulder the last 4+ years so I'm ready to get out. Though I do see myself moving back to CO after, I love it here The facilities definitely leave much to be desired but they aren't awful I guess. It's just an old building. The professors are great! There's amazing research going on, when I think about the amount of research experience I attained as an undergrad there, it makes me really grateful to have gone somewhere with such awesome opportunities. If you (or anyone else) decide to go there and are interested in research, let me know and I can point you in the best direction for your interests. I also know the area really well and can give housing tips if you need them! Good luck, it's insanely competitive to get in there, but an awesome place if you do get the opportunity to go!

That sounds like a good sign to me! I would probably just respond saying you appreciate the update and look forward to receiving their decision soon or something generic but polite like that. Which school sent that? I see you're applying to my undergrad school CU-Boulder, feel free to ask if you have any questions about their program! Just a heads up, they're typically pretty late in responding, I wouldn't expect anything from them until the end of the month.

Well, since there are more of us in this boat than I though, I'll share a bit of a (long) conversation I had with the bosses mentioned above about this... They said it was actually kind of a good thing (though it might not have felt like it at times) because it was one less distraction and person they had to devote lots of time to. That sounds bad, but they said that they've never been more busy than they were for the 2 years of grad school and that being apart was actually for the best because they really didn't have time to give to a relationship constantly and being apart meat they didn't have to feel bad about sort of neglecting their SOs. They all said that the time flew by extremely quickly because they were so busy and it made their relationships stronger and had some of their best memories from when their SOs would visit because the visits were more rare and felt more special. Also, one of my friends is in a SLP grad program right now and she said she wishes she and her boyfriend were long-distance because they distract each other too often So I'm trying to look at it through a positive perspective. I feel like if all three of them feel that way it must be somewhat true. Granted, there will be times when it'll be really hard, but it won't be the end of the world (or hopefully of any relationships!).

I know it doesn't make the situation sound any better, but my boyfriend and I will be doing long-distance for the two years and all three of my bosses (who are SLPs) did long distance during grad school as well (one was with her then boyfriend, now husband, one was engaged, the other was married). It sucks but it can definitely be done. Hang in there!

My mom told me today that she hopes I hear from my schools so she won't have to listen to me whine about it anymore, haha. I told her that's probably just the beginning, I feel like picking which school I want to go to will be a whole other battle

I do!!! If we don't hear from UWashington tomorrow I might freak out just a bit...

Happy birthday! My two acceptances came the two days following my birthday and it was the best present I could have hoped for! I wish the same for you!!

Deal! Good luck to you too

Last year they sent out acceptances earlier than they said they were going to (by a little less than a week). I'm not getting my hopes up because I know they have a new admissions chair this year so they might have had more kinks to work out. Basically if I get something this week, I'll be thrilled, but I'm not expecting anything until next week... These next two weeks should be big ones though, I'm thrilled at the idea of actually hearing from more schools!

Are you passionate about any of the research going on there? Enough so that you think you'd want to study it for the next half-decade of your life? I just personally feel like I'm going to be exposed to and explore so many areas of SLP during an MA/MS program that I don't want to pigeon-hole myself too early on in my career. Plus I know a lot of universities (my undergrad, for example) won't hire profs that aren't clinically experienced anyway. I'd still suggest you wait to hear from all of your schools (or at least your top few choices) before you make a decision. Go with your gut and what you think will make you happiest. Grad school is going to be tough enough without adding frustrations with your location/organization of your program/etc.

That's not necessarily true, it depends on the program, some do structure your clinical hours and CCCs into the combined program. Anyway, there is absolutely no difference between an MA and MS (or even the M.Ed some programs give) in your ability to practice in a medical setting or get into research. I work as a full-time Research Associate in a well-known research facility with a population that would be treated in a medical environment, with SLPs who have ALL practiced in medical settings before they got into research and more of them have an MA than an MS. It really has more to do with what school the program is located in within the university and other administrative stuff like that than it does any difference in the content of the degree. I have heard mixed opinions on people getting all of their degrees (BA-PhD) in one location. Some say it doesn't matter, some say it gives you too narrow a perspective. Honestly, there's such a shortage of PhDs in our field, as long as it's a reputable program it won't hurt your ability to get a job later. Don't put too much stock into the US News & Report ranking list. Look at their completely flawed methodology if you want to see why I say that. I looked into NYU and didn't apply there because I spoke with some former and current students who gave mixed (leaning toward mostly negative) reviews and I couldn't see myself spending that much money on a program that isn't well-organized. That said, your opinion may differ. I would suggest going to the open house and getting an idea of how you feel about it and while you're there, get contact info of current students. I've found lots are willing to be honest when they're speaking privately outside of the open house setting. I'd also suggest you not make any decisions or worry too much (I know, easier said than done) until you hear back from all of your schools and know what all of your options are. I'm also interested in going the doctoral route eventually, but like you I want to practice clinically first and think I might prefer a clinical doctorate than a traditional PhD. Because I'm not positive about any of this though, I decided to wait. Everyone I spoke to suggested getting experience before doing the PhD (including people that had gone straight through..). Is there an option to do only the MA now, even though your were accepted to the combined program? Good luck!! I imagine I'll be posting questions like this too, as more decisions start to roll in and we have to start making the tough decisions. Just remember how fortunate you are to be able to choose where you go

It seems like they sent out their first wave of acceptances and are now sending out more based on the response they got from those initial applicants. They asked us to respond within a short period of time, but offered extensions if we wanted to wait to hear about funding. Based on last year's dates, I think they send out official waitlist and rejection letters closer to mid-late March. I'm going on a visit next weekend so I might have a clearer picture after that and can keep you posted if you'd like?

I lived in Boulder with a large (Bernese Mtn Dog...~100lbs) canine friend for three years of my undergrad. I can give you some tips on places to look into (an others to avoid) if you're interested. Also, I've done a regular commute from Denver to Boulder and from Boulder to Denver at different points in my life and it really isn't bad at all, even at high traffic times.

I was so hopeful UW would be responding today, based on their 4 week estimate and last year's timeline. I guess there's still some time in the day considering they're on PST, but I'm not holding my breath anymore. This is going to be another looooong weekend :/

Oops, didn't get a notification for this for some reason. I went to UCBoulder for my undergrad is that where you went for linguistics? Who are you hoping to work with there? Have you received any news yet? I'm so happy March is finally here so we can all start getting results and start making decisions

Congratulations! That's great news

MGH's class size is so big, I'd be really surprised if they can call that many people in one day. I wouldn't lose hope if you haven't heard from them yet

I thought that too and while getting acceptances does take a lot of the pressure off, it doesn't make waiting for the other results much easier, at least in my experience I'm sure you'll get great news soon!