finnekm

Has anyone taken audiology online? I'm registered at Longwood for the summer, but I was hoping to find a cheaper option.Utah State is probably not an option since I will be traveling a lot this summer.

I just sent in my deposit for Rush yesterday. I'm really excited! I was wait listed at Saint Xavier so there's a small chance that if I got in, I would go there and give up my deposit (only because it's cheaper). We'll see if that even happens.

Eastern New Mexico University offers speech science and neuroscience of communication in the summer. I've taken most of my prerequisites there and have been happy so far. All students get in-state tuition in the summer, which is only around $180/credit. Longwood offers some also, but they're around $500/credit. I'll be taking audiology at Longwood and speech science at ENMU this summer.

Rush and MGH seem like very similar programs to me since both are based in a hospital. I didn't apply to MGH, but I did get into Rush, and I've been talking with some current students over email. They told me that you have 6 different clinical practicum sites, which is considerably more than most schools (not sure how MGH compares though). I'm a little bias towards Chicago because I'm from there. One thing Rush and Chicago have going for them is they are much cheaper than Boston. Rush's program is also very small at only 20-25 students. One downside to Rush is the curriculum is pretty set. Current students told me there really isn't room for electives. Both programs are top notch, and I think it just comes down to money and where you want to live.

I can't comment on the program itself, but Charleston is a pretty boring town. Eastern is pretty small and nothing like the atmosphere of a large university. Knoxville seems like a much more interesting place to me. You might have the option to do one of your placements in the Chicago area though. At least that's how U of I does it. The weather is much nicer in Tennessee too! With all that said, the reputation of the program in Illinois is good and it's very affordable.

I haven't sent in my confirmation yet, but I'm most likely going to Rush. I'm excited to be back in Chicago again! I've been away for nearly 5 years.

What does everyone consider manageable debt after leaving grad school (including undergrad)? I have $30,000 in debt from undergrad and a master's degree (that I'm not using, ugh!). I got accepted into a great, but expensive program and wait listed at my cheaper safety school. If I choose the expensive place, I will have $90,000 in debt.

I'm seriously considering Rush too, but at $62,000 it isn't very affordable for me. Did you receive funding? Last I heard, they were sending out decisions this week.