oceania47

I am a current Master's student, and here's my 2 cents: 1) observing is fine, that should be just some more good experience to put in your back pocket; 2) as far as what should you study over the summer? NOTHING. You will get PLENTY of a review once you start school (although I don't know exactly where you will be attending), and studying over the summer is NOT necessary. I freaking love my program and wouldn't trade my experience here for the world; but school will be straight insanity for 2 years and the last thing you need to do is worry about what to know for the first day before you have even started there. Seriously, don't bother. If there's anything important the professors will let you know when they see you. I'm type-A myself but you don't even know where your professors are going to start you off in the fall and if you did well in your leveling courses (even 1 year out) then things will come back to you as you sit in class. I suppose if you wanted to do some cursory reviewing if you're convinced you really need that, then I can't stop you--but really, enjoy your summer and finish your other classes and mentally prepare for the next 2 years. For many people the first quarter/semester is extremely stressful with practicum on top of class, so I'm not sure this is pragmatic.

Speech.students.LOVE.pinterest.

Rush apparently changed things up a little bit this year. They didn't invite people to fill out a supplemental application before, it was just a part of the regular application.

I am currently in a program! And, you're right, post-baccs do have the pre-reqs. You can also be certified to work in a school at Rush. I would still say that out-ouf-fielders who do have the pre-reqs are most welcomed into programs.

No. You can become a school-certified SLP at Rush (though not an actual "teacher") and there is a good handful of people there right now who were post-baccalaureate students. If anything, those students are more valuable because they're unique and not-the-norm.

Let me also point out that, as it stands, this field is currently more competitive to get one's foot in the door at than it is for medical school, which I believe someone already alluded to above. I have heard this not just from other students, but professors on the adcoms. There are simply not enough programs to take in all the good students that apply to them (and the majority--though most definitely not all--of applicants are good candidates for graduate-level study). It bothers me when students assume that a program is cutting back on the numbers of admits "just because." That shows a lack of appreciation for what a challenge it is to not only accept *THE* best and most APPROPRIATE incoming students, but to MAINTAIN them for the duration of the program. Do keep in mind this challenge that adcoms take on and know that they generally put a great deal of thought into who they accept and who they turn away. It's usually for a good reason that you were not admitted the first time around. If you have even one acceptance letter--congratulations. You've made it past a big hurdle.

Well said. Northwestern is certainly a good school. Are NU grads more valuable than Rush grads (or anywhere else)? Absolutely not. Most (not all) NU people have haughty attitudes and many feel that they will not be made a part of that negative atmosphere. Plus, paying a premium for that label is, again, laughable.

I agree. Rush's facilities are currently state-of-the-art (and I mean literally . . . the new hospital is out of this world).

Northwestern should not be considered the be-all end-all. Let's just put it that way.

Yes, they do. They want an intimate, manageable program. Accepting more than the limit is just absurd. They don't have the resources for that large of a class.

From a professor on the adcom: "well over 400 applicants."

Nope. Less people tend to apply to Northwestern right off the bat because it's so overpriced.

Way over 400 people applied this year. They are cutting back this time because they like a smaller class.