NorcalSLP

Finally got my letter from Redlands. I was wait listed. But thats okay because if had been accepted it would have been hard to turn down going to school close(er) to home but I like Boston SO much more than SoCal...glad it's a decision I won't have to make haha. For those waiting to hear they sent out letters on Friday and Monday and I live near SF so yours should be on its way. Anyone know what is going on with St. Johns? I know that they starting notifying people forever ago and I have yet to hear anything (other than invites to tour the school and encouragement to apply there...which I'm pretty sure I already did haha). Should I just assume I am wait listed? Same with UVA. I heard someone say, either here or on the results board that we should hear soon but it seems really late. It is the only school I would consider bumping NEU for (other than Marquette) but I would want to visit first (been to the school not the department) and I wouldn't have the chance to do that before the April 15th deadline. These schools really need to get their act together

My pre-recs for NEU were approved!!! Whew! I will likely be going there in the fall. Anyone else planning on going to Northeastern?

Thanks GandalfTheGrey, I just heard back from my professors at UW and have all of the syllabi ready to send to Dr. O'Neil (although one of them is the syllabi from this years class (I took it last year) as she keeps only her most recent syllabi online and never gave us a paper copy) so hopefully they will work. I have one class that is a basic audiology class (which covered an intro to ear/cochlea anatomy) one class that was very in depth concerning anatomy and physiology of hearing (the one whose course description I posted above...also the one that is an online syllabi) and one that dealt with the neural basis of hearing. I would have to take the anatomy class before starting graduate work and honestly I know I have the necessary course work so I'd be pretty upset if Dr. O'Neil reject it. I may ask my Hearing Science teacher to email Dr. O'Neil but as she (Dr. Werner) is not really a people person (probably why she is an audiologist who works with 7 month olds...they sleep a lot haha) and I don't want to seem rude or desperate. I may add a "feel free to contact me should you want to get in touch with any of the professors" to my email. Good luck with your Aural rehab requirement. UW had a separate class for that. It's kinda crazy that course titles mean so much. You would think that the world of SLP is small enough that schools would have a general idea of what is covered in postbacc/undergrad programs at other schools. I hope Northwestern works out for you!!

Dr. O'Neil from NEU got back to me over the weekend (which I didn't expect but appreciated) and confirmed that looking at my transcript it seems like I haven't taken an anatomy of hearing class yet. I plan to send her three syllabi but I am worried about one of them. Unfortunately it is the class that covered the anatomy and physiology of hearing in the most detail. The issue is that the professor who taught this is not all that great with words so the syllabus does not really describe the class (the course description/objectives is a paragraph long). The class schedule is also no help as it makes it seem like we only spent three days on anatomy when in reality anatomy was covered in increasingly complicated detail and the three days were more of an "introduction" (one that we had after already taking four other audiology classes). I am wondering how to approach this issue should my course work be deemed unacceptable. I honestly think it would dissuade me from attending NEU because A- Taking a class, even an online one this summer will prove difficult as I will be traveling out of the country and B - I chose to go to UW and worked really hard on my post bacc so I would have all of my pre recs done for any school in the country so if they don't accept them it will feel a bit like a slap in the face. Which would be a shame because NEU was one of my top choice programs while applying and I do want to attend. I know I am getting ahead of myself and am a bit of a basket case (it's a really good thing I didn't find this board till after I had heard from schools because if I did y'all would think I was crazy) but I can't help it, I am really worried. Any ideas about what I should do should Dr.O'Neil reject my syllabi? just to add, the course description for the Hearing Science (the one I am worried about) class is as follows: This course is a survey of basic concepts related to hearing. The topics covered will include the anatomy and response properties of the ear and auditory nervous system, and fundamental aspects of auditory sensation and perception. The format is lecture with weekly lab. We will be using TurningPoint during lectures to deliver questions on the lecture topic and for pop quizzes. There will be 6 lab sessions. Would you deem that acceptable?

I finally got my official letter form NEU (they sent it to my old address) and they said I still had to complete pre-recs. I emailed the head of the department but I doubt I'll hear from her before monday. I have a feeling they think I never took anatomy of hearing and that I will have to send them the 4+ syllabi/course descriptions for the classes that covered that. I don't understand how they can think someone who is applying with a bachelors in the subject (especially one that has "hearing" in the title) has not completed all the pre-recs. This is turning out to be a very frustrating process even after all of the heavy lifting is supposedly "done" . Glad I'm not the only one dealing with this pre-rec mumbo jumbo. Although it would be nice if none of us had to deal with it.

Now I'm really worried about my pre-recs. I still haven't received my official letter from NEU so I don't know what the conditions are. I had originally assumed that it was just paying the fee and filling out paperwork but now I'm not so sure. As I mentioned I have a second bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences (just got my diploma framed to prove it) with something 65 credits on the subject at least 16 of which were purely audiology classes and at least five more that went in depth into other aspects of audiology. But none that specifically say "anatomy of hearing". I am planning on calling NEU tomorrow to see if I have met all the pre-recs and if not can I send them multiple syllabi. I am probably getting WAY ahead of myself but still....I spent a lot of time, money, and many sleepless nights on my post bacc degree and don't really have the time this summer (I'll be out of the country) to take yet another class. I know I have anatomy of hearing it's just not explicitly stated. Sigh just when I thought all this stress was over.

Now you have ME worried. I am assuming you are taking about Northeastern. I too am planning on going there. But I just looked at the course title for my anatomy class and it also does not mention anatomy of hearing. But I have a bachelors in Speech and HEARING Sciences from UW so I have taken anatomy of hearing (many times over), it is just not explicit in my course listings. I hope that they will understand that I have taken the necessary classes. If not I'll be pretty upset because I spent a lot of money and time on my second bachelors degree. Anyone have any insight into this? For YOU I would recommend calling the schools you are thinking of doing your pre-recs at and asking if any of the classes teach anatomy of hearing. As I mentioned before it was covered in other classes that I took (audiology (both intro and a higher level class), hearing science, speech language hearing and the brain, aural rehab etc). Good luck and maybe I'll see you this fall!! edited for spelling/grammer errors (I really need to stop posting things without my contacts in)

Marquette has spring admissions but only on a need to fill basis (ie not a full class size) so it is a bit of a hard ticket. I think Valdosta State in Georgia accepts students every semester and University of District Columbia has a really late deadline. In terms of low GRE/GPA I heard rumors that both Valdosta and UDC are easier to get into. NOVA is supposed to be easier too but they are rolling and they accept several semesters out (I have yet to get an interview and I applied in December). However, in addition to applying to other schools you really need to figure out WHY you didn't get in the first time and what you can do to change that. I'm not trying to be mean but this is my second (kinda I was a non background the first time) go round and it was improving my GRE scores, getting more volunteer work, getting research experience etc that made the biggest difference. I would contact a few of the schools you didn't get into (especially ones you would consider applying to again) and ask how you could make yourself a stronger candidate. Have you been on the AHSA ed find website? http://hes.asha.org:8080/EdFind/Masters/MastersSearchResults.aspx it will list schools and their admit dates. A lot of there info is out of date (things like ave GPA/GRE) but it is a good place to start. Best of luck!

I think I've asked you this before but remind me (it will help us answer your question) are you a background student or not?

Right!?! I mean I have basically made my decision (got into one of my top choices, wait listed at #1) but it is still really annoying that I have yet to hear from four of my schools. I actually find it a little disrespectful on their part. I understand that virtually all programs received "record numbers of applicants" and that they want to make informed and thoughtful decisions but this is getting a little ridiculous, the least they could do is email everyone to tell them that decisions are still being made and to expect an email/letter/phone call by [ insert date here]. We have deadlines not only to apply but also to inform schools. It is only fair that THEY have them too.

Anyone have any idea what is going on with Redlands? They were supposed to make their final decisions on the 20th and then email people but I haven't heard anything.

If you don't mind me asking what is your in major GPA? What about your last 60 credits? Some grad schools place a lot more emphasis on those numbers than on overall GPA. I agree with Honeybee you need to apply to a wide range of schools. Try to get a professor you are close with to sit down with you and go over grad school prospects. I had a professor do that with me and it really helped. I think it also made his letter of recommendation stand out because he knew my commitment to the field. Working on research will certainly help, especially if you can extend it for more than just the summer. I have mediocre grades (3.49 in my post bacc (but from UW which I think helped) 3.57 for my first undergrad) and decent GRE scores (159 V 150 (so that THAT great but above 50%) Q). But nowhere near the caliber of some of the people I was applying against. I have research and volunteer work but so do a majority of the people applying. I'm not going to lie and say it is easy but it's also not impossible. The fact that you are thinking about it now is really good. Again, if you can, arrange to meet with a professor and/or mentor who can help you sort out the mess that is grad schools. Then, if you can, visit your top 3-5 schools (either on perspective student days or on your own) and figure out what you really like about the program, and include that in your personal statement. With CSDCAS people can now apply to a ton of programs with a few clicks of a button and schools really want to know that you have done your due diligence. It will also help you sell yourself to the school because you can cater you personal statement (or at least part of it, writing ten separate statements would be a bit overkill) to the schools strengths or current research projects. Similarly if you can afford it I would advise applying to several schools. My professors thought I was crazy when I applied to ten graduate programs but it was what I needed to do. I also knew that as a mid level (in terms of just GPA/GRE) applicant I had to give myself a lot of options, some that were reaches and others that I was fairly confidant I was a competitive applicant for. Ten is extreme but it gave me peace of mind (note I also applied to 15 undergraduate schools and 9 postbacc/3 year masters programs so maybe I am a little crazy haha). It's also important to not be stuck in the idea of attending your one "dream" school. Did i have (do I have) a #1 choice? Yes. But I knew I would be happy to attend any one of the schools I was applying to. It makes it a little less heartbreaking when your first choice rejects or wait lists you (I still can't decide which is worse). I started thinking about grad schools around this time last year too (well I thought about them my whole post bacc year but I REALLY began thinking about them around now). While neurotic, it was nice to get a jump start on things. Start with a long list (like REALLY long) of schools that may, possibly interest you. Make a spread sheet (ave gpa/gre, location, any thing about the program or location that stands out to you (really simple things like "Boston is a fun city but really cold in the winter" or "has a specialized AAC track") etc) and continue to add to it as you come across possible schools. Figure out which schools on that list stand out most to you (without crossing any out yet) and arrange a meeting with a professor to ask about those schools and any others s/he may advise you look into. I would never have applied to UNCo without talking to a professor. Granted I am not going there but his advise was still invaluable. When you (if you) talk to a professor be really honest about your credentials/interests/worries. While they are certainly not your therapist they can't help you unless they know your situation. But if you are able to find the right person to talk to you will likely walk away feeling much better about the situation (if the person you talk you doesn't make you feel better and does not suggest ways to help- find someone else to talk to). Everyone who is a SLP professor or a practicing SLP has been through this process. Yes, it is stress inducing, confusing and at times utterly miserable. But it ends. You WILL open an acceptance letter (possibly many) and you will go to grad school. You just have to be willing to put in the work and clearly you are. Best of luck going forward (and sorry for the long post, I am a bit of a chatter box).

UWs post bacc program will start in the summer. Mid June (the 18th this year). The masters programs start in mid/late September (the 24th this year). UW is on a quarter system and typically has a really late start date. Here is the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year http://www.washington.edu/students/reg/1213cal.html

I went to the Emerson open house in November and I recall some of the students saying that there were people who were not at Emerson who took the summer pre-recs there. I don't know about MGH. I would shoot them both a phone call/email to see if there are spaces available. Plus as was pointed out if you are already going to be in Boston you may as well get them done.Five pre-recs in a summer is hard but I did four the first summer at UW (two of which were known as being some of the hardest classes in the department) and while it was beyond exhausting, I survived. Plus if you can find one or two to do online you could theoretically (depending on who they are through) start before the summer even begins. Phonetics for example likely does not have to be through a speech and hearing department (I would email them to check) and you may be able to find a rolling start date on-line phonetics class (as a Lig major you actually probably already have met the phonetics requirement). If you need to stay in Atlanta for the summer see if GSU allows you to take classes in the summer (I don't know if they even offer the classes NEU wants you to have so this may be a moot point but you never know if you don't ask). I certainly think with a bit of research and dedication you can finish the five (maybe even four) classes before the September start date. I am most likely (unless I get off of the Marquette wait list, which at #12 I highly doubt will happen) be attending NEU as well. Nice to "meet" a potential classmate.

I was a post bacc there and I don't know of anyone who had THAT strong of a reaction to it. I also have friends from my cohort who are in the program now and they seem to enjoy it. I would be careful about trusting anonymous posters. Contact Dr. Spencer and see if she can put you in touch with a current student. That way you will actually know who you are talking to.

As a non-Georgian I have to ask what are peoples thoughts on GSU vs. Northeastern? I applied to GSU kinda on a whim (it was always on the long list but took awhile to make it to the sort list) and didn't expect to get in. I have mixed feelings about their approach to the clinical side of the program. On the one hand I love that they fully prepare you to enter the world of being a clinician and on the other I don't like that it adds a summer to the program. Northeastern is located in a city I have wanted to move to (at least for a few years) since I was 15 but Boston is really expensive and it seems like it is a little harder to live away from the hustle and bustle without being way out from school. On the other hand I don't like how much I would have to drive in Atlanta. The students I met at GSU seemed really nice but I feel like I would be an outsider coming from northern CA. The student I spoke to at NEU (who, granted was an undergrad in their accelerated undergrad/masters program) said that students within the grad school could be a little competitive (which is something I wouldn't do well with, at that point we are all going to get jobs, why bother being competitive?) but considering the source wasn't a true masters student I am taking it with a grain of salt. I am leaning towards NEU because it was one of my top choices while applying and GSU did not blow me away when I went on my interview, but I am interested in what others think about these two vastly different programs.

http://neugrad.askadmissions.net/Vip/Default.aspx It's the prospective grad students portal. Your admission decision isn't on there but you should see if it is available. I found mine when I logged on to the application at the bottom of that first page. You never know how they are sending them out though. UVA has apparently been notifying people for weeks and I have yet to hear anything. Thanks. I literally screamed! I love boston too and this was one of my top three schools (rejected from one of the others, wait listed at the second) so I'm pretty happy.

Did you log into N-you? I logged in there and it said decision available. Then (after freaking out for a min.) I logged back onto the application portal and found it at the bottom where they list all of the parts of your application. The link should say something along the lines of "a decision is now available to view online"

Northeastern decisions are UP! At least mine was. I didn't get an email to check I just logged on to see if they had anything posted. I was accepted (although conditionally and I have no idea what the conditions are as i have a second bachelors degree and am no longer in school) and I am super excited. Despite being super expensive Boston is one of my favorite cities in the world and I really liked NEU when I went to the open house. Today has been full of responses for me, I don't know how I am going to get any sleep tonight.

I did attend UW for my post bacc! I will PM you my thoughts on the program.

Just got into Touro but will likely be turning them down in favor of GSU (although psychologically nice to know that I have options). I also found out I am number 12 on the wait list at my top choice school. A bit of a hard pill to swallow as I have a feeling that it means I won't get in. So much information before 10am haha. I have a feeling the next three days (including today) are going to be busy on the boards. edited for typos :-)

Does anyone have any idea about when we will hear from Redlands? I got an email from them a few weeks ago saying my application was complete (about six - eight weeks after I submitted it to the ever wonderful CSDCAS ) and under review. According to the results page people heard from them around this time last year, if not before. I went to the open house but don't remember if they said when to expect to hear from them (I went to seven open houses/visits and applied to ten schools from a list of about twenty so things tend to blur). It's the only school in CA I applied to and while not my top choice, if I were accepted I would have to seriously consider going somewhere close(er) to home.

I would contact Gabrielle in the department. When I got into the post bacc program I found out in March/April. The program starts in June so it makes no sense that they wouldn't tell you until then. But I also never got the original "you're in" email and didn't find out I was accepted until the second "we really need to know" email. Email or call Gabby to ask if decisions have been made and if not when you can expect them.

I feel like sometimes schools will reject you if your stats are TOO high. It's kinda odd but I can (sort of) understand the reasoning behind it. Grad schools talk to each other and if they know you have a good chance of being accepted at a higher ranked, "better" school they won't bother sending an acceptance to someone who will turn them down. I know that if you apply from UW (with high stats) to western your chances of getting in to western are really low (or they have been in the past), because the people on the admissions committee know that people are applying there as a "safety" school. I don't know enough about the schools in FL to know if that is the case with FSU but it wouldn't surprise me. I doubt that the recommendation letter factored in to the decision making. It wasn't that late and schools understand that there are some things that are out of your control. Honestly this whole thing confuses me haha.

I know you didn't ask me this but I'm going to respond anyways haha. It all depends on where you want to live and where your placements are. I was glad that I had a car despite not using it all that much. I lived walking distance to UW and was two - five blocks away from the grocery store, church, school and the gym. However it was nice to have a car when I needed to go on a big shopping trip or to a friends apartment in the evening (the bus in the evening can be a little sketch). I was also glad I had it when I was done with my post bacc and was working at a pre-school (I had covered secure parking at work and school though so that helped). I also imagine that it is helpful when you have placements off of UWs campus as it will allow for you to have more options when it comes to placements as you will not be restricted to places where you can get to and from easily on the bus. However, parking is expensive and a pain in the butt. Especially downtown and around UW. Bussing to and from school is most likely the better option. If you were to live bussing/walking/biking distance to UW and everything else you may need (grocery stores, pharmacy etc) I would say you probably don't need a car BUT you should invest in a zipcar membership. There are a ton of zipcar lots in Seattle. I have never used zipcar but it was recommended to me by one of the professors I spoke to at an open house I went to (I have a car but if I end up in Boston or NY don't intend on taking it with me). That way you won't be limited in terms of you placement options. While public transport in Seattle is certainly better than it is in LA it is no where near as far reaching or efficient as Boston, NY, London etc. Another option is to not take a car the first semester or two (when you will have on campus placements) and then either lease or bring up your car once you start doing off campus placements. To be honest with you, neither option is perfect and you kind of have to suss out the situation once you know where you will be living. Sorry this wasn't a yes or no answer...