NorcalSLP

While I can't offer much about the MedSLP program I am happy to give my two cents about the department and Seattle. You will no doubt get a fantastic education at UW. The professors there are some of the best in the field and deservedly so. If you want to work in a hospital with adults and are entertaining the idea of eventually getting a PhD then this program will certainly prepare you. I have heard rumors (none actually confirmed) that if you want to work in one of the major hospitals in Seattle right out of grad school they basically require you to have a med specialty. From what I understand from speaking to students that were in the med track you leave feeling very prepared to work in a medical setting. The resources you would have from working and learning at UW would be very valuable. But yes it is very expensive and funding is hard to come by. There are many successful SLPs who work in medical settings and did not go to UW. Plus the school isn't going anywhere so if you wanted to get a PhD or a post doc there, there that is still an option. In terms of living in Seattle, I guess everything is relative. I came from LA so traffic was worse and rent was higher. You actually can find decent places to live at a decent price. Parking is a pain in the butt, but as long as you live within bussing distance to UW you really shouldn't need to drive that often. You can get a Upass for about $100 a quarter that allows you to take any of the public transportation Seattle has to offer (when I left Seattle bus fare was about 2.50 a trip so it pays for itself pretty quickly if you are using it regularly). I think visiting is a really good idea. Email them and ask if you can speak to a current MedSLP student. It is likely you will get an unbiased pro and con viewpoint from them and you won't feel quite like you are being "sold" the school. Good luck!

So I know this was already answered in detail by wannabeSLP, but I thought I would add in my two cents too. This is also my second round of applications (but I kinda consider it a 1.5 round). Last time I applied I did so to both 3 year programs and post bacc programs. Now I don't know your situation but I was applying directly out of my first undergrad with very little experience in the field. I had some volunteer work with special needs adults and children but I went to a Jesuit school and having that kind of experience was kinda expected to graduate. Plus it was not all that extensive. I was rejected from almost every three year school I applied to and rejected from a wait list to the other. But I got into all three post bacc programs I applied to and decided to attend what I thought would be the most academically rigorous and give me the best chance of getting into grad schools the second time around. I also used the opportunity to find out what exactly it was I wanted to do in the field and to boost my resume with more related volunteer opportunities and research experience. This also helped me get better letters of rec as 99% of them were from either my speech and hearing science teachers or my research supervisor. It also was helpful because it really forced me to realize not only what kind of learner I am but what type of school (more research or clinically based) would thrive in. I also re-took the GRE because while my first set of scores were decent (between 1000 and 1100) I knew I could do better ( I got over a 1200 the second time and could have done better but I over thought the math). As I said I don't know your situation (if you are an out of field applicant or if you have all your pre-recs done) but here is what I would advise if you like me were an out of field applicant: -- take some (or all) of your pre-recs. I know that it is not feasible for everyone to take a second bachelors degree's worth of credits but if you can at least get some of them done it will open up a world of opportunities for you. If you can take a second bachelors degree worth I would recommend doing so. The reason I say this is because it makes it so you can apply to any of the 200+ schools in the country not just the ones that have five classes as their pre-recs. I don't know much about USU but I know it is a popular online choice because it is inexpensive. Portland State also has a non-competitive application process for their post-bacc and accepts applications until June. But they are not online. If you can only take a handful of classes take them. But make sure you are taking the ones that the schools you want to apply to require you to have. I know UW requires a ton of credits to apply to their masters program and Northeastern only requires five to start the program. -- get involved in related research. I worked at UWs Autism center for a year and even though the research was not directly related to speech pathology it did relate to my interest in the field. This was helpful because it showed me off as a more well-rounded student and while I don't want to go into research I understand how it works and the importance behind it. Plus it allows for a recommendation that is separate from just the standard academics ones. -- do some volunteer work that is related to the field. You'd be surprised by the number of people looking for free labor. It does not necessarily even have to be with a SLP but if you are able to find something working with special needs kids or stroke survivors it will show a furthered interest in speech pathology. I know at least in my school district you can apply to be a teachers aid as long as you graduated from high school. You can typically request to work with special needs kids and often aids make pretty decent money. It would be a way to make money while you re-apply and get experience at the same time. Plus you'll likely get a good, unique recommendation out of it. -- If you haven't already (or even if you have) shadow speech pathologists in various settings and get your 25 hours of observation in. -- If you think you can do better on the GRE, re-take it. As wannabeSLP said, it's not a fun test but if you think it will make a difference the three months of suffering to study and the 1/3 of a day to take the test is worth it. Just drink a bottle of wine afterwards haha. If you DO have a background in SLP then you could still do a number of these things. If you can re-take any class you got a C or below in (major related classes). And/or take related classes (like abnormal psych, developmental psych, neuroscience) at a local community college or online. Get involved in research and volunteer/paid work, shadow, re-take the GRE etc. I agree with wannabeSLP that you also have to look at the schools you are applying to. While there is not really such a thing as a "safety school" in this field, some schools are harder to get into than others. Sometimes it isn't even the rankings of the schools that make them hard to get into. The Cal States are very low raked but due to a lack of funding and a high number of applicants they are a really tough ticket. Look at the results board (but take it with a HUGE grain of salt), see if the schools post ave GRE/GPAs of accepted students (or email them to ask if they don't) and see where you fit in. Keep in mind that many schools don't only look at grades and scores which is why adding volunteer and research experience is a must. You have to make yourself stand out and that is sometimes hard to do. But schools really seem to appreciate tenacity so IF you don't get in this year keep trying. Now this is hopefully all moot. You still have several schools to hear back from and all you need is one acceptance. I understand the need to think three steps ahead but don't worry too much about next year yet. Wait and see and if you have to re-apply, you will make yourself a stronger applicant, re-apply and get into a school. The good thing about this field is that there are a TON of jobs out there and that is not going to change if you have to delay your grad school plans a year.

Probably the later. Unless you want to get your PhD (and even then really) where you go to school does not matter much in terms of being able to find a job. SLPs are so in demand that you will be able to find a job even if you are at a lower ranked smaller school. What I would be more worried about it is the students experience at the smaller, lower ranked school. Are the professors accessible, do they feel prepared to enter the work force etc. A free ride is hard to pass up and you want to make sure that the $40,000 difference between the two schools is really worth it.

Was just wait listed at the University of Northern Colorado and am debating if I want to stay on the wait list. I don't know much about the program and applied because a professor/mentor thought I would be a good fit. I love the state of Colorado but have heard less than pleasant things about Greeley. Does anyone have any insight into this program?

none that I know of post decisions going out but you should be able to get a tour of the facilities and speak to a professor if you are able to make the trip up to Seattle. I am also happy to answer any questions I can about Seattle/the department. Did you get into the masters program or the post bacc?

I don't think it's ranked. Last year I know a good number were accepted off the wait list (at least a good number of those in my post bacc cohort who were wait listed got off) but I don't specifically know if more people got off the core or med wait list (I want to say Med because it is more expensive). A friend of mine was accepted off the wait list in June so it moved into the summer. You could always email Dr. Spencer and ask.

Could you call the schools (not the direct department) grad school admissions number?

Does anyone know how many Marquette took of the wait list last year? I'm pretty sure they also do not rank but I'd be interested to know how many got off/how many are typically wait listed.

It looks like UCLA extension offers one https://www.uclaextension.edu/r/Course.aspx?reg=Y0713 but it starts in April. I think University of Wyoming and Longwood University used to offer one but I couldn't find it when I looked. Have you tried looking at your local community college or even your undergrad if you are still there?

I can't speak for TC but to those who have not heard back from UW check your spam folder in your email. When I was accepted to the post bacc program two years ago (wow that feels like it was longer) I didn't even know I got in until I got a "we really need your decision" email because the original acceptance email either went to spam or was lost in cyber space. If no decision is up and you don't have an email you should contact Dr. Spencer. Last year all of the responses went out at the same time so it is likely a technical glitch. On a related note...to all those accepted to UW congrats it is a wonderful program and the people that run it are fantastic. If you need any tips about living in Seattle or questions about the department please feel free to PM me. I did my postbacc there but (as you can see) did not apply there for my masters (long story but basically I wanted a more clinically based program). But I still love the school, city and department and would be happy to offer people help about where to live, what to expect (especially if you are an out of state-er as I was) etc. To those wait listed, keep your head up the wait list moved quite a bit last year and continued to move at least through June (the quarter does not start till late Sep). To those rejected don't take it personally. I know every program says this but they always receive far more qualified applicants than they have room to admit. Dr. Spencer is very careful and thoughtful in her decision making and I know she would love to admit everyone qualified. Plus with a postbacc class of 24 and the undergrads getting in from another school can be really tricky. I sadly don't expect to hear from any more of my schools until next week but I am happy for everyone who got good news today, hopefully mine will come soon.

My primary interest is child language and literacy, particularly working with kids in the 2-7 year old age range (which I know kind of splits early intervention and elementary school). I also really find AACs interesting since I think they are going to start to have more and more of a role in children with language disorders lives. I am convinced that this interest is part of why I got into GSU. They told me while I was there that they were excited that I was interested in child language and literacy (one of the people interviewing me even had this as her speciality) because a lot of people are more interested in their aphasia lab. I wouldn't worry about not nailing down your interest though. I know a lot of people who change their minds about what population they want to work with while in grad school. And as we all know if you graduate and get your C's you can change populations 20 years after you graduate.

What about Northeastern? Does anyone know when we will hear from them? I know the application was due really late and I don't expect to hear from them until next week at the earliest but does anyone have any more information about when we may hear?

I feel like this week is going to be back heavy (more after wednesday). Especially with schools that use portals/email notifications. I feel like those in charge of pressing submit/send on decisions are going to want to send them and then disappear from their work emails for a few days. At least that is what I would do if I were in their position haha. Still doesn't help lessen our anxiety. I'm no longer living in Washington so I can't give anyone the word on the street about when UW have their decisions made (sorry) but as I said in an earlier post Dr. Spencer (fi she is still head of the committee) is a total sweetheart and I know that she is trying to get info out to y'all as fast as she can (while still making thoughtful decisions). ugh! Let's all hope this week goes by fast and that we all get some good news

Well if that is their attitude then I wouldn't want to attend. It seems extremely arrogant and disrespectful to potential students (despite their claims that this is conscientious of them) . I am wait listed at my top choice school and while I would love to know if I am going to get off the list before the 15th of April I know that is highly unlikely. I get that I will have to put down a deposit I may loose but I am dealing with it. For them to claim they need to know right away so that someone else on their wait list won't have to wait till after the 15th is a bit absurd. It is just how the grad school process works and it benefits far more people to have an unofficial universal "reply by" date even if wait lists don't start to move until after that. Obviously people should let schools know as soon as they are ready to make a decision but to require you to do so before you have heard from the rest of your schools is just unfair. I say unless there is a huge financial/program related (ie a professor you want to work with or a specific track they offer) incentive to attend USC (which btw I always think of as University of Southern California haha) just say good riddance to them. You have already been accepted to a number of exceptional programs and you don't need to go to a school that won't take the needs of potential students into consideration.

Why not just email them and ask for an extension? I wouldn't find it necessary to mention the Resolution but just mention that you don't think you can make a decision before April 15th (or until you hear from schools whichever comes first) and that you financially can't afford a deposit that you may end up loosing. If they refuse then you probably didn't want to go there anyways because it will be a reflection on how they would treat you as a student.

I just want to point out that we have been freaking out over grad schools for 100 pages (granted I think it started last year). Haha here's hoping we all hear from our schools soon. And that wait lists move fast.

speechly would be able to answer this better than I as she is a post bacc there but I do know that a good number of people from my UW-Seattle postbacc cohort were accepted at PDX state. They also had a very large entering class last year due to an influx of funding. So being from out of state might not hurt you too much. But I have found that a lot of schools who have postbacc programs that do NOT lead directly into their masters program tend to give a lot of spots to those in the post pacc (at UW for my cohort year more post baccs were accepted than UW seniors). So it really all depends on the number of spots vs. where from/who is applying. Good Luck!!

When did you hear from St. Johns? And how? And if you don't mind me asking what are your stats (lots of questions i know)?

Thanks! I saw that one person got invited to an open house at St. Johns that I was not invited to so I am assuming I didn't make the cut. I am actually okay with that because I had bad experiences with them at an administrative level (short story- it took six weeks and two phone calls to confirm my application was complete, and I am still not all that convinced that they processed everything). I don't know anything about Touro though. I see you didn't apply there but obviously there are a lot of schools in the NY area. Do you know anything about Touro?

if it makes you feel any better SLP-Allie and Casey11 I know the people that run the department at UW (did my post bacc there chose not to apply for a variety of boring reasons I won't get into) and they do truly make every effort to not have you wait too long. If I remember correctly people heard on a friday (around this time) of last year and not until the afternoon. It's only 3:30 here on the west coast so you may still hear. Best of luck! It is a wonderful program and the people that run it are truly brilliant.

Apparently there is a link on the application page (below the link for recommenders). But when I click it it just tells me my application is complete. I think they may tell people in waves. I applied at the beginning of January (almost a month before it was due) but it took till mid/end of January for my transcripts to get there. I'm also in the middle of the alphabet. I keep trying to tell myself that I am already going to grad school but this whole waiting thing is pretty miserable. Le sigh.