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A coworker of mine needed science pre-reqs for a different program, and she took courses online through BYU. They do offer a chem course (and maybe physics) but it is a little pricey. I guess it will be your decision on whether you would rather spend more to take it without a lab? I am thinking of doing a biology course through them this summer, because my work schedule will be pretty packed. Here is a general link to their courses: http://is.byu.edu/site/courses/index.cfm Hope this helps! I haven't taken an online course before, but I like the idea of not worrying about a lab and having a whole year to complete it.

Also, I don't know if anyone here really knows for sure, but how much does ranking matter for Ph.D? I'm about 70% sure I want to do a doctoral program later. PSU is about 60 but I know I have an opportunity to be involved in a pretty big research study there. UT is obviously higher ranked, but I'm not sure what opportunities I'll have since there are also Ph.D students whom I imagine the professor's are more focused on.

Awesome! I think their focus on bilingualism is great but my Spanish has been pretty much abandoned the last few years, so I'm not sure I should count on that making it worth it for me. However, I'm bilingual in French/English and am interested in language acquisition. My main interest is autism, which I know isn't a big research focus there, but I have e-mailed with the professor who specializes in it and she told me I'd have opportunities to focus on it. I guess I'm really needing to decide if the extra cost (I'm estimating around $15,000) is worth it if my main interests aren't the same as the department's. Plus the huge life changes a big move would mean. Midnight, thanks for your advice! May try to visit next weekend, if I can get a day off work! It is very difficult to imagine myself there without having seen it...

I'm in a similar boat, deciding between PSU and UT! I got a pretty good opportunity at PSU to work in a professor's research lab that I'm really interested in (non-funded) but then found out I was accepted to UT. I feel like the PSU program fits my interests a bit better, but UT also seems like an exciting opportunity I never thought I'd have. I am considering pursuing a Ph.D later, so I am really having to weigh whether being at the higher ranked school or having a meaningful research background would be more important. I also e-mailed a professor at UT whose work I am interested in and she told me I would have good opportunities there. I'm really stuck! For me, PSU would be a much more affordable option and would be a much easier transition, since I'm already here. Have you had a chance to visit either school? I'm trying to decide if spending a ton of money on a last minute trip to Austin would be worth it... Good luck with your decision!

Ughhh so exciting but I can't decide! Do any of you currently go to UT and would you be willing to chat about what you know of the program? If so please let me know, thanks!!

I was accepted from UT Austin's wait-list today. Good luck to those of you waiting to hear!

Thank you, congrats to you too! I opened it right away because I was absolutely not expecting an acceptance! I'm still feeling lightheaded!

I accepted to PSU but just found out I was also accepted to UT! I don't know what to do...

I was accepted off the wait-list!!!! I was absolutely not expecting it and just accepted to PSU on the 15th. I have no idea what I'm going to do...

Also, saw the giant grad student lounge. With computers! And a fridge! Ultimately, definitely not a deal breaker, but it was nice to see there's a space I didn't even know existed!

Makes sense! I guess I don't think about it too much because the schools I have been accepted to don't tell you anything right away either!

Thanks for the info slpnut! I've gotten to talk to a couple of grad students recently as well (from PSU) and they have said they are pretty happy and feel they get enough support from the faculty. I went to the info session and learned some new things as well. I didn't realize we could potentially do three externships, which I'm happy about. I can see how there will likely be competition for placements, but hopefully it will be a little better than living somewhere like New York or the Bay Area where there are even more programs sending students out. I'm leaning towards accepting at PSU on Monday, but it's a big decision to make. And then I have to worry about hearing from my wait-lists! Have any of you made an acceptance decision yet?

I'm surprised they are anticipating so much movement on the wait-list...I am pretty close to making a final decision, but I don't know what I will do if I get a late offer! Good luck to those of you who are hoping for wait-list admittance!

Congrats! Me too!!! I have no idea what to do either... Does anyone know much about the SFSU program? I have some connections to SFSU but no one in the CD department. I'm hoping to somehow get time off and pay for a visit but not sure if it will be possible.

I have my interview today! eek! Good luck with your writing sample! Relationships make this process so much more difficult. I've been accepted where I live, but will have to consider SFSU and wait-list schools if I'm accepted to any of them. Would you gals be attempting the long distance thing if you left?