UMass, UVermont, Syracuse, vs. Northeastern

[kamtea]

I haven't been able to find much posts about UMass Amherst, UVermont, Syracuse, and Northeastern.

If you have any advice or warnings (anything !!) about these programs please comment below. Trying to figure out which to apply to. Besides advice, I am looking for a program that has great opportunities for a medical-focus. But literally any input helps, i need multiple opinions!

[bibliophile222]

I'm a first year at UVM! I really like my program so far. The workload is intense, but our professors and supervisors are all very supportive. The cohorts are small, and we all have classes at the same time in one classrom. My cohort is all getting along really well, and because we're all in the same classes we've bonded pretty quickly.

The only warning I can think of regards finances. There are no official GA/RA positions in the CSD department, or at least not as part of a financial aid offer. There are some work-study positions you can find: I'm a TA for an intro course in our college, Nursing and Health Sciences. Out of state tuition is also really expensive. I got a partial scholarship and I still took out a ton in loans. The rent in Burlington is pretty high, so either look into sharing a five-bedroom house, commute from 20-30 minutes away, or have a partner who is willing to support you!

Other than money, though, the program is great. As to your other question, there isn't a specific medical track, but they do their best to provide everyone with a medical placement. Vermont is rural, so it may mean an externship in a rural hospital or SNF an hour away. If you are lucky and really advocate, though, there is the potential for a placement at UVM medical center, the largest hospital in Vermont and right on campus. Fingers crossed!

I thought I should also mention how awesome Burlington is. If you haven't been, it's on Lake Champlain and surrounded by mountains and ski areas (Stowe, Killington, Smugglers Notch, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, and probably others I'm forgetting, are all about an hour away or less). Burlington also has Church Street, a pedestrian-only road that has shops, restaurants, festivals, etc. UVM also has a nice campus with really pretty buildings. Overall, very good quality of life here, except for the freaking five-month winters. ?

Edited October 11, 2018 by bibliophile222

[dasher44]

Hi!

I did my undergrad in CSD at Syracuse so I have some advice about the campus! The CSD program is anywhere to a 10-20 min bus ride from main campus. It's not anywhere near all the gorgeous SU buildings. The CSD building is definitely out of the way. It would be really beneficial to own a car on campus. They're in the middle of a major reconstruction of the CSD building. This past spring we had to walk through a construction area just to get to class. The clinic is really nice and CLEAN! Everything is very regimented in the clinic and the quality of recording for sessions is fantastic. There are four hospitals in the area (St. Joes, Upstate [includes Golisano Children's], Crouse, and the VA). I knew girls who had placements at three of them and they found it really rewarding. The snow is a lot to deal with in the winter, but you all get through it together! I had a client my senior year and sometimes mingled with the grad students. They really seemed to get along and were always ready to help each other. From my understanding, Syracuse is really into research as well. My professors in undergrad were always asking us to help with their research by being a client or listening to their poster presentation. Overall, I think the program is improving, especially with the renovation. I loved my undergrad there, but it was expensive!