My program is toxic. I need to find a better school. Do you know of schools with NO/FEW or a very standard set of prerequisites?

[chocolatecakes]

Background: I'm an out-of-field student. I've already done a year of prerequisites as part of a 3-year program. I have got to get into a different program. I need to find a better program in a safer environment.

Problem: I have only enough student loan money left to take one or two more classes online. Maybe three.

I've looked at ~60 schools so far. I've found five that match the classes I've taken or are only off by 1-2 classes. HEEEELLLLLLPPPPP????? Lol. I've found a couple lists of low prerequisite programs, but they're all out of date and the programs have changed requirements. I'm afraid I'll run out of time to find these diamonds in the rough. Does anyone know of programs with very few prerequisites or programs which have a very standard set of prerequisites?

 

 

[JennWilhelm]

Can I ask which school is it that you are coming from?

[Bmay80]

Safer environment? What does that mean? 

[swimbikespeech]

This is really vague. What exactly is the problem that you can't work through at your current school?

[chocolatecakes]

I don't want to discuss the program because I may have to stay there if I can't find something else. I need to be vague. There's nothing that can be done about the situation. I know you want to help and I appreciate that, but there's no chance in improving the situation and I need to focus on an exit strategy.

Does anyone have any ideas for other programs? I really need help with that issue, since the problems in my program can't be resolved.

Edited November 19, 2018 by chocolatecakes

[ResilientDreams]

But we can't help you if you don't tell us the sort of thing you're trying to get away from. You have to at least say something general so we can tailor our advice, otherwise we might recommend a program with the same problem. 

[chocolatecakes]

My question is really straight forward. I think you're being nosy.

[JennWilhelm]

I hadn't started a program yet, but it seems like Emerson online is really supportive.

[bibliophile222]

Since you won't even give us a list of the prereqs you've already taken or any other information that can help us give helpful advice, all I can say is to make a list of schools you may be interested in, then go to their websites and one by one check their lists of prereqs. If you're going to be this vague, you may just have to bite the bullet and figure it out yourself. Unfortunately we are not omniscient, and we can't really tell what you need other than a supportive program (which can be subjective based on individual needs) and a small amount of required prereqs (which may not even matter since you've already taken a year of prereqs).

Sorry if I sounded frustrated, but it's a common occurrence on Grad Cafe for someone to ask us to recommend a program (or offer a thesis topic, research proposal, etc) without giving any helpful details or having done any research on their own, and I guess I've read too many of those posts. We're willing to help, but we're not being nosy, we actually have to know, and figuring things out on your own is also an important life skill! 

That being said, maybe try to find another 3-year program, since you may be able to just take one or two more classes before starting your grad level courses and can graduate sooner. Or narrow down a list of 2-year programs that only require an additional one or two classes and take those through ENMU, Utah State, or another relatively cheap online program. The whole positive environment piece may just have to come from your experience visiting and talking to current students to feel the vibe.

 

Edited November 24, 2018 by bibliophile222

[Bmay80]

Can you give an example of your definition of a safer environment? Or an example of what makes your current program an unsafe environment? With this information, people may be able to give better advice. 

 

[Jordyn_M463]

I would agree with the above posts. You will probably have to just do some serious research. I would narrow it down to cost and distance you are willing to travel. Then look at schools you would be interested and their prerequisites. As for "safe environment", if you are meaning the area the school is located thats something that you can also research. As for toxicity in the actual program between cohorts/professors/faculty, that really isn't something that can be screened for unless you know people in the program. You could maybe ask people their opinions/experiences on specific programs. I am sure there are people out their willing to give you their honest opinions. 

[smarieSLP2b]

I think you're being a little dramatic, I don't know what your specific "toxic" situation is but unfortunately, this is life. You're going to have jobs/classmates/bosses etc. where the situation is not ideal. There are online post-bacc programs (not combined with masters programs) that you can contact to see if they will let you take the last 1-2 classes. Take out a private student loan so you can pay for them at the new school. That's what private loans are for, if for whatever reason you exhausted your resources it gives you that flexibility. I know Nova accepts transfer credits for their masters program. If you are missing some credits they allow you to take them with them in order to get admitted to their grad progam. Yes they are a private school and a little pricey but if your situation is so toxic and unbearable you don't really have an option. Also what are they doing to you at this school? Maybe you are overreacting? You can report classmates/professors to the University if they are harrassing you or doing something to create an unsafe learning environment. Also most universities have services to counsel students on issues like this since you cannot tell us the specifics.

[chocolatecakes]

Thanks for the information on schools and online programs. I appreciate your help.

As I said, I may need to stay at this school, and it would do no good to discuss details. I just need to find a new school.

[CBG321]

Without any details nobody can offer much help.

It is time consuming but not difficult to do it on your own.  Make a list, there’s an easy one to print on ASHA and call/email 15 schools a day.  Cross out any that don’t work.