Torn Between Two Schools

[ashe0354]

I have been so fortunate enough to be accepted into my top two schools UW MedSLP and MGHIHP. I definitley want to go medical slp but really focus and specialize on dysphagia (the dream is to become BCS-S). I am struggling choosing which program because of the price and what they offer. MGH has a professor who is a principle investigator for several ongoing dysphagia research projects and offers classes like "Alaryngeal Speech" and "Trach/Ventilation". However for two years, the price is looking like 100,000 (50,000/year). I am originally from CT but moved to CO so it would be nice to be a little bit closer to home. I also have several friends both major related (already in boston for second year SLP grad school at Northeastern) and non-major friends just who are moving out there. UW MedSLP is an amazing program that gives you a specialized curriculum with a full time internship in your last semester, but there seems to be no professors who specialize in dysphagia and have any labs going on. Compared to MGH, there are less electives but the price is 30,000/year! Which is much cheaper. I am definitley torn and would appreicate any feedback from any students who are maybe already in either one of these programs and know maybe a little bit more? I am so torn and really don't know what to do.

[Rezzy S.]

38 minutes ago, ashe0354 said:

I have been so fortunate enough to be accepted into my top two schools UW MedSLP and MGHIHP. I definitley want to go medical slp but really focus and specialize on dysphagia (the dream is to become BCS-S).

Slightly off topic, but I had never heard of the BCS-S designation, so thank you for enlightening me.  Good luck making your decision! 

[Toya]

If you know exactly what you want to do then go with the school that would allow you to do that. Sometimes the price isn't everything (and I am very cheap so it's hard for me to say this, lol!).

[waffles19]

I’m in a similar situation trying to decide between MGH (near my home and family) and another school that is in a place near no one I know. The price difference, including cost of living (I can commute from home from MGH), is about 30,000 also. I want to do Medical SLP and MGH is way better for that the other school. Right now, my thoughts are that grad is going to be a lot of work, and having a solid support system may make a big difference in my overall confidence and happiness. Also with location, if you went to Washington, you’d be networking in that area and may get sucked into staying there after graduation. I’ve thought about that a lot for my situation because I read on MGH’s CF and employment packet that 70% of jobs are NOT posted online and are rather through who you know. I know I want to work in the Boston area after graduation and MGH seems like a prime way to make the necessary connections. I guess it really comes to what your priorities are and how stressed you get over debt. The debt may be worth all the times you won’t have to buy a cross country plane ticket or feel homesick! Good luck with the decision! 

Edited March 10, 2019 by cakcak