Thoughts on CSU programs?

[sunnybunny]

Hi everyone,

I would love to hear from some current CSD grad students at CSU programs- a couple questions below:

What do you like or not like? How do you feel the quality of your program is and the opportunities available to you are?

Is the environment competitive, collaborative, etc.?

Are there opportunities available to work with medically-based clinics and hospitals or are most things pediatrically-focused? Are there research opportunities available?

-Thank you so much from a very conflicted student! ❤️

[slpisthedream]

hello!

My favorite thing is definitely the lower cost of tuition. I also like that the cohorts in my university typically range from 15-22 people, so you get to know everyone really well, I feel like that competitive environment significantly decreases, there's no reason to be competitive anymore, there are so many well paying jobs in california. we are constantly receiving emails about job opportunities and organizations who want to talk to us are always at the school to tell us about the possibility of working with them. 

My university has an on campus clinic. We do three semesters of on campus clinic and in one semester we can have 2-3 clients that we see twice a week. These clients can be older with parkinsons or aphasia or we can have 3 year olds with a language disorder and autism and anything in between. We have one semester of a medical externship where we can be placed at a hospital or a skilled nursing facility and we have one semester where we are placed in a school district. 

My program gives students the opportunity to do a comprehensive exam or a thesis(research opportunity) most students opt for the exam and we only have 1 or 2 doing a thesis. I believe this individuals receive a lot of support from the staff.

The one thing about the CSUs is that they're all about GPA. You may see on ASHA that someone got in with a 3.3 but I guarantee you that person did undergrad at the university and are definitely the exception.

Overall, I enjoy it and don't regret my decision.  

[studygal]

Thank you so much for the response! Would you mind if I PM'd you to ask a couple of questions?

[Blossom19]

2 minutes ago, slpisthedream said:

My favorite thing is definitely the lower cost of tuition. I also like that the cohorts in my university typically range from 15-22 people, so you get to know everyone really well, I feel like that competitive environment significantly decreases, there's no reason to be competitive anymore, there are so many well paying jobs in california. we are constantly receiving emails about job opportunities and organizations who want to talk to us are always at the school to tell us about the possibility of working with them. 

Hello! I'm not currently attending a CSU, but unless things change, I'll be attending one this fall! I'd also have to say that the cost of tuition was a huge factor for me. I got into a couple of other schools that, although are more "prestigious," were WAY more expensive than a CSU. And since people say that what really matters in this field getting your license, I'm thankful I won't be in nearly as much debt and i'll eventually have my license!

7 minutes ago, slpisthedream said:

The one thing about the CSUs is that they're all about GPA. You may see on ASHA that someone got in with a 3.3 but I guarantee you that person did undergrad at the university and are definitely the exception.

I think while (some) schools may favor their own students to varying degrees, i personally didn't have a stellar GPA and I still got into a CSU even though I didn't go there for undergrad! the same thing happened with my friend who got into a different CSU. i'm not writing this to counter anything that was said above--i just wanted to say that to encourage applicants who are in a similar boat as I was  it's so easy to play the comparison game, but there is hope of getting in somewhere even if your GPA isn't the most competitive! study hard for that GRE, gain relevant experiences, and have trusted people look over your personal statement!

[slpisthedream]

14 minutes ago, Blossom19 said:

I think while (some) schools may favor their own students to varying degrees, i personally didn't have a stellar GPA and I still got into a CSU even though I didn't go there for undergrad! the same thing happened with my friend who got into a different CSU. i'm not writing this to counter anything that was said above--i just wanted to say that to encourage applicants who are in a similar boat as I was  it's so easy to play the comparison game, but there is hope of getting in somewhere even if your GPA isn't the most competitive! study hard for that GRE, gain relevant experiences, and have trusted people look over your personal statement!

That's great! reading it back I do seem pessimistic and think you're completely right! People should definitely try, no harm in trying especially if you have awesome letters of rec, experience, or GRE scores! 

Personally my GRE wasn't all that good but I think my GPA balanced it out. All about a balanced candidate. 

Good luck when you start in the fall, it'll be exciting and go by so quickly!   

[slpisthedream]

36 minutes ago, studygal said:

Thank you so much for the response! Would you mind if I PM'd you to ask a couple of questions?

Sure!