University of Washington SLP Fall 2012

[SomedaySLP]

Anyone else thinking about or already decided to go to UW for SLP next fall? I would love to connect with others who will be headed to UW too so we can get to know each other a bit and share any information we gather about the program and city

[speechly]

Hey, SLP-Allie! I've been accepted to UW, for the Med SLP program. I still haven't decided whether I'll be attending, though, and I fear the decision-making process is slowly stealing my sanity! I see that you have decided on UW out of a number of really stellar options. I'd love to hear about how you landed on UW...was the decision difficult for you, or were you always set on being a Husky? Are there any aspects of UW's program that made it a no-brainer? I'm obviously attracted to the medical specialization their program offers, and a small part of me would feel like an idiot to turn down an offer to attend one of the best programs in the country, but another part worries about how well I'd fit into the program. I've never been an aggressive or competitive person, and I wonder whether this program might attract people who are driven to be the best at the expense of making friends...do you get this feeling at all, or am I way out in left field? Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[leesta]

I'm considering UW much more seriously now even despite the cost and no funding. I'm still confused about a couple things, and even though I should probably ask the department directly, I'm gonna throw them out here in case others are wondering the same:

1. I'm kinda confused about the deposit. Is it $500 to the University, or that AND another $500 to PCE?
   
2. For the internship, they said something about having affiliation agreements with clinical facilities in Washington and nationally... does this mean we get to go out of state to complete our internship? Probably not though, because there's still a class we'd have to take at the same time... unless it's a web course.
   
3. Noticed there's no craniofacial class listed in the curriculum. I'm really interested in this area, so I'm hoping it's under another course with a different name. Otherwise I'd think the Med track a bit incomplete
   

Other than that... started looking up Craigslist postings and neighborhoods. I'm finally letting myself get over the fact that I'll need to take out loans for pretty much the whole thing, and looking forward to the fact that I'd be getting top-notch education and studying in a concentrated area I'm really interested in. Still not 100% as my other school results haven't come in, but my heart's leaning towards Seattle at the moment

Edited April 4, 2012 by leesta

[SomedaySLP]

Ahhh, I thought I was subscribed to updates on this post (since I started it and all) but I guess I wasn't. I'm so happy some other people on here are considering UW too!

To answer your question, Speechly, UW was always a top choice for me, but BU, Vandy, and Pitt were all up there for me as well (and sometimes the Maryland schools, PSU was always more of a backup as they aren't particularly medically focused). I didn't get into Vanderbilt which made that an easy decision . BU was just way too expensive for me without aid so it really came down to Pitt and UW. In the end, I couldn't turn down the medical focus of UW and it just felt right to me, if that makes sense. I know I'll be up to my ears in debt, but I've spoken to lots of people within the field who have assured me the amount will be manageable and that the opportunities the program offers are invaluable.

I was also a little worried about the social aspect. I connected with a couple of current MedSLP students via email and felt much better after talking to them -- they were so nice and very helpful!! If you're still considering UW I would be happy to forward you our conversations if you PM me your email address. Obviously each cohort will be different, but the current second years describe themselves as a family. The Core and Med students all get along extremely well and are friends in and out of school, some of them are even roommates. I personally will be moving to Seattle knowing absolutely no one, so I will really be counting on my cohort to be a support system and source of friendship both academically/professionally and socially. Every one is driven but there doesn't seem to be too much of a competitive issue, at least in that cohort. If you end up there, I'd love to chat over email/private message/whatever as I think forming relationships before school starts would really help ease the stress of the transition!

Leesta, I checked with the department and the $500 deposit is the only deposit we're required to pay as far as I'm aware (the department confirmed with me that this has been reduced from the $1k deposit in past years). One of the grad students I spoke with is doing her final internship in California, so yes, you can go out of state for that. I'm not sure how it works as far as the didactic curriculum goes, but it is possible. She suggested that if you want to do that, just start getting it set up early (like summer after first year), especially if you want to go somewhere where UW does not currently have a contract, as there can be lots of redtape involved, but it is worth it if you know you want to move and work out of WA after graduation. The craniofacial disorders question is a good one. I would contact the department on that, and if you do, I'd love it if you could share their response! I'm not currently especially interested in that area but I do want to ensure my education is well-rounded (I'll be paying enough for it...).

[leesta]

Wow thanks! If you don't mind, could you forward me those conversations as well? If I decide to go, I'll be entering Seattle not knowing a soul as well... I'm sure it'll be fine as we get lost in studying, but it's a little daunting at the same time.

[leesta]

Did it. Gonna be a Husky this fall!

[SomedaySLP]

Yay!! I'm in Seattle now and it's been kinda fun exploring the city knowing I'll be moving here in a matter of months. Do you know anyone else heading to UW in the fall? Congrats on making the decision final