University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

[stinkerbell1189]

I saw that someone in the results page has posted about an acceptance from UIUC via postal mail in Georgia (congrats!). Has anyone else heard from them?

[occamstoothbrush]

No word for me (in CT).

[Zinny]

I got a rejection.  I am in state, and I called for info.

[Dibbels81]

I've been accepted into U of I, and waitlisted by two others, so it looks like U of I for me.  Any current undergrads or anyone else out there that could give me their opinion of the program?  How are the externship possibilities?    

[Kozo]

I'm a U of I undergrad in Speech and Hearing Science. It really is an awesome program, I've had some practicum experience and some classes with grad students so here are my impressions. 

1. The professors are really helpful and supportive. I've never had a truly bad experience in a class at any level. 

2. What many grad students say they like about the program is that you get a lot of different placement experiences, I think as many as 8 which is more than other schools. You start off at the school's clinic and then do placements in the community and further away. You have some full time placements during your last year. You do have to stay for at least part of the summer between the two years. I've heard that it can be a little hard to get hospital placements even though there are some hospitals nearby. It can be hard but definitely not impossible if that's what you really want. If you have a car, DEFINITELY bring it, it will open up a lot more options for you. Public transportation on and near campus is pretty good but if you need to get out farther it's really tough to do so without a car. When I asked a clinical supervisor if it was possible to be a grad student and go to placements without a car, she said "...well not impossible. But it will be hard". My general impression is that grad students feel really well prepared at the end of the program. The clinical supervisors I've had have been great. 

3. Unlike many schools, the building where most of your classes will be and the clinic are completely separate. It takes something like half an hour to walk between the two or a 15 minute-ish bus ride. Which can add some complexity to your schedule if you don't have a car. The clinic is newer than the speech and hearing science building though, so it really is quite nice. 

 

If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask!

Edited March 19, 2013 by Kozo

[Dibbels81]

Thank you, that was quite helpful.  For grad school, it's all about the placements, so having multiple options is good.  I'll be moving from Las Vegas, so I assume Champaign is just as exciting as a town?          

[Kozo]

No problem. Another thing about placements I forgot to mention is that for those longer full time placements during the 2nd semester of your 2nd year, you can go pretty much anywhere you want and that will take you. A lot of people go to Chicago or the suburbs, but you can go to a totally different state if you want.

You may be surprised to learn that Champaign is no Vegas. I personally find the surrounding area to be kind of sad; lots of tract homes and little houses where the locals live and then a whole lot of nothing. Of course, there is always something going on on campus but a lot of that is overrun by undergrads (for example, the bars because you can get in at 19). On Green Street in Champaign, which is right by campus, you can find lots of bars, restaurants, and some apartments. I don't spend a lot of time in downtown Champaign, but I know a slightly more "mature" crowd tends to hang out there. There are also bars and restaurants there and those tend to be nicer. Further of campus there is a mall and other stores as well as residential areas. Urbana tends to be a quieter place to live than Champaign. I suggest you look at the city guide on this forum, there's one for Champaign/Urbana and people have different perspectives on the things I said.  But basically it's a typical college town.

Since you're coming from Las Vegas, be sure to update your wardrobe so you're prepared for midwestern winters. 

[Dibbels81]

Thanks again.  I'm an Illinois native so I'm quite aware of the winter situation, though I may have softened a bit living out here in the desert.  My family lives in the Chicago suburbs, so having the option to relocate during the second year is pretty cool.  Can't wait to dive in.

[Speechpathlove7]

I was the one who spaztically (not a real word? idk) posted two posts about making a group for University of Illinois! All those accepted and contemplating going there or already officially going there please join!

 

Here is the link: https://www.facebook...58034290968297/

 

If that doesn't work I would search on facebook - University of Illinois Speech Pathology Admitted 2013 (really long...so sorry!)