University of South Carolina - MSP

[lapetite]

Would love to hear people's general thoughts on the University of South Carolina's MSP program, as I'm now trying to make a tough decision by 3/25!  I wasn't expecting to receive an offer, and reality is just setting in. 

 

Also, has anyone heard if assistantship/funding offers (if any?) have already been made?  I'm an out-of-stater who is unsure if I can swing this one financially, and their Financial Aid office said they won't be issuing offers until April 1 (note: after the notification deadline).  I am playing with the idea of attending a less expensive in-state though less reputable school to avoid spending my life crippled with debt.  If I was on a PhD track I'd go here as I like their cochlear implant and neurogenics tracks, however I just want an MS and to live happily ever after.   

 

SLPs to be, what would make you choose this school over another?  

Edited March 13, 2013 by lapetite

[SLPjmar]

Personally, I feel as if you already know your answer. If the debt isn't worth it for you, and all you want is an MS with no particular research focus or anything like that, why burden yourself financially? It seems as though you are worried about the cost, since you described it as "crippled with debt". Any school will provide you with a great foundation to be a clinician if that's what you want to do. If you have no real reason to choose a costly school over a less expensive one, I think that says something.

 

However, it all comes down to what makes you happy/satisfied/comfortable in the end. Good luck! 

[queenleblanc]

USC was one of my top choices. I love the campus, the professors were great, and the research going on there is absolutely fantastic. The speech and hearing center is a little bit older, but well-established in the city. There are quite a few options for the internship opportunities, and with MUSC not too far away, there are options for you to work in a medical area for your future employment, if you desire.

As far as the GA or funding- when I went to the visit day, they asked the current grad students, out of everyone who wanted a GA, who got one. I think the response was pretty close to 100%. The reason given is that USC offers a to of grad degrees that are part-time, and those students are not eligible for GAs, so SLP students can work as a GA in several departments on campus, not just CSD. As an out of state student, the GA basically brings your tuition to in-state rates. You will need to basically pay in-state out of pocket or through federal/private loans unless you are awarded one of the rare scholarships. I heard most of those are for 2nd year students.

If I hadn't gotten wait-listed, I would have a really tough decision as well. ECU and USC were tied for me; the fit, research interest, and overall university feel is much better for me than many places I visited. I am planning to eventually apply to USC for the PhD program when I am ready for that, too. The debt issue was important for me, big-time, which is why I chose not to stay on the wait-list.

Edited March 14, 2013 by kcald716

[lapetite]

USC was one of my top choices. I love the campus, the professors were great, and the research going on there is absolutely fantastic. The speech and hearing center is a little bit older, but well-established in the city. There are quite a few options for the internship opportunities, and with MUSC not too far away, there are options for you to work in a medical area for your future employment, if you desire.

As far as the GA or funding- when I went to the visit day, they asked the current grad students, out of everyone who wanted a GA, who got one. I think the response was pretty close to 100%. The reason given is that USC offers a to of grad degrees that are part-time, and those students are not eligible for GAs, so SLP students can work as a GA in several departments on campus, not just CSD. As an out of state student, the GA basically brings your tuition to in-state rates. You will need to basically pay in-state out of pocket or through federal/private loans unless you are awarded one of the rare scholarships. I heard most of those are for 2nd year students.

If I hadn't gotten wait-listed, I would have a really tough decision as well. ECU and USC were tied for me; the fit, research interest, and overall university feel is much better for me than many places I visited. I am planning to eventually apply to USC for the PhD program when I am ready for that, too. The debt issue was important for me, big-time, which is why I chose not to stay on the wait-list.

Kcald, thanks for your thoughts and the information.  It's interesting to hear how others go through their decision-making process.  Congrats on your decision to enroll at ECU!  Sounds like a great choice for you at this point in your career, and that you might circle back to USC someday?

 

jmarti, it seems you have an interest in USC?  

Finances aside, I was asking if people had strong opinions on the program that would sway them in one direction or the other.  It sounded like some folks really had their hearts set on this one.  

[SLPjmar]

Kcald, thanks for your thoughts and the information. It's interesting to hear how others go through their decision-making process. Congrats on your decision to enroll at ECU! Sounds like a great choice for you at this point in your career, and that you might circle back to USC someday?

jmarti, it seems you have an interest in USC?

Finances aside, I was asking if people had strong opinions on the program that would sway them in one direction or the other. It sounded like some folks really had their hearts set on this one.

Oh! Gotcha. Well I guess the question that should be asked is if YOU have any feelings about the program that would sway you. I know I was interested because of their CI track. I can't really say I applied for any other reason. I think we each had very individualized reasons for wanting that program. Either way, good luck!

[queenleblanc]

I was also highly interested in the neurogenic disorders research, as well as the aphasia lab. I like that they have a lot of different research labs and professors that really pursue research iseveral different areas. By-gones for now, but maybe I will eventually be back to looking at USC one day!