UF

[SLPUF]

Hey, does anyone know if there is a UF accepted students FB group or how to get in touch with anyone? There isn't an open house so I wasn't sure what everyone was thinking about the program and stuff 

[shywatergod]

hey - well, not sure about a FB group, but I'm a UF accepted student! I just emailed the department to set up a visiting time ... so will report back when I do visit and etc.

[SLP1990]

I'm having such an impossible time deciding between UF and FSU. I'm an undergrad at UF now, and feel like I need a new experience.... but then again, UF has such a great reputation. Ah!

[fsustar83]

I'm having such an impossible time deciding between UF and FSU. I'm an undergrad at UF now, and feel like I need a new experience.... but then again, UF has such a great reputation. Ah!

 

FSUUUUU!!! I'm so biased 

[SLPUF]

Please let me know how your visit is shywatergod! And Congrats! SLP 1990- I know what you mean about wanting a change of scenery! Staying at the same school for 6 years can definitely be excessive. Since you attend UF for undergrad, I was wondering what pros/cons you have heard about the grad program? I really can't seem to get too much information from their website or other online websites. Any advice at all would be great!

[SLP1990]

I guess the biggest con for me is that I would need to attend the UF program for 3 years and FSU for 2. Which really makes no sense, but if I can save a year of tuition costs/my sanity, I'm in. UF is notorious for not providing funding, which is another drawback.

 

However, the facilities here are incredible. Shands is a fantastic teaching hospital and provides a lot of awesome opportunities. We also have the McKnight Brain Institute and Movement Disorders Center. You could probably google them and get more info, because I'm out of field and haven't had any experience there yet. 

 

UF is an amazing university and I feel blessed to have my undergraduate degree from here and to have been accepted into the Master's program. It's going to be a really tough decision.

[shywatergod]

Hey guys - so I'll be visiting on Monday - the 8th - any particular questions you want me to ask? I'll also be going in as an out-of-field/3 yr student and I although I'm from the area I didn't go to UF for undergrad so everything is pretty new to me as well.

And yup there is no funding at all! for Master's students I was very sad - the faculty member I spoke to told me they used to have them 7 years ago but then the economy went south, so nope.

But let me know if there's anything in particular you want to me find out.

[SLPUF]

Thanks for all of your insight SLP1990 and good luck with you decision! 

 

shywatergod - hope you have a good visit tomorrow! I don't have any specific questions but let me know how you like the program and what you liked/disliked. good luck! 

[SLPUF]

also if anyone is looking for a roommate please let me know  

[shywatergod]

Sorry for the super late reply - I just started with a summer internship this week - been crazy busy - didn't even turn my laptop on this whole week, ha!

 

Ok, so the visit consisted of an 1-hour meeting with the admission committee chair - who is also a faculty member within the program.

Here are my impressions: UF's program is good if you are interested more in the medical side of SLP - there's a lot of clinical opportunities within the Shands hospitals system as well as other medical centers within the Gainesville/FL area. I think there's a bit less of an emphasis on the education side of things. Also, there are opportunities to be involved in research - there's a thesis option for graduation instead of the cumulative exam and there's the FAR program which lets master's students explore the PhD program - doing some research, interacting with PhD students, etc. - to get a sense of the work involved in getting a PhD degree. 

 

Cons? - I think there's not as much individual attention - or there is but you have to actively seek it out. As a student within the program you have to be very proactive and seek out opportunities and get involved with the faculty. I think because UF is such a large university with all these connections, it's easy to get a bit lost in the crowd. You can be very successful here, but you have to do a lot of the work yourself. At least that's my impression based on the limited amount of communication I've had with them. Compared with some of the other schools I've been accepted to that sends out all these informational emails and different reminders, UF seems a bit slow in dealing with its students. But then again, who knows, maybe once we're in the program it'll be different - since it is a very small program and you are with the same people throughout - so yup.

 

Anyway, sorry sorry for the late late post, but hope it helps! I'm definitely going to be a Gator come August, so....

[catbrad]

I'm beginning the program in the fall (3 year program). Does anyone know where most of the classes will be held? I'm trying to decide the best place to live. Maybe near Shands? Any suggestions? Thanks

[SLP1990]

I'm beginning the program in the fall (3 year program). Does anyone know where most of the classes will be held? I'm trying to decide the best place to live. Maybe near Shands? Any suggestions? Thanks

Check out The Bartram! It's near Shands and its so nice!

[hopefulspeechie16]

Can anyone provide more info on this school?