Firsthand reviews of Graduate Programs

[hopefulspeechie16]

Can anyone provide feedback on either NYU, UT-Austin, Syracuse, or UT-Dallas?

[slptobe92]

1 hour ago, rainsonata said:

I'm also interested in learning more about Radford's program.  What are the pros and cons for Radford?  I'm from the west coast, so I'm not sure what the living cost is for Radford or what type of environment to expect.  What are their teaching styles and how is managing time and clinic hours?  Are you placed in clinics your first semester or do you focus first on research or lectures?     

I went to undergrad at a bigger university near Radford so I can tell you a little what the area is like. Very student-friendly housing, super easy to find an apartment and usually roommates, too. Housing is also really affordable. More of a small-town feel than a big-city but not awful. The weather is pretty mild and we have all four seasons with fairly humid summers and colder winters with a few big snowfalls each year. Hope this helps!

[CBG321]

2 hours ago, speechie94 said:

Can anyone provide feedback on either NYU, UT-Austin, Syracuse, or UT-Dallas?

If you check out the UT Dallas topic on the forum two graduate students have posted some really good information!

[rose6593]

2 hours ago, speechie94 said:

Can anyone provide feedback on either NYU, UT-Austin, Syracuse, or UT-Dallas?

I would also love feedback on NYU, I've read very mixed reviews on the program. Also interested in reviews on MGH!

[slptobe92]

Can anyone tell me more about Loyola Maryland, Longwood, Nazareth, ODU, and/or JMU? Thank you!

[SLP2Bhopefully]

Does anyone have any info on LIU Post or Touro? Thanks!

[Tish22]

Yes! Anyone with some insight on the NYC/Long Island schools would be great

[Southwest Speechie]

8 hours ago, CBG321 said:

Thank you!  I wanted to know pro's and con's of the program.  What sets it apart (I'm at a point where i'm picking between programs so am trying to get as much feedback as possible!).

What is the teaching style?  Do they lecture with a power point and you write down notes (like undergrad) or is it different/more collaborative etc.

Do students have free time or is the schedule too demanding/stressful to allow for that?  Is the cohort friendly/close or more business like/competitive.

What is a typical class/clinic schedule?  What does your weekly schedule breakdown look like?

Anything you'd wish you'd known prior to starting?

 

Teaching style depends on the professor and on the subject matter. Some stuff, like neuro, is more straight forward.... not a lot of room for interpretation. Other classes there are group presentations and research projects, so it depends.

There is not much free time. If  you are in the full time program, the first semester is course work, lots of it, along with observation hours in the clinic if you need it. Second semester, more course work and you get to shadow a graduate clinician in the clinic. Third semester (summer), you start seeing clients in the clinic; some see clients outside the clinic too but not most. That's pretty demanding as you are preparing for your clients, evaluating clients and writing reports, etc. Fourth semester you take classes and you see clients in the clinic and outside rotations. There may be driving to locations, working with outside supervisors, seeing clinic clients, evaluating, doing your SOAPs, meeting with supervisors, and taking classes. Same thing for your fifth semester, only you are in outside placements most of the time. Then you complete your externship, which is your 6th semester. You are not in school at all for this but at a job site for three months. There is no time for an outside job.... it's pretty intense. You work on the weekends, especially once you start your clinic rotations.

Cohorts are not competitive; they tend to be close and do things together, which is great. Everyone is really supportive of each other.

Housing can be expensive in Flagstaff, and the snow can be a drag in the winter. But for the most part, it's a great place to go to school.

What I wish I would've known? That I can talk to my advisors when I'm stressed, or to the clinic director when I'm overwhelmed and they can be of help.

[imunster]

I know there are a lot of programs with on campus clinics that are for children but does anyone know which grad schools have emphasis on the adult population? 

[CBG321]

18 hours ago, Southwest Speechie said:

Teaching style depends on the professor and on the subject matter. Some stuff, like neuro, is more straight forward.... not a lot of room for interpretation. Other classes there are group presentations and research projects, so it depends.

There is not much free time. If  you are in the full time program, the first semester is course work, lots of it, along with observation hours in the clinic if you need it. Second semester, more course work and you get to shadow a graduate clinician in the clinic. Third semester (summer), you start seeing clients in the clinic; some see clients outside the clinic too but not most. That's pretty demanding as you are preparing for your clients, evaluating clients and writing reports, etc. Fourth semester you take classes and you see clients in the clinic and outside rotations. There may be driving to locations, working with outside supervisors, seeing clinic clients, evaluating, doing your SOAPs, meeting with supervisors, and taking classes. Same thing for your fifth semester, only you are in outside placements most of the time. Then you complete your externship, which is your 6th semester. You are not in school at all for this but at a job site for three months. There is no time for an outside job.... it's pretty intense. You work on the weekends, especially once you start your clinic rotations.

Cohorts are not competitive; they tend to be close and do things together, which is great. Everyone is really supportive of each other.

Housing can be expensive in Flagstaff, and the snow can be a drag in the winter. But for the most part, it's a great place to go to school.

What I wish I would've known? That I can talk to my advisors when I'm stressed, or to the clinic director when I'm overwhelmed and they can be of help.

Great information thank you so much.  So safe to say busy Monday-Friday.  All day? or is there any typical schedule like done by 5pm or done at 10pm etc.  And no clients until the 3rd semester that is fantastic information as well!  

Thank you for the insight on how the program operates it is very helpful to hear how it is set up.  And knowing weekends are fair game for clinic is good to know ahead of time as well.  I like to know what my schedule will look like

[midweststudent343]

I'd love any insights on Northeastern University! My specific interest is Developmental Disabilities. Thanks 

[OnceandFutureSpeechGeek]

First semester grad at Eastern New Mexico University here if you have questions. It's really an excellent program with great tuition. 

[RFutureSLP]

Does anyone have any advice/info on either Ohio University or Kent State University?

I went over to Kent yesterday to check out housing options, the campus. etc. But I have no met with any current students or professors.

The Visit Day for OU is March 18th, so I should get a better feel then.

[GradCafeJTB]

On 3/6/2016 at 2:06 PM, clmogel said:

Anyone know about Northern Arizona University online program? How about Marshall, Radford, ETSU, Towson, Western Kentucky, California of PA, IUP, Loyola, Western Carolina U? 

NAU online program is undergraduate classes only.  It is for taking classes in order to obtain a SLPA license, as well as, working toward an undergraduate degree in sp/lang.  If that is what you're interested in, it is found under the College of Health & Human Services   nau.edu/chhs

 

[imunster]

I would love to hear from anyone at UW in either their COREslp or MEDslp!

[BamaBelle]

I'd really like to know more about Memphis and Mizzou! I've read so much great stuff about Dallas on this forum, but I haven't been able to find as much detailed information on other programs.

[lersc]

Seconding University of Memphis!

[Lunalulu2]

Hello everyone!

I never thought I would be in the position to choose between so many grad school options.  Even though its exciting it is also extremely overwhelming.  Does anyone have any information about the on campus program at University of Northern Colorado? I really like the design of their curriculum but would love to know more.

Thanks

[OverCaffeinated]

if anyone has first hand review on new york med ,i would love to hear it!

[eggfish]

10 hours ago, BamaBelle said:

I'd really like to know more about Memphis and Mizzou! I've read so much great stuff about Dallas on this forum, but I haven't been able to find as much detailed information on other programs.

I only went to Mizzou for 2 years before transferring away (reasons mostly unrelated to the school, although I did get tired of everyone being so into football and Greek life), but I really loved my intro course.  Judith Goodman was probably my favorite professor for any class I had at that school.  Columbia is a really cool city too.  

 

If anyone can tell me something about UIUC or Marquette, it would be much appreciated.  

Edited March 13, 2016 by eggfish

[clmogel]

23 hours ago, GradCafeJTB said:

NAU online program is undergraduate classes only.  It is for taking classes in order to obtain a SLPA license, as well as, working toward an undergraduate degree in sp/lang.  If that is what you're interested in, it is found under the College of Health & Human Services   nau.edu/chhs

 

No, they have a masters in communication disorders. 

[BamaBelle]

11 hours ago, eggfish said:

I only went to Mizzou for 2 years before transferring away (reasons mostly unrelated to the school, although I did get tired of everyone being so into football and Greek life), but I really loved my intro course.  Judith Goodman was probably my favorite professor for any class I had at that school.  Columbia is a really cool city too.  

Lol I've been at Bama for 4 years so I'm pretty used to the Greek life/football obsessions. Did you just have the intro course? Do you know anything about the grad program, their facilities, or the culture of the program?

[eggfish]

11 hours ago, BamaBelle said:

Lol I've been at Bama for 4 years so I'm pretty used to the Greek life/football obsessions. Did you just have the intro course? Do you know anything about the grad program, their facilities, or the culture of the program?

I only took the intro course before I transferred.  I remember being at the open house as a freshman and being impressed by the faculty, but that was years ago.  The health sciences building was a bit old and kind of in a remote part of campus.  I can't really elaborate on the culture or grad program because most of the courses I took at Mizzou were general ed.  People in Columbia, MO (or at least the ones I know) in general are pretty liberal, friendly, involved, outgoing...

[BamaBelle]

11 minutes ago, eggfish said:

I only took the intro course before I transferred.  I remember being at the open house as a freshman and being impressed by the faculty, but that was years ago.  The health sciences building was a bit old and kind of in a remote part of campus.  I can't really elaborate on the culture or grad program because most of the courses I took at Mizzou were general ed.  People in Columbia, MO (or at least the ones I know) in general are pretty liberal, friendly, involved, outgoing...

That's helpful! Thanks for sharing!

[clmogel]

On 3/5/2016 at 5:11 PM, rainsonata said:

I'm also interested in learning more about Radford's program.  What are the pros and cons for Radford?  I'm from the west coast, so I'm not sure what the living cost is for Radford or what type of environment to expect.  What are their teaching styles and how is managing time and clinic hours?  Are you placed in clinics your first semester or do you focus first on research or lectures?     

Hi! I found out from a former student that Radford VA is a great place for those who love the outdoors. Its very pretty, not that much going on.  The city of Ronanoke is bigger, more to do and not that far away.  Cost of living is cheaper than national average. Her rent was 657 a month. This is not bad... You are placed in clinicals during your second week. You have one to four clients, so its very managable. It's common with most programs yo start clinicals that early...especially on east coast. I do also know that the program is Pediatric focused, however there are clinical placements available with older adults and in just about every setting for SLPs.