jwurth Posted March 3, 2015 Posted March 3, 2015 So, the University of Maryland is one of my top choice programs but I don't want to commit to going unless I visit campus first. I had set aside my entire spring break (March 16 to 20) in order to be able to travel to all my accepted schools due to both work and class conflicts during my normal school schedule. Unfortunately, UMD also has spring break during that week and their office informed me that they will be closed and unable to take visitors. In other words, I have no idea what to do now. My mom has already requested off work to drive around with me and I really want to be able to visit UMD while I'm free to do so. Does anyone know of any current grads or fellow applicants that have visited that could give me an insight into their program and/or places to look at on campus? Thanks!
dc2bslp Posted March 4, 2015 Posted March 4, 2015 I'm happy to talk to you about my impressions - I'm heading there in the Fall and went to their open house in January.
clmogel Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi, I live in MD and attended their open house. One of the Audiology professors and a former SLP student led the session. Unfortunately, they are a bit too prideful. They went on and on about the prestigious research. They are absolutely, positively 100% research based. They explained how they teach you the theories and then throw you in the clinical to apply the theory and research. Definitely an interesting way of teaching. They will prepare you for critical thinking required in real practice. Clinical placements are at top hospitals and other facilities. The buildings are old. Inside and out. They seem to have all that the students need though. There is an on campus preschool. They completely discourage a full time grad assistantship. Very difficult to get into this school. I'm seeing people with 3.88 average GPA and GRE Verbal scores in 160s. Hope this helps
Katydidnt93 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi jwurth, I visited UMD on Friday, March 27th for their open house and I loved it. The first 45 minutes of the session was spent with two professors, one from the Audiology department and one from the SLP department. The second half of the session was led by two graduate students (one Audiology, one SLP) and they gave us a tour of the facilities and answered more questions based on student life. The program is very research focused and there is an expectation that you would complete research, classes, and clinicals every semester you're there (even the first one). They have an in house clinic and the graduate students are expected to work in there for their first 3 semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer) then you get two semesters of off campus clinical placements (Fall, Spring). I agree with a lot of clmogel said; the buildings are old but they have everything you need and they do feel very research focused, but the idea is that you can apply everything you learned to a clinical setting immediatly. It's indimidating, but it's one of the most hands on programs I've ever seen. The faculty is approachable, knowledgable, and the graduate students didn't have anything negative to say about them. They have a 100% Praxis passing rate and a 95% employment rate after graduation (They said the other 5% were because of personal choices and that most students who want a job after attending UMD get one). It's still my number one choice, as it's in state for me and a really good program. I'm hesitant to say for sure that I'm going there given the opportunities I was offered at other Universities, but I took a lot of notes while I was there and I'd be happy to tell you everything I wrote down! SLPgradstudent 1
dc2bslp Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Just to add on, when I went to the open house I didn't get the same impression that they were "100% research focused." Only one or two of 25 complete a thesis each year, so that says something. I also didn't think the faculty were prideful at all. They were serious about their work, though. And, if you are interested in research, the opportunities are incredible! Katydidnt93 and shesanecho 2
1772 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 It's still my number one choice, as it's in state for me and a really good program. I'm hesitant to say for sure that I'm going there given the opportunities I was offered at other Universities, but I took a lot of notes while I was there and I'd be happy to tell you everything I wrote down! Hi Katydidnt93, I'd love to hear more about your impressions if possible. I just got accepted two days ago so I wasn't invited to the open house and don't know a lot about the program. Were there any specific opportunities you were offered at other schools that you don't feel were as strong at UMD? Did you get the same impression as clmogel about their heavy emphasis on research?
speechie15 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Hi, I am from MD and was accepted to UMD. I. went to an open house in December and liked the program. They are prestigious, and they are not afraid to say that about themselves. I found the two professors to be a little bit cold (as in other programs felt a lot more welcoming). The department is heavily involved in research, but I did not get the feeling that it was 100% research. I felt like they do assist you clinically as well. The campus is beautiful. My biggest issue with College Park is the safety.. College Park is not a great area, and I had difficulty finding places to live off campus that I would feel safe. I also have a dog, so I would need to take her out at night. The program also has a good amount of evening classes. Just something to think about if you are unfamiliar with the area! 1772 1
Katydidnt93 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Hi k1772, Part of the reason I'm still looking at other schools is because I do feel that UMD is fairly research focused as students in their program are expected to be doing research, clinicals, and class each semester. My main concern was that UMD would focus more on their research than their students, however during the information session they continually stressed that they assist their students as much as possible and are focused to tailoring their second year clinical locations to their students personalities and learning styles. In general I am happy to say that the graduate students we talked to didn't have any complaints about the faculty and they said they felt supported by their professors. I'm also still looking into other schools because of the scholarship and graduate assistantship opportunities I've been offered and because I would have to take two classes over the summer as prereqs for UMD (I don't have to take these for other programs...). UMD's Speech Program is in the basement floor (or first floor, hard to tell) of Lefrak Hall. It's directly across from South Campus Dining Hall and it's about a 5-6 minute walk to McKeldin Library and Stamp Student Union (I just like knowing where things are on campus, and it makes me happy to know Lefrak is near the heart of campus). Although almost all of our classes would be in Lefrak, it's possible that some graduate assistantships would be in other locations in other collaborating departments. Graduate students live anywhere from a short drive from campus to about a 20-25 minute ride. Some people live in or near DC and take the metro to the stop on campus (convenient!). I grew up in an area about 25 minutes away from campus and half of my family went there themselves so I've been visiting UMD all of my life. I asked the graduate students about how safe they felt off campus and they stated they would not to walk alone at night on route 1 but that on campus they felt very safe. UMD's program seems intense and they do recommend that a 1/2 (10 hour) graduate assistantship is best. One professor at the open house stated that students might not want to maintain another day job while attending grad school unless its on campus. Hope this all helps. 1772 1
1772 Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 (edited) Thanks so much to both of you, that was very helpful Edited March 31, 2015 by k1772
jwurth Posted April 1, 2015 Author Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks to everyone who has responded! I really wish I could have made their open house. UMD is one of my top choices based off of information I can find online but I have discovered that meeting with a department can give a significantly more accurate feel of a program. I visited campus during my spring break but it was completely dead. They were also on spring break and everything was locked up and I think I saw maybe eight people total. I guess they did warn me. Ha. BUT I still need to hear back from financial aid from UMD before I make my final decision (has anyone heard anything?)
Katydidnt93 Posted April 1, 2015 Posted April 1, 2015 The professors mentioned that financial information tends to come out in early-mid April, once they have a better idea of their budget. They said that money and graduate assistantships tends to get shuffled and passed around especially in the week before the deadline (April 15th), so I'm guessing we'll have an idea in the next 2 weeks.
jwurth Posted April 2, 2015 Author Posted April 2, 2015 The professors mentioned that financial information tends to come out in early-mid April, once they have a better idea of their budget. They said that money and graduate assistantships tends to get shuffled and passed around especially in the week before the deadline (April 15th), so I'm guessing we'll have an idea in the next 2 weeks. Thanks! The whole waiting thing is killing me.
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