nicoleac Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 I would like to know how big of a factor research is... it says on their website that students are "strongly encouraged" to complete a thesis. What does that mean? I have done research in the past and I know I am not a huge fan, so a strong emphasis would be a turn off for me. I'd also really like to know about the environment. Is it competitive? Relaxed? Are the students mega-stressed out? How accessible are faculty and advisors? Do students have to make appointments or is there an open-door policy? The last big thing is flexibility and practicum opportunities; for example, if I find a specific area that I'm really interested in, can I pursue it through electives and/or practicum placements, or are the degree plan and practicum placements more concrete for everyone? Those are all great questions!! I am glad you mentioned the research recommendation...I must have somehow missed that on their website I have also done research (too much...ugh) and feel the same way as you. I really do not want to complete a thesis. That is, unless they offer research assistantships, in which case I guess I'll bite the bullet and do it if necessary. I'm wondering, if a thesis is strongly recommended but not required, what are the penalties for not doing one? I mean, we're already accepted into grad school, so what else would we want a thesis for unless we were considering pursuing a PhD? It's not like finding a job as an SLP is incredibly difficult, so I don't think it would make a significant difference on a resume for clinical work. The website has purposefully vague and noncommittal wording. "If available"... Well, that's a big "if." Lol. This is typical of graduate programs though - they can't really guarantee anything but programs tend to have a track record of what they have been able to provide in the past. Since the last visit day is April 3, I am hoping to we hear back well before that. Maybe this week? Or next? Is anyone going to the one tomorrow? Hi Saila, do you know what the track record for the program is? I know that it's dependable on the year but where can we find info about past years?
Saila09 Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Hi Saila, do you know what the track record for the program is? I know that it's dependable on the year but where can we find info about past years? It looks like about 25% of their admittance offers are with funding, according to EdFind. That may be a few years old.
nicoleac Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 I took a break from obsessively refreshing my email/checking the mailbox to call the department and ask when funding info will be available. They will email out funding offers by the end of the week. delete-account 1
Saila09 Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 I took a break from obsessively refreshing my email/checking the mailbox to call the department and ask when funding info will be available. They will email out funding offers by the end of the week. Thanks for letting us know.
delete-account Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 I took a break from obsessively refreshing my email/checking the mailbox to call the department and ask when funding info will be available. They will email out funding offers by the end of the week. Best news I've heard all day! Fingers crossed for all of us!
nicoleac Posted March 19, 2015 Posted March 19, 2015 I got my funding offer today. Anyone else? Ahh! Congrats No I haven't yet...do you mind sharing what you were offered?
Saila09 Posted March 20, 2015 Posted March 20, 2015 It is a partial tuition scholarship for the first year.
delete-account Posted March 22, 2015 Author Posted March 22, 2015 I didn't receive any funding and can't go without it, so I'll likely be heading to Dallas. Good luck to all of you, though!
nicoleac Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I was planning on attending the info session April 3rd, but I didn't get a funding offer either Seeing as a different school offered me a huge scholarship, I don't think I can justify the price difference, especially since both schools were two of my top choices! Congrats on your offer though!
akgirl1992 Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I just got back from my visit from Tuscon and visiting the campus a couple days ago. The faculty and staff were extremely friendly and it seemed like a really great environment to go to grad school. They had several clinic rooms within the building with an adult section on one floor and a children's clinic on the bottom floor. Each room had a connecting observation room and was equipped with a video camera. They also mentioned that they have a system that seems to work really well for them by having second year grad students help transition their clients to first year grad students as a mentor like system. The head of clinical practicums was very nice and spoke about all of the available practicum sites in the area and there is definitely great medical settings to choose from. The program goes through one summer and that is the only time a student can do an out-of-area (not Tucson) practicum as the last semester still requires students to take one class on the Tuscon campus. I would really recommend anyone who was accepted to visit to see if they like the area, it was a little dry and "stucco" one story buildings outside of the campus area. The campus had a more urban vibe as streets are throughout the campus and it did not feel like the campus was isolated in its own little area. I talked to the admissions director and she said they only give out 2 waivers and/or graduate assistantships so they are pretty hard to get it seems. I did not receive an email from the department offering any funding so I am assuming I did not get any. As it is $14,000 a semester for out of state I dont think I will be attending the program. If anyone has anymore questions regarding the area or the department that I may have forgotten to mention please let me know! Sorry if this is too much unwanted information just thought I would put it out there Congrats to everyone on their grad school or post BA plans! delete-account 1
Saila09 Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I just got back from my visit from Tuscon and visiting the campus a couple days ago. The faculty and staff were extremely friendly and it seemed like a really great environment to go to grad school. They had several clinic rooms within the building with an adult section on one floor and a children's clinic on the bottom floor. Each room had a connecting observation room and was equipped with a video camera. They also mentioned that they have a system that seems to work really well for them by having second year grad students help transition their clients to first year grad students as a mentor like system. The head of clinical practicums was very nice and spoke about all of the available practicum sites in the area and there is definitely great medical settings to choose from. The program goes through one summer and that is the only time a student can do an out-of-area (not Tucson) practicum as the last semester still requires students to take one class on the Tuscon campus. I would really recommend anyone who was accepted to visit to see if they like the area, it was a little dry and "stucco" one story buildings outside of the campus area. The campus had a more urban vibe as streets are throughout the campus and it did not feel like the campus was isolated in its own little area. I talked to the admissions director and she said they only give out 2 waivers and/or graduate assistantships so they are pretty hard to get it seems. I did not receive an email from the department offering any funding so I am assuming I did not get any. As it is $14,000 a semester for out of state I dont think I will be attending the program. If anyone has anymore questions regarding the area or the department that I may have forgotten to mention please let me know! Sorry if this is too much unwanted information just thought I would put it out there Congrats to everyone on their grad school or post BA plans! Thanks for sharing! Can you talk a bit more about the clinical training? How much are students supervised?
delete-account Posted March 25, 2015 Author Posted March 25, 2015 Just declined my offer of admission... Finances, man. Good luck to everyone else
nmswink Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 I am a current "zero year" student in the Master's program here at U of A and I am loving it. I have lived here for 15 years so I know the area pretty well and think Tucson is an awesome place to live (aside from the 115 degree weather in the summers). If anybody has any questions about the 3 year program I'd be happy to answer them as best as I can. I will say this, very rarely do incoming 3 years program students get offered funding, not in that first year at least. However, the cost of living here is very very reasonable and that can sometimes outway other costs that are burdensome (like tuition). Another note: I am looking for a roommate starting August 1st. My current roommate is a 1st year SLP grad student and is having a baby this summer so she's moving in with family to help with child care. The room coming available is the master in a 960sqft 2BD 2BR house 1.5 miles north of campus right on Mountain Ave. which has the widest and nicest bike path leading straight to campus and we're on the Cat Tran bus route to campus. It's either a 5 minutes drive to campus or a 10-15 minuted bike ride. I would recommend biking or Cat Tran as parking permits are $600/year. Additionally, the room has a separate door to the yard, it's own private bathroom, and a walk in closet. I have a black lab/pit mix, and would love another dog friendly person (or dog owner) to live with. The room is $520/month including water/sewer/trash. The utilities are split 50/50, so $25/month each for uber fast internet and between $35-$70/month for electricity depending on the season (Air conditioning makes the bill run high in the summers). Looking forward to our 9 person zero year cohort becoming a larger 1st year group in the fall! So exciting! -Natasha
Cure Posted April 2, 2015 Posted April 2, 2015 I'm visiting for the Admit day on April 3rd! I will definitely post my impressions. Let me know if you have any questions! I am also trying to go visit April 3rd! I'm probably accepting my offer from UA and would love to know what you think of the program after the visit day tomorrow. I've been corresponding with one of the professors, so I don't think I have any specific questions left unanswered--but your general impressions would definitely be appreciated.
alexagrace Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 (edited) Hello everyone! My name's Alexa and I'm a current undergraduate at the University of Arizona. I was recently admitted and have accepted an invitation here. I see that Natasha, one of our zero-years, is here on this forum as well! I got a bit giddy when I found this thread so I haven't thoroughly read everyone's comments yet, but I'll try to answer any questions or address concerns that people expressed! Feel free to ask me questions about Tucson or the U of A! -- Alexa edits: About research at the University of Arizona: The UA is definitely a research focused university, but from speaking with many of the first and second years, you are by no means forced to complete one. Unless you are looking to complete a PhD, then you are heavily encouraged to complete one, which essentially means you should. However, I have been very involved in the research here as a participant and as a researcher (I work in the Language Neuroscience Lab with Dr. Wilson and I previously worked in the Voice Research Lab with Dr. Samlan). It has definitely been an exciting experience working hands-on with hospital patients and doing fMRI scans. I always have my hands full and it can be tough to balance all of the responsibilities, but I plan on continuing in Dr. Wilson's lab funded as a graduate research assistant. Also! I plan on making a facebook page for our cohort--if you do accept your admission, please reply to this post so I can add you! Edited April 6, 2015 by alexagrace
alexagrace Posted April 7, 2015 Posted April 7, 2015 Facebook group is up!https://www.facebook.com/groups/972921346061175/
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