LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Southern Miss, Arkansas?

[rockchalk4253]

Does anyone know anything about these schools, opinions, people who went to undergrad there? I am wondering what the faculty, program, people are like there.  I know their stats and have looked at their websites online, but was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about them. Any input is HIGHLY appreciated. I am graduating from KU and applied to these schools besides KU and Vanderbilt. 

Edited December 31, 2015 by rockchalk4253

[kittyoverthemoon]

I just graduated in Child & Family Studies at LSU and did internships at a facility that we have in the area for speech therapy. I went to the MA open house because it was one of the only SLP programs that I could find that would accept me into the MA program and let me take the Communication Sciences & Disorders (COMD) classes needed to take the upper level MA classes (making it a 3 year program for me, regularly a 2 year program). We have a speech clinic on campus that I toured and it seems very nice. We have stroboscopy rooms and an in-clinic audiologist. We also have a new faculty member whose lab has just started up or is about to start up doing research on autism, not sure the specific topic of research though (autism is what I'm interested it). All the other labs I think are listed on the department's website which you can access here  http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/comd/# if you haven't checked it out. We are a research university and as an undergrad, I was advised to start thinking about an area of research that interested me in COMD, even though it is a clinical program as well. We have a great place in the area that I worked at that does speech therapy for children with autism and other language disorders, and we also have an area hospital that has a voice center. It's a really close-knit program from what I've seen and you get to know the other people in your program year really well. The faculty are quite experienced, and I noticed specifically that the clinical rotation coordinator is wonderfully enthusiastic and just loves the field of SLP. Baton Rouge has a fairly small city-like downtown area but it has nightlife that is alive and well haha. Overall, it's a great program with a lot of great resources. Research universities like this are always interested in students who have research interests in areas that might combine departments that have never collaborated before, so if you have specific interests, that's something that LSU would really foster for you. Anything else you want to know, just ask! Good luck!

[rockchalk4253]

Thank you for the reply! LSU a is actually a top choice of mine since I liked the clinical experiences they offer and what research they offered. I am from a small town in Kansas so I enjoy college-towns, even Nashville seems big to me. So are you applying this year to LSU or are you already in the program? I graduated with a degree in organismal biology but have taken all the pre-requisities that seem to be needed for many programs. 

[kittyoverthemoon]

3 minutes ago, rockchalk4253 said:

Thank you for the reply! LSU a is actually a top choice of mine since I liked the clinical experiences they offer and what research they offered. I am from a small town in Kansas so I enjoy college-towns, even Nashville seems big to me. So are you applying this year to LSU or are you already in the program? I graduated with a degree in organismal biology but have taken all the pre-requisities that seem to be needed for many programs. 

Oh cool! I'm not submitting the application for this Fall because I can't decide between SLP and Psychology. I just graduated a few weeks ago so I'm taking a year to feel out my options. I've been working at the place I mentioned with SLPs and I'm really introverted and seemed to just not be enjoying being around so many people (not the kids, I love the kids)- I just get really low energy and anxiety. So it's either clincal SLP or research psychology for me, but not until next year. I'm volunteering in a music cognition lab at LSU though and will be for next year for sure. But I also just applied to an open RA position in the psych department so hopefully that works out. 

[rockchalk4253]

That's so interesting! I've been a preschool teacher for 3 years but I'm interested in the medical side of SLP and working with adults more, especially with neurogenic disorders. I've often heard that grad schools often like having older applicants because we have more experience and can handle grad school more easily, at least that's how KU is with pre-req/older students, even though I'm only 24! 

[speechbeach]

I know Arkansas (Fayetteville) is listed as being on probation on the ASHA site, but I'm not sure why. I'm thinking about applying there as well but I want to know the specifics. Anyone know? 

[rockchalk4253]

I asked my advisor about it, and he said if it was something major that they wouldn't be accredited anymore, and not to worry about them losing accredition it I went to school there.  Often it can be very minor things that causes them to be on probation, and schools immediately make changes that are needed that way they can keep their program. 

[mr479]

The information for UArk is available on ASHA for you to decide whether their probation is a deal breaker for you. I am of the opinion that it was very minor, and also that it's worth it living in Fayetteville. I'm in a nearby program that is extremely ineffective, and I can't imagine why we're accredited. I'd transfer to UArk if I could despite their probation. 

Edited January 14, 2016 by Pennsatucky

[speechbeach]

Just did my research on ASHA, thanks! I'm going to go ahead and apply.

[jazspeaks]

On 1/2/2016 at 10:03 AM, speechbeach said:

I know Arkansas (Fayetteville) is listed as being on probation on the ASHA site, but I'm not sure why. I'm thinking about applying there as well but I want to know the specifics. Anyone know? 

Probation report:

http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/Accreditation-Approval-Status-UA-Fayetteville-SLP.pdf#search=%22university%22

UofA's plan to resolve it:

http://cdis.uark.edu/_resources/pdf/action-statement.pdf

[SLP560]

I have several friends in the undergrad and grad program at Ole Miss and from what I have heard it is in shambles. It has a very unhealthy competitive atmosphere. They even had to sit down the first year grads last year and have a meeting to try and get them to get along. The under grads will make up stories about each other and tell the professors. One of my friends had a professor tell her to apply somewhere else for grad school cause she was too nice for Ole miss. I am from Memphis so since soph year I was really hoping to go to Ole Miss but after hearing all of what they told me I will probably pull my application. 

[rockchalk4253]

That is extremely unfortunate to hear. The town and campus were both things that reminded me of KU which is why I applied there. Did you apply to Memphis or any of the SEC schools? I have no idea when some of the schools decide on applications, I'm assuming during spring break. 

[SLP560]

@rockchalk4253 I applied to mostly SEC schools, but I didn't apply to Memphis because although I want to be close to home that is a little too close haha. I fell in love with Southern Miss and the DeBard School so as of now that is my top. 

[CSD1913]

I applied to Ole Miss, Georgia State, LSU, Southern University, and U of Memphis.

I did my undergrad at Ole Miss (graduated May 2015) and I definitely would NOT describe the program as being in shambles. However, it is not my top choice simply because I want to explore options that are not so close to home. The professors that taught undergrad were ok, but I wasn't head over heels for any particular one. The clinic is small and would benefit from expansion, but they have observation rooms, a material room, an audiology booth, and several classrooms and therapy rooms throughout the building....the same things that most programs have. When I was doing undergrad there, they had 3 audiologists. I am unsure of the relationship between the 1st year grad students. Everyone always seemed to get along to me, but it could have been faked. However, I would not pull my application. I would take time to visit the campus and explore the program for myself before making a decision. 

Also, I looked at the dates that people posted their results from particular schools, and these were the earliest dates that they heard from the following schools:

LSU: March 9

GSU: 2-3 days after the interview date

Ole Miss: April 28

Southern University: May 21

U of Memphis: March 11

[rockchalk4253]

21 hours ago, CSD1913 said:

I applied to Ole Miss, Georgia State, LSU, Southern University, and U of Memphis.

I did my undergrad at Ole Miss (graduated May 2015) and I definitely would NOT describe the program as being in shambles. However, it is not my top choice simply because I want to explore options that are not so close to home. The professors that taught undergrad were ok, but I wasn't head over heels for any particular one. The clinic is small and would benefit from expansion, but they have observation rooms, a material room, an audiology booth, and several classrooms and therapy rooms throughout the building....the same things that most programs have. When I was doing undergrad there, they had 3 audiologists. I am unsure of the relationship between the 1st year grad students. Everyone always seemed to get along to me, but it could have been faked. However, I would not pull my application. I would take time to visit the campus and explore the program for myself before making a decision. 

Also, I looked at the dates that people posted their results from particular schools, and these were the earliest dates that they heard from the following schools:

LSU: March 9

GSU: 2-3 days after the interview date

Ole Miss: April 28

Southern University: May 21

U of Memphis: March 11

Thank you so much for the reply about Ole Miss! It's helpful to hear from someone that is currently there. Do you enjoy Oxford? I'm more interested in college towns since I'm from a small town in Kansas and went to KU. 

[CSD1913]

If you love college towns, Oxford is great! They have an older movie theater and a new movie theater/bowling alley which has a bar inside. The square is great for shopping. They have several small boutiques and other shops although they can sometimes be expensive. Most of the popular bars and restaurants are also on the square. You never have to worry about Oxford not having enough housing because they literally build 1-2 huge apartment complexes every year and rent is pretty reasonable at most. Traffic isn't bad, unless it's game day of course. There are two or three nice parks in Oxford. One had a very nice walking and bike trail. Oxford is also very bike friendly. The grove is awesome during football season. I guarantee you will love the town. For the most part, everyone is friendly. There is always something going on in the community or on campus. Oh, and the weekend starts on Thursday in Oxford lol.

[rockchalk4253]

3 hours ago, CSD1913 said:

If you love college towns, Oxford is great! They have an older movie theater and a new movie theater/bowling alley which has a bar inside. The square is great for shopping. They have several small boutiques and other shops although they can sometimes be expensive. Most of the popular bars and restaurants are also on the square. You never have to worry about Oxford not having enough housing because they literally build 1-2 huge apartment complexes every year and rent is pretty reasonable at most. Traffic isn't bad, unless it's game day of course. There are two or three nice parks in Oxford. One had a very nice walking and bike trail. Oxford is also very bike friendly. The grove is awesome during football season. I guarantee you will love the town. For the most part, everyone is friendly. There is always something going on in the community or on campus. Oh, and the weekend starts on Thursday in Oxford lol.

That sounds perfect! Exactly what Lawrence is like. I'm going on some visits over spring break and Oxford is one of my stops. 

[CSD1913]

Accepted to Ole Miss for their part-time program.

Rejected from Georgia State and U of Memphis. Georgia State was my top choice.

[CSD1913]

I got an acceptance email from Southern University A&M College on 4-25-16. I committed to Ole Miss but I am going to tour Southern's campus next Friday and then I will make a final decision.

[Ten22]

congrats! did they send you a letter as well? I am waiting on Southern. What were your stats?

[CSD1913]

On 4/29/2016 at 10:19 PM, Ten22 said:

congrats! did they send you a letter as well? I am waiting on Southern. What were your stats?

Thanks! No, I haven't gotten a letter yet. Just emails. 

GPA: 3.5

GRE: Quan- 147, Qual-152