Vanderbilt University

[Aspiring_SLP]

Any other Vanderbilt Fall 2017 MS-SLP applicants here? I've been checking up on the results page regularly, but it doesn't sound like anyone has been notified this cycle yet. They let people know around March 7-11 in years past, so we might hear soon. Anyone know when they will notify? And, is there anyone who has visited/attended the Vanderbilt program who has any perspective to share on the program?

[kellyfussman]

I am a current first year student in the MS-SLP program at Vanderbilt. I know that the committee has met, and I've heard through the grapevine that they will send out decisions via e-mail on/around Monday, March 13. 

Do you have any specific questions about the program? 

[Aspiring_SLP]

Thanks so much for your response, kellyfussman! That's really helpful. I'm definitely looking forward to hearing back. I visited the program last fall and I absolutely loved it! I've had most of my official questions answered while visiting or by Dr. Ricketts, but I'd love to hear a student perspective. What surprised you about the program? Have you gotten the clinical placements you wanted? I know that Vanderbilt's 1-on-1 supervision model is different than many other schools -- what has that been like? I'm interested in research and talked to Dr. Ricketts about the thesis track -- do many students pursue a thesis, or work in professor's labs?

[kellyfussman]

I was surprised that students didn't get to give input on clinical placements during the first semester. I was under the impression that I'd have some control over all of my placements, including the one(s) in fall of year #1, but that's not the case. You're just assigned a placement for fall. Students who come in with a background in CSD might have a more diagnostic-heavy placement. Everyone during fall and spring of year #1 has a pediatric placement. You can specify your interests for spring (e.g. stuttering, AAC, Autism, ELL, etc.). A handful of folks will get to do Aphasia Group (adults) in the fall or the spring. Basically, you do have say-so during every semester, except for the first one. Haha. 

For the most part, I have gotten the clinical placements that I've wanted so far. I was one of the lucky few who got to do Aphasia Group in the fall, in addition to a small pediatric placement (mostly 3 to 5-year-olds with a mix of artic/lang needs). For this spring, I requested a diagnostic-heavy placement with school-age (older) children and/or stuttering. I got the stuttering placement with one diagnostic slot per week. FYI--If you want to work with kids/adults who stutter, really push for it! It's a super popular placement 1) because everyone finds it to be interesting and 2) the clinician who specializes in stuttering is so fun to work with. At the end of this semester, I will get to request placements for this summer. Since I will have gotten a bunch of adult-y coursework under my belt, I will get to request Pi Beta Phi Rehab, acute care, TN Rehab Center, the Voice Center, etc. The further along you go in the program, the more options you have.

Vandy's 1-on-1 model is my favorite thing about the program! Instead of being given a handful of patients and having to do everything yourself, from the lesson planning to the therapy to the note writing, instead you work alongside a clinician and slowly assume more responsibility. Most students observe their for the first couple of weeks and then begin to implement activities, give assessments, document the session on MediLinks, etc. It makes SO much more sense! I had the other model during undergrad, and I can't say I learned very much from doing clinic that way. My supervisor was always running around like a chicken with her head cut off, trying to observe 3-4 students a time. No bueno.

I would say that about half of my class is either working in a lab and/or pursuing a thesis. During orientation week, you will get the chance to hear from nearly all of the labs, find out what they study, and learn if any paid positions are available. Professors research everything from child language to clinical implications of aphasia to fMRI in aphasia to developmental stuttering to speech acoustics and kinematics. The possibilities are endless! Most paid positions are 5-10 hours per week max. 

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I'd be happy to help! 

[Aspiring_SLP]

59 minutes ago, kellyfussman said:

I was surprised that students didn't get to give input on clinical placements during the first semester. I was under the impression that I'd have some control over all of my placements, including the one(s) in fall of year #1, but that's not the case. You're just assigned a placement for fall. Students who come in with a background in CSD might have a more diagnostic-heavy placement. Everyone during fall and spring of year #1 has a pediatric placement. You can specify your interests for spring (e.g. stuttering, AAC, Autism, ELL, etc.). A handful of folks will get to do Aphasia Group (adults) in the fall or the spring. Basically, you do have say-so during every semester, except for the first one. Haha. 

For the most part, I have gotten the clinical placements that I've wanted so far. I was one of the lucky few who got to do Aphasia Group in the fall, in addition to a small pediatric placement (mostly 3 to 5-year-olds with a mix of artic/lang needs). For this spring, I requested a diagnostic-heavy placement with school-age (older) children and/or stuttering. I got the stuttering placement with one diagnostic slot per week. FYI--If you want to work with kids/adults who stutter, really push for it! It's a super popular placement 1) because everyone finds it to be interesting and 2) the clinician who specializes in stuttering is so fun to work with. At the end of this semester, I will get to request placements for this summer. Since I will have gotten a bunch of adult-y coursework under my belt, I will get to request Pi Beta Phi Rehab, acute care, TN Rehab Center, the Voice Center, etc. The further along you go in the program, the more options you have.

Vandy's 1-on-1 model is my favorite thing about the program! Instead of being given a handful of patients and having to do everything yourself, from the lesson planning to the therapy to the note writing, instead you work alongside a clinician and slowly assume more responsibility. Most students observe their for the first couple of weeks and then begin to implement activities, give assessments, document the session on MediLinks, etc. It makes SO much more sense! I had the other model during undergrad, and I can't say I learned very much from doing clinic that way. My supervisor was always running around like a chicken with her head cut off, trying to observe 3-4 students a time. No bueno.

I would say that about half of my class is either working in a lab and/or pursuing a thesis. During orientation week, you will get the chance to hear from nearly all of the labs, find out what they study, and learn if any paid positions are available. Professors research everything from child language to clinical implications of aphasia to fMRI in aphasia to developmental stuttering to speech acoustics and kinematics. The possibilities are endless! Most paid positions are 5-10 hours per week max. 

Please let me know if you have any other questions! I'd be happy to help! 

Wow, thank you so much for the thoughtful response, Kellyfussman! Really thorough and helpful. Vanderbilt sounds like an incredible program that would be a great fit for me. I'll keep checking my application status and I may have more questions if I am accepted or waitlisted. Thanks again!

[kellyfussman]

Absolutely! I'm rooting for you!