This school or that school?
Are you applying to grad school for audiology? The whole process feels overwhelming and competitive, and at this point, you are likely hoping to just get in to one school, let alone multiple. However, if you are accepted to multiple options, that can make for a difficult decision.
What to look for in a school
Do your research! Grad school applications can be very competitive, so cover your bases by applying to multiple schools, and investigate all of them. Check their websites, speak to the program coordinators, seek out recent graduates (LinkedIn can help with this!), and visit the campus. Make a list of the priorities you're looking for in a graduate school, and get all your questions answered prior to making a decision, so you can feel confident and excited about becoming a grad student.
Some important questions to ask, include:
Are there a variety of clinical experiences available?
How many years is the program?
Can I picture myself living in this city? Or, is my commute realistic?
How early in the program do you start working hands-on within a clinic?
Who are the professors at this school, and what is there experience in the field?
What is the experience of previous graduates from this program? What is the graduation and employment rate?
How many students do they accept per year, and how will this benefit/limit your hands-on experience?
Are there research opportunities available?
Will the requirements of this program meet my licensure/certification requirements upon graduation?
What is the reputation of the school and the graduates from your specific program? (Check out this link for US News' Audiology School Rankings: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/audiology-rankings)
It may be tempting to choose an Audiology graduate school solely based on their prestige and ranking, but sometimes that comes at a cost that does not always translate to a higher paying job. A school's ranking is based on a multitude of factors, which may not be in line with your priorities. Other schools could lead to the same or better internship and career opportunities at a lower tuition rate. Which brings me to my last point:
Money, money, money
Money talks. Audiologists historically are not the highest paid health care professionals. In many states, audiologists are severely underpaid for their level of education. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, bury yourself in debt just to get "the best" audiology degree. It may be valuable to have a "brand name" degree in other fields, but in Audiology, it just does not seem to be the case.
Important cost factors to consider:
Can I afford to live in this city?
If I need to, am I able to work while attending school?
Are there paid internships or teaching assistant positions available?
Will I be required to have a car?
Do they offer scholarships or bursaries?
Will I be paying out-of-state or international tuition fees?
How much debt will I be accruing vs what is my expected pay upon graduation? You can check your projected pay by searching your location here: https://www.payscale.com/research/
If you want to amp up your resume with prestigious experience, but can't afford a top ranked school, look in to the clinical opportunities that are available within your affordable schools. Perhaps the school has a lower ranking but they affiliate with a world renowned hospital, or have well known professors. You may also have the opportunity to attend a lower ranked school but apply to a more "prestigious" placement for your externship.
It's important to remember that everyone takes a different path, and you need to choose the program that will allow you to grow and shine, without digging yourself a hole of debt! Make the most of the opportunities available within your program, and seek out external education in the areas your program may lack. The more initiative you can take to make yourself a well-rounded professional upon graduation, the better your job prospects will be, regardless of which school is on your diploma. Good luck with your applications!
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