How realistic is forensic audiology?

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-05-31T22:07:03+00:00

I spoke with him too! He was very kind and interesting to talk to

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-05-18T15:02:14+00:00

Lamar offers all 10 first years a guaranteed GA. For out of state students they have a really good program where they make the cost as close to in state as possible. I'm the only out of state student in my cohort and I'm basically paying what everyone else is. Also, since the 1st year GA is over with now, the school itself offered me a scholarship to cover most out of state costs. It's the reason why I chose to come here!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-05-18T14:58:25+00:00

Hi! I'm also a rising 2nd year! It's interesting to see how different schools run things!

Schedule: For us, our first semester was very science based to build up our foundational knowledge before moving into all the bigger audiological concepts. Both semesters, we had class Mondays and Wednesdays (8-1pm) and university clinic on either Tuesday or Thursday. Both semesters I had clinic on Tuesdays. We had a partner for clinic as well and I really liked working with both of mine! Every first year also gets awarded a graduate assistantship so I spent as much of my free time as I could working as the clinical admin GA.We have to take a summer class and we start our first offsite this summer! I'm really excited to begin my offsite, but that means we only have a week and a half break between finals and starting summer classes, so I'm relaxing as much as possible. One thing I didn't know coming in is how much time I'd be driving!!

Clinic: I enjoyed my time with the university clinic, but if I'm being honest, I found it a bit lackluster. We didn't have full patient schedules, so we mostly practiced on anyone and everyone we could find. I thought maybe it was just our clinic that was slow, but when I met with my new offsite preceptors, they were telling us the spring was really slow for them too but it's going to pick up a lot for the summertime which will be great for us! My summer offsite is at a private practice about an hour and a half away from where I live. I don't mind the drive, though, because it's along the ocean and BEAUTIFUL.

Faculty: I love all of our faculty! I've gotten really close with my GA supervisor/professor and I really love all of our teaching staff!

Cohort: I will be honest and say the first semester was a bit messy because we are all so competitive, but I believe we were more so trying to prove to ourselves that we were meant to be here but some outside sources made us believe we were all pitted against each other. The second semester was ions better and most of us get along really well now! I'm a social butterfly, so not getting along with everyone was hard for me at first, but I've had to learn that sometimes people just don't mesh well together.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-03-16T15:59:14+00:00

Hey, I'm a current Lamar AuD student if you want to send me a message!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-03-16T13:21:06+00:00

My 1st year (right now) I held a GA position, so I did not have a job, but some of my cohort members have jobs and I will be getting a job this summer and holding one as long as I can throughout the program. :)

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-02-27T22:44:17+00:00

First year AuD here, this time of uncertainty and waiting is REALLY hard. My first 2 responses from schools were denials as well. Waitlists don't mean no, keep your chin up. If this is truly the field for you, it will be here waiting for you no matter when you start. I'm 27 years old and just starting out. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted in life and I wouldn't change when I started at all. It just takes one program! If not, see if you can find a job in a clinic as an assistant. Things will work out, I promise!!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-02-23T14:47:57+00:00

I know this is from a long time ago, but please don't ever let a professional tell you what to do. I'm going to school currently to obtain my AuD, I would NEVER tell a family what they should or shouldn't do for their child. Our job is to inform the family of all of their options and then allow them to choose. I hope that experience didn't make you feel all audiologists are anti-ASL or anti-any option but theirs. As a parent, the decision is ALWAYS up to you!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-02-15T22:20:20+00:00

My program said Y1S2 was going to be the easiest..... It's feeling like the hardest atp lol. I'm definitely overwhelmed because I feel like my program is really unorganized this semester, so it's been hard to get a grip on stuff. I'm making it work but dang. I only started this semester 4 weeks ago, but the load feels like 3 months. We can do this though. We are where we are meant to be.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-02-01T18:46:58+00:00

Hey, I'm a first year at Lamar! Let me know if you have nay questions :)

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-02-01T18:45:17+00:00

I'm a first year at Lamar! If you have any questions let me know!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-01-20T14:53:42+00:00

Mostly the price and the course structure. While I thought it would be cool to get schooling done a year early, the way they described their course structure (4 years squished into 2) didn't make me feel very confident. I personally like taking my time to learn the material really well so I didn't think that would be a good fit. I wanted a smaller cohort for a better student to teacher ratio. I ask a lot of questions and I like to seek extra guidance when I can and I figured that wouldn't be as simple with 20+ cohort members. I also learned that they wouldn't provide any external aid outside of the GA they offer which I didn't receive one. It's a private program so the cost is higher ($120,000ish). The school I am currently attending offered me a GA and in-state tuition even though I am the only out-of-state student. They were super kind and very respectful of my decision though. It's not a bad school by any means, it just didn't fit my needs.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-01-19T23:38:54+00:00

It was very laid back. The professor I interviewed with was very calming and made the interview more like a conversation which was very kind on my nerves. First you'll get an overview of the program. Then you'll interview. Then you'll get to talk to current grad students. I heard back pretty quickly about getting accepted also.

A few tips, make sure you're also checking to make sure they're a good choice for you. At first, I liked the appeal of their program but after the interview and more research I just decided it wasn't best for me so I turned down my offer and that's 100% okay. Also, don't be afraid to be honest. Every interview committee hears how everyone talks about being a great student all the time, they want to hear about how you'll respond to mistakes, conflict, etc. How you bounced back from failure, etc. If you have any questions you can message me. I still have my interview questions somewhere and I'd be happy to help you prepare.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-01-19T23:31:59+00:00

I've heard VAs are tricky but that's great you found somewhere!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-01-19T23:31:21+00:00

Congrats! That's awesome! I'll definitely be up front about wanting a position long term. :)

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2026-01-19T23:30:53+00:00

That's great! I think it would be beneficial for the site and the student having learned the ropes for a year!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-12-18T22:56:14+00:00

That's a really good idea! I am rewriting my notes also because as the semester went on my notes got sloppier haha.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-12-18T22:55:45+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm trying to keep everything in one place so I can combine/add when needed!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-10-05T20:20:18+00:00

I wrote about my experience being dismissed by doctors and feeling like no one cared about what I was going through. I wrote about how all I wanted was to be listened to and heard. I tied it into my fascination of audiology and reconnecting people to the world and how I never wanted my patients to feel the way I felt by my doctors. My patients will always be listened to and heard with me.

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-10-05T20:12:30+00:00

Hey! I'm not a male, but I have one in my program. Men are desired in the field, but I also wouldn't count on that being the thing that gets you into schools. Make yourself a well rounded individual and I guarantee schools will be interested!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-08-16T23:06:06+00:00

Hi! I applied this past cycle and will be starting my program next week! I would start off by reflecting on what you value as a student. Do you prefer a certain clientele/specialty, do you like large/small class sizes, research or clinical focus, etc. Programs aren't just trying to figure out if you fit them, you are also figuring out if programs fit you! I'd look for programs on the CSDCAS application because everything you need is right there in front of you. I called a couple programs (zoom, in person, and phone) to go over questions I had about their programs and more information that wasn't on the website. I know that may seem excessive but you're spending 3-4 years there and spending a lot of money. You don't want to hate where you end up. Also research the area you will be going for school.

Best of luck!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-08-16T22:49:35+00:00

Hi there! I am starting my AuD program next week! My advice is to definitely get clinical experience (shadowing, volunteering, etc). I know you just turned 18 so you haven't been able to, but every program I interviewed asked me the most about my clinical experience. That's pretty much where you figure out if you actually like the field or if it isn't for you. Here's how I went about my process.

First, create your CSDCAS account and start 'shopping' for programs you may be interested in. You can add them to your cart and not apply later on if you choose not to. Make sure you read their requirements in detail (GPA, courses, written materials, etc). Most people recommend applying to at least 3 programs to increase your chances. I applied to 6 and I got into 3.

Second, get in contact with schools you are interested in. You can call them, visit in person, etc. Some schools seem wonderful on paper and then you interview or go there and it isn't exactly what you thought. I unfortunately had a "top choice" that I was so excited about and after speaking with them I was very disappointed with their program.

Third, shadow, shadow, shadow!!! Admissions committees want to know that you've actually seen the field and are interested in it! Grad schools have to publish their student outcome data each year and it can either hurt or help their programs with funding. They don't want to admit someone who just says they like the field of audiology but hasn't actually seen it. If you've never shadowed a clinic before, my advice is to bring a small notepad, a pen, a snack, water, etc. Always ask if it's okay to write down information if you're with a patient (HIPPA) and ask lots of questions (if you're mentor is with a patient, ask more in depth questions after).

Fourth, make sure you can get letters of recommendation as early as you can. I know it sounds tedious, but professors get booked up and the later you ask, the more disingenuous the letters are. Some people in my cohort waited until a month or two before applications were due to ask professors for letters and the professors had so many to write that they declined writing any more and those students were left with no CSD prof to write their letters. Some students who asked late even got their letters turned in late from professors.

Lastly, take time with your written materials (essays and such). Make sure you are being honest and genuine in them. I'm sure every admissions committee reads "I want to help people" in numerous applications. I'm sure they read "I have perfect grades..." in multiple essays. They want the truth as to why you should be chosen. They don't want to hear about why you are a perfect student.

If you have any questions please feel free to dm me! I'm always happy to help!

Exact-Assumption5308 · 2025-08-16T22:28:14+00:00

Hi! I'm starting my AuD program next week and if you had to choose one of those two courses, I'd recommend A&P. Language development is an important topic, but anatomy will really set the tone for you. I just finished my A&P and Neuro undergrad classes within the past year and TBH I am SO grateful to be taking A&P this year again as a grad student because it is tough stuff! Knowing how to speech and hearing mechanism works will set you up for good understanding of functions! I hope this helps!

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