Program-Specific Info / Q's Chicago State University- any positives?

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It's relatively cheap if you're in state!

The reality is that CSU has a really bad reputation in the Chicago area, deservedly so. However, I have no idea if that spills into the OT program. They're accredited so they're probably in better shape than CSU as an institution.
 
Yes it is significantly much cheaper than the other programs I applied to which is why I do not want to rule it out. I am basically looking for anyone who is in their program who can give some insight. Thank you for your reply!
 
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I know someone who is graduating from Chicago State MOT program this May. I asked her to share any information regarding her experience and this was her response:

"I had a pretty good experience, besides some of the BS that goes along with Chicago State. The program prepared me well for the job world.

When I applied, I had a lot of volunteer experience with special education schools. My GPA was 3.7 from my bachelors and all my prerequisites were either A or B. My letter of recommendation for the program came from a practicing OT."

I applied to Chicago State as well. From past forums I reviewed, they tend to contact people via mail for an interview at the end of March. Interviews held in April. Decision made by June.

Hope this helps!
 
Thank you very much! That is exactly what I was looking for. I feel like a lot of the people who had negative things to say about Chicago State were going by what they heard and had no experience there in the MOT program. I have an interview there coming up actually.
 
A few days ago I received a phone call. I think they are still going through applications because my one friend called and they said they were still waiting on some things with his transcripts.
 
I had to join and chime in. I know that Chicago State is currently conducting interviews and they don't give answers relatively late in the game: around May-ish.

I don't know much about their program does anyone else here? I've heard some things that have caused general concern but does anyone have more detail about their program or experiences of people in the program?
 
Hey yall,

So I decided to log in to SDN and share some thoughts after I remembered that I looked for advice from others; time to give back a little.
I'm currently a 1st year student (summer semester) and I had the same concerns as all of you (check my posting history to see). I got accepted to MWU but I stuck with CSU. I had a friend who graduated the year I got accepted and she said the program is tough but it prepares you really well for the NBCOT. She took her exam, passed on first attempt, and is now working.

CSU as a UNIVERSITY is something different than the OT program. The OT department is pretty well quarantined from some ethical issues that affected the board and such. Dr. Roundtree is the head of our program and she's an incredibly upright person. She holds you and herself to a very high standard. So, as a first year student who was much much more skeptical than you all, I can say with confidence that CSU's MOT program is solid. I don't know anything about any other program or if there is corruption with the higher-ups.

So, why the negative comments? Let's understand a few things. CSU as a university is housed in the south side of Chicago. The neighborhood isn't 90210, so there's that. The school is predominantly black and is focused on helping the underprivileged African American community (That obviously its not its ONLY aim). Hence, it's location is prime for its focus and function. This is a bit of a culture shock to many people when they first are even DRIVING to CSU, let alone getting on campus. It's a culture shock and it took me a good semester to get used to it. Now, I'm totally cool with it. When I was at MWU, one student said that she never considered CSU because of how dangerous it is there. She said that someone got shot and killed on campus a week before my interview there. I bought into it and went in fearful. I've been there for a year now and not only have I not been shot, no one else has either. Furthermore, the crime happened by non-students. Crime happens, especially in bigger cities, the fact that it happened on CSU grounds doesn't mean that CSU is somehow responsible for it. Some CPS kids got in an altercation, one pulled out a gun and killed the other. That's what happened.

Secondly, many people in the program complain, a lot! Yes, the program is hard, there are lots of readings, there are lots of papers, there are lots of exams, there is a lot of everything. That's what graduate school is! It's not a walk in the park. But you have to understand why students complain. We have a significant amount of students who have other life situations and backgrounds. Currently, more than half the students in the program have kids and other obligations. That in and of itself makes the program MUCH harder because you have to juggle dropping and picking up your kids, managing a house, paying your bills, etc. Life is stressful as it is, but pile on school with graduate coarse work, then you got yourself a recipe for negative comments. And boooooy do people complain. I never used to complain and I ended up nagging about everything, because, as you'll learn later, your environment will have an effect on you.

There were lots of complaints about papers being returned late, but the program has actually changed since then and papers are returned at a much faster rate. I did get one of my papers back 1 day before the start of the next semester, yes, but they are working on it. I knew my grades going into the final and one of my finals was graded and posted on the same day, literally one hour after taking it. That's unheard of even in my uber-posh private undergrad university.

Also, dont get put off by the receptionist, I know its hard. She's just the most nasty person I've ever had to deal with. No amount of kindness that I've shown this woman made her the least bit respectful. She's just like that. Everyone I've talked to agrees that she's nasty to everyone. That's just how she lives her miserable, sad, stressful life, so dont let her get you down.

Just remember to stay positive and do your best. I'm happy with my decision at CSU.
 
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Wow thank you for your post! It is refreshing to hear someone say good things about the school. I actually just found out yesterday that I was accepted. I am also accepted to a few other schools so I need to make a decision within the next week or so. I will definitely consider this post. Thank you!
 
Celtics1138 said:
Wow thank you for your post! It is refreshing to hear someone say good things about the school. I actually just found out yesterday that I was accepted. I am also accepted to a few other schools so I need to make a decision within the next week or so. I will definitely consider this post. Thank you!
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Congrats! You're most welcome 🙂
If you have any other questions send me a PM or post it here.
 
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