Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program

Hi everyone. After too much time struggling and suffering, trying to find some direction for my life, I've finally done it. Sonography! I honestly can't imagine myself doing many other things. This genuinely speaks to me. My question is, what now? Do I need a general college education first, or can I go in directly toward my dream?

I've checked here: www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/ and the 'accredited' programs listed are offering two things: Certificate and Associate. What is the difference between the two? I want to be the best that I can be... so which direction is best for that?

And between Vascular and General Concentrations.... Does general also cover vascular? What do you all recommend?

Any additional tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm recently 27 and starting a bit late in life, but I've finally following a dream. So thank you.

Tonya in Detroit, Michigan said: Hi everyone. After too much time struggling and suffering, trying to find some direction for my life, I've finally done it. Sonography! I honestly can't imagine myself doing many other things. This genuinely speaks to me. My question is, what now? Do I need a general college education first, or can I go in directly toward my dream?

I've checked here: www.caahep.org/Find-An-Accredited-Program/ and the 'accredited' programs listed are offering two things: Certificate and Associate. What is the difference between the two? I want to be the best that I can be... so which direction is best for that?

And between Vascular and General Concentrations.... Does general also cover vascular? What do you all recommend?

Any additional tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm recently 27 and starting a bit late in life, but I've finally following a dream. So thank you.

Well the first thing you should do is find an ACCREDITED school and go for your associates degree.I would go for general sonography because you can eventually learn vascular once you start working. Once you get into a program your gonna have to take your prerequisites first and then you may have to be on a waiting list for up to two years depending on which school you go to before you start the actual program, I see you are in michigan also and im gonna be honest with you I went to Baker college, I had to wait two years before I got into the actual program. So find that information out first. Now Im gonna say something else, I graduated from the US program two years ago and havent found a job yet.Only two out of the 12 girls in my class is working it's not an easy field too get into. I'm studying to take my boards now hoping that it will help me get my foot in the door but without your registry or some type of experience. these jobs wont even call you. So just be careful in your decision cause I owe loans and no good job to pay for them.

eve, what about the Oakland Community College-Southfield Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program? It's on the caahep accredited list, and offers General concentration.... Do you think this is a good step? I don't understand what you mean about the prerequisites and the waiting list. So I'll have to do two years of regular education before I can get into my chosen field? How do I find out that information? How many years did it take you to finish? I'm guessing five, 4+1 year of clinic training? I don't expect anything to be easy... but how could it be difficult to find work with so many hospitals across the country? If you pay attention and apply yourself and end up skilled, why wouldn't it work out?

If you have any other advice or anything you can offer... please please reply. This is my dream, and reading about how you can't find work is scaring me. And it hurts, deeply, because I can't imagine doing anything else.

Im sorry Im not trying to scare you away from what you wanna do Im just telling you the facts. Now if your willing to relocate thats good because after I take my boards and get registered thats probably what im going to do if nothing works out for me here. I started school in 2003 finished my general classes in 2005 waited two years on the waiting list (because they have so many people applying and most schools only take 12-25 students for the program) then I got in in 2007 graduated 2008. Now OCC probably is a good school just call the program director and find out what you need to do, and if they have a wait list. There accreddited so I know you can take your boards as soon as you graduate. Once you are registered you will have a better chance at landing a job. So dont be afraid do your thang. You'll be okay Let me now if you have anymore questions.

If I go to school full time and really dedicate myself, perhaps I can finish my prerequisites in a year or so. If the waiting list is two or three years, does that include my college (Diagnostic Medical Sonography) major application date? So what happens between my finishing my prerequisites and getting into the actual DMS program? Do I just wait? Do I still attend school? I'm very confused about this whole process. I guess step one is to apply to OCC, to take the compass test (which I'll need to start studying for, to do well... how did you do on yours?) and to take the prerequisites. I'm still very confused about this journey. I wish there were a precise list of things to do in order to make this happen. It would be nice to know, okay, so 1.5 years of this, and then 2 years of waiting, and then four years of that. And then this, and there is your dream.

I'm SCARED about this. My fear before was not being able to land a job, but now it's... am I going to be accepted into the program? I'm tired of waiting for my life to begin. ;(

Hey Tonya
You should totally go for it! Yes, the jobs are hard to come by, but as people start to be employed again and the healthcare bill goes into effect, there will be more jobs. It is is scary, but if you want it and are willing to wait for it, you can do it.
YES, pick a CAAHEP school. If you graduate from a CAAHEP school and complete enough hours in your externship, you will be able to sit for your ARDMS exam immeadiately.
As far as prereq's, a certificate program will generally require you to have this done...you can get them at a community college. You usually need English, Communications, General Physics, Anatomy, Medical Terminology, and Algebra. If you go for an Associate's degree, you will probably do these your first semester or two at the school you go to. Once the actual sonogrpahy program starts, you start right away with learning the "trade". Some schools have a concurrent clincal training and some do it all at the end. There are ups and down to both. But the time spent learning this will be another 5-6 semesters. The waitlist comes into effect when too many people apply for a program. You are generally scored based on GPA and ACT scores and then ranked. Obviously the top ranked get in first, everyone else goes on a wait list. Check with the school on how they run their waitlist, some start it over every semester.
I suggest you get your AA in sonogrpahy if you have no other post-high school education. It shows you can write and do basic math and so on. Time wise, depending on your school, you will most likely spend 2-2 1/2 years earning your degree. That is if the school had 3 "semesters" per year. If you sit and pass your exams right away, *all* you need to do is find a job then. You do not need to work for a year.
As far as modality, it really is up to you. Like Eve said, you will probably have a chance to learn vascular later. If you do vascular first and only work in a vascular lab, you'll have a hard time ever learning other modalities.

Im on a waitlist in NC. They alwasy told me 2 years. Ive been on the waitlist 2 years and 2 months sigh. And I am still 33 away from getting IN. Here if you pass your placement tests in eng/math and do the job shadow and meet with the director your on the waiting list. At that time you can complete your prereqs while you wait. I wanted to be a hygienist so already have everything done. I am just waiting. I started taking stuff to have my AA and transfer to get a BA while I wait. New applicants are put on the waitlist and they do not rank your here or start over. I was 44 before they picked this Aug 2010 class, they only take 7 here. Uggg and 3 dropped off. I can wait until Oct when they take some more and I move up lol. I just hope more drop off than not. She said one year they went through all their alternates to fill the class. Its a community college and accredited. Just drives me nuts waiting. I really should have gotten on the waitlist sooner but had a baby and just didnt get to it. Im very anxious to start but at least am home with my kids until they start K. At least you are younger than me! Im 35 and by the looks of this darn program I will be 40 when done. Thats BAD lol.

Hey Tonya, I actually live in the metro Detroit area and I'm currently a sonography student. The schools in this area have two year waiting list unless you go somewhere far. Jackson Community College has no waiting list and offers distant learning but it will require you to travel to campus often. I was in the same boat as you and I'm in my early 30's. I also went to the CAAHEP website and thats where I found Mountain State University. Its based in West Virginia but they offer an distance learning program. All classes are taken online but clinicals are actually in a clinic or hospital. They will find you a site close to your location. I just finished up my pre-req's and currently waiting my acceptance into the program. They offer an associates and a bachelors degree program. Check it out and see what you think. Jackson is also good if you don't mind doing some traveling. Really do your research and request information from schools that you're looking at. I have also heard that the job market is competitive and that you're better landing a job in another state, but there are jobs out there.

Actually , the reason for the wait list and the small amount of students being accepted into the program is for the simple fact that schools want a higher job placement rate after graduation. My school has a ten year waiting list, but guaratees job placement after graduation. The actual field of sonography is a secure and stable working environment and jobs should not be hard to find. The salary is excellent. Out the of 35 graduates from my school in the past 2 years, all of the them have found jobs and the average salary is 3.8K and 5.5K a month. I am not sure why there is a belief that sonography jobs are hard to come by. Also, at my school, they do not place grades into consideration for admittance into the program, which really annoys me, because I already have a Bachelor's degree and have a 4.0 GPA....so, someone with lesser credentials gets in before me??? Makes no sense. I am currently taking the CNA course which is a prereq for the DMS program and I am 29. I don't really want to wait 10 years until I am almost 40 to get into this program. A definate bummer, but maybe there are other options to get ahead on the wait list.

Wow, that was mighty rude. I actually graduated from the University of Minnesota....so, yes, I am pretty sure I have a bachelor's and a 4.0 from a very prestigious school. Also, each school in both MN and WI requires the CNA program prior to admittance to the DMS program. The CNA course is a general learning of how to take care of patients, regardless of being a nurse or a sonographer. So, I'm not sure as to how it has no relevance as you have stated. It's called being "well-rounded", which is why I believe this class would be required. Referring to someone as "Honey" clearly shows your level of education or what you may have attained from your education, as it is both disrespectful and innappropriate to refer to any individual in that context that you do not know. I never stated in my post that I would be waiting 10 years, because if you were reading and comprehending, you would have read my last statement and understood what I was conveying. I am looking at other options. I sure hope you are not pursuing the healthcare field, because it seems like you have terrible people skills, not to mention that you seem rude with have no tact. Typical of Michigan folks, though. Also, this is a forum to assist others with questions and so, if you are n ot here to do that, I suppose you should get off this page and clean some bedpans, since you seem to know so much about what a CNA does. The school that requires this is St. Kate's in MN, so why don't you go onto that website and check it out for your own good, it is one of the most prestigious schools for both nursing and sonography and it might do you some good to check out the website.

Emily in Durand, Wisconsin said: Wow, that was mighty rude. I actually graduated from the University of Minnesota....so, yes, I am pretty sure I have a bachelor's and a 4.0 from a very prestigious school. Also, each school in both MN and WI requires the CNA program prior to admittance to the DMS program. The CNA course is a general learning of how to take care of patients, regardless of being a nurse or a sonographer. So, I'm not sure as to how it has no relevance as you have stated. It's called being "well-rounded", which is why I believe this class would be required. Referring to someone as "Honey" clearly shows your level of education or what you may have attained from your education, as it is both disrespectful and innappropriate to refer to any individual in that context that you do not know. I never stated in my post that I would be waiting 10 years, because if you were reading and comprehending, you would have read my last statement and understood what I was conveying. I am looking at other options. I sure hope you are not pursuing the healthcare field, because it seems like you have terrible people skills, not to mention that you seem rude and have no tact. Typical of Michigan folks, though. Also, this is a forum to assist others with questions and so, if you are n ot here to do that, I suppose you should get off this page and clean some bedpans, since you seem to know so much about what a CNA does. The school that requires this is St. Kate's in MN, so why don't you go onto that website and check it out for your own good, it is one of the most prestigious schools for both nursing and sonography and it might do you some good to check out the website.

I'm very concerned about being able to get into a program and REALLY need some input from current and former students. I have a BA in Business, currently taking prereqs for Sonography.

If I volunteer at a hospital, is that enough experience to help my chances? Volunteering would be financial hardship - I was hoping just getting a general admin job at a hospital would be enough but I'm very afraid that even if I bite the bullet and volunteer, I'd still never get in.

Any input from those with my similar background and were able to get into a program would be very helpful. I'm willing to go anywhere in the US to get into a program so school recommendations would be great.

Hi Emily. I too have a BA and a high GPA and have to wait to get in a any accredited program. For me it is going to be about 5 years if I even get lucky. This is going to be my second career and I do not think I would wait that long so I am going to an unaccredited program and finish in less than 2 years since we would be able to sit for ARDMS right away anyway. I totally hear you and I don't understand why some people feel like they have the right to be mean and rude because they already have done this and that. That just says it does not take a lot of education to graduate in an ultrasound program. I certainly would not want to have someone like Donquisha here to scan me nor clean bedpans for anyone! By the way, I was in school for nursing and those who cleaned bedpans had more tact than that.

Hi Fuega, Where is the unaccredited program in your area? My daughter is thinking about the DMS program also and lives in the southern calif area. She was told by an unaccredited school she would have to do 1 year of on the job training before taking the ARDMS.

Emily in Mondovi, Wisconsin said: I have a whole lot of hope to excel in the program then, if they are able to graduate you! It isn't an issue of graduating for me, I can do the program, I just have to wait. So, what exactly is your point, since almost every program has a wait and I can't control that? You make it sound as if you completed some great task. You lucked out and got in and not are finished, good for you. You should be cleaning bedpans with this nasty attitude of yours that you exude. Oncwe again, you sound like completely uneducated, so if you really have graduated, I feel bad for you when your employer has to fire you, because of your foul mouth, then all that school will have been a waste. But, maybe that's how they do that in Michigan....people like you make me laugh. Have a good career, Donquisha.

Who is Donquisha? Also Once is spelled ONCE NOT ONCWE! Bachelors degree with a 4.0 GPA. This will be my last reply to you, cause HONEY your not worth the time it takes to type this! Thanks and YOU have a good career (when you get off the waiting list ten years from now). :)

Hi. I am talking about Newbridge College, they have 3 locations, one in Santa Ana, one in San Diego and one in Long Beach. I am going to the one in LB since it is a much shorter drive. If your daughter does not have a previous Bachelor's or an Associate degree from an allied health program, she does have to work 12 months before being able to sit for ARDMS. I would suggest she goes to an accredited school then because nowadays it's very difficult to get a job without the license.

Thank you, Fuega! It is nice to hear from someone with a brain who is on this site to actually get some support and advice! It is so frustrating to work so hard in school and get good grades only to have to be passed up by people such as one on this site who's name can remain anonymous, because they might be ahead on a waiting list, but clearly have no skills relevant to working with people in the sonography field or any other medical field for that matter. We will get there and no, it probably is not worth waiting 6 to 10 years, but there are plenty of schools and it may just require some extra steps, such as relocation, perhaps.
Hey Donquisha~yes, I'm talking to you EVE, have you ever heard of a typographical error, you can clearly see that was one, but that's all you can get on me to try and put me down, which is all you want to do on this site and it's clearly not appreciated. Try and be a happier person and I'm so sorry that you have nothing better to do than come on this site and pick on people that have higher credentails, grades, and better schooling than you.

Emily in Mondovi, Wisconsin said: Thank you, Fuega! It is nice to hear from someone with a brain who is on this site to actually get some support and advice! It is so frustrating to work so hard in school and get good grades only to have to be passed up by people such as one on this site who's name can remain anonymous, because they might be ahead on a waiting list, but clearly have no skills relevant to working with people in the sonography field or any other medical field for that matter. We will get there and no, it probably is not worth waiting 6 to 10 years, but there are plenty of schools and it may just require some extra steps, such as relocation, perhaps.
Hey Donquisha~yes, I'm talking to you EVE, have you ever heard of a typographical error, you can clearly see that was one, but that's all you can get on me to try and put me down, which is all you want to do on this site and it's clearly not appreciated. Try and be a happier person and I'm so sorry that you have nothing better to do than come on this site and pick on people that have higher credentails, grades, and better schooling than you.

Does anyone know how long you scan (train) in school before you are sent to a clinical site?

Emily in Durand, Wisconsin said: Wow, that was mighty rude. I actually graduated from the University of Minnesota....so, yes, I am pretty sure I have a bachelor's and a 4.0 from a very prestigious school. Also, each school in both MN and WI requires the CNA program prior to admittance to the DMS program. The CNA course is a general learning of how to take care of patients, regardless of being a nurse or a sonographer. So, I'm not sure as to how it has no relevance as you have stated. It's called being "well-rounded", which is why I believe this class would be required. Referring to someone as "Honey" clearly shows your level of education or what you may have attained from your education, as it is both disrespectful and innappropriate to refer to any individual in that context that you do not know. I never stated in my post that I would be waiting 10 years, because if you were reading and comprehending, you would have read my last statement and understood what I was conveying. I am looking at other options. I sure hope you are not pursuing the healthcare field, because it seems like you have terrible people skills, not to mention that you seem rude with have no tact. Typical of Michigan folks, though.

While I agree that Eve's reply was not exactly helpful, I don't really think implying all "folks" from Michigan have no tact is itself very tactful. I might even say that it's "disrespectful and inappropriate." Why all the Michigan hating? And what is this "Donquesha" thing about?

Lol, I also enjoyed you mentioning your "higher credentails, grades, and better schooling." Yes, when I think of prestigious universities I always think of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and... the University of Minnesota. Is that where you learned that unique spelling of credentials?

jvc in Merced, California said: Does anyone know how long you scan (train) in school before you are sent to a clinical site?

bump

jvc in Merced, California said: bump

It varies on the school you attend. I only scanned a few times before I went to my clinical site. However, a student from a different program was there that had scanned for a year before coming there.

Kate852 in Traverse City, Michigan said: It varies on the school you attend. I only scanned a few times before I went to my clinical site. However, a student from a different program was there that had scanned for a year before coming there.

Thank you, I'm just checking if one week is sufficient. Sounds like it would be. Thanks

Kate852 in Traverse City, Michigan said: While I agree that Eve's reply was not exactly helpful, I don't really think implying all "folks" from Michigan have no tact is itself very tactful. I might even say that it's "disrespectful and inappropriate." Why all the Michigan hating? And what is this "Donquesha" thing about?

Lol, I also enjoyed you mentioning your "higher credentails, grades, and better schooling." Yes, when I think of prestigious universities I always think of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and... the University of Minnesota. Is that where you learned that unique spelling of credentials?

GO BLUE!

First off, the University of Minnesota is one of the best research oriented schools in the country for many programs. Also, home of the Mayo Clinic, which is an extremely well known research hospital and the best in the midwest. SO, whatever that snide comment was about from the individual in Alpene, MI....check your information.

My bachelor's degree was obtained before my daughter was born and prior to my divorce and I intended on attending a Doctoral Program in Clinical Psych at the University of Wisconsin-Madison(the #6 ranked school in the country for that program) and had a position lined up at the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the homicide investigation unit performing profiling work. I am a single mother and therefore being on call as well as doing a doctoral program was not going to be attainable.

EML in Mondovi, Wisconsin said: First off, the University of Minnesota is one of the best research oriented schools in the country for many programs. Also, home of the Mayo Clinic, which is an extremely well known research hospital and the best in the midwest. SO, whatever that snide comment was about from the individual in Alpene, MI....check your information.

Traverse City individual....Kate? Check yourself!

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: Traverse City individual....Kate? Check yourself!

Sorry about that, not Aldene, MI...don't want to accuse the innocent!

Eve, I am originally from NY, Long Island to be exact! So, good try with the Wisconsin comment. I have been around and am a bit cultured, try it.

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: Sorry about that, not Aldene, MI...don't want to accuse the innocent!

Alpena...I apologize for my comment at you, it was meant for Kate in Traverse CIty and yes, I am a bit flustered at why people have to get on here when they supposedly already have careers and schooling, what exactly are you attempting to help out with on here if all you're going to do is shut everybody down with nasty comments???! Super flustered, can't even type right....sorry, oh, so sorry, take a shot at me know folks!

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: Alpena...I apologize for my comment at you, it was meant for Kate in Traverse CIty and yes, I am a bit flustered at why people have to get on here when they supposedly already have careers and schooling, what exactly are you attempting to help out with on here if all you're going to do is shut everybody down with nasty comments???! Super flustered, can't even type right....sorry, oh, so sorry, take a shot at me know folks!

*now...oh and Eve....want to clarify about the stereotyping~I was married to a man from Africa and have a mixed baby with him....so, what are you insinuating? I don't have issues with anyone, only ignorant people who think they know it all!

Kate852 in Traverse City, Michigan said: While I agree that Eve's reply was not exactly helpful, I don't really think implying all "folks" from Michigan have no tact is itself very tactful. I might even say that it's "disrespectful and inappropriate." Why all the Michigan hating? And what is this "Donquesha" thing about?

Lol, I also enjoyed you mentioning your "higher credentails, grades, and better schooling." Yes, when I think of prestigious universities I always think of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and... the University of Minnesota. Is that where you learned that unique spelling of credentials?

Also, Kate, what is truly ignorant is for you to be aware of only the schools that get the most acknowledgment, there are MANY, MANY schools that give excellent educations and don't have the big name. If you did your research, you would see that U of M is one of the best state universities in the country. ranking 7th for Medical School's in the US. The college of Pharmacy is the 3rd in the nation . 8th best psych program, which is what I attended and it is one of the top three research based schools in the US, so tell me what you know about that! Check this out to school yourself : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Minnesota

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: Also, Kate, what is truly ignorant is for you to be aware of only the schools that get the most acknowledgment, there are MANY, MANY schools that give excellent educations and don't have the big name. 8th best psych program, which is what I attended and it is one of the top three research based schools in the US, so tell me what you know about that! Check this out to school yourself : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Minnesota

Actually, I did read the Wikipedia entry about University of Minnesota before I even posted what I wrote. You know why I still wrote it? Because it was a joke and I thought your overuse of the word prestigious was funny. You need to calm down. Who gets so flustered about a message board that they can't type?

You know what I find interesting? The fact that you can take the time to write paragraphs defending your alma mater, but seem to be unable to address any of the questions in my post, specifically why are you so down on Michigan? You know, if you are going to go around talking trash about all the people from an entire state you should expect a little fun to be made at your expense. You can call everyone on here ignorant that says something you don't like, but what do you call your ranting about people from Michigan?

As to your complaint about people being on here just to make nasty comments, maybe you should read over your own posts. All you seem to be able to do on this forum is not take a joke, get "super flustered," call people ignorant and spout off about all your glorious achievments that no one gives a rat's *** about. You know why I get on here? Because on occassion, I can answer a question for someone because I'm a registered tech working in the field and because some of things that people write on here are hilariously misguided and I enjoy reading it. If you don't like people taking digs at you on here, maybe you shouldn't write inflammatory comments about specific groups

of people. You probably don't like what I am writing, so I fully expect you to call me ignorant and "Donquesha." Well, I'm going to go "check myself" and "school myself." Good grief, really? No, seriously, check myself, you really wrote that?

Anyway, thanks for the entertainment.

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: *now...oh and Eve....want to clarify about the stereotyping~I was married to a man from Africa and have a mixed baby with him....so, what are you insinuating? I don't have issues with anyone, only ignorant people who think they know it all!

Blah, Blah, Blah!

Emily Larson in Wisconsin said: Eve, I am originally from NY, Long Island to be exact! So, good try with the Wisconsin comment. I have been around and am a bit cultured, try it.

Blah, Blah, Blah! You sound like the teacher from the Charlie Brown cartoon right about now!

I am currently a pre-DMS student and looking for job shadowing in the greater metro detroit area. I'm having a hard time trying to find shadowing. I call places but they tell me that they don't do job shadowing. I need a minimum of 30 hours for extra points into my program. Do anyone know of any places in Michigan where I can shadow? Or are there any sonographers on here that will allow me to shadow them?

Why don't you look at the first post I wrote and the nasty comment I received from Eve. "You people" are disgusting and yes, Kate, the only reason you took a dig at my schooling was because the education you have is from a two year technical college and it must be threatening to you that there are people that graduate from better schools with better educations. Anyone can get into a two year school. You can attempt to put me down all you want and critique my spelling, but fact of the matter is that I have a strong educational background and will excel in the health field, because of that. I must say that I am a little hesistant to enter the sonography field, if people such as yourself are working within it. Looks, like schooling should be a breeze, if they graduated you and that is the reality of the situation. I don't have to tout anything until people who are weak minded have to take a stab at anyone else's life to feel better about themselves. I don't really give a **** what you or Eve feel, because as I said you are obviously too concerned with my education and should be doing what you intend to do on this site, which is help people. I am yet to see either of you do that. Do you watch Charlie Brown all day, Eve??? Because, that's exactly what I thought you might be doing.

OK, this has to stop. i'm trying to find help with my career, school, etc. That's what this forum is for. i don't have time to go through every single email to see this junk. Take the fist fight somewhere else so people who are serious about finding answers don't have to deal with your drama - and no, i don't care who started it. Just finish it.

I also have to do job shadowing and dont't really know where to start. I've checked out hospital websites and cannot find anything. How does one go about this? Also, I'm looking to apply to several schools (exact ones TBD) and each one has their own form to document the shadowing. Isn't it OK to just get a signed letter on letterhead from the facility you shadowed at as proof?

Couldn't agree more. This has gotten ridiculous and it started over an attempt to find advice on a sonography program, I will go look elsewhere, since this forum has been of little to no assistance.

avabluesub in Peoria, Arizona said: I also have to do job shadowing and dont't really know where to start. I've checked out hospital websites and cannot find anything. How does one go about this? Also, I'm looking to apply to several schools (exact ones TBD) and each one has their own form to document the shadowing. Isn't it OK to just get a signed letter on letterhead from the facility you shadowed at as proof?

I would just call places and ask for someone in the HR department or the director of diagnostic imaging. Try some small imaging centers as well as clinics for ppl with low income or no insurance. It might not be the ideal place but sometimes they are more willing to take on students.

I went to west coast ultrasound institute in beverly hills. I think they opened one in pheonix. There's a lot of bad mouthing about the school but I actually had good lab teachers. It's really what you put into it. But if you don't have your AA or BA I would say stay with the one you are trying to get into. You won't be able to sit for the ARDMS without that or you need 1 year of paid work and most places are looking for ARDMS sonographers with experience so it's hard to get that 1 year.

Ultrasound Tech - Thank you so much for that information! The reason I asked about getting a signed letter from who I job shadow as proof instead of having them sign 3-4 forms is that (a) I have not narrowed down what schools I will be applying to yet but want to shadow now, and (b) as above, I will be applying to several school to increase my chances of acceptance. Do you think a singed letter from each person/facility I shadow with will suffice for school applications?

If the school is requiring certain forms I would use those forms. Some schools may not be too picky about it but some might be. However, if the place you shadow at is willing to write you a recommendation on top of signing those forms I would get that from them. Even though you are just shadowing they will see your personality and how dedicated you are. It doesn't hurt to have that =)

Ultrasound Tech - Good advice - thanks!

Speaking of Minnesota...the Mayo Clinic has a DMS and an Echo program. I believe last time I checked all of their students found employment within a year of graduation :-)

I have my bachelors in Biology; however, I am thinking about getting my Masters in health science with a specialization in vascular sonography. Do you think its best to go this route or to just go to a two year college? There is a huge cost difference between these schools so I am wondering with that masters degree will I be able to pay it off? Please help

Thank you

Tonya in Detroit, Michigan said: eve, what about the Oakland Community College-Southfield Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Program? It's on the caahep accredited list, and offers General concentration.... Do you think this is a good step? I don't understand what you mean about the prerequisites and the waiting list. So I'll have to do two years of regular education before I can get into my chosen field? How do I find out that information? How many years did it take you to finish? I'm guessing five, 4+1 year of clinic training? I don't expect anything to be easy... but how could it be difficult to find work with so many hospitals across the country? If you pay attention and apply yourself and end up skilled, why wouldn't it work out?

If you have any other advice or anything you can offer... please please reply. This is my dream, and reading about how you can't find work is scaring me. And it hurts, deeply, because I can't imagine doing anything else.

hey i was wondering if you got into the program or not? id like to know because im also looking for a school

Nikki10 in Canton, Michigan said: I am currently a pre-DMS student and looking for job shadowing in the greater metro detroit area. I'm having a hard time trying to find shadowing. I call places but they tell me that they don't do job shadowing. I need a minimum of 30 hours for extra points into my program. Do anyone know of any places in Michigan where I can shadow? Or are there any sonographers on here that will allow me to shadow them?

what school did u go to?

Wow it's really quite annoying to see this forum saturated with comments from a person who clearly likes talking about them self (Emily) and their wonderful assets and "credentials" (gag me)! Having a bachelors degree especially one in psychology is like graduating high school now a day's (not something to brag about). Getting back onto the subject the real reason this forum was created... Oh right, Sonography!! Has anyone else really struggled with the Physics in the curriculum? It's awful and I'm just not sure I am cut out to truly "get it". Does anyone know how much actual physics is on the ARDMS?