slpacceptme

Thank you very much, @Speechster @Concordia !!!

For this third time around, yes, I am absolutely going to cast my net much wider and apply at less competitive schools, and not just schools in Texas, either. In both of my first two attempts, I applied to schools that were geographically close to me, but I realize I'm just going to have to let that go. Both you and @tvl mentioned taking grad classes online... that had never even occurred to me! I wouldn't need to be accepted into a grad program to be able to take those courses? Sorry if that is a dumb question! What kind of courses did you all take online? To the best of my knowledge, I have completed all of the prereqs I would need, but did end up with a C in a couple speech & hearing classes. Would I need to retake those at the school I graduated from, or do you think just retaking them period would be good enough?

Thank you for your input! Great ideas and very much appreciated.

Hey, all! First post and super new to this, but I'm basically just seeking some advice for my third round of applications. After reading through several topics, some things I need to change are glaringly obvious, but I'm just looking for some input and dialogue really. I would say I've got below average numbers - Overall GPA 3.125, CSD GPA 3.4; Q-146, V-150, AW-3.5; I'm from Texas and have applied to UT Dallas, UNT, Texas Women's, SFA, and Houston. Graduated in 2011 and have worked as an SLPA since. I gained less than a year experience in public schools, and have been in home health ever since. In that time, I have learned Spanish and now get reimbursed as a bilingual therapist. However, I have nothing to show for volunteer hours - something I am looking at getting started ASAP (both for my resume and just an overall general desire to spend more time volunteering). I did no volunteering in college, nor did I participate in anything NSSLHA related. First huge concern of mine in applications for this next round - letters of recommendation. I won't bore you with my personal trials, but my undergrad years were the most trying times of my life to date. Lots of chaos and dysfunction for 3 out of the 4 years I was in undergrad. As a result, not only did my grades suffer, but I never truly was able to make personal connections with any of my professors. Although I'm sure they were empathetic to my many different situations that I had no control over, I'm sure I was "that girl" always emailing and asking for extensions and having to leave town to be with family for weeks at a time. So, if they even remember me, it's probably for all the wrong reasons. In my first two rounds of applications, I had three of my previous supervisors write letters for me. I was very close personally with all of them, and each of them were beyond encouraging about me pursuing my Master's. I don't doubt for a second that each of them spoke of me in high regards, but I realize there is a difference between previous supervisors and previous educators/professors. Another weird part of my story... I worked for the District Attorney in my home town several times throughout my college career, and she spoke very highly of me. So I did have her write me a letter as well, figuring it wouldn't hurt anything to include it, albeit random. WHAT DO I DO DIFFERENT THIS TIME WITH MY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?! I really am lost as to where to turn on this part of the application process.