queenleblanc

I've read somewhere that SOP's are supposed to be double spaced unless they state otherwise. Some of mine were 1-2 pages at most, one school was one page (single spaced), and others were 2-3 pages. DO Make sure that your name is on ALL pages (in the header section), and add page numbers in case the print order gets messed up at the admissions office. I had a website or two saved on this subject but I can't find them right now ... I submitted my last application two weeks ago! :-) Hope that helps!!

And irony of ironies, I took two schools off the list after I did list them all ... oh well. Truth be told, I wonder if they were just looking to see how determined I am to make it into this program. :-)

Is anyone else applying to Appalachian ? I'm a little disappointed that they want a one-page letter of intent. All of the other schools want at least 2 pages, if not three, and I am abiding by the "double-spaced" standard on them. I would like to single-space my one-page letter of intent ... gonna check my ASU notes to make sure they didn't tell us something else than what is listed online... still trying to condense it into one page will be tough!!

Every program where I am applying wants ALL original transcripts, even if transfer credit appears on another transcript. The stated reason? They say that they want to see "everything" you've done academically. Too bad that increases my application fees de facto because transcripts cost $$ to send... Ah, well, such is life ... !

Thanks for the feedback, guys and gals! I did ultimately decide to list the schools where I am currently planning to apply. I agree that the question is odd -- only one other school asked a similar question (but did not ask to list the names of the schools). Whatever .... USC, my application is coming to you TODAY!!!! :-)

Hey folks, I got to the part of the application that has a few open-ended questions. One of them asks whether you have or are applying to any other schools, and asks you to list their names. My thoughts: 1) Be honest and list my 6 schools/ applications because absolutely want to get in somewhere for Fall 2013, or 2) Don't list it because I want them to think they are the only school I am interested in, and I don't want them thinking that I have alternatives (plus this is the top school on my list). What are your thoughts on answering that question in the application? DId you answer it honestly or not, and did you see any results from that as far as acceptance, interview, etc?

Update, some websites I read today said to avoid "to whom it may concern" -... you'll find tips everywhere that say just about anything you need to hear ... so check with your school career services or writing center if there is one - many times the writing center suggests exactly what their graduate school is looking for.

One tip to shorten it -- (I'm also applying for SLP) -- use more concise phrases / verbage. Match your verb tenses. Check your writing style. Be Yourself. As you re-read your SOP or LOIntent, check yourself with these three questions: 1) Does this sentence state something new? 2) Is this sentence connected to the one before or after? (you don't necessarily want it to connect to BOTH before and after because then you can cross the line to redundancy) 3) Does this sentence state something that the Admissions committee already knows? Other tips I've found in various online searches lately: - don't use "basic" words to define bigger ones - try not to re-state anything unless you feel it needs particular emphasis in your admissions consideration - Remember not to summarize what is already on your CV or resume in your SOP ... they do look at everything and you don't have to summarize the resume. They might ask for 'Specific' experiences that helped you make the decision to apply, etc, and those are good details to point out, but not too much text on that since they can see it twice already. - One university had a tip of "no flowery or fluffy" language - be clear, concise, and don't let the committee feel like they're reading your life's story. Point out what matters, let them WANT to ask your more about specific things (if there is an interview process), and try not to put in quotes that just add fluff. - If the grad program has any specific questions or a list of topics to write about, be sure to tailor your SOP to that, don't just copy/paste and change school name ... be specific to each program. I don't know if that can help you shorten your writing for the SOP, but remembering those tips has definitely helped me today as I am editing the SOP for one of my applications. Good luck!!!

Recently, a dept. head informed me that the verbal score (and analytical writing) mattered more, so you may want to re-take the GRE with a focus on increasing that score. Most programs look at your "latest" GRE scores, not necessarily the best of both sections if they're on different test dates... so definitely put effort into all parts of the test. Of course, all that depends on the programs where you are applying and what they are looking for. The 81st percentile is great, but the verbal seems a bit low. They want people above at least 150 on the new scoring system from what I have been able to find.

Agree with above post -- now is PRIME time to ask for LOR's. In fact, I'd tell your recommenders a deadline of December or January if the app deadline is February 1 -- according to one school I visited, even if it's a day late, if the whole application is not packaged together, it is NOT considered at ALL. Scary thought - even a recommender could delay that if it's a mailed LOR or if they fail to complete some little check box on an online LOR. If you give yourself at least a few weeks ahead of time on the LOR deadline, it will give you time to call and make sure your application package is complete.

If I get accepted for Fall 2013, I will be a MS -SLP student with a second masters. I did a Master of Arts in Teaching Music K-12 while I was at UNC Chapel Hill (grad 2006 and 2007), which is not wholly unrelated to SLP, but still very different. So, you wouldn't be the only one with a second masters degree. I would think that already having been through one masters program successfully would look good on the application. :-)

I'm applying there for Fall entry. Went to the open house / info day in September. Would love to get accepted there since it would be in-state tuition for me!! :-)

I have now taught for what will soon be 6 years in public school. Since I teach music, I have taught everything from K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and have seen both sides of the fence -- teaching general population, and teaching focused, student-selected courses (such as band). I'm getting OUT of formal music education. I'd love to use it as part of my SLP after I finish, perhaps in some form of vocal or speech rehabilitation therapy, but I am one of the many teachers who found another calling WHILE they were in the classroom. I focus a lot of my time on individualized instruction and also in small/ large group settings, and I am tired of 30+ kids in a class. I am tired of constantly being told that what we are doing is NOT good enough by people who have NO CLUE what a teacher actually does. I'm tired of the politics. I see my husband's grandmother work with a therapist in a rehab place, and I see our SLP at school, and I'm feeling a strong calling to go that direction with God-speed. It's a huge change for me, and I'm taking a huge leap of faith, but I am one future-SLP'er that may be back in a public school setting with one-on-one work, and eventually working in a rehab facility. The Lord only knows where we will be! Many teachers (like Decaf's post above) are feeling burned out and are looking for something more rewarding, a profession that is analyzed and treated differently, and a different type of work atmosphere. I'm one of them for sure!!!

Hi everyone, I'm working on reading through this entire thread... haha, 161 pages on it! Maybe another time! I'm applying to: Univ of South Carolina Univ of North Carolina East Carolina U Appalachian State U (possibly a few others once I get at least one application submitted) Currently, I am working on leveling courses online with Longwood Univ (Virginia) and hoping to get in for Fall 2013 with minimal "leveling" courses for me during the actual program! Degrees earned: B.Music in 2006 (UNC - CH), and Master of Arts in Teaching (UNC - CH) in 2007. Why SLP now? After 6 years of teaching many age groups, I'm headed back to be an SLP and take my skills up a few notches, hopefully to work in a rehab facility or public school. We shall see! Best of luck as you apply this year!

^^^ Agree with above post. It is a LOI, but it's not necessarily addressed to someone. If you feel you must or you are required to put such a heading, the generic "to whom it may concern," "department of ____," or "admissions committee" might be some ideas to consider.

I'd add to the above post (which is great, by the way) -- some of my school/apps want to know about my ASHA prereq's and when completed ON THE RESUME. Might be good to simply list all pre-requisite coursework in its own section supplemented by any GPA's you got from them (by school), and if completed far apart (like my UG had some of my PR's but I also took a CSD pre-req program this past summer/fall and that was through a different university 6 yrs after UG).... Anyway, I hope you can find a way to creatively add the information you need to add! Best of luck!

All of the schools I have contacted want everything within 5 years -- leveling courses, GRE, etc. Don't know if that helps you much. Definitely mention your leveling courses in your application somewhere (SOP, Resume or CV, etc.)

I have been doing some reading on the SOP / Letter of Intent as well, as there are a lot of different ways of doing it. Each university will have their own set of questions or topics you will need to address, so that is one thing to consider. Another is that you may want to contact the program coordinator and start asking questions about the program, how your qualifications match up to what they want in future students, etc. I got a lot of great advice from two department heads at two different university programs that are going to be directly influencing my SOP / LoIntent. Here is an article I was reading just a little while ago that gives some insight on the style of writing as well as the mental approach to the SOP. http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm I got into grad school in 2006 with a good letter of intent ... hopefully I can get into the SLP program next fall with another good letter! It is a bit confusing, with all of the different levels of advice. I'm interested to see what other kinds of responses you get on this topic.