katieliz456

Thanks for sharing! This is one of the best articles I've read on this topic

My field tends to be flooded with applicants, so some schools automatically trash the bottom XX% of applications according to GPA/GRE, because they don't have resources to evaluate 500 full applications. So I'd say GPA/GRE are definitely important because you need relatively high scores to even get your foot in the door. Again, speaking for my discipline, I think resume/experience is very important, followed by LORs, then transcripts, then SOP. They seem to care more about the grammar/structure of the SOP, rather than the content. The exception would be if you have unusually low scores or something else that you explain in the essay, in which case it could be quite influential!

One school I applied to had absolutely NO type of online application system, so it was impossible to check my status. (All application materials had to be physically mailed in.) I hadn't received any communication by early/mid-April, so i finally called and learned that my application had been reviewed for the bilingual program (even though I had only applied for the monolingual program), and that I was waitlisted. I'm amazed that I wasn't flat-out rejected, considering I have no bilingual experience and no foreign language classes on my transcript! Aside from that phone call, I still haven't received any other notification from the university. So strange!

Thanks, and same to you at Utah! Great choice!! Darn, we could've been over-stressed AZ Vandy buddies together

Thank you guys all so much for the input! I ultimately decided on Baylor-- the program seems like a much better fit for me, and I know i would've been miserable at Vandy since I'd be stressing out about loans the whole time and wouldn't be able to enjoy the experience. I also know that I ultimately hope to end up in Texas, so it makes the most sense (to me) to choose a school there (I'm not saying that student loans are bad, just that I'm super sensitive to that kind of stuff and tend to get wayyy stressed out about finances, so it would be a bad situation for me, personally.) CONGRATS to everyone on their decisions!! And I'm thinking of our Boston friends today : (

I hate to spam the thread like this, but I really need advice from y'all: AFTER declining their offer, Vandy offered me a 25% scholarship this morning! It would still be 10k more expensive than Baylor, but 10k isn't a huge amount in the grand scheme...I really love both schools and think I'd be happy/successful at either, but now I'm having doubts. What do you think/what would you do, fellow SLPs?? Thanks

From what I've heard, the good thing about GA positions is that they are super flexible & work around your class and clinic schedule. Outside jobs might require 6-hour shifts, but with a GA position you could come in to grade papers/code data/etc. for 45 minute blocks between classes. Also, there wouldn't be any commute time between work and school, which would be nice:)

I sure hope so!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out:)

Wow, that sounds like a tough decision! At least you have two great options:)

Hahaha thanks! Yeah, i've been going back and forth this whole time, but ultimately decided Baylor was the best fit for me (even though it is ranked #73 lol). Have you made your decision yet??

Yay! I know you'll have a great experience there:)

I will be attending Baylor! I'll be looking for roomies!

I put my Vandy acceptance in the mailbox before leaving for school this morning...then I immediately regretted it and ran home to remove it before the mailman came This afternoon, I officially accepted my offer from Baylor! I couldn't be happier:)

Mystique, if you don't mind me asking, why do you consider the larger program size and the self-guided curriculum to be solid "pros"? From what I've heard, lots of people say a smaller program is better because you get to build closer relationships with your peers & profs. Also, I know I'd want to be in classes with my cohort so that we could study together/commiserate I'm just curious if these things are really that important to you?

Bahahaha that's hilarious!

Yeah, re-taking the GRE would greatly improve your chances. Now that you know what to expect from the test, even getting a cheap GRE review book at B&N or doing some online practice would help I believe that numbers don't mean much, but I've heard that some schools get so flooded with applicants that they basically put everyone's numbers into a spreadsheet and delete all but the top 100. It isn't fair, but the schools don't always have the resources to do an in-depth reading of 500 applications, so they have to make the cut somewhere

Hey Carli, I just sent you a message (should pop up in the upper right hand corner of your screen) Congrats on your acceptance!

I was looking through old threads, and I read an awesome post where someone viewed it as an entrepreneur taking out loans to start a small business. The difference is that while many small businesses fail, we are (basically) guaranteed a stable career with decent pay (and we will only be obligated to work 40 hours/week). I thought this was an interesting perspective, and makes the numbers seem a lot less intimidating!

Hey! I was recently accepted to Baylor and will most likely be attending:) I did a double major in Speech & Hearing Sci. and Human Development. My cumulative GPA is 3.75, and Speech GPA is 3.9. GRE V: 168, Q:160, AW: 4.5. I was involved in several research labs, both volunteer and paid, and defended an honors thesis last month. Baylor seems to look at the whole "package", rather than just the numbers. The staff/faculty is very accommodating, so I'd definitely recommend contacting them prior to applying (I also opted to apply for Summer 2013, and I feel like summer might be a teeny bit less competitive than Fall admissions, since only in-field applicants can apply for summer.)

Oooh, thanks for that website link! I am super excited about all of the Mexican food options... I've lived in Phoenix for 20 years, so I would be going through major withdrawals if I had to move too far from the Southwest : P

Yep! My top choice from the beginning was UNC. The location seems amazing, and my program there is really strong with lots of opportunities in the Triangle Area. However, the department (faculty/staff) hasn't been very friendly or welcoming, and they haven't made an effort to sustain contact The current students seemed to *like* the school, but they don't LOVE it, and weren't very persuasive. This was also my most expensive option, especially since I probably won't have NC resident status by my 2nd year. Now, my top choice is Baylor! Everyone has been super friendly and enthusiastic; the director even called me and spent 30 minutes chatting. I'd get to start in June and spend the summer helping with the literacy camp for local kids. Now, I'm really excited to be moving to TX next month

Wow, thank you! Waco actually sounds like a really fun place to live I'm bringing my car, but will most likely opt for housing within walking distance of campus. I definitely want to have a car to go exploring and shopping, especially during the hot summer months. This might be pushing it, but are there any/many vegetarian-friendly dining options in Waco? I know college towns usually have a pretty good variety of food, but I figured it'd be good to have a heads up Also, are there any neighbourhoods to avoid? I heard that if I stay close to campus, it will be safe & mostly students, but I want to make sure I don't end up in a sketchy part of town haha. Thanks!