ballerina18

Cool idea for a topic. Let's see... 1) Professional Kitesurfer (No skills whatsoever, but determined to make this a hobby one day) 2) Professional Photographer that travels the world (HA!) 3) Professional Ballerina (Nope. Heh) 4) Speech Language Pathologist (Specialist in feeding/swallowing disorders- Hence grad school) 4th one is attainable. =)

Hello. Congratulations on your acceptance to Idaho State University onelonebird and dylofish! Welcome to the ISU program. You are going to have so much fun! I am a current graduate student at Idaho State University on the Meridian Campus. Please let me know if you have any specific questions about the program. I am happy to answer any of your questions/concerns and provide you with more information. Cassi~

Hello EF1988 and Spinnendehase, I am a current graduate student at the Idaho State University-Meridian Campus. Congratulations on your acceptance and welcome to the program. You are going to have so much fun! =) Please let me know if you have any specific questions about the program or the Boise/Meridian area. Cassi~

Idaho State University. I love my program so far and couldn't be happier with the academic and clinical faculty =)

I'm a first year graduate student. My best advice is to branch out and apply to many different programs. East coast programs and California programs are competitive. You need to be willing to go anywhere and apply everywhere. Best of luck!

Hi there, I am also a first semester, first year SLP graduate student hoping to make my resume look great for post-graduation. I will be watching this post for ideas as well. So far this semester I ran for co-president of NSSLHA (and won), I volunteered in a research lab on my campus, and I am also going to the ASHA convention this November. I applied to be a volunteer for the convention, but my main goal is to network with other professionals and gain research ideas for a thesis. I've been trying to branch out and meet other professors in my department. I would like to volunteer with an SLP or otolaryngologist around my community, but I'm learning that grad school is a juggling act and I'm not sure I have the extra time to volunteer. We shall see though...Other than that I'm just trying to do well in my classes/clinic and make a good impression with my professors.

Things are going well so far! I'm entering my third week of classes and I am loving my program. My slp cohort and faculty are wonderful, my classes are interesting, and I just met my first clients today. I have a feeling that I am going to LOVE clinic this semester. I also decided to run for co-president of my nsslha chapter and I just bought my tickets for the ASHA convention in Florida this year. I am definitely busy, but I am not overwhelmed just yet. I've worked hard the past two weeks to work ahead in my coursework so I'm hoping that if I can just stay ahead of the game then all will be well. :-) I have to remember to eat though. I'm finding that I get so bogged down working that I often don't make time to eat.

Hi slpgirl19, Thank you for offering to answer our questions. I have a lot ;-) I'm curious to read your thoughts on the praxis and comp exams and how to best study for each. Did you choose to do a thesis or portfolio during your program? Why did you choose that route? When do you think is the best time to take the Praxis so that a student isn't overwhelmed with exams and comps at the same time? Do you recommend specific praxis study tools? When did you start your job hunt for a CF? Did you reach out to specific institutions or did you simply respond to online job postings? Do you feel there is a lot of competition out there for medical CF positions? Did you attend any SLP conferences (ASHA) or present any research during grad school? Would you recommend attending conferences? What do you think is the best way to network during grad school? Did you have any awkward experiences during clinicals? What helped you to get through those awkward moments or those times where you didn't know what to say/do next? What is the best advice you received in grad school about clinicals, cf year, getting through classes, and being successful? Thank you =) I'm off to check out your blog!

I applied to SLP graduate programs two years in a row. Here is the rundown from my experience: For Fall 2013 Admission: I only applied to one online graduate program. I was very overconfident and underestimated the competition in this field. I still needed to complete some prerequisites, my SOP was only so-so, and my GRE scores were average. I didn't follow up much on my application. I didn't want to "bother" anyone in the admissions office so I basically waited to hear from them. Despite having an excellent GPA (3.9) and good letters of recommendation I was wait-listed and then denied admission. For Fall 2014 Admission: This time around I applied to three different programs all across the country (Kentucky, Idaho, Colorado). I did not limit myself to only online programs. My GPA was marginally higher this time around, I had completed all prerequisites, GRE scores were still the same as I chose not to re-take the exam, I chose different people for my letters of recommendation, and I worked for MONTHS on my SOP. The final version of my SOP was extremely different from my first draft. I made a point to follow up often on my applications. I called the admissions office, sent emails to the office secretary, sent hand-written thank you letters to all the secretaries of each program, and I continued to make my interest in their programs known. I was initially wait-listed at the program I was accepted to, but I kept in touch and made it off the wait list. =) I'm so excited to be starting an slp graduate program this Fall! Having gone through the process twice, I feel like I recognize my mistakes from the first time around. My biggest mistake was not applying to a number of different programs and seeking out the best programs for my interests. I didn't branch out and take risks. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

I purchased all of my textbooks online. I figure I will want my textbooks for the future so I compared the prices of textbooks on half.com, ebay, and amazon. If you think you might be interested in renting then www.chegg.com is also a good site. I found a lot of great deals, but I still had to spend quite a bit. =/

I'm definitely nervous, but I am starting to feel more prepared for grad school. I purchased all of my textbooks and I signed on a 1 bedroom apartment yesterday. I've done most of my school shopping (binders, laminator, label maker, digital recorder, notebooks, clipboard) and I was able to purchase one of those purple and yellow Praxis review textbooks. =) I wont be able to move in to my apt until August 10th and even then I am working up until August 17th (classes start on the 25th) so I'm trying to decide what to pack up now and what can wait. I need to make sure I'm up to date on my immunizations (for clinic) and make sure my cpr/first aid card is still current. I'm also hoping to update my CV and start a Praxis review binder. I figure I wont have much time to do those things while in school so I'm hoping to get all that done this month. There's so much to do!

Hello everyone, I just have a quick question for you all. Does your graduate program require you to take sign language or a 2nd language course? As an SLP, will I be at a disadvantage since I do not know sign language or a 2nd language? What is ASHAs take on the language requirements of an SLP? Thanks!

I'll start =) My FEAR is that I am not cut out for grad school and that I wont be able to manage the clinic hours + class expectations. I'm worried that I will not be able to pull myself together and get organized enough to make it through my program. Does anyone else feel like this? My graduate school FOCUS will likely be in the realm of dysphagia. =) I am enamored with everything related to swallowing therapy. I'm already starting to consider doing a thesis on something related to the NICU & dysphagia. =D My career DREAM (well obviously this might change as I am a newbie to speech pathology) but I like to think that I will eventually work towards a BRS-S. Assuming my interest in swallowing disorders does not fade I expect I will want to become a swallowing specialist. =) What about you?

Hello Everyone, I loved twinguy7's Hope, Dreams, Guesses thread that was posted a few months back. Now that many of us have been accepted into programs I would love to read about your graduate school fears, focus, and career dreams! Please share =)

Has everyone figured out their housing situation for the Fall? I still need to narrow down a budget, but I am pretty sure I will need a roommate.

Like everyone else I am a big bag of mixed emotions. I'm beyond thrilled, but super nervous to start grad school. I haven't cracked open any textbooks to review yet, but it's on my to-do list. I've bought a few school items (laminator, glass frames to make dry erase boards, label-maker, & a few other things) and I've been trying to figure out my housing situation. I would like to room with another slp student if I can find someone from my cohort who needs a roommate, otherwise I need to find a studio apartment. I've also been spending a lot of time on slp blogs and forums. I like the two slp blogs already posted above, but I've also been exploring the slp section of the student-doctor network, slp grad student videos on youtube (oliviaslp), and I like to read the comment sections on slp job articles. This page has a nice list of slp blogs: http://blog.asha.org/2012/03/15/the-best-speech-language-pathologist-blogs-from-a-to-z/ I'm interested to see how everyone else is preparing for grad school!

I'm bumping this post, because I don't think there has been much discussion on this topic. I will be entering a program that has the choice of either the thesis option or the portfolio/exam (where the student is required to volunteer, do community service, patient advocacy, and write research papers in place of the thesis) option. Both tracks still have to take an oral exam and the Praxis, but I would love a discussion on the pros/cons of a thesis. Does the thesis track afford more job opportunities or better CFY application consideration? Also, how soon does an SLP graduate student have to decide if they want to do the thesis or not? Thanks for any insight.

How about supplies for clinic? I'm starting to think that it might be wise to bring some stickers, toys, random kid stuff (ect..) to graduate school. Also, what about good SLP apps to check out now?

Congratulations! I attended the ISU SLP online leveling program. I loved it! The classes were interesting and the instructors are wonderful. Try your best to do well in the classes because graduate school for SLP is very competitive. Good Luck!

I'm going to grad school! OMG! I got the call today notifying me that I was pulled from the waitlist for the Idaho State University Meridian SLP graduate program! I was pleasantly surprised to get the call! I didn't think grad school was going to happen for me this year. Meridian was my second choice, but I am thrilled. They said they would notify me if a spot opened up for the online program (my 1st choice), but there are 8 other people ahead of me for the online program so I'm pretty sure Meridian will be my grad school home! I couldn't be happier.

I was accepted to Idaho State University (Meridian Campus) this afternoon! OMG YAAAAAY! I really didn't think I was going to hear from them again this year. I even started a Spring application to another university last week. I am so happy I can't believe it. A HUGE wave of relief is just rushing over me. The thought of not having to re-apply to grad school and re-take the GRE is amazing! I got the call while I was out shopping for a kayak and camping gear. I figured I would blow all the money I saved for grad school and just become a beach bum for the rest of my life. Lol! I'm so glad I have a more realistic & stable future now! Hahaha OHHH...and now I get to go change my signature below. HOORAY!

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm still waiting to hear from ISU and Northern Colorado. Realistically, I do not expect to get off the waitlist at UNCO. There was an email saying their cohort is full for the Fall, but I will remain on waitlist in case there are openings. I'm waiting anxiously to hear from ISU. ISU is pretty much my last hope.****fingers crossed****

I still haven't heard anything either. I will hold out for 1-2 more weeks with the hope that I will be pulled from a wait list. However, I am starting to make plans to apply for spring admission and retake the GRE.

Katielea, did you email Constance or one of the graduate coordinators? Thanks. =) I've been in contact with Constance, but now I'm thinking maybe I should email coordinators at both ISU and UNCO. Congrats again =)