DeafAudi

Argh, I wish you were closer to me, trejsi, I'm having a HARD time with one of my linguistics courses that I am taking! haha.

I think that's great experience and will really stand out on your application. Good luck!

Yes, give it a try for sure! And if you don't get in, apply again. How relevant is your experience to SLP? Most schools look at your last two years rather than your cumulative GPA. In your letter of intent, you can state that you did not do well in your first couple years but did show an upward trend and will carry this on to graduate school. Then you can talk about your experience. I think I will be doing something similar. Also, when I was researching American schools, I noticed that many schools had in their requirements that they required a 3.0 GPA but were "willing to consider a 2.8-2.9 GPA from Canadian applicants". Syracuse University is one that I can think of from the top of my head. Good luck!

Hi Asemooooo, My GPA isn't much higher than yours so I think that you have a chance. Did you show an upward trend in your last two years? UBC told me that it was essentially my GPA that did not get me accepted. It was a more competitive year than usual and most of the accepted applicants had very high GPAs, with an average of 90%. They suggested that I keep showing my commitment to Audiology by volunteering and researching and possibly working in the field. I wasn't really sure how to take this, as they had pretty much told me that my GPA was too low, so I decided to take two classes this fall (upper level courses of Audiology prerequisites) while also volunteering and publishing a paper with one of my mentors. As for your question of experience, I really addressed my personal, volunteer, and research experience in my letter of intent. I would suggest that you do the same. I am also considering possibly addressing my lower GPA in the letter. Is your degree from an American or Canadian school? Also, I have heard that mature applicants often have an easier time getting into graduate school because graduate schools do value experience.

I wasn't even aware of the Australia program until recently. Have you looked into applying to American schools? I did consider it last year but have since decided that it is simply too long for me. I am already 25 and want to get started already. I hope this won't come back and bite me in the ass later because I heard that there is a possibility for Canadian requirements to change to an Au.D. rather than masters, although that won't be for several years, if ever. Also, just curious what made you decide on audiology? I have always been familiar with the field, being a bilateral CI recipient. Good luck with your applications and it is so nice "meeting" another fellow prospective Audiology applicant!

Hi xanc, Thank you for your reply. I actually have been in touch with OzTrekk and they are wonderful! I will certainly be applying through them for January 2015 if I don't get accepted to a Canadian school this year. Are you also applying?

How low is your GPA, if you don't mind me asking? That is good that you are applying to a broad range of schools; I have heard that Canada can be more GPA orientated than the States, while the States also looks at other aspects of your application, like experience. That said, I don't have a high GPA either but I was waitlisted at UBC last year and was told that my experience helped.

Just curious if anyone has looked into going to school in Australia? For my program, it would be twice as long to go to school in the States (4 years). It would be expensive and a big change but I'm willing to do anything to work in this field!

I'm applying to Audiology and I wear a cochlear implant. What really makes me different is that this is actually my fourth implant! I had meningitis when I was 2 1/2 and my (implanted) right ear just did not work for me. My device failed three times and finally, my left side was implanted. It has been almost ten years after my last implant with no problems. I really feel that my experiences has given me a greater understanding of the benefits and also limitations of cochlear implants. Good luck to everyone else applying this year!

Hi there! Thank you for your advice, I did find it helpful and will look into LSU. As for the U of A, I actually attended a smaller community college in the same city. However, I do know that Canadian schools tend to deflate their grades relative to some of the American schools. For example, I was looking into applying to schools that wanted a minimum 3.0 GPA but would consider a 2.8 from Canadian applicants. I have also found that we often have significantly less programs than in the States, which can make things very competitive. For example, we only have three Audiology programs in Canada and 35 spots in total! I am not sure how many M.Sc. in Biological Sciences we offer but I would look into that. Finally, I would say that the U of A is probably moderately competitive, it isn't a "Canadian Ivy league" school but is still a top school. I hope that helped! Good luck!

Also, do you know the average GRE score that Dalhousie looks for, and which sections of the test they focus on?

HI! Wow, I think that you have a really good chance of getting in this year to SLP; you have much more volunteer/work experience than many people I have seen get into the program. Although you have an average GPA, sometimes experience really offsets this. Your experience in Kenya is especially interesting . Would you be willing to apply to any of the other schools in Canada? Do you know how competitive Dal is? I also have a low to average GPA: 3.1 overall and 3.4 in my last 60 credits (on a 4.0 scale). I am interested in Audiology because I am a bilateral CI recipient who has been through multiple surgeries. For volunteering, I volunteered at a local preschool program for Deaf and hard of hearing children, at a local hospital doing research work and helping with the clients and other non-related positions. I also received two grant-funded student research assistantships through my university, both of which focused on CI research. I also sit on two boards, one for the school for the Deaf here and the other for a national organization for hearing loss. I haven't actually been doing much volunteering for the past year but I am going to start again this Fall. I will also be taking one or two additional classes in Linguistics to boost my GPA/improve my prerequisites. I hope that will be enough. Honestly, if I were you I would focus on my classes because I think your volunteer experience is amazing! Keep in touch and we will stress together come January, LOL!

Hi there! I am also applying for the second time this Fall to Audiology. Where did you apply last year? I applied to UBC, Dalhousie and UWO. I was rejected at Dalhousie and UWO and waitlisted at UBC...I'm hoping that I will get into UBC this time around. How are you working to improve your application? I don't have the highest GPA so I am taking two classes this fall, as well as volunteering more. Good luck!

Hey there! First, I'm an Audiololgy applicant but I thought that I would direct you over to the Speech-Language Pathology forum under Professional programs here: http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/95-speech-language-pathology/. I've found it very informative. Secondly, I think that you have a good chance of getting in. I'm not even sure if you need to do the 2nd bachelor's degree (although from what I understand you will need certain prerequistes). You obviously are smart enough for grad school if you got a 4.0 in another Master's program and have succeeded in your chosen career as you did. Just make sure to focus on your passion for SLP in your LOI and obtain excellent LORs. It sounds like you have colleagues who would be willing to do so. Again, I wouldn't be the best person to ask but that's just my two cents. Good luck!

Hi there, I hope that everyone is having a great summer! Canadian here--I am looking into reapplying this year (again!) for Audiology. Previously, I applied to the three Audiology Masters programs offered here in Canada, was rejected from two and waitlisted at another. Seeing that it is now August, my chances of being accepted off the waitlist are pretty much null. My GPA is average at best, only a 3.1 cumulative, 3.4 for the last 60 credits and 3.5 for my major. I have extensive personal experience, being a bilateral CI recipient myself and many volunteer hours in a relevant field. I also have two related grant-funded student research assistantships under my belt and sit on two boards at a school for the Deaf and a national organization for hearing loss. That said, I am looking into applying for less competitive schools, possibly in the central or northwest States. So far, Louisiana, New Orleans and Missouri stand out to me. I am curious if anyone has any suggestions or luck with applying to some of these schools. Many offer the Speech program as well, so I am assuming that they would be about as competitive. Thanks and congratulations to those beginning this fall!

Ooh, ouch! I'm debating if it is worth it for me or if I should continue trying to get into Canadian universities...it would be easier for me to get a job here in the long run as the Au.D. is different than our Masters program. I guess I need to set up an appointment to talk to the grad school coordinator at my school. Thanks!

How many classes total did you have to take?

I'm actually very curious about this, as well...

Thank you I'm happy that you made it off the wait list, it gives the rest of us hope!

You just never know until you actually hear back from the school...you also still have UCF to hear from. Meanwhile, try to focus on other things. I know it's hard...I don't think I'm getting an acceptance this year either but am trying to get myself excited about the next application round. I hope that even if you don't get in this year you will try again next year!

Dibbels81, thank you very much for your response. That is something that I hadn't even thought of. Honesty, I am not at all familiar with American schools as I never thought that I would need to apply there but clearly I need some more options. It will be pricey but worth it wherever I go!

I am in a similar predicament as kem1. I have a low to average GPA with lots of volunteer and research experience. I am planning on applying to American schools next year to widen my net and am wondering if anyone here knows of any less competitive programs? I come from a psychology background too, if that helps. Kem1, I think that you certainly have a chance of getting in, although I was rejected from two programs this year I was also wait listed at another and received good feedback. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear that . I was wait-listed this year but it's looking like an eventual reject...also year two of applying. However, I plan on REALLY working on my volunteer and research experiences and applying the next round. I think you should, too! You need to ask yourself if this is your dream and if it is, don't let anything stop you. E-mail or call the schools that rejected you and ask how you can improve your application. Also, you should consider applying to more schools if you are able. I only applied to one last year and got nowhere. Good luck!

So, I basically have come to terms that I won't be going to school this year . The deadline to accept was over two weeks ago and there are only three programs for Audiology in Canada...evidently people are hanging on to their spots. I guess I will spend the year saving money and working on my resume. Hopefully the fact that I was wait-listed this year will count for something next year. Good luck everyone who was accepted and those who are still waiting! I have a lot more hope that the wait list will move for SLP .

Ugh, I'm losing hope as each day goes by. Thank you!