LDadvocate

Hi daisynic!!! Thanks for responding back, I'm sorry I'm bombarding you with questions but do you mind sharing where you got your NY teacher certification at? I've been quite discouraged lately about obtaining my tssld because although you are right there might not be jobs available, I can't find any programs that offer the 6 credit course for the tssld. I graduated from Queens College, and they mentioned on their website that 1 three credit course was available but the other 3 credit course is solely for grad students. I checked out hunter too and likewise its the same thing. Even if jobs are scarce, I'd rather have something under my belt than nothing. and I just found out NY doesn't allow SLPAs which makes me think I'll be stuck with my undergrad forever.

@asemooooooo I agree with autism advocate, I am considering myself going back to school for a post bacc because I'm afraid my programs will judge my GPA and deny me. Just because you have a plan B doesn't mean you cant return to Plan A. I kinda got inspiration from one post in the Hunter admissions results page..one student had a low undergrad GPA but excelled in their post bacc and therefore received acceptance from Hunter. I'm not sure if you're familiar with the CUNYs for graduate school but they are extremely competitive, they are very selective (ex: Queens College accepts about 16 students a year). Whose to say what will happened, maybe you are qualified in other areas, but don't give up!!!

Checked my application status for Brooklyn college, it says its being reviewed, SO NERVE RACKING!!! I wanna know but at the same time I don't..

Hi daisynic, I'm also a New York applicant and I totally agree with you about the competitiveness in New York. I have a couple of questions since you already been though this experience last year. You mentioned getting your NY teacher of speech certification, how did you get that? Because I have read that you can work with your bachelor's but you must have your tssld. Our GPAs are pretty similar, did you ever hear back from Montclair after you were waitlisted?

That's crazy, even my professor commented that anything less than 500 words was absurd. St. John's required a 300 word essay, it was like "Hi, my name is so and so and.... I did this and that...and undertaking graduate study will..."..the minute you look at the word count in your bottom tab, you start to freak out, and imagine saying to the committee, "But waitttttt!! there's so much MORE to say, please don't do this to me"..loll But then I thought (and not to freak everyone out) a short concise essay would probably be best because if they receive X number of applications and they need to review each one, reading each essay would take a huge chunk of time out of the committee's day, especially if they're tight on time (lecturing classes, tending to current grad students, maybe facilitating their own private practice) IDK I really don't but if the committee has all but a couple of days, they probably want to make it quick and painless not realizing their haste decision affects everyone's future. But like I said in another post, whose to know what they really look for.

You know what, I never even thought of that, good suggestion. I'll contact them and see what they say. Thanks for replying

Make sure you have awesome LORs to go with that GPA. Ask them in advance like 2 months (maybe even 6 months, I had a professor that made a list a semester before she gave letters because she had a cutoff) It's terrible when you THOUGHT a professor would recommend you but find out they can't and you are left racing like a chicken without a head for your next recommender. I can go on and on about this but I will overkill in this post. haha autismadvocate, how do you find out your last 60 hours GPA? Did you go to registrar or something?

Love the tenacity autismadvocate I checked out your website, it looks really professional like an SLP wrote this, have you reached out to other autism forums (maybe mommy autism forums) to promote your website? I'm really excited you made this website because I never took an autism class, leaving me clueless but understanding of the condition. Now that I think of it, schools should have autism 101 as a pre-requisite. But yeah, I forgot you made a website (self promoting worked in your favor)..loll love it Also how did you create a website?

Nice, I've been looking into brain stuff and will definitely pick it up in the library. It's so funny because its been a while since I've been in a speech class after graduating, so I've been looking up brain-related articles in children. I was starting to forget what really pulled me into SLP that I started to think I was more of a teacher than a hopeful SLP. loll I forget that some of the techniques I use with my students are SLP incorporated. Although your recommendation would really open my eyes to brain trauma patients. I like that. Speaking of BRAINS the walking dead is returning this SUNDAY!! I CANNOT WAIT!! and speaking of Jane Austen, I might pick up a copy of Pride and Prejudice Zombie edition in the library. OHH YEAHH!!

Yeah I applied to Brooklyn College, Touro College, Mercy College, SUNY Plattsburgh, Marywood University, Kean University, and St. John's University. Most of the CSDCAS schools I picked were in NJ around NY so I'm not as disappointed if I passed the deadline but still $245 is a lot of money but honestly I expected this season would drain every dime in my bank account so I'm not sweating it as much. The other schools I mentioned, I pray to get into or get on the waiting list. You saved yourself a lot of anger and frustration by not applying to CSDCAS schools..lol I think there is one school that's a tad lenient than the other schools about transcript submission. But I wont let it get to me, if worst comes to worst, I will know the ins and outs of application season next year. Oh Boy, don't even get me started. I'm not sure how CSDCAS works by scanning everything in but they should consider an extension because of the weather. God only knows how many times the office closed because of the snow storm. I live in the northeast and we've been having snow storms left and right, it slows down everything. Honestly, I know its not CSDCAS's fault but there are other schools that have processed applications so much faster like the CUNYs (e.g Brooklyn College). I'm just upset that it takes them this long to process or scan a transcript. It's literally about to be a month since I sent out that transcript, but I will keep my zen on and promote positivity in these stressful times..loll I will pray to the CSDCAS gods for you too...lmaoo (*for anyone offended by that statement, I'm a Catholic too just lightening up the mood, sorry in advance) Sayjo, I totally understand what your saying. I was full aware that it took 4 weeks to process, but I just can't help but compare the quality of service that some graduate schools have than others. I don't know what Brooklyn College does but they confirmed with me everything was received by website and by phone (idk maybe it was the documentation sheet that helped them) but still CSDCAS goes through this whole process, it's mentally draining and financially draining. I know CSDCAS didn't do anything wrong, Iz justa venting out some anxiety..loll. It is an anxiety thread after all

I kinda wanted to know if anyone has ever documented their observation hours privately. By which I mean: 1)You are not currently enrolled in a college or university or you are BUT (check out #2) 2)You already finished your required 25 hours of observation 3)A facility has agreed to let you observe sessions but you would like to document these hours as proof I'm thinking about doing extra observation hours on my own free time, and while I know graduate school can never accept these hours into the 400 hours, I wanted to know if anyone has ever done this before; have documentation of these hours. How would you be able to prove to a grad program that you observed all these hours? thanks for your input

Getting everything in time frustrates the cupcakes out of me...I've noticed the CUNYs are much faster with processing. I gave up on CSDCAS already because they cannot seem to process my final transcript. I have a face palm imprint on my face when the CSDCAS representative told me that they have to scan the transcripts in. I'm praying to the lord, I just get looked at. Now that I know it's past the deadline, I will probably be rejected but as long as they don't send me a rejection letter stating it wasn't completed on time. If they do, I will learn from these mistakes and forever condemn CSDCAS as the slowest confirming system on this planet, SHEESH!! I might as well wait for its confirmation for Fall 2015 Anywhooo, keeping my WOOOOSA in control and looking into Plan B so keep me occupied for the fall.

Recently I picked up an old high school book, To Kill A Mockingbird. I don't know what possessed me at the time not to read this book and look to sparknotes, but I'm reading it again and it's absolutely beautiful. loll I'm a nutjob too like I'll watch the movie, read actor's bibliography, read critic reviews at the time of its release, I'm just nuts I tell yah. Honestly I haven't gotten up to it but I'd read some graduate books if I could. If you look up a professor at your favorite school, I'm sure one of faculty members has written a book, why not show them your interest and read the book. THEY'RE JUST SO EXPENSIVE!!!! LOLL

twinguy7, thanks for sharing that insight. I'm kinda in the same boat as you with a low GPA 3.2 (three years ago it was a 2.75) so I naturally get anxious if ill ever become an SLP because I feel undergrad is my last stop and nothing is moving me forward. I would love to work in a school since I hear it's hard to get into hospitals as an SLP. I think any experience in the SLP word is worth it. Even though you may feel that you're giving second rate therapy, at least your making a difference in someone's life. CONGRATS on sending out your final app out, I got 4 more to send out

Okay let me correct myself, you can practice as an SLP with a school if you have your bachelors. I wouldn't consider it my route because most schools in NY don't hire those without their master's so there really is no choice other than to obtain your master's. But here is the website I found, if you can find the published date please let me know otherwise, here is where I got my information. The publisher in the website list the ASHA document that shows the requirements http://slpecho.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/plan-b-for-the-slp2b/ I found this to be quite helpful for those that are unsure if they're getting into grad school. (*sorry if it doesn't take you straight to the link, my computer freezes when I try to link a website)

wow twinguy7, that's crazy! I just looked it up and you're so lucky, I wish they had something like that in New York because I learn better with experience. Technically New York is one of the states which don't require a masters degree to practice but not really sure how people can get a job when your competitors might have their master's degree. Is this your first time applying to grad schools?

Thanks everyone for the amazing advice, I'm really loving the push and pull here..lol (btw how do you guys quote each other, do you have to copy and paste, then press quote?) I wish I had more time writing this essay but the deadline is tomorrow and I've had my doubts in general applying to grad school. This year I procrastinated so much because I didn't believe in myself with everyone's amazing stats and the fact that northeastern schools are so hard to get into. I'm expecting rejection letters but my conscience would be better off knowing that I tried. I made it speech related to feel safe but im regretting it after all youz guys great suggestions (e.g Helen keller and influential movements)..lmaoo We'll never know how the admissions committee justifies their acceptances but I have a clip of what goes on in the admissions process. I found this in my crazy days of trying to be perfect and create the perfect application. It's not for a speech and language school but you can take a look, the funniest part is 01:20..ENJOY! http://youtu.be/Y-OLIJUXwKU If it doesn't load, on YOUTUBE look up the keywords "College Admissions: Inside the Decision Room" by Bloomberg In the frame, there is a group of people around a table with a green bottle on the table

So I'm applying to Kean University, and the million dollar question is; "Imagine that you have the opportunity to travel back through time, at what point in history would you like to stop and why?" I find this question to be refreshing and different from the common SLP personal statement questions- BUT at the same time I thought is this a trick question? Because if you were to ask me when I really wanted to go back I'd say: when dinosaurs roamed the planet, when JFK was still around, the moment when the UFO landed in Roswell, or the 80s to see how my parents really met, (you get the point) But this is for a speech school, so I feel OBLIGATED to make it speech related. I'm wondering are they testing my creative writing skills or my logic? I do plan on making it speech related just to save my AAAAAApplication loll but I'm interested in what others have to say? (* If you did apply to this school, you don't have to say what you placed in your essay because I know how crazy people are with plagiarism and if you didn't, what would you do?)

Hey twinguy7, you said you worked as an SLP? You're licensed already?

That's exactly how I feel autismadvocate; I can see your level of interest with autism truly shines from your experiences and knowledge. Although I never had experience with autistic children, I did tutor a girl with an autistic brother. Their mother was very rigid with their diet and quite frustrated with her son's progress with the ABA therapists and SLPs. As a new mother to a 4 year old and 3 year old, she would question the routines and exercises her son would be doing: sit-ups, walking up and down stairs, touching new objects, throwing objects, and catching objects. I saw the exercises as vital but she saw them as a waste of time. I'm not sure if subconsciously she felt this way but she and her husband had a prestige medical background and a daughter that was gifted intellectually. I had a feeling she compared her daughter's and son's milestones which she shouldn't have because her children had a huge gap on an intellectual spectrum. By 4 years, her daughter read at a second grade level, wrote the alphabet perfectly, and had a memory of an elephant. It must have been painful as you said because whenever her son would laugh, she would always say "he doesn't know what he's laughing at, sometimes it's inappropriate", granted she never said this as he was laughing because she took any moment to connect with her son. I still remember one day when I finished tutoring his sister, as I said my goodbyes by the door, he waved his hand bye to me. It was such a good moment that day. All these things you refer to, such as bleach, I never knew these things existed. It seems barbaric to introduce that kind of substance to a child, even more threatening when a parent is handing these toxins to their child. When children (especially those with special needs) depend on others, you can't help but be drawn to them to better their lives and protect them. Ughh I know this is definitely off topic, but as soon as you mentioned the fear of letting the child in the backyard, I think of Avonte and wished more people like you worked in schools to prevent a tragedy such as that one. May his soul rest in peace. Changing the subject, that's so cool that you took Mandarin, I don't speak Chinese but I have Asian features. Are you looking to pursue your bilingual certificate? I met a special education teacher and she said even though she didn't speak Spanish fluently, her bilingual extension allowed her to reach other clients and helped her income somewhat significantly.

Just finished my app for CSDCAS, it turned out one of the schools I picked was an orange school..YIKES! Hope it gets there in time and that my college can deliver my transcript any faster. My brain is fried from SOP revisions, not looking forward to doing another SOP with a different sop question. On a self-judgment, did anyone feel as if their personal statement was straightforward or story-ish? I felt mine was story-ish, a route my professor encouraged when she read my SOP. However when I went to my career dept. counselor, she hacked right through it making it sound more relevant to speech.

loll you guys make me sick too...alright imma stop!! let me tell you, for the students returning to school sometime regardless of what age, 30 or 43? You have so many experiences, less doubt, and more confidence under your belt. I'll never forget when I underestimated an old timer in my statistics class, Debbie a 45 year old with a teen son in high school was looking to become a counselor. In statistics, she was on her GAME!! I swear, she must of wrote in Morris code or some alien language because whenever a lecture finished, she managed to get every single word the professor said. How do I know this? When I asked to see her notes, she wrote in chicken scratch that could be confused for Morris code...loll so for the students that come back into speech, I got my eye on you.. loll Debbie got a A and I got a B+ I look up to older students too because you have so much to say. I wish I could get my mother back in school, I worry about her. Last year she lost her job after 20 years and tried to get back into school for respiratory therapy but couldn't pass an entrance writing test. You had to see her; racing to class, her notebook and nerdy glasses lol, and studying like crazy. Unfortunately, my mother is the type of person that if she puts tons of energy in a task, and doesn't receive the rewards she aimed for, she second-guesses herself . Idk moms are weird, their the best cheerleading squad for you but harshest critic on themselves.

Autismadvocate, please see my username as flattery loll Strangely enough I'm also Spanish and Chinese, I identify most with my latino community OMGosh LORs bring anyone down to their knees. It's so exciting when they agree, but after you login to CSDCAS and see that 0, you start freaking out. I had a whole melodrama with each professor. Professor A took a long look at my transcript, saw a terrible grade in hearing science and gasped! I kid you not, but I didn't know what the big deal was because I retook the class and got an A-. Professor B only did online apps, at first she didn't want to give it to me, I had to beg her because I told her I went to a graduate open house and the professor there said volunteer service didn't matter, only GPAs and GREs. I told her how disappointing it was and that I needed her to vouch for me. God only knows what that woman said about my pushiness..loll but hey I got it. Professor C at first lost my hard copy LORs with my social security #s on them, I wanted to die when she told me this but then she called the next day and found them. Thanks for those words about #5, I took a year off and I'm very nervous about the future. I'm 23 and I graduated high school 6 years ago, most of my classmates became nurses or are in a nursing program. Not saying that I want to be a nurse but I swear every time I go on Facebook, you see such glamorous lies that are so distorted, they look so real. It's quite depressing, and I worry about stuff like when I will become a mother and like when I will become a respected individual. The latter is the worst; I'm a tutor for children with and without disabilities, I absolutely LOVE my job, I wish I can go on and tell you stories about how each kid has changed my life but that's for another thread..loll Here's the thing, about 3 months ago, I worked in a learning center and at first my boss loved me but then she began to hate me for being outspoken about certain learning methods showing my experience beyond her treasured certified teachers. She and my coworkers ganged up on me and I believe it was because I was the only one with a bachelor's in speech while the others (but my boss) had their bachelor's in teaching. I wasn't a show-off or anything, I just knew how to teach, that's it. I was not respected and was thrown under the bus by a fellow co-worker, but if you knew me, you'd know I wasn't taking none of it. My co-worker pulled the crocodile tears and told my boss I was unreasonable, my boss yelled at me and I told my boss, " I QUIT!" I walked out free-spirited again but wounded badly from their hurtful, constantly "second-guessing me" comments. I don't think anyone close to me knows how much that job killed my confidence. People tell me to let it go, but it's so hard when certain words echo late at night. Just because I wasn't certified or licensed, I take pride in my "informal" experience because whatever I do, I always take something from it. Every now and then, when I think of my former boss, I turn to my students and know my presence affects them. I judge by the hugs, smiles, laughs, playful conversations, serious conversations, and perseverance each student gives me. It's the only thing that reminds me to pursue my master's. About your dad; wow. Sometimes I don't think people especially dads, know the strength of their words. Other times, I feel dads often don't know how to express encouragement to their children. (I speak from experience with my own dad, although he accepts me, I feel like a son to him- as odd as that may sound. I was taught never to cry in front of him). For dads, such as yours, I think you're doing the right thing by not even mentioning grad school apps because once that train goes, it doesn't stop. With your impressive stats, I'm sure you will make it and it will be the sweetest victory for no one but yourself. Just for writing this thread, God has saved a seat for you in admissions and heaven..loll