CaraL
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Posts posted by CaraL
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Future Dal students - the 2nd year class will be making a Facebook group for you early in the summer, with lots of information and current students in it!
You'll receive info about it in your email. Congrats! -
Are they open today?
No, Dal is completely closed today!
I know that Dal has a certain number of seats reserved for students from the Atlantic provinces. Is it possible that they contact those students first, and then the other students later?
I have pretty much given up all hope for the U of A by now. Keeping my fingers crossed for Western and Dal still. I have a strong feeling I won't have gotten into U of T, but I guess it's too soon to give up on them either.
I don't think so, I'm from the maritimes but a couple of my friends heard back around the same time and they're not. If I recall correctly, last year I had until April 21st to respond to the offer. I think they try to get everyone accepted to be notified on or before April 1st because they know that's when the Ontario schools let everyone know definitively. I'm also not sure how long the waitlist is!
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Has anyone had the nerve to inquire if Dal is through sending out acceptances? I'd sure like to know!...starting to feel discouraged.
Sigh..Huge congrats to everyone who's gotten accepted!!!
Hey! Last year Dal sent acceptances to affirmative action applicants 2 weeks before the rest of the acceptance emails were sent out - I got mine on March 28th (regular stream). Also keep in mind that Dal has been shut down the last 2 days due to a huge snowstorm, so nothing has been happening whatsoever since Tuesday. I'd guess they're on a similar schedule as last year, which means around the very end of March. Good luck!!
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Thanks CaraL! Were you emailed your acceptance?
Yep! It's an odd email, it basically tells you that your application has been forwarded to the department of graduate studies with a recommendation for acceptance, but despite the weird wording it's a firm acceptance (so don't freak out and be like WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?! you're in!). I'm not sure what the procedure is like for waitlisting!
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Just wanted to pop in and say good luck to everyone waiting! I know what a stressful time this is. And also to mention that I got my acceptance from Dalhousie last year on the morning of March 28th, but I know others started hearing back the week leading up to then too. The wait is almost over!
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I really wanted to do a messenger bag because I love the look, but I'm getting rid of my car and moving to a "walking city" so comfort is more of a consideration. Also, my school is on the side of a mountain and walking campus feels like hiking, so I have to go for support over style.
Not sure if they told you this during orientation, but the communication sciences and disorders building is moving this summer from the side-of-mountain building you visited (Beatty Hall) to one that's downtown and completely off the mountain. So unless you're hiking up to the Biological or Chemical sciences buildings on campus, you won't have to be walking uphill.
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Dal only accepts 24 people so I can't see the list being longer than ~15 people (maybe less?
), but I'm just speculating I actually have no idea.Not sure if this is helpful but deposits for accepted students are due April 29th so I'm guessing you'll hear definitively after that!
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Wowww, touchy much?
I was just saying that this particular forum is for SLP grad school supplies, that's all.
- danielle90, badgergirl, tkay2010 and 2 others
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My list:
Backpack
Ink Pens
Snow Boots
Sanuk Flip-Flops
A 4-year supply of Kleenex to catch my tears
Alcohol
psycD, aren't you doing a phd in CSD? I have a masters in CSD and while the research is related, it's not a clinical/professional degree. this forum is for speech path programs...
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Did anyone ever paid to take GRE classes and was it helpful? I am thinking about taking classes at U of T. Any input would be great. Thanks.
I had one friend do it and she said it helped, but mostly because the financial commitment motivated her to study a LOT. I think if you're the type who can self-motivate to use a study book (I used Kaplan and studied for one summer) or do online tests consistently, you can definitely forgo the class. If you need that extra push to be really on top of it, the class will definitely help!
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Rejected by western and UofT, but thankfully I've been waitlisted at Dal as well. It seems like there is quite a long list... too bad we can't receive any rankings.
Does anyone know the class size at dal?
The class size at Dal is 24! A friend of a friend in the program told me that in the current class, 4 people got in off the waitlist. But each year is different! All depends on everyone's options. I'm not sure how big the waitlist is.
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I also got waitlisted for Dal, but I can say for sure my spot will be freed up, as it's my last choice!
Does anyone else think Dalhousie seriously needs to update their application process?
I remember reading on ORPAS that OT/PT have a later date for sending out replies, some time in May I believe. Don't give up just yet!
Yes and no. I really liked that Dal allowed references to be submitted electronically, and their process (I found) much more comprehensive than the ORPAS one. I felt like I was actually able to present myself as a human in their app - I liked the essay prompt, being able to submit a CV, etc. With ORPAS it was mostly grades such a super brief statement and tiny descriptions of experiences. It was annoying to have to print out the documents and mail them for Dal though (I hate filling in PDFs...) so hopefully they update that soon!
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Spoke to a friend in the program at Dal, and they said from what they heard acceptances were sent out before April 1st and that waitlists/rejections would be out by mail. Sounds very similar to Toronto!
Fingers crossed for waitlists for those still waiting to hear!
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For Dalhousie folks - my admission offer has an April 21st deadline, so it may be until after that before you hear definitively! I'm guessing they send out rejections and waitlists by mail, and I have still yet to receive anything from them by post regarding my admission. When I called I was told the registrar's office is still printing/sending official offers of admission (what I received in email was a signed letter from the director saying my application had been sent to the registrar's office for admission). Hope that helps!
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Psyc labs are awesome for research experience if you get involved in all aspects of the process, and it's often easy to make connections with CSD/SLP. Can't beat it.
I'll jump in on this bandwagon and say I also got my foot in the door with research in a psyc lab! got connections and experience, and it's actually where i learned about speech pathology to begin with (had no idea this profession existed before 2011, oops!). started on the cognitive spectrum of things and shifted toward the linguistic aspect as i honed my interests, and all that experience helped when i was making my research proposal for my undergrad thesis.
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Anybody heading to Dalhousie this fall? I have happily decided on Dal and am getting so incredibly excited! Private message if you're also heading there so we can connect and get pumped!
Congrats to everyone who also succeeded in this insanely (ridiculously unbelievably) competitive application process, and even bigger congrats to those who were not successful this round but who are determined to try again. Your future clients will appreciate your tenacity.
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That's how I felt, although I secretly wanted to go to UBC (it's the only Canadian school I applied to)! It's my third year applying, which makes it feel extra special
. I'm from Edmonton, Alberta so it's not too bad. How about you? I saw that you're waiting on the U of A--that's a great program! Although not as beautiful as Halifax 
.Oh yes, I know of Halifax's beauty
Currently living in Montreal. This is my second year applying and I definitely would have done a third round next year if I'd had to, so I applaud your determination!! Major congrats on UBC. -
That's exactly how I felt about my 5 rejections after I got into UBC, lol. Are you decided on Dal? Congrats! I am very excited for UBC but a bit nervous to move!
Not decided on Dal yet, but of the 4 programs I don't really have a "first choice", I knew I'd be elated to go anywhere I got accepted since they're all such amazing programs. It'll be a tough decision if I have to choose! Is it a big move for you? Where are you from? I've heard BC is beautiful!
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Exciting! I applied to Western last year and was not accepted. I couldn't remember which night it was...it's weird that it's on April Fools though, lol.
Haha yeah, I really hope they don't send out any "just kidding!" emails!
I'm excited to finally hear back but at this point there won't be any bad news - I'm happy to have gotten in anywhere!
I bet you must be excited for UBC! -
So, will you guys find out at 12:00 AM tonight or tomorrow night? Fingers crossed for y'all!
Sounds like we hear from Western either way around midnight, and from Toronto by email tomorrow morning if accepted. If not accepted I think we won't hear anything until later.
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I'll preface this with the fact that I haven't applied yet, but will be for Fall 2015, so you can dismiss what I have to say if you want to.
I agree 100% with this. It's a little frustrating to see all the focus people here put on numbers. You don't apply to a school and give only your GPA/GRE; why would you think that's all that matters? Especially when you're getting into a highly competitive field like SLP grad programs. As someone who considers themself a "less competitive applicant" due to my lower GPA (in my major and overall) I'm going to (try to) make my personal statements the best writing I've done in my life. "Putting your soul" into your statement sounds like a great start.
The only reason we care so much about numbers here is because it's the only thing we can share so easily with each other, and it's an easy, albeit inaccurate, gauge. I'm not going to post my resume or post my personal statement in my signature, but I can easily post numbers. But those numbers alone don't define me or my application, and they don't define any one else's, either. They are important, of course. After all, I even call myself a "less competitive applicant" because I know they do matter and because the average GPA for most programs is high, and much higher than mine. But that statement of purpose and those letters of rec are important too. This is something I think is especially true for those of us who consider ourselves "less competitive" because our numbers are lower, or even if your experience is limited. But don't forget there is more to an application than your GPA and GRE, and it's worthwhile to put as much time as possible and then some into your SOP.
Let me also add that I do not think the GRE is the end of your application alone, but it's good to do well on it. I'm taking it on Sunday, and I have studied a lot for it, so I do think it is important.
But it's not the only important thing. However, if you can improve it, it wouldn't hurt to take it again. The average GRE for SLP admissions is actually fairly low, so if you can shoot to be in the range or above depending on your school, it can't hurt. But remember that the GRE only tests how well you can take the GRE and nothing more, so if you really can't hit those ranges, don't feel bad.Definitely! Honestly the reason GPA and GRE are so competitive in this field is because we know that the programs are incredibly demanding. Schools want to know that you will be capable of handling the workload and the level of difficulty of the material, and of becoming a successful clinician. In order to do that you need to know how to study effectively and use time management. Having a good GPA and GRE generally reflects that ability. That being said, we are human beings and not test-taking/degree-getting robots and admissions committees do appreciate that - otherwise they wouldn't ask for reference letters and statements, it would all be a numbers game. Schools want to accept applicants who they feel confident will be able to successfully complete their program. Most of the people I've spoken to already in programs say that once you're in, the "competition" factor is gone - no one competes with each other because you're all there for the same goal, becoming an SLP, not competing for grades like in undergrad. The fierce competition part is just getting in.
In your statement, I would focus on demonstrating your passion for the field and highlighting the fact that you are prepared for graduate level coursework. That's what they want and that's why this program is so competitive. Since the programs are so small, they don't want to accept a class of 30 people and only have 20 of them become clinicians - that'd be a waste of time, spots, and resources. They want to feel like you are 100% a sure bet, and if your "scores" don't impress that ability you need to convince them in other ways.
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I know, right? I was pretty confident about getting in to school, but have not gotten one offer yet. I'm trying to figure out where I went wrong. I'm wondering if one of my professors gave a less than glowing recommendation. I might not have put enough work into my personal statement. I'm not a strong writer so I know it could have been better. I'll admit that I thought I could rely on my stats to get me in and I should have worried about other parts of my application more.
Honestly I think the statement is probably the most weighted part of the application. My GPA was not stellar (though I had excellent GRE scores) but I put my soul into my statement (sounds cliche but I was really honest in it) and I got into a Canadian program with a ~6% acceptance rate. If you don't get in this round, I'd work on your statement. Also when I asked my references for letters, I gave them my statement for each school and my CV and everything so that they could see how I was presenting myself and know what to corroborate/elaborate on in my letter.
- MangoSmoothie and mollypaget
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Hi Everyone!
I'm waiting to hear back from the Ontario schools as well. I also applied to Alberta (I got in
) and Dalhousie (still waiting).Good luck to those waiting to hear back!
Congrats on Alberta!! You and I are the same but opposite - I also applied to the ontario schools, Alberta, and Dal, but got into Dal and am still waiting on Alberta. What's your first choice?
Edited to add: Everyone else - what's your first choice program and why? (just for fun!)
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Congrats CaraL! Maybe we'll be classmates!
That would be awesome! I will definitely have a tough choice ahead of me if I get in anywhere else - I'd love to return to my home province, but would prefer a 2 year program. But we'll see how it plays out on April 1st! How about you? Do you think you'll accept Dal's offer?
And speechykeen - my first applications two years ago were straight out of undergrad and I hadn't discovered the field of speech path until the end of my 3rd year, so I was really not well prepared! I'll inbox you my stats
2015 Canadian SLP Thread!
in Speech-Language Pathology Forum
Posted
If anyone heading to Dal has any questions feel free to send me a message!