jpiccolo

Honestly, I feel the same way. It was hard to let go, but at the same time I know the cost I would've incurred would have been extremely high and taken forever to pay back. I've been up and down all day but I'm glad I'm not alone. And hopefully someone else will appreciate the opportunity to go to the schools we turned down. 

I kinda know the feeling. Somewhere else would be an adventure! A change! That was what was keeping me from automatically accepting the cheapest option. I would consider what facets of the program do you really like and are they much different from the one you don't like. Are the class options much different? The placement opportunities? Faculty you'd rather work with? I realized this week that the placement options are what mattered most - and the cost. I'm going with a school that I can have 1-2 semesters of externship anywhere in the country. While I'm not making the big cross-country change like I've been hoping, I'll have very little debt in the end and in two years, I can hunt for jobs wherever I'd rather be and have a nicer apartment. I probably sound super biased right now towards the cheaper school, but I have a brother with over 100K he owes in loans from undergrad and grad school. He has to have a good job to keep paying the loans and his cost of living is super high. He's gonna be paying them for 25 years. If you go that route, just have your eyes open and if you think you can handle it, maybe work a few hours a week to help curb the cost. Good luck on your decision! I think you can make the best of whichever school you choose.

I got off a waitlist today and they gave me until the 20th.

Congrats!! That's gotta feel so great! I'm happy for you.

Amen. Hate that test. I took it twice and definitely improved the second time. The nice thing about Magoosh and retaking the test is that they guarantee a certain number of increase in points or a refund. Pretty worth it! The videos are way helpful and soooo many practice questions. Check it out. 

Amen. Hate that test. I took it twice and definitely improved the second time. The nice thing about Magoosh and retaking the test is that they guarantee a certain number of increase in points or a refund. Pretty worth it! The videos are way helpful and soooo many practice questions. Check it out. 

I have not heard. I won't accept even if I get offered but no I haven't gotten anything. It might be another week or two.

Ugh I have no idea! It bounces between cost, location, and things I like about the programs. I do feel lucky to have multiple offers but choosing where to go is a rollercoaster. I really hope to visit my top 3 just so I can avoid having regrets about not choosing a program (hopefully). I haven't heard anything about funding for a couple; if I got really good funding that could be a game changer otherwise it'll probably be what I like most about the program. They each have such different structures and possibilities which makes it tough. I guess at the end of two years I'll still have a good education, some debt, and the freedom to go somewhere else if I want. 

Congrats!!! It's so great to finally get validation for all that hard work. Good luck with your interview!

Not all of my schools required a resume, but the ones I did I included the most important and relevant information like jobs, internship, a volunteer experience, and leadership experience. I don't think a lot of little extracurriculars will make or break your application. They want to see that you are really interested in this field and maybe have tried to get relevant experience to show your dedication. I'd say your SOP has more pull then a resume, especially if your 'busy' resume isn't super relevant to speech therapy.
 
I have the same concerns about my LORs. My professors didn't know me that well either so I have no idea what to expect there except I know they used information I gave them about my grades and experience. I think though if they were willing to write you letters then they at least felt confident about recommending you. 
 
Honestly I don't know that I have any major wisdom to help you. It's easy to be discouraged because this is such a competitive program. It really is. That being said, try to recognize that you've done all you can for the current app season. It's out of your hands for now and you've done your best. If you aren't accepted, take it as an opportunity to use the time for boosting your app. If you don't get in this year, consider retaking the GRE and boosting those scores. See what you can do about being an intern, volunteer somewhere, or try to find an SLPA position. I'm a second year applicant and I still feel a little unsure of myself. People keep telling me I'll get in but they really aren't in a position to say for sure. I also applied to Indiana State and I think your scores are about what their averages are. Your scores may not be the highest (and mine aren't either!) but it's still possible to get in. Just try not to get to anxious before things happen! You've got a few weeks at least until universities start sending decisions. Do some fun things and avoid looking at the results pages from years past - that has the potential to worsen your anxiety as you look at other scores and start comparing yourself. I did that a bit last year and earlier this year and it has the power to make me feel both confident and like I've got no chance. Overall I think the best thing is to try and focus on fun, non-stressful things and maybe make a tentative game plan for what happens if you don't get in. Do you want to reapply? How will you boost your app? Is there something else you'd be happy doing? 
 
Idk if that helps at all but those are my thoughts! Things will work out for all of us on here I'm sure of it.

I think all I saw at USU was the minimum is the 40 percentile, but higher is more competitive. Yeah CSDCAS has its pros and cons. I really hate the ones that make you apply on CSDCAS and the school itself. Utah State has been annoying because they won't email my professors until the whole application is submitted, including my SOP. I'm like, just let them upload ahead of time!!

You can! Two of mine were mailed yesterday a week or two after my first school got mailed.

I haven't heard that it makes any difference to attend a low ranking school. Every school's stats I've seen say 100% job placement. Considering how tough it is to get into any program in this field just be willing to be flexible and apply to a variety of schools. I'm keeping my options as open as possible after getting 5 rejections last year.