NWGirl24

I would definitely go with the strongest recs you can. I was a post-bac too, and was in the same dilemma you're in now. I chose to have my letters written by professors who knew me really well in undergrad (I majored in English) and my work supervisor (from a related field), and I was accepted to several grad programs. I did not have a single letter written by CSD faculty. One of the members of the admissions committee at my post-bac institution even told me it was better to have non CSD professors write really strong recs than have CSD professors write so-so recs. So it is possible!

My quantitative score was 148 and I got into all programs I applied to, three of which were in the top 25 ranked SLP programs. Experience in the field or related field, good recs and a strong personal statement can help overcome your quantitative score. Also, your high verbal score should offset it as well. The programs I applied to seemed to put more emphasis on the combined score, so check with the programs you're applying to to see if they really will care about your quantitative score given your high verbal (and high combined) score. If I were you, I would put your time and energy onto crafting a strong personal statement. Good luck!

I did AmeriCorps for two years with a literacy nonprofit and it was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. My GPA and GRE were fairly average, but I believe this experience helped me stand out and get accepted to several programs. AmeriCorps is tough--you're not making much money, and the job is demanding (psychologically, emotionally, and physically). But joining AmeriCorps and successfully completing a term or two or service shows determination, strong work ethic, a desire to give back, and perseverance. Also, you'll get hands-on experience working in a strongly related field which will give you lots to draw on for your personal statement. On my resume/CV, I listed it as "service" experience because like you, I wasn't sure whether to list it as work or volunteer experience since it didn't seem to fully fit either category. From the schools I talked to, service experience like this is highly valued. I think it may help give you an edge over other applicants. Also, you're eligible for an education award after a full term of service that you can apply to existing school loans or a future program. When I did it, I received $5,500 per term, and my total award after two terms paid for my entire first semester of grad school (housing, books, tuition, food, etc). Hope this helps!

I didn't have a single reference letter from an SPHR professor--I had three from professors from undergrad (two from English, one from Poli Sci) and one from a former supervisor....and I got into grad schools without a problem. The advice I was given was to choose the professors who know you the best and who you can count on to speak the most highly of you using concrete details of your accomplishments and personal characteristics. I hope this helps! PS. Are you at Portland State? I did my post-bac year there last year

Last year Arizona State didn't require letters, but that may have changed.

I'm pretty sure San Jose State doesn't require the GRE. They do want the CBEST though, which I've heard is a lot easier.

I've been in clinic for a few weeks now and am honestly really enjoying it. No program is perfect and everyone will have different feelings about their supervisor. There will be great supervisors and not so great supervisors (just like in any program or job). So far I have had a really positive experience with my supervisors and clinic assignments at CU.

Try looking for programs affiliated with the WICHE program. As a California resident, you would be eligible for in-state tuition at an out-of-state school if they are a WICHE participant. You can find more information here:http://wiche.edu/info/publications/wrgpHandout.pdf There are only a handful of SLP WICHE programs (UW, CU Boulder, Utah State, Idaho State, EWU, University of Northern Colorado) but they're worth looking at! I am currently at CU Boulder and am really enjoying it. I've heard UW's program is also really good. Also, EWU coordinates its program with WSU, so if you applied to and were accepted to EWU, I'm pretty sure you would have access to the same professors, classes, internships etc as WSU students but I'm not positive so don't quote me on that. Best of luck!

To give you some hope-- my combined GRE score was lower than yours, with a lower math score (148) and higher verbal score (156). I got into all of my top schools. I did have a good GPA and two years of related experience and spent months on my personal statement, but my scores were definitely on the lower end for those who were applying/accepted into my program. I spent months agonizing over my poor scores (and even took the test again and did worse) but everything ended up working out. My feeling is that schools generally (at least the ones I applied to) cared mostly about your combined score, and as long as you were above a certain mark (usually 300) you were fine. Don't lose hope! The GRE is not the end all be all. However, if it is causing you that much anxiety you COULD take them again, just to feel like you're doing everything in your power to boost your application. Taking the GRE again didn't improve my score but it did lessen my anxiety about the whole process.

CU Boulder: https://www.facebook.com/groups/394583077346263/