Jolie717

Here is a list compiled by alissavar - scroll down to the second block for schools not requiring the GRE:

Here is a list compiled by alissavar - scroll down to the second block for schools not requiring the GRE:

Ian -
I'm sorry, but "Jared from Subway" who is facing criminal charges is so far removed from "an SLP student that had a tough year" that I am truly struggling to think as to why you would have ever brought that into this discussion.  I could not possibly have thought of a worse analogy if I had tried.  
 

I completely agree that the system needs to be changed.  I have a friend who had a rough childhood, disfunctional family, drugs, cut classes, crashed a car and the list goes on.  Applied to a university only because his father said he was kicked out of the house if he didn't.  So he purposefully applied to an aeronautical program knowing his "stats" from high school wouldn't suffice.  To his surprise he got in, with honors, thanks to his stellar SATs (he's a brilliant guy - just hated and was bored with school.)
He hated the major and flunked out.  When he was actually ready to go back to school, he breezed through a local community college, got into a prestigious university, worked his ass off and went on to earn his PhD at Harvard in Organic Chemistry.  And yes, the university he flunked out of was left off of his apps. 
I have a hard hard time swallowing the notion that when someone messes up, doors should be slammed in their faces for life.  It's ridiculous, really.
 
 
 
 

Well that sucks about your classmates - if anything, it's their loss.  But then again, if you look unapproachable (and you might, to them) then people won't approach unless *you* make the effort.  And not sure if this applies in your area, but if you don't look sort of "preppy and mainstream" in interviews and in class, this may affect how interviewers/professors view you as well.  I used to have four different hair colors in a year, but when I started SLP I switched to one and took all of my (nine) ear piercings out.  And this is in California, where people are fairly liberal.  Sigh.  Not fair, but it is what it is.  I also had to work harder at making SLP friends as I am an "older" student, ha ha.
At any rate, as the previous poster said, observation *definitely* counts as experience.  Find a way to work it into your SOP.  Discuss a client or a specific therapy session you observed that really resonated with you in some way.  Maybe mention (if you feel comfortable) that you are more introverted but that such and such an experience really drew you out of your comfort zone.  I would be willing to bet that half or more of our professors are introverted and would most likely identify with others who are introverted.  (Not saying you are introverted necessarily since I don't know you, but just in case you are).
Your stats are are fantastic - I don't have the time to compare them to your schools, but can assume you did and am guessing yours are higher than what is expected.  BTW it's funny you mentioned Dungeons and Dragons - one of my professors was into it when he was younger and he came across a client who was obsessed with D&D.  He managed to get through to him and help him in therapy because of this common interest.  So you never know what random skills you possess may come in handy some day.  Keep your chin up!  

I've applied for every ABA therapy job in my area.  50+ job applications (all online and mostly for minimum wage positions in food service or retail.  Whenever I try to go in person, they tell me the application is online) in the last 2 months.  
6 interviews, no job.   My friends don't really know why.  My boyfriend suggested sexism, but I doubt it.  I even had a group interview with my brother, and he was shocked that he got called for a second interview and I didn't.  When he got his call, he had assumed I had already gotten one.
I haven't shadowed an SLP, but I've been "observing" a couple of them.  I don't know if that's the same thing. 
I'm not sure if there is volunteer work available.  I'll have to look into that, but everytime I've volunteered for anything, I've felt useless.  Programs here in my college town are so oversaturated with volunteers that there's nothing to do.. 
The reason I've noticed my classmates steer clear of me is because I get to the class early, and no matter where I sit, no one sits near me.  Girls in my cohort typically are in a sorority, very bubbly, athletic, type A personalities, etc.  I usually dress in black, combat boots, etc., and read comic books and am very strongly a type-B personality and I guess they can just tell they don't have much in common with me.  Nothing against them. 
At this point, I can volunteer a bit, but grad apps are due in a few months so there is only so much I can do to improve.  Right now I'm just wondering if it's still likely I'll get in to the schools I want to go.  Stats match up (perfect GPA, decent GRE scores), but I'm not well-rounded.
 

Observation definitely counts for something! At this point in the game I definitely wouldn't be beating down the door to volunteer if you aren't finding something that's a good fit. Have you thought of looking into being a literacy tutor for kids, teaching a science class for kids, or working with the special recreation department? I found that I had to sift through the Internet using multiple keywords to find places to volunteer at that weren't the usual top ten and over-saturated. 
I think each year is rather a toss up in terms of admissions. You seem like a strong applicant with the stats, and you do have some observation to put on your resume. Again, at this point, there are only so many variables that you can control. If I were in your shoes, I would probably try to observe one more place, and focus on my SOP. 
Also, a lot of college towns have fierce competition when it comes to minimum wage service jobs. From personal experience I've noticed that a lot of hires are referrals, already have experience (especially food, ABA, and retail haha), or fit a certain personality type. Something to look into that actually doesn't require an interview (at least where I am from) is being a substitute paraprofessional in the public schools. You fill out the app, take a proficiency test, get a backround check, then are entered into the system. When an opportunity arises, you just click and the job is yours if it's still available! 

In my program there is an advisor whom I have heard (in person) tell a prospective student that they need to prepare to live like a Tibetan Monk, lol.  Sleep, eat, breathe and dream SLP apparently.  I'm a mom of two, I worked part time, volunteered at both of my boys' schools, babysat a friend's 4-month old four hours per week and enrolled in a CD course load that they highly discouraged plus an additional non-CD class (Physics) on top of that.  Honestly all programs want to see their students succeed - it makes them look better after all!!!  But if you are HIGHLY disciplined and work really hard, you can probably make it work.  You know yourself better than any of the professors do.  I would imagine many programs discourage working, not just mine and yours.

I go to CSUN too and would love to know who said that - bcz she is dead wrong, lol. SLPAs in my son's school district (LAUSD) are hired at about $25/hr. That being said if I get hired as an SLPA while in grad school I plan to keep it quiet as I have heard that there are many SLPs and professors out there who seem to take issue with both SLPAs as well as CD grads who work as an SLP while in a Master's program (with some restrictions of course) using a waiver. The fact that they might look down on it is completely understandable if you think about it.
I plan on trying to get some ABA experience myself this summer as I know it will provide me with both a valuable training/learning opportunity and should help boost my apps. But I'm certainly not doing it for the money! I guess those interested might want to look at the cost of going through an SLPA program and time it would take vs simply gaining experience as an ABA. You can get your SLPA without going through an SLPA program if you already have your BA/BS in Communication Disorders AND you can secure your own additional clinical experience hours (either 70 or 100 hours if I remember right). This is true in California at least - I would assume it would be the same in other states as well.

Edited to add: Oops - just realized phinale123 covered what I mentioned in my last two sentences - sorry for the repeat!

Like the other poster mentioned, try to think of these classes as something you are paying for (even if you have a full scholarship lol) and that you need to get your money's worth. I understand the burned-out feeling, but I'm guessing that because these are required classes you will need to have had them in order to do well on our future board/licensing exams.

Plus you may find info from the "boring" classes useful in clinical practice. You might think audiology is irrelevant until you have a five-year-old client with a hearing aid sitting in front of you. Understanding the specifics of his/her hearing loss might better enable you to treat them effectively. One of my instructors talked about how bored she was during a cleft-palate lecture and she thought it wasn't a real concern as we are in the US, not a third world country. Lo and behold, one of her first clients in the school system here in the US was an unrepaired cleft palate client from the Phillipines.

CSUN (Cal State University Northridge) has an online post-bacc / leveling type program that offers automatic acceptance to the Masters program provided you maintain a 4.0 GPA in all of the classes.

http://tsengcollege.csun.edu/programs/cdsp

Great points - especially if you are looking to go into the medical side of SLP. That being said, I was wondering where you heard about the healthcare ranking system / totem pole? I would imagine that the Audiologists work more closely with the MDs you mentioned but not necessarily PT or OT (except for orthopedic surgeons). But maybe it depends on the type of hospital and area of the country? One of the SLPs I work with is actually the director of rehab services for a big hospital, so she is "above" PT and OT so to speak.

The importance behind some of the anatomy / physiology we are responsible for (like in Speech Science) and in general the area(s) we specialize in became evident to me when she described her involvement in video fluoroscopy studies (where she sometimes catches previously missed tracheoesophageal fistulas, etc) whereas PT is not qualified to do so. This is something I find truly exciting!

Like the other poster mentioned, try to think of these classes as something you are paying for (even if you have a full scholarship lol) and that you need to get your money's worth. I understand the burned-out feeling, but I'm guessing that because these are required classes you will need to have had them in order to do well on our future board/licensing exams.

Plus you may find info from the "boring" classes useful in clinical practice. You might think audiology is irrelevant until you have a five-year-old client with a hearing aid sitting in front of you. Understanding the specifics of his/her hearing loss might better enable you to treat them effectively. One of my instructors talked about how bored she was during a cleft-palate lecture and she thought it wasn't a real concern as we are in the US, not a third world country. Lo and behold, one of her first clients in the school system here in the US was an unrepaired cleft palate client from the Phillipines.

I agree w/ Twinguy - I'm a Respiratory Therapist and all of our SLPs are days, with a handful of PT weekend SLPs. SLPs don't really provide "critical care" as RTs, RNs, and MDs do (among others). And by that, I don't mean SLPs are not critical members of the team.

I haven't heard of night shift PT or OT either.

The SLP I work with was a full-time residential student, and the mom I know is a part-time residential student. I haven't gone to the information sessions yet as they have always conflicted with my schedule, unfortunately. I usually just ask questions of my professors as they come up. The mom I know went to a session but I think she said they didn't answer any questions that she hadn't already researched and found out on her own. Since you have to commit pretty soon, I would make a list of your questions and contact the department today to see if you can get some more concrete answers. The office staff is there but the professors are likely on Spring break as we are, so you may not here back till next week. PM me if you have a few specific questions - I might be able to ask one of my professors on Monday after class.

P.S-I am brand new here I clicked a red tab to see what it did and apparently have given myself a thumbs down  is there anyway to take that back ?  Thanks!

She said a few more than usual - so I'm guessing maybe 55ish?

And oops - i meant to say they met yesterday. My mind is already on Spring Break lol!

An SLP that I work with went to CSUN for undergrad and grad (not online). She said that from comparing notes with classmates it seemed that they first looked at the GPA for the CD classes, then overall GPA, then lastly GREs and the rest (experience etc). I'm sure it could vary from one year to the next. For one thing, I've heard that our Dept Head might be retiring this year or next, so that may change things up.

An SLP that I work with went to CSUN for undergrad and grad (not online). She said that from comparing notes with classmates it seemed that they first looked at the GPA for the CD classes, then overall GPA, then lastly GREs and the rest (experience etc). I'm sure it could vary from one year to the next. For one thing, I've heard that our Dept Head might be retiring this year or next, so that may change things up.

My Ws occurred so long ago, that I doubt they will count against me now. But five years back, in a job interview, I was asked about them. I had a reason for them (there were three in a row for three different semesters, same class). I explained my reason (pregnancy with a rough 1st trimester, then returning to school too soon after my baby was born). It helped that I had taken the course later on and received an A, I suppose, but if you do think this class is taking away from others a W might not be so bad. I would ask your advisor and also maybe call the schools you are planning to apply to and ask them as well.

Oh, and I got the job. Even before I had graduated and received my license to practice.

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!

One of my professors got his CScD at Pittsburgh and he loved the program. He said his pay scale was at a higher level at his hospital due to his doctorate. (Just above six figures).