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rubyslp23

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Posts posted by rubyslp23

    seeking advice/encouragement

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted · Edited by rubyslp23

    Hey we have pretty similar stories :) I'm 25 and I flunked out my freshman year with a .46 GPA! My cumulative GPA JUST reached 3.09 at the end of last semester (before Fall 2014, it was a 2.98 - I was horrified that my application wouldn't even get looked at!) but I was able to get 4 acceptances and 1 wait list, 2 of those acceptances with significant funding/GA offers. My GRE scores were decent (160 V, 153 Q, and a 3.5 AW because I suck during pressured writing tasks) but I really think my work experience, letters of recommendation and letter of intent is what helped me the most. 

     

    In my personal statement, I focused on really highlighting what I've changed or how I've changed since my first few years of college and how finding speech pathology played a big role in that.  I also made sure all of my letter of recommendation writers knew my story so they could again reinforce that I am far more capable than what my GPA indicates. Additionally, I made sure to get a LOR from a professor I took a writing intensive course with to offset my AW score. I was also lucky enough to have some pretty solid work opportunities - I've worked as a PCA, a traveling medical assistant, a nanny, and an activities assistant as a nursing home - giving me experience with pretty much every population we can work with. I'd really be on the lookout for volunteer or job opportunities that give you hands-on experience working with people we may treat and not worry so much about shadowing. 

     

    I also applied to schools that looked at the last 60/90 credits or specifically stated that they gave equal consideration to every application. 

     

    Don't give up! Schools WILL recognize your hard work. If you need anyone to look over your personal statement or anything when the time comes again, I'd be happy to! 

     

    As for the GRE, I highly recommend Magoosh!! It's great and worth every penny. 

    Utah State Accepted/Waitlist Applicants

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted · Edited by rubyslp23

    So how was the open house? Did you get a chance to check out the town at all while you were there?

     

    It was really, really good! Dr. Milman and Borrie each did a small presentation about their research interests and we watched a video made by the Gillams since they weren't able to attend the open house. Took a tour of the speech path clinic as well as the audiology clinic area - they actually are going to start building a new SLHS clinic next year - and got to chat with faculty and current grad students...overall, everyone seemed happy! The biggest complaint I heard was that Logan isn't that big - however, coming from a rural area it's not an issue at all for me. I asked current grad students whether they felt prepared, and all of them said that they definitely felt competent/confident in their abilities and that they felt they were getting a well-rounded education. It was also stressed during the open house that USU doesn't lean heavily towards medical or education in order for everyone to experience a wide range of clinical settings/experiences. The town itself was very nice and the downtown area was really quaint/cute - I'm surprised I didn't crash the first night I was there, I drove by campus around sunset and was gawking the entire time at how pretty everything was. Beautiful campus/area! As far as externships go, they DID say that they do have placements in Logan but many go outside the area (so for summer 2016 and spring of 2017.) and backed that up by explaining it helps you get EXACTLY what you want out of a placement as far as setting/populations go. Overall I got a great feeling and I'm probably going to commit by the end of the week! 

     

    If anyone wants more info feel free to PM me :) 

    Programs that look at overall candidate and not just GPA/GRE

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    Rubyslp23 Where did you get interviews and acceptance offers? I got rejected from GVSU and the email stated they had 450 applications this year!!!!

     

    I got interviews at Pacific, Utah State, and GVSU (I declined the interview offer because I didn't have the time to travel to Michigan). I got accepted to U of Maine, Utah State, ASU, and MSUM with a wait list at Western Washington. Rejected from all Oregon schools. :) 

    Programs that look at overall candidate and not just GPA/GRE

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted · Edited by rubyslp23

    Omg that is insane!  This is going to sound totally selfish but who keeps advertising this major as one for everyone to pursue when it's so difficult to get into?   :blink:   Because I can't imagine it is plain old word of mouth.  I think they need to stop publishing those "this is a great job" articles haha.  Sorry just my 'i'm intimidated by those numbers' reaction.  

     

    Glad i'm looking into this stuff now though!

     

    Ruby were you not recommending due to the crazy amount of applications or anything specific about the program?  Goodness those numbers are stress inducing!  Ty

     

    Yeah crazy!! As soon as I heard that I was completely expecting a rejection, hah. I was mostly not recommending because as someone who relied very heavily on other aspects of my application (letters of rec, personal statement, work experience, volunteer experience, etc.), I felt like my application was probably not even looked at past my GPA/GRE at either of those schools just because of the high number of applicants. My GRE is pretty solid (except for my writing score), but my cum. GPA is 3.09 so I really needed schools to look at my application in it's entirety.  Of course I could be completely wrong and they could have looked at my stats and just not liked them, but from the schools that DO look at all materials I've received some very good offers and great funding!

     

    As a side note, I've heard some less than ideal things about the current state of PSU's program, but I don't know anyone personally who has gone there/is currently attending so that could be completely inaccurate. 

    Programs that look at overall candidate and not just GPA/GRE

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    Wow that is way off.  Thank you I will be crossing UO off my list right away with that percentage gap.  Have you seen that with a lot of schools and did you find out on their school's website or just as a result of applying there.  

     

    Dang it, I hope that's not the case everywhere b/c 30% to 8% is a huge difference!  

     

    Thank you for the information!

     

    Yep - and apparently PSU had around 600-700 (!!!!) candidates this year? I feel like when you have that many applicants, its very difficult NOT to create a high GPA or GRE cut off just to reduce the number of applications in review. 

    Programs that look at overall candidate and not just GPA/GRE

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    I have a 3.09 cumulative GPA and got interviews, acceptances and wait lists! They clearly valued my life experiences/letters of recommendation/information beyond my academic performance. Check out the University of Maine (I believe they explicitly state on their website that they look at every student holistically - there is no GRE or GPA cut off), Utah State University, Pacific University, Arizona State University, Western Washington, and GVSU. 

     

    General PSA, I wouldn't recommend PSU or U or Oregon - hah. :) 

    Utah State Accepted/Waitlist Applicants

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    I might want to grill you about the open house! I wish I could go, but I'd be traveling from several states away and ultimately feel like the cost of gas/lodging/etc just doesn't make sense given upcoming moving expenses. I'd mostly be interested to see the general vibe of the program, what the facilities are like, and to talk to current students and professors about whether the program is more clinical/practical or research/theoretical in focus. Also curious about opportunities for elective courses and how clinical placements work; I've heard that some students end up doing placements a ways away from Logan because of a lack of local sites. 

     

     

    Absolutely! I can def. fill you in. I'm also traveling quite a distance but I just don't think that I could make the decision blindly - I'm really struggling with whether or not to accept at my current school just because I have great relationships with my professors and I'm comfortable, but I can't beat the price at USU! I'm also excited about the research aspect. Never thought out of state would be cheaper for me! Ahhh stress.

    Fall 2015 Applicants!

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    Okay guys...This has been the most stressful spring break ever with GradCafe! I have been spending wayyyyy too much time on here over the last week scouring the boards for grad program info! 

     

    GradCafe is a curse and a blessing to know about.

     

    Theres a good chance you'll get a letter from MSUM tomorrow or Monday! I got my letter in the mail today and I'm in town.  :)

    How are you deciding which program to go to?

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted · Edited by rubyslp23

    Makes sense! I'm wrestling with the location aspect a little; I wish I had gone your route and given it more consideration while choosing schools to apply to. My top two are both in great (albeit very different) locations, but one has a much lower cost of living. I'm going to try and make it to the open house for USU so I can get a better feel for everything. I feel like this is such a big decision, I'd hate to screw it up!

     

    If you do happen to make it to the open house, you should let me know! I really hope I am able to go. The only thing that scares me a bit is the fact that classes start June 1st - I graduate May 14, so that doesn't give me much time to move/get settled...I have a feeling I'd be on my own for that first month, with my husband and dog moving at a later date. As of now I'd go to USU for sure, but I'll find out if I get in to my alma mater next week which will definitely influence my decision. 

    2015 SLP Admissions Thread

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    After 2 years of applying and receiving 8 straight rejections across the board last year, I finally got accepted into grad school today!!!! I can't even explain how happy I am. Taking the year off and building resume really helped me so much. My fingers are crossed for everyone else!!!

     

     

    CONGRATS!!! I am so happy for you!! 

    Utah State Applicants

    in Speech-Language Pathology Forum

    Posted

    Oh I interviewed last week too! I probably didn't word that the best. Thanks for replying so quick, I'm just so frazzled right now - you're right, they are turning out to be SO weird. I don't understand their method to sending out notices because they seem to be so all over the place, and I too feel like it would just be straight up cruel to tell me I'm rejected over the phone, but who knows. If that is the case, I'm not promising I won't make it awkward haha. 

     

    I'll definitely give them a call and check back in here, at this point I just want to rip the band aid off regardless. 

     

    This is the most confusing process ever. 

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