speechful11

Hi all! Is anyone else wondering how good their references will be? How important are references compared to grades? Does anyone know? I am wondering about the clinical one in particular. I really wish we didn't need so many references; they are so subjective and you just never know what they're going to say

I wonder how they can check that it is legitimate if it is a just a doc you created and uploaded online? Or how exactly did you mean? I am having trouble with this too. I have only been able to find two course websites. Otherwise it takes people to the course catalogue where they have to do a course search.

I didn't notice the latter part of your comment. That is confusing. I don't want to put down things in the wrong place and appear as if I don't know how to read instructions. :-x

Hi! Does anyone know if we can list research assistant experiences in the "other volunteer experiences" of the ORPAS application? Is it better to talk about them in the personal statement? I asked ORPAS and they said it is up to the university but I was wondering if anyone had any advice.

Hi beckyfitz I assume you found out that Dalhousie doesn't take "grade boosting" courses that aren't at the 3rd or 4th year level? (I *think* I remember reading that but I am not applying there). I do think that being a more mature applicant gives you an advantage because of life experience, but I also think that being below 3.7 makes it very difficult as many applicants will have 3.8's and higher and there's so few spots. It's incredibly competitive. But it is good that you gained more experience and hopefully are now above 3.7 - that should give you a boost.

Hi bekcyfitz, If you don't mind me asking - what were your stats like the first time you applied (roughly, if you would rather not share exact details)? No one has really been able to tell me what makes one likely to get in (other than a perfect GPA). One of the faculty at U of T told me a lot of the time whoever was chosen and who was wait-listed was "luck"... Which worries me because that's definitely one thing we can't control.

I have been thinking my grades (for my last two years) are high too but all that matters is where you fall with other applicants... Again, I am alwas wishing I knew what to expect lol. My overall GPA isn't super high but I hope all that matters (for McGill, Western, and U of T) are really my last two yrs. :-s

lol it seems that everyone always has different stories. My friend who is in her second year at U of T said her GPA was just 1 point above the cut off, and she did not have a lot of SLP volunteer experience but a TON in other fields plus other clinical experience and she thinks that's what helped... Who knows!

It is definitely super stressful - I manage to volunteer 6 hours a week while in my final year. I don't think that will make you feel better but I think it is possible to juggle a lot if you try to remember it is almost over! Just try not to get too stressed. Everyone has different experiences and different lives and admissions people will see that.

I think working in the field of autism would be highly rewarding and you will probably always find lots of opportunities. Don't be discouraged in general! Sometimes things happen in a way that leads you to where you need to be. As hard as it seems initially.

Hmmm. That's something to consider. I would really like to know what to expect but I guess it will be hard to say.

That is definitely true about Toronto and it would be difficult to move to a more rural area for me personally but at least it is good to have that option. I have also heard that many of the jobs that are posted are on a contract basis rather than permanent. Does anyone know if this is the case? It would be good to know what to expect. I wonder if any new grads have insights on how their job searching is turning out and any advice on planning proactively

Hi everyone. I am a bit worried. One of the SLPs that I have been shadowing and whose contract ends this year has been telling me that she is having a lot of trouble finding a job. She has years of experience with a wide range of kids and ages at a very good organization and, in my opinion, she is very good at what she does. I have heard similar things from others in terms of the job market at the moment. Of course, it does not make me change my mind about pursuing SLP because it is something I really enjoy, but the job prospects worry me. Has anyone heard differently? Are things going to get better job wise?

Maybe that year was particularly competitive! Also, it would be hard to get A+ in all pre-req's! That sounds like a serious accomplishment plus the experience. Maybe his references were not good or he didn't have enough research experience? It's really hard to say. I don't think being that little below a 3.7 would really be that big a deal.

Do you know if they can they be uploaded from now or should we wait until courses ending in December have been added? I would rather upload it immediately to be on the safe side, but wonder if I need to wait.

I don't think cumulative is as important as subGPA (last two years). If that is also around 3.7 I think you have a pretty good chance as that is definitely a competitive GPA! I am not sure if they do still keep those records but worth a try.

Hi! I have not applied before this year but I think your experience in the clinic will be looked at. How is your GPA? That seems to be the main aspect of any application. What a lot of people do when they don't get in is re-do courses where they did not do well. I think it is always worth applying. Asking for feedback on why you didn't get accepted last year may help you make a decision. I have heard of people being told to bring up a specific grade if they wished to re-apply. I hope that helps!

I think the hardest part would be to write two different but equally genuine letters of intent about how you dediced to pursue either profession. They are very different. I agree that it would seem strange to a reviewing committee assuming they saw both - not sure this would be the case but I guess they do fall into the same department.

Good! Thanks!

Wouldn't that be for the number of years of the degree? Please post what they say! I am wondering now too.

I don't think that is the case. Last year's cut off was about 3.6 (and I think 3.3 the year before that?). I also know from speaking to someone in the admissions committee that people with less that 3.6 have been accepted (not sure how much lower than 3.6 but it has happened). I am also not sure under what circumstances.

Yes, they are all open for Ontario and McGill! Mine are going slowly and definitely lots of anxiety building up

I am!! I wonder if they are gathering a bigger class this year. I know their classes are usually tiny. I hope they've expanded a bit this time around!

Hi Sab236, As far as I know, they both strictly use ORPAs 'cause they don't calculate the GPA themselves; the rehab sciences application does it for them. But what you posted still looks pretty similar to what ORPAS does... Maybe the A's are a bit different. :-/

I think it would definitely give you an advantage if it's a research based/thesis program because they like applicants with research experience. However, they focus on your undergraduate grades and coursework. The topic of your program also seems relevant which may be good. But I know for some other medical/health programs having a graduate degree only increases your chances by 1% if you hold a masters and 4% if you have a phd (for example, McMaster University) - this is not for SLP though but for other schools in medicine and health sciences - so I don't know what it would be like for SLP. also, these schools only consider a masters that is already completed. I don't know what the criteria is for the schools you are applying but I would ask if I were you, they can be very honest and helpful when you ask these questions. Someone I know with a masters was accepted to half of the programs for which she applied and wait listed in the other half (first time applying). I think it might help but it's hard to say how much. I wish they posted more details about this like some other programs do but for SLP.