graceSLP

So I'm a sucker for school supplies. I'm the one that you'll see browsing the isles completely in the off season just because it makes me happy, lol. I was wondering what supplies do you think are "must haves" for grad school and others that have worked well for you in the past. I'm trying to come up with a solid list and not have too much excess. Thanks!

Unforunately, I do not. I didn't realize how competitive these programs were. I think the reason there are so many 2nd year applicants is because of the competiveness and the fact that most schools are not upfront about their GPA and GRE score cutoffs, because they would like to review 300 or more applications? lol. I don't know. Also, because of this it is difficult for students to decide what programs are the best fit for their application profile. So a lot of students are aimlesssly applying to just get in somewhere.
 
I am so thankful for this forum, because I have learned so much about this process and other less competitive schools that are more of a "good fit" for me considering my profile. In addition, I have learned it is so important to attend information sessions and get in contact with grad programs to ask them the current statistics of the previous entering class etc. Because ASHA ed find. stats are not current and the grad school programs websites are sometimes not updated. It is truly upsetting that we are not given up to date information to make one of the most important decisions of our lives.
 
Towson told everyone in the information session that they don't look at you if you have below a 3.5. But, they didn't mention that you MUST fall within the average or above average writing score :/. I found this out after being rejected. If I would have known, I would not have applied. Anyways, I hope you don't have to apply next year.
 
Best of luck to you @cosmicmorgan! I have a good feeling you will get in somewhere!

I don't understand how 3.8 and below isn't stellar. I think under 3.5 starts to become iffy and under 3.0 is worrisome (mostly for cutoffs), but how low are you talking? GPA isn't everything.

You should ask them if they can accept you if you take the required courses this summer! those will be offered at community colleges

Great news!! I love seeing these posts! Even if I don't get into the school where I'm waitlisted, I still have one acceptance. I'm so happy to see people who have no other offers getting in off of waitlists!!

Is it just me or are the most ridiculous emails coming through today? Seriously? Was it necessary that I receive 3 emails in a row from H&M? Come on grad schools!!!!

I've been told by admissions that they expect a few people to accept an offer and recind it before classes. This is taken into account and that is why wait lists are held for so long. If you need more time to make the right decision for yourself then you should take it. You don't want to make a spur of the moment decision and regret it for the next 2+ years. Also, you shouldn't write off a school just because they wait list you. Being considered and offered an acceptance is an honor at any point in the process. Make sure the program is a good fit for you and your priorities.

I just wanted to thank all of you like-minded, neurotic, grad school obsessed students for your help and support throughout the graduate admissions process. I can tell from reading your posts that you are all extremely dedicated, well-rounded people that will make great SLPs. I was just accepted into my top choice program off the waitlist and I could not be happier! For those of you on waitlists, don't give up hope! I didn't expect to be taken off the waitlist at all. Likewise, do not let graduate committee decisions define your worth. This field is insanely competitive and it is such an unpredictable process. Think positive, happy thoughts! There's my little blurp for the day! 

Commit to the first and withdraw later if you have to! I honestly don't think it's unprofessional at all considering students have no control over the deadlines. Schools account for this type of thing which is why many oftentimes pull kids off of the waitlist in the summer. 

Thinking of my Plan B is currently making my head hurt... I would just like to share this link. It's a short article about how a teenage girl wrote a rejection letter to Duke in response to a rejection letter from them. She is my hero and I sort of wish I thought of doing this lol. I also wonder what would happen if I did.
 
https://gma.yahoo.com/north-carolina-teen-writes-rejection-letter-duke-universitys-160012369--abc-news-topstories.html

Has anyone spoke with the financial aid and tuition offices at their future school and received little to no help?
 
When I called both schools I was accepted to to discuss how much tuition for the whole program would be, they lead me to their online websites.
 
It's just very frustrating trying to get a close to exact budget for the next two years without any help from these schools. I understand tuition will rise, but it infuriates me that they don't even have a sample budget for speech-language pathology students from the previous year.
 
Any suggestions on what to do?
 
Just needed to vent a little!

Just got my first acceptance to University of Redlands!!!        Such a relief knowing that I have somewhere to go in the Fall. 

God, they're really dragging this out! I emailed Jason earlier this week and he again confirmed that they'll be sent out by the end of the week so that means tomorrow!! How much do you want to bet they'll be sending them out in the late afternoon?!

I will die if I don't hear back from WSU tomorrow:(

I've lived abroad for extended periods, as well as moved around a bit. The biggest lesson I've learned is that you can find good people anywhere.
 
If you are friendly, interested, and open, you'll make friends. It's likely there are a lot of people who feel the same way in your classes at school!
 
Connect with people in your SLP class through facebook before you arrive. Whether it's through a church, an awesome craigslist roommate, or instagram (yes, weirdly enough I have made friends through instagram), you can even try to find some people outside of the SLP grad student circle. Invite them over for dinner. Ask them to show you around your new city.
 
Don't be afraid of feeling a bit down, feeling lonely, or having long saturdays alone. Keep in touch with your friends back home, and getting grounded in your new city will come with time.
 
It's an adventure!

My classmate just got an email yesterday from St. Rose requesting they attend an interview on April 10th! I don't understand it.

I'm not only worried about where I am going to get the best job based off of the "big name" of a school, I'm worried that the education at these lower priced/smaller schools is subpar compared to the education at the pricier programs. I don't want to compromise myself meeting my full potential as an SLP to simply just save money (although money plays a big factor and I would love to come out of this with barely any loans). I want to know that when I go into the working world I have all the knowledge I need & more because the faculty at my school supported that. That being said, I know all schools pretty much have the same curriculum because of ASHA standards, but still some teachers and clinical placements are better than others. Then, how do we even find this out unless we know a current student in or graduate of the program?
 
Deciding on which school to go to is making my mind go crazy... anyone else?

I get upset seeing people post about possibly giving up. If this is your true passion, as it is mine, DON'T give up! I am a second year applicant...the first time around I messed up almost all of my applications. This year I think I have it down pat. In the mean time I am gaining valuable experiences through my job at a day program for IDD clients. Everything and anything you can put on your resume helps. If anybody needs emotional support (as I all know we do) please don't hesitate to direct message me.

I know it seems impossible, but don't settle for another field if this is truly what you want to do. There are many people on this forum that are second and third year applicants so just stick with it! Also, perhaps contact some of your ideal schools and ask them if your stats are reasonable and ask what you can do to improve your chances. This might give you better insight into what you can do to get accepted. Online programs could also be a possibility if you're flexible about the type of program. Best of luck to you!

Take a look at the post "Less Competitive Grad Programs." It is sooo helpful to see where students who maybe didn't have perfect GPAs and GREs applied. And the great thing is a lot of them received waitlists and even acceptances!

The ones that I can think of (and applied for) are: Grand Valley State, Eastern New Mexico, Univ of Central Arkansas (they accepted me and my stats are low, but I have some unique experiences that I'd like to think boosted my application), Fort Hays State, Kent State, Idaho State, Indiana State, etc.

Also, EdFinder on the ASHA website is a great resource. It lists the amount of applications a program received in their last application cycle, the amount of admission offers they gave out, how many students they ended up taking, and those students' average GPA and GRE range. This is super helpful because you can evaluate the odds of getting in. For example, if a school receives 500 applications and only takes a class of 15, those odds are terrible and I wouldn't waste the application fee. But if you find a program that receives around 150 applications and takes 35-40, those odds are much more favorable.

Do as much research as you can! Check out the post about less competitive programs and look up the stats for schools you'd be interested in on EdFinder, then make a list. Apply to as many as you can to broaden your chances. Email the program directors, explain your stats and situation, and ask how you can improve your application to be viewed as a stronger candidate for their program. Good luck!!! You got this

I just checked my portal and it says "in review" too 
@graceSLP that does seem harsh! I can't believe that is all they said..

Another fan of Magoosh over here!

I too loved this email! I was very happy to be on the top tier! I'm hoping for an acceptance.

I'm hoping we hear from Wsu sooner than later this week! Good luck to all

Just to put a little more positive energy back in to this thread, I wanted to put part of an email I received about my waitlist status at PSU, which a few others here have received as well. I know when all you have is waitlists, it can be frustrating and you're disappointed, and I, at times, am not truly happy with my waitlist status as well. Schools also don't really do a good job about telling students what a waitlist really means, just that "You're on the waitlist. Wait more." This email was really comforting, and I really appreciated the thoughtful words. It's true, not all schools think of a waitlist this way, but a great majority do.
 
"I realize that placement on the waiting list can be disappointing. I want to be sure you are aware that only a select number of highly qualified individuals are placed on our list, and your inclusion is a reflection of our high regard for your academic record and experience. You are among those whom we would admit if we had the resources to do so.  Due to the high number of extremely qualified applicants this year and the limited number of available seats in the graduate program, our decision was especially difficult.  We deeply regret that we cannot accept a larger number of students"
 
I have received harsh rejections, neutral rejections, neutral waitlist letters, and acceptances, but this letter made me feel just as good as an acceptance email (which I know is easier to say because I have been accepted). Waitlists generally do mean the school believes you are qualified and will succeed at their school and as an SLP, but they just have limited spots. If you're on waitlists, stay positive! You are a good applicant, but have just been a victim of small program sizes.