CBG321

Awesome information! Thank you. About LinkedIn perfect b/c I really don't wanna waste time making yet another account i'll never use haha. I'm okay with recent graduates just someone within a couple years so I know the information is accurate. Where'd you apply if you don't mind my asking, if there is some overlap maybe I can get some of those details haha. And yeesh nice to have that inside information about that interview process how intimidating to not know what their agenda/choice applicant is ahead of time. Yeah I would be scared to do so while currently attending either so I understand. But organization is so important in a Graduate program. At least for me I would feel so frustrated with anything preventable like poor leadership or a lack of organization that may hinder my ability to get a good education. B/c #1 we worked hard to get there, #2 it's not cheap and #3 most importantly they are our foundation for real world clients. I want to be as prepared as possible! Great advice thank you!

I'm not sure I'll have the money or time to road trip to them I would LOVE to do it and will certainly do so for the 3 closest but right now I'm less than part time and my money is toward the $200 GRE and a just in case I need to take it again fund! I just don't have the funds i'm trying to put any extra into savings for tuition. It really is the best way though, maybe I'll come up with a get rich quick plan that works haha. LinkedIn is a fantastic idea I never thought of I'm definitely going to do that asap. Does it tell when they graduated b/c I know programs can change dramatically within a couple years. Ty! P.S- I'm really not a fan of LinkedIn in general (for this purpose it is perfect though) so I was wondering is it okay to make a profile just to email people and then delete it after I get the information? Not sure if that would appear odd?

Oh and for out of staters if one is blatantly more expensive! Those financial pages can be deceptive so i'm not sure i'm looking at the right numbers seems like our program likes to jack up already expensive program fees. Thanks

Does anyone have any personal experience with these schools? Tours, faculty communication, attended their Graduate/Undergraduate programs, applied and had a good experience or bad experience? Just any tidbits that may help me pick which school is a better fit (narrowing down my grad school list before application season). I know a lot of people recently applied so am hoping for some feedback now that most of you guys know where you're going .

I feel like all the people that really deserve to get into Graduate school are very aware of how important grades are (at least in my program and 3 nearby schools). Some of those that aren't as conscientious are the same people I worked on group projects with and their portion was always late or done with the least amount of effort. I think a lot of it has to do with life experience and personality they may have to figure things out the hard way. It may come across as harsh but those that aren't aware are choosing not to do any research and probably are not paying attention in their classes. I think it's very sweet of you to be concerned for them and wishing that they had some better guidance. However, I can't help but feel that with that kind of attitude do they really deserve to get into Graduate programs? If you've heard grades are important and have had classes with these people, aiming for B's, than chances are they have had the same opportunity to hear that and were too busy chatting with their neighbor in the back row or texting. (Flashback to the two girls loudly, talking and giggling about showing my teacher their extra credit assignment while we were taking a FINAL!) I can't help but think those girls and the "naive" people you've run into have some stuff in common. Just my 2 cents thanks again for all the feedback everyone!

Well I know the field needs them so if it is in your heart to pursue that path I think it would be amazing! I'm not sure how the process works at all or if you can bounce between. But I think it would be super cool. You would be in even more demand that a typical SLP meaning I feel like you could find a job at almost any University that offers a Master's program. I don't have any facts to offer you just encouragement if it aligns with your future career goals!

Exactly! Yes I'm trying to determine that "arbitrary cut-off" for most programs I'm doing the research but the numbers online are not always accurate and a third of the programs i'm looking at have not been in contact with me despite my efforts lol. Plus even if I get the information on their last cycle it might change drastically. Just look at Portland State this year it went from a 44% acceptance rate based on the number of applicants and slots down to literally half of that (if I'm recalling correctly from another post on this forum.) I think I had a 3.7 in my undegrad and don't expect to have anything lower than a 3.7 in my CD classes it's going to range from 3.7+-3.8(something). So it seems like most agree that is at least glance worthy as long as the rest of my application is strong as well? Right? Referring to inflated grades Amen! My school needs a 93.34 for an A no exceptions. While another nearby private school has a 92.1+= an A. Oh the GPA i'd have if I went there lol. It is what it is though, I wish schools would take those differences into consideration though!

I'd say i'm pretty aware lol (I agree most of us on this forum seem to be in the loop), I did a year of lab work in speech language before even deciding to apply to a post-bacc due to the insane competition involved in this field . I think everyone knows who those "unaware" people are in their program, my Professors certainly notice! It can be beneficial as well, if I had that +/- system in a class pretend I received an 87% then that 87% would give me 3.3 points. Which is much more helpful than a non +/- class giving me 3.0 because all B's count as 3.0 no matter how high with non +/- grading (at least at my school). So it can work in your favor or it can mess you up, it goes both ways for each system. Since I won't have a 4.0 hopefully all my other efforts will be considered just as carefully since i'm doing everything I can to make up for it. I'll definitely work on that GRE score (even though my personal opinion is that it is absolute BUNK! I'm sure most of us agree a standardized test that is half math isn't a great indication of our SLP skills haha. Interview me any day instead!)

Good thing i'm not applying to CSUN lol. Honestly I still have 4 classes to go within the major so it is possible I could pull off a 3.8 with all solid A's but i'm trying to look at worst case scenario to be prepared for all outcomes since I haven't taken those classes yet. Plus factoring in my cumulative and last 60 i'll need to double check what all those numbers are. So many classes to calculate! This information is great though it really gives me a ballpark range that helps me figure out how good my GRE scores need to be. I appreciate it! I'm narrowing down my list this summer so will factor those number in. Unfortunately I already know from earlier communication some are more difficult to get responses from than others haha.

Realistically speaking what is the majority of school's actual cut off in considering your application. I know there are special circumstances here and there, but I want to know what the majority of schools look at as okay this is good enough to review the rest of their application seriously. And I don't trust ASHA's reports because I know some schools that state 3.0 as being eligible, in reality haven't accepted anyone under a 3.5 in years... Is it 3.7+ or 3.8+ 3.6?? I know 3.9 and 4.0 are the only really "competitive" GPA's but being in such a competitive field what is the golden standard for "most" schools. I only need information on GPA's please, I know how important a well-rounded application is. I'm just trying to figure out how much extra time I need to spend on the GRE to balance out my GPA. I was cursed with no plus minus grading in my hardest class, and as a result my GPA took an unexpected hit Thanks for the help!

Yeah I was thinking it would maybe force me to study more when I was on-call haha. If I was in a dorm again though I would want a steep discount if only for the food situation. I like apartment/house living because i'm able to eat whatever I want. It's definitely something i'll be considering though based on this information! Thank you!

Just curious if anyone has been an RA before, and if it sounds like a good idea to save money as a Graduate student. IF I get in somewhere far from home that would save me rent money...However I do realize RA's are responsible for programs for students and have to be on campus in those dorm rooms a certain time-frame. I understand i'd be working for that rent-cut but feel like i'll be studying all the time anyway and it could possibly work in my favor. (Disclaimer: I considered being an RA in the past and do feel like i'd be good at it so i'm not just trying to save a few bucks. I had a crappy RA so I wouldn't do that to other students lol). Just any opinions on if this is a terrible idea (noisy hall) or something I should consider to keep myself out of debt if I end up out of state. Thanks for the opinions

I'm not sure how it would benefit you or if they'd even accept you since you've already taken more classes than a typical post-bacc does. Unless you just mean take a few comm classes your school didn't offer? I Don't see any gain unless you're trying to buffer your gpa. I'd focus on other areas of your application and systematically make changes to any areas may have been weaker. Raise your GRE etc if those areas were what kept you out this cycle! Good luck!

My school shows the equivalent course for usu by their wacky standards to be 3 different classes I have no idea why but I'd run any potential classes by your school to see how picky they are.

Yeah I don't know off the top of my head where they would offer the class but I took a class in Phonetics and a separate class in "Child Language and Phonological Disorders" I wanted to post so you could check for that kind of title as well (if your university says it's okay). Because the exact title of the book we used was "Articulation and Phonological Disorders--Speech Sound disorders in Children." So I figured that would be an equivalent course. I just wanted to mention since I know for me all the titles of classes and topics tend to blend together and all schools seem to title things a bit differently. Good luck finding a class!

I say transfer. Figure out what you need to do now and even if it is complicated see which year is best to transfer. Why waste the money if you already know you want to pursue something else? 3 Year master's programs are more expensive than a typical graduate program (even just paying for an extra year of school in general). You also will have way less options in terms of where you can apply. Speaking as a returning student who is currently getting a post-bacc degree I recommend not wasting the time and money to get a 4 year degree you already aren't interested in. Try to talk to a counselor now since you mention you don't know for sure about how difficult it is. It might be easier than they make it out to be. Also the mandated study abroad thing is the junior year which shouldn't be relevant if you transferred b/c a typical student begins at their new school their junior year so you'd already be gone. Good luck with whatever you decide you're lucky to have so many options

Oh that is good news about the potential for in-state tuition! I haven't personally used him but I know someone who is paying off their debt right now using his strategies and another couple is buying their first home (in an expensive state) at age 26 and 24 so that sounded like a pretty good track record to me! Hope it helps save some money/pay off some of the un-avoidable expenses! I wish it was cheaper for us all!

HOLY smokes that is a chunk of money. I'd go buy a Dave Ramsey book now and start planning your financial plan. Have you already exhausted all financial options at the school such as an assitantship or any form or work-study? I'd think about getting a job as well to try and underscore some of those expenses. I agree it is a great investment in your future but not having a life and working to pay off debt sounds very stressful. It is really unfortunate how expensive it is to get a degree in this field. I say just exhaust all your options on making money and get a plan in place so it can reduce the stress you're feeling about it. They really don't give us a lot of options. Maybe be a waitress at a good tipping restaurant the summer before you go? It sucks but you can make thousands of dollars in a VERY short period of time. I paid for a 3 week vacation abroad completely on tip money! You can do this just be a money saving machine!

I've had no issues ever getting classes. As long as you try to follow the recommended class order you should be find. Mine have not been impacted. That being said they are often offered at only one time and you may have to drive to campus a lot. Mine have all been 3 days next semester looking at 5 days unless I take one online somewhere else over summer. They run Fall, Spring, Fall. So it is not continuous classes. The only classes they offer over summer are the lower division ones you would take your first semester OR you can pay a TON extra to do them early the summer before your post-bacc begins. Hope that clarifies a little how it works there!

I do PM me if you have specific questions about Fullerton's. Also Chapman is faster paced so may be more difficult to maintain A's (only depending on your learning style). I think it is only one or two faster classes at a time so it probably evens out. Also call Chapman and ask them about the grades they need to maintain, one of my teacher's works there and if you get a particular grade they kick you out. Hopefully it wouldn't happen either way but if it did it would be nice to finish all your other classes and re-take the one you may not have done so well in. I am trying to remember what the grade was maybe a B-? Which isn't awesome in this major anyway but if you have all A's otherwise it would balance out GPA wise. I don't know any other details on Chapman though!

Hey Bowling Green applicants I'm trying to see how many different essay's i'll need to write for my LOI. Do you guys remember the prompt for Bowling Green? I see mention of it on their website but no prompt (probably b/c applications are not open). But if anyone knows if they keep the same one i'd love to get a head start. Oh nvm I found this link! Hopefully it's accurate! https://portal.csdcas.org/csdcasHelpPages/personal-essay-prompts/

I'm going to stop by my alumni University and get some concrete answers from them! I've looked at scholarships online extensively and they offer every detail except how long the money can sit. I do believe you that it is a tricky question to answer, but I'm determined to find someone with knowledge on the topic that can give a general time frame. That being said thank you so much for trying to guess an answer for me!

Apply to: Scholarships. Intending to use the money for my Graduate program which would begin in Fall 2016. Have not applied to Grad school yet. Remain eligibilbe: Eligible meaning yes, assuming I get one the money how long is it allowed to sit around not being used... What kind: Non-school specific or degree specific, meaning general scholarships, like I'm a certain gender or ethnicity and they allow you to apply the funds to wherever you attend. My question at the most general level, is how early is too early to start the scholarship application process? I think what you were trying to convey is that yes, a year+ prior is too far in advance for most common scholarships. I am a post-bacc student so my circumstances and timeline are a little different. I understand there is no cut and dry (ex: 3 months) answer i'm more looking for a general time frame to plan to sit down and write a ton of essays. Just a very general idea of what is the earliest I can send them in and not run into any issues with them 'expiring' so to speak. The summer after you've been accepted? Or send them at the same time as your Graduate application?? etc. TY

Thank you, I'll have to compile a list and try to find the 'when they must be applied' information. A few i've looked at just tell me what kind of GPA or level in school I need to be. At least I know doing it this early probably isn't an option for most scholarships that is more information than I could get from the scholarship department. How sad is that?

So my current school is horribly frustrating and has a bunch of unhelpful people working the email and phone lines. So I can't seem to get an answer other than "look it up" (because I already tried and told you that) which really really pisses me off. Be courteous enough to say you don't know or direct me to someone who does! How far in advance can I apply to a scholarship and remain eligible? Specifically I am applying Fall 2015 and would be starting my Graduate program Fall 2016. What I thought was an easy question has been impossible to get an answer for. Can I apply for a bunch of scholarships this summer (2015) and be eligible if i've not yet been accepted to any programs or even applied yet? I'm currently a post-bacc student in the field of communicative disorders/speech pathology if that helps at all. Sorry for my angry rant, i'm just so frustrated with my current school, they won't be getting an application from me in the future that's for sure!