CBG321

Hello is your program in Oklahoma? I understand not wanting to put names but I'd love to avoid a program like that! And this is just my opinion, but I think students shouldn't always be expected to "suck it up" and deal with terrible programs ONLY because this is such a competitive field. If you have an opportunity in the future and don't have any fear of retribution I think it would help future students if you reported this conduct to ASHA's accreditation body. This is not what our field stands for and if everyone in your program (or anyone for that matter) is being treated with a lack of respect I think it should be reported. It's unethical in this field and the code of conduct does not just apply to SLP's in the professional world but the academic as well! Sorry you're having such a rough go at grad school. This field is competitive enough without negative programs for what is supposed to be an incredibly positive field! Makes me happy I visited most of my programs in person!

Okay am I crazy or did San Marcos switch their application opening date? I had the 21st written down someone else told me it opened the 12th and on their website it now says the 7th of October is when it opened. Did anyone else notice a change (push forward) in dates or did I just write it down wrong? I was embarrassed today by finding out it has been open considering my LOR packets listed another date... Thanks in advance for easing my mind if I am not crazy!

I agree 6 is not a lot at all it's on the lower side of the spectrum. And yes they usually have to fill out forms but I think it is pretty standard for the Professor to write ONE letter of recommendation and basically copy paste it into the electronic form. The forms themselves don't seem so time consuming that 6 would be a significant amount. Weird some professors have their quirks!

I say trust your instincts and feelings. If you already feel you do not have a passion for it why put yourself through the strenuous and stressful graduate school application cycle when people that do feel passionately about the field still are not getting in. Consider for instance sitting in an interview and explaining why you want to do this? Right now it doesn't seem like there would be a favorable response. Take some time to explore other career options, go to a career counselor at your old school and really dig into what you want to do an why. It is not fair to other applicants or YOURSELF to pursue something your heart isn't into. That being said, I am 100% passionate about this field and know I want to do this, but find many of my classes to be boring. I still find the majority of the information interesting/the application but feel that many comm disorders professors may be better at research than actual teaching and infusing fun and passion into their classes. I notice this as a student from another background where classes were more engaging. I am super excited about graduate school in the future and really enjoy my internship and know what population I want to work with so if you aren't having fun in ANY area I feel like it might be time to look elsewhere. Now is the perfect time!

I agree with the above! It shows loyalty if anything. It won't be a problem as an SLP I have never heard of anyone being turned down for attending the same school (ever). Perhaps in other majors/fields but I really would not worry. I highly doubt they even look at your undergrad work they want your graduate degree and your license that's it! Your friend is misinformed

Sorry about your situation, it sounds like it has been a rough year! I'm not sure what the options are right now but I wouldn't stay away from other programs just from a lack of "prestigiousness" nobody is really going to care about what your occupation (or program) is as long as you are happy and fulfilled in it. I'm personally more impressed with someone happy in their line of work and successful over workaholic businessmen or doctors who perhaps have more traditional "prestige." I wonder if there are any other ways to challenge that D because it does sound like a really unethical situation and although students are held to high gpa standards once in graduate school teachers need to be transparent about your grades I feel like that grade could be challenged i'm just unsure what the channel to do that would be. Would you mind saying which program you were at so others can avoid it? Haha or if you don't want to mention on here PM me? They sound like a program that is not incredibly supportive...

Oh great thanks! That will help me out i'll just go into it knowing what each school wants then i'll know if it's a good idea to send them out or not!

So I have not taken the GRE yet but hear you can send to about 4 schools for free w/o seeing your score the day of your test. Is it a huge risk to do this? Will a school judge you based on a bad score even if you score better next time? Peers have told me it is a bad idea to send any scores that you haven't seen yet. But the money saving option is tempting. Advice?

If you want to do it for your own enjoyment benefit I say go for it. But in my opinion it will not set you apart from other candidates. I have seen a lot of out of fielders on this site that majored in psychology originally as well as the majority of people in my post-bacc program have their first degree in psychology. So since it appears to be a common major to switch from I don't think having a minor will set you apart since a great deal of people that may be applying the same cycle already have a BA in that field. Plus although it is complimentary it doesn't really show a school hey this student will be a better fit/candidate than the person without this minor. And as an above poster said good grades in your major will help more than diversified classes. I had a minor in college and some of those classes actually lowered my GPA haha, upper division minors aren't as simple or easy as the same classes your first 2 years.

So I've been thinking this over and just decided to ask, even if nobody really knows. It seems like a lot of you are having good luck applying to these schools, I was just curious does anyone think that since this list has been around a couple cycles and might pop up say if you google "less competitive schools" that these schools may be becoming in fact harder to get into due to a higher number of students considering them to be "safety" schools? I wouldn't discourage anyone from applying at all since it seems like a lot of people have had success. I'm just curious if these "easier to find" schools are becoming more competitive as a result...

Just keep in mind the languages are only considered "useful" in a speech pathology context if you are certified and able to provide therapy in those languages! I think that being able to speak to the parents and explain stuff is incredibly useful but I think in terms of graduate school that's what they mean by "useful." And they want fluent as though you are a native speaker not just conversational. B/c a fluent person knows what is atypical while a second language learner may not have memorized all those tiny nuances of the language even if they are very advanced! So it more so depends on where you live (or plan to live) I live somewhere that Spanish( and I can't remember which) but either Korean or Vietnamese was in high demand. It's very cool that you're multi-lingual I wish I was too!

I respectfully disagree with the idea that you may be depressed. I think you put all your efforts, time and commitment into something that seems to have not worked out and are now questioning what to do with your life/career. I think it is TOTALLY normal to feel frustrated, upset and confused at this point. We are just seeing one aspect of your life in this comment so of course if these bad feelings have not gone away and you're constantly feeling awful, of course try to lift your spirits. If you are only upset about your career and school experience. That is completely understandable and normal especially having just graduated from an intense program that didn't benefit you at all so far. Have you considered going to a career counselor? Or take some time off and travel. Taking some time to be reminded that most people treat you like a human being with feelings will help shake away the bitter associations of your jerky teachers and college experience. I know it's a tough spot to be in, hang in there you'll find something great to do in life. I'm an older student and haven't gotten my career yet (gotta go to grad school lol) but the point is you have a lot of time, even though it may not feel like it. And to me your feelings 100% justified, they don't scream depressed at all to me! Your feelings are a product of your awful negative school environment. I hope we can all do our part in changing those horrible experiences in the future and holding Professors accountable for how they treat their students!! Good luck with everything

@Bettercallsaul SERIOUSLY! I didn't want to mention this initially but I was like how many people are going to remember how awful their under-grad was, and for some people their graduate school experience in terms of stress and lack of support. I feel like the negative emotions associated with it are not going to encourage people to return to these programs for an extra couple years for a Phd. Or will discourage them b/c they may remember how unfriendly some of their professors were and assume all programs are like that and say they'd rather work in another setting where the ppl are friendlier and every day isn't a competition. Supporting students helps the field and helps the profession in all regards. @Jolie717 I feel like to a certain point there is definitely a cut off of GPA's where a school can determine whether or not you'll be a strong enough student to succeed in Graduate school, but I do think that cut off is much lower than the competition in this program has made the actual cut off. Also every school that doesn't use the GRE has indicated they don't because it was a poor indication of how students will bear in their graduate programs. These programs tend to interview students to get that last component. The schools that don't interview seem to rely heavily on the GRE, in my opinion just as a way to make it easier to pick people. And I really feel your pain as well on the GRE, i'm sorry how is algebra or fractions or knowing an obscure synonym for reduce going to assist my ability to treat a patient or help me think on my feet to find a creative solution to a problem...it's not haha. They should have a subject specific test for us but they don't, and there isn't enough standardization in our undergraduate/post-bacc programs to make that work.

I'm so sorry to hear the situation you've been put in. It sounds like there is a lot of pressure from your family. I understand they are paying for your education but sticking with this major when it isn't working out just to make them happy is not going to be beneficial to you in the long run. I think they'd be happier if you were doing a major that would prepare you for a job after graduating. I think it's really unfortunate they look down upon social workers as they are very caring individuals who help a lot of people. I didn't have that kind of pressure so I don't really know what to tell you but, you are at a good point to switch majors if you could decide on something prior to school starting and get enrolled this next semester. I transferred schools so had limited major specific coursework and had no issues at all with my schedule starting most of those major classes my Junior year. I understand you must be very stressed out with this big decision so early on in your college education, but now is a great time to make some changes if you decide that's what is right for you. Visit your career center on campus before Fall and maybe if you have a concrete plan with all your questions answered your parents will be supportive of your new goals! If you are afraid of them wasting their money now, it's a bigger waste of money if you can't get a job afterwards with your current degree. They would be saving money if you find another major that's a better fit!

Thank you Yancey, I am really really hoping to get a better environment for my Graduate program. I have a few that i'm hopeful will be exactly what i'm looking for and am doing my best to get into the ones that seem to see us as humans rather than grade making machines! And that part you said about focusing soley on the grade rather than learning is exactly how I feel! I want to learn because I want to do this for my career, however some of the structures of my classes do not allow us to do so. I'll go in to try to learn and have to focus so much on avoiding trick questions or over-studying b/c of inconsistent tests that it really doesn't allow me to learn as much as I would like to while in undergrad. And it's going to be really hard to accept the lower grades if they happen in graduate school as well, hopefully I can take a vacation before starting and relax a little lol. Thanks for the advice and acknowledgement, i'm happy to find i'm not the only one that wishes the academic portion was a little closer to the professional environment!

Someone understands me! Thanks it feels better knowing other people feel the same way! Yeah and as a returning student I think we know how much we want to do this over any other options so it makes the pressure we put on ourselves huge too! Thanks for the encouragement it means a lot when you're feeling extra stressed by the program and the process. Exactly you hit the nail on the head with that last part. Since when did a B become a death sentence?!

That is outrageously expensive. How do they justify the costs? Twice as much as the most expensive private school's i've looked into and 5 times as expensive as state programs. I don't think that expense is worth it based on the pay in this profession even if you do go into the highest paying sector. Just my opinion but I can't even imagine finding loans for that amount, it isn't law school (where those prices are normal haha).

Hope nobody minds I just needed to vent to people who might understand my frustration. I won't mention any names but I have been disappointed in my choice of post-bacc programs but at the same time very, very grateful for the opportunity. In addition i'm taking a summer school class elsewhere and have just gotten a bad grade on a test that I felt (as did other students) had a lot of trick questions and topics that were not covered in the lectures at all. Is anyone else frustrated that we are expected to meet these insane requirements of being absolutely perfect academically, socially, GRE scores, volunteering, job experience, personality, had enough time to foster relationships with the "right" letters of recommendation, be able to write 10 different flawless essays for 10 completely different prompts. Etc, etc, etc. I know I want to do this career more than anything, i've been in the real world and returned to school to do this career and this career only. My stats are not bad, probably above average in most categories, but the stress we are put under to reach them is just completely insane. I am willing to put the hard work in but since when did us working our butts off and missing an A grade by literally one question make us unworthy of pursuing this profession? As the Professors and graduate programs tend to make us feel... I know we all tell each other well it's competitive that's how it goes, but I for one will make it my secondary mission in this career to work towards changing that. Because a 4.0 does NOT make you a good clinician by any standards! It means you are a better test taker. Or better at studying/memorizing. (No offense to 4.0 students they earn those grades). I'm just saying no it does not mean you will be better than someone who got a 3.9, or 3.7 different people have different skills and those lower GPA's might be better in the field with hands on application. Most schools treat students as being so lucky to be there when we are all struggling to maintain these perfect standards. It seems so backwards to me in a Profession that is supposed to be (and is once you enter it) all about giving back and being compassionate. I'm just so frustrated with the attitudes of professors and faculty at this level in the field. It is in stark contrast to how other fields treat their students, and should not be the case being what the career is meant to be and represents. It seems to me instead of mentoring and recognizing hard work and dedication you are nothing to them unless you are in their Graduate program. My undergrad never treated us as lesser students because we weren't yet in graduate school. I feel like that is wrong and needs to change. Sorry for the long vent just wondering if anyone else feels this way. I love school I always have and working harder isn't what makes me upset it is that we are treated this way and it makes the experience unpleasant.

Yes to the 2nd one I already have my manila envelope fully stocked with an information packet haha. I was hoping that the form and letter my professor write will go in the same envelope since I have one addressed and stamped empty envelope prepared. So form + her letter of recommendation both go inside a standard mailing envelope. Good, thank you! The dumb things you start to think about when applications start!

Hi for the letters of recommendation i'm finding that most schools also have the professor fill out a form in addition to a normal letter of recommendation. My question is for my schools that want paper copies did those of you in the past send both the form and the letter of recommendation in the same envelope? I am in a bit of a bind as I need to prepare a few of my materials early for a professor that wants to write them now. Thank you for the help!

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction towards Clovis or North Fresno. I am willing to get a side job and pay extra to avoid any roaches or potential break ins or car damage. That would not be an ideal living environment, I'd be very distracted and scared to live somewhere that was typical! I'll start filling out those scholarship applications to try to give myself a bigger cushion for apartment rent! And seek some roommates to reduce the cost. Thanks!

I wanted to do the same exact thing until I was surprised to find out my post-bacc program ran fall, spring, fall so it was impossible. Here's the deal with 4 classes Master's programs have less opportunity to see how you are as a student in this major, that is why a good number of schools may not even consider you an eligible applicant until you have completed more than that, typically at least 8 (to the best of my knowledge). The programs that would accept you earlier I think would be programs that would still have you completing pre-req coursework and your acceptance at that point would be contingent upon grades. Oh and letters from rec will be stronger from comm disorders Professors that have known you a year as opposed to 2 months. That is a HUGE benefit even if you only take one class with them if you keep in contact they can write you a better letter than any teacher who hasn't given you your first grades yet...they might flat out refuse you this early on as well depending on their personal letter writing parameters. That all being said you could try to look into a 3 year masters program and then you will get the jump on the admissions And this is just from my perspective someone out there may know better than me and give you a different response! Obviously if you have a school in mind that the above roadblocks aren't issues for I understand the desire to start as early as you can! Good luck!

Congratulations to your daughter she must have felt very proud to see such great results! I will keep that in mind if there is a weak area (I'd guess quantitative in my case due to not loving math haha) but good to know ahead of time just in case!

Thank you so much! This is really helpful information for me! And happy to hear that a 4 and up on the writing is okay depending probably on the rest of your scores of course. So 50th percentile and up to not be thrown away (in theory) and 75th and above is really good and probably a good aim even if I don't quite reach it. Thank you! I just didn't want to be staring at results and not knowing if I should send a few to schools or immediately sign up for the next test haha.

Obviously the higher the better but what is a decent score at most universities. I am doing personal research into each school i'm applying to but online their GRE range seems to be very wide/unclear. I've heard 5 and above for the written section pretty frequently. I don't really understand the grading scale so that's why i'm hoping for a little help steering in the right direction. Like being in the 80% percentile would that be dependent on your test day since you're scored against ppl who took it the same day or is a certain score always a certain percentile. My brain is mush trying to figure this out. Just if anyone can give me a small ballpark as to if you get this score you should be okay in the GRE area of applications for most schools. THANK YOU soo so much ahead of time if you have a number for me!