kayyyyy_

My grad school journey started when I graduated with a BA in 2013. I didn't know if I wanted to apply to grad school right away or wait a year and just "live my life". I was still young and wanted to experience life. I ended up applying for an Honors English study abroad opportunity. I left it up to fate to determine if I apply to grad school OR go study abroad. I ended up getting accepted into the study abroad program. There were over 300 apps and I was chosen. Couldn't believe it and obviously, I took it as a sign. 
I studied abroad for 6 months and applied for my SLPA license (along with 4 of my friends). Again, didn't know if I was even meant to be in the field of SLP or not. I ended up being the only one accepted out of my group of friends, again... another sign. 
I've been working as a SLPA in CA for the past 3 years. I applied to grad school my first year to a couple programs that were SO unobtainable. I reached out to an academic advisor and she said with my grades, I'll never get into a speech grad program. What my academic advisors didn't know what my background and why I received poor grades. In a semester of undergrad, I had a family emergency. I basically put my family first and stopped attending classes. I just went for tests and some how skated by with getting C+ (4 of them). That semester killed me.. dropped my overall down to a 3.3. This last year, I retook those 4 classes and received an A in all of them. Depending how you count it, I either have a 4.0 in all CSD course, or a 3.6 if you average those GPAs out. Regardless, I totally pushed through it. Being a SLPA really changed my life. I love my job and I am truly passionate about this field. The struggles I went through just made me a stronger person. It's a shame grad schools don't look at the overall applicant or story behind them (in some instances) but I found schools that have this year. I've been waitlisted and accepted! I am so excited to start my journey. 
Moral of the story.. everything happens for a reason. If I would've gone to grad school out of my undergrad, I wouldn't have met my soon to be husband and I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I can say, I will truly appreciate grad school more since all this has happened to me!

My grad school journey started when I graduated with a BA in 2013. I didn't know if I wanted to apply to grad school right away or wait a year and just "live my life". I was still young and wanted to experience life. I ended up applying for an Honors English study abroad opportunity. I left it up to fate to determine if I apply to grad school OR go study abroad. I ended up getting accepted into the study abroad program. There were over 300 apps and I was chosen. Couldn't believe it and obviously, I took it as a sign. 
I studied abroad for 6 months and applied for my SLPA license (along with 4 of my friends). Again, didn't know if I was even meant to be in the field of SLP or not. I ended up being the only one accepted out of my group of friends, again... another sign. 
I've been working as a SLPA in CA for the past 3 years. I applied to grad school my first year to a couple programs that were SO unobtainable. I reached out to an academic advisor and she said with my grades, I'll never get into a speech grad program. What my academic advisors didn't know what my background and why I received poor grades. In a semester of undergrad, I had a family emergency. I basically put my family first and stopped attending classes. I just went for tests and some how skated by with getting C+ (4 of them). That semester killed me.. dropped my overall down to a 3.3. This last year, I retook those 4 classes and received an A in all of them. Depending how you count it, I either have a 4.0 in all CSD course, or a 3.6 if you average those GPAs out. Regardless, I totally pushed through it. Being a SLPA really changed my life. I love my job and I am truly passionate about this field. The struggles I went through just made me a stronger person. It's a shame grad schools don't look at the overall applicant or story behind them (in some instances) but I found schools that have this year. I've been waitlisted and accepted! I am so excited to start my journey. 
Moral of the story.. everything happens for a reason. If I would've gone to grad school out of my undergrad, I wouldn't have met my soon to be husband and I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I can say, I will truly appreciate grad school more since all this has happened to me!

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!!!!

Nope, I'm a first year graduate student so I've totally been in your shoes!  

Got my first rejected from Grand Valley State a few weeks ago which really made me feel defeated. But I have an upcoming interview with Cal State San Marcos this weekend, and I'm waiting to hear good news from the 2 other schools I applied (either an acceptance or interview! ) 

I'm a current grad student, and I've been if your shoes. If you need any help, good thoughts, or just a vent session feel free to reach out! 

I'm a current grad student, and I've been if your shoes. If you need any help, good thoughts, or just a vent session feel free to reach out! 

I would hope they all get back to us. We pay so much for the application fees, both CSDCAS and the supplementals, not to mention sending GRE scores and transcripts and all those fees! We deserve a response, whether it's positive or negative. I will be very angry if any schools don't send a letter/email or anything. It's just not right.

I'm a current grad student, and I've been if your shoes. If you need any help, good thoughts, or just a vent session feel free to reach out! 

My grad school journey started when I graduated with a BA in 2013. I didn't know if I wanted to apply to grad school right away or wait a year and just "live my life". I was still young and wanted to experience life. I ended up applying for an Honors English study abroad opportunity. I left it up to fate to determine if I apply to grad school OR go study abroad. I ended up getting accepted into the study abroad program. There were over 300 apps and I was chosen. Couldn't believe it and obviously, I took it as a sign. 
I studied abroad for 6 months and applied for my SLPA license (along with 4 of my friends). Again, didn't know if I was even meant to be in the field of SLP or not. I ended up being the only one accepted out of my group of friends, again... another sign. 
I've been working as a SLPA in CA for the past 3 years. I applied to grad school my first year to a couple programs that were SO unobtainable. I reached out to an academic advisor and she said with my grades, I'll never get into a speech grad program. What my academic advisors didn't know what my background and why I received poor grades. In a semester of undergrad, I had a family emergency. I basically put my family first and stopped attending classes. I just went for tests and some how skated by with getting C+ (4 of them). That semester killed me.. dropped my overall down to a 3.3. This last year, I retook those 4 classes and received an A in all of them. Depending how you count it, I either have a 4.0 in all CSD course, or a 3.6 if you average those GPAs out. Regardless, I totally pushed through it. Being a SLPA really changed my life. I love my job and I am truly passionate about this field. The struggles I went through just made me a stronger person. It's a shame grad schools don't look at the overall applicant or story behind them (in some instances) but I found schools that have this year. I've been waitlisted and accepted! I am so excited to start my journey. 
Moral of the story.. everything happens for a reason. If I would've gone to grad school out of my undergrad, I wouldn't have met my soon to be husband and I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I can say, I will truly appreciate grad school more since all this has happened to me!

@KslptobeYou sound so similar to me grade wise! It took me three separate application cycles to become accepted into grad school! It just shows we don't give up and work hard to get where we need to be  I've done the same thing and have tried to write encouraging words to all us fellow applicants that have/have been discouraged by the application process! Congratulations!

I am SO happy for you. It sounds like you have mapped it all out and I have followed your journey and know this wasn't an easy decision. I know you'll be great at Emerson and I wish you the best in your career!!!!

I'm sorry, I have been sort of avoiding this forum because of this decision! It has been a seriously emotional and teary rollercoaster (sort of ridiculous, I know—I am blessed to have options!) but I have come to a decision.
I will be attending Emerson next year. My dad was hopeful I would move to Cali—we are Italian, and family is everything!—but he is supportive of my decision. I was talking to my mom and we were discussing how by Christmas I will be 1/4 of the way done if I go to Emerson, and I won't have even started the prerequisites yet at Redlands. There are other factors in the mix... my long-term partner is applying to med school, and if he cannot get into a school near me we will only be apart for one year if I go to Boston, versus two years if I go to Redlands. He is going to apply to soCal programs so we might have the option to be near my family. I know there is no guarantee he will get in, but Emerson just provides flexibility sooner. I'm also not sure if this is viable, but I could possibly stay at home for a few months after my program or do my CFY there. If my dad's health does go downhill, I will need to take a break regardless of whether I am in Cali or Boston—I will be there for my family. My sister and I also laid out all of my breaks. I am planning to purchase tickets to CA for every one of them (they are surprisingly affordable, minus over Thanksgiving), and I am going to try to be home every 2 months. It makes me feel better to know I will be home more often than I have been in my working life over the past 5 years.
There was no wrong answer here, and I know I would be very happy at either program. I knew I would regret something if I went to either one, too. I guess the other piece is that in my gut, I really want the experience of Boston and to go to Emerson, and I honestly felt sort of sad when I was admitted to Redlands because I felt obligated to go. I have not heard anything really negative about either program, but I had to pick something!
I am worried people will think I am a bad person for choosing the program away from family. I am teary writing this, because I worry so much about my dad, but I cannot plan for his death and I have no idea when it will happen. I am now focusing on trying to  feel confident with my decision and moving forward with this adventure! Also, I just need to say, THANK YOU everyone for all of your help!!! (And thanks for the emotional dump here!)

I think I'll end up living with someone also, but I don't really want them to be in my cohort either! It's just cheaper to have at least one other roommate. I'm hoping Craigslist will have some other grad programs looking for roommates.

Thank you so much to everyone for all your thoughtful words of encouragement!! I truly truuuly appreciate it! I am so incredibly happy to say that today I received an acceptance from LIU POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????? I literally cried tears of joy as soon as I saw the words "Congratulations" in the email subject. I am seriously so incredibly overjoyed. You were so right @plume. All I need is ONE! After 5 CONSECUTIVE PAINFUL REJECTIONS.... the 6th is a YES!!!! Thank GOD!!! ???

WOW!!!  Congrats!!??!  That is a tough decision to make.  24 hours is not a long time to respond.  What does your gut tell you to do?
I know I just got an offer from WWU with 3 days to decide, after I already accepted at CSUN (my undergrad).  I'm going for it, and just realized I now have a big move to plan.  Good luck with your decision!!  I grew up near Redlands so I might be able to answer some questions if you have any.

Guyssss Redlands offered me a spot today with 24 hours to accept! I should be more excited but I feel ill.....!

Thank you so much!
I decided to pursue my path as a speech-language pathologist at University of Redlands since I want to serve more culturally and linguistically diverse population. It is nice to hear that they have supportive atmosphere and are known as producing nice SLPs! 
It was nice to hear such good things from you! it makes me feel a lot better  

It looks like I'm going to CSUN, where I'm completing my undergrad!  I guess I am a matador for life, hahahaaaa!  Although I was accepted (and waitlisted) at other schools that seemed like fantastic programs, the reality comes down to finances.  I just don't have the funds for out of state without breaking the bank, and I have my family to consider.  If it were only me and I was 22 or 23, I would have gone across the country to the school that had research in the field of study I am most interested in.  However, priorities change, and I am looking forward to NOT have to move over the summer.    

Wellll, I sent my deposit to University of New Mexico. BUT, I'm still holding out on my waitlists at SDSU and SFSU. So we'll see where I end up! Best of luck to you as well!

Please don't give up! This was my third round completing applications after many rejections and waitlists not getting anywhere. This year I was accepted into two programs. What really helped me improve my applications was retaking the gre and bumping up that writing score from a 3.5 to a 4, having more than most minimums of letters of recommendation (3) and doing 4 and volunteering. I was able to volunteer at an integrated preschool! It shows commitment and I was able to shadow the slp there which definitely helped why I wanted to be in this career.

I did the same thing!

I wouldn't say "rankings" are as important. But I think "reputation" is important. There are schools that are well-known for producing well-rounded SLPs and those schools are the ones that usually get top pick in terms of outplacements ( oftentimes in-demand outplacements will save spots just for their students because the places know they will be top quality), CFYs, jobs, etc. I have personally seen it happen where an SLP refused to take a student for an outplacement because that student was from a university that had a reputation for producing poor-performing graduates. I've talked to SLPs who work in the schools and in the hospitals in relatively small towns and they all know which schools--both in the area and around the country--that have good reputations. Don't choose a program if all you are looking for is name recognition, you should go because the program is awesome and fits your needs, but just some fruit for thought. Hope this helps!

Whats your experience? Where are you located? Are you able to move? What's your CSD GPA & overall GPA? last 6o units GPA? Gre scores?

I'd imagine that most schools would take AT LEAST a few days to go through the numbers, decide how many people can be let in from the waitlist, and prepare the emails/documents to send to them. I hope you hear soon though!