j_rae

Like most of you here I am SUPER EXCITED to start my masters program this fall for SLP!!! It's taken me a lot of work and dedication to get here and I want to make sure to maximize my time spent this upcoming two years. With that said I am also so so so nervous about this new chapter in my life. 
Hoping to hear from some current or past grad students on what they wish they knew before starting classes? Any tips? Advice? Words of wisdom? I would love to know <3
 

I was just accepted to Adelphi today!!!!! Send a big THANK YOU to that person for me!
 

I think the best thing to do would probably be to contact all of the schools you're interested in -- that way you hear the information straight from the school itself and they're able to see your name before applications and see that you're interested enough to take the time out to contact them... if that makes sense lol. Because, like you, I haven't been able to find any stats for spring admissions. I probably won't start on that adventure until I hear from more schools; although I've only heard from one school so far (waitlist), the other four are not looking too promising. 
Hopefully none of us will have to apply again though!

As April. 15th approaches I am really curious to see who gets admitted off the waitlist! Would you please share any experiences you've had with the waitlist, if you got off and if you already had accepted another offer. There isn't much information out there on it, everyone knows the date is coming up but we are all scrambling and hoping for dear life! 
 
I am waitlisted to I think, 3 schools, haven't heard back from UDC. I am assuming ill have some news come next week. So close...yet so far! 
*shrieks 

This is an excellent question.
You know yourself best. If you know you are going to be affected by the landscape and weather, that's a very important factor, and you need to give it appropriate consideration. I have a friend in my program now who has been profoundly impacted by the long and cold winter here, and it's begun affecting her schoolwork and motivation to do school/clinic work. The stress of grad school has just compounded how the weather affects her, which is why before grad school, she'd lived in the southwest. These feelings are not something she can just "get over" by willpower and pep talks or being more active (and she's already very active). It's only gotten worse as the season drags on (it recently snowed and there's more snow in the forecast). It was an odd set of circumstances that brought her here, and it's an excellent program, but she knows she's leaving as soon as the program is done. If she had had the luxury of deciding what geographic region to go to for a program, she wouldn't be here.
I don't think this should necessarily be the single deciding factor in your decision, but you should give it the right amount of consideration for you. For some people it's not an important a factor at all, but those people have no right to tell you how to feel. Any kind of impact of the weather and landscape is not easy to deal with, especially when you're in a new place, possibly with little to no support system, and under a lot of stress from grad school. It may be "only" two years, but those two years can seem a lot longer when you're dealing with the seasonal affects of weather.
Another caution I'll make is to really think about what makes a program "great" to you. I don't know if this is what you're thinking (and sorry if you aren't!), but rankings mean absolutely nothing to the quality of a program. You may have done this already, but it may also help to look more at the opportunities the programs offer (one externship, two externships, on campus clinic vs. no campus clinic, specialized externships, focus on certain populations, etc). It may help you feel more comfortable with whatever decision you end up making. It won't hurt to tour if possible, get into contact with current students, or make a personal call to the program director. I couldn't tour a few programs, and those personal calls asking for information really helped with my decision making.
Good luck! I think this is an important question to ask yourself, and you should give it the right amount of consideration for you.

I emailed Jacksonville last week and received this email in return:
 
I hope you are doing well. I apologize for our delay! Due to a high volume of applications, the review process is taking a little longer than anticipated. We will send out all admissions decisions by the first week of April and they will be sent out via email. Feel free to reach out with any questions in the meantime!
 
Guess we'll be hearing by next week. Good luck!!

To those of you asking about Iona:
I'm a current grad student at Iona. I know how helpful everyone on this forum was when I was struggling and thought that all hope was lost, so I want to pay it forward. First I want to say--DO NOT GIVE UP! I almost threw in the towel myself last year after my second round of applying, but once I got in and started the program I couldn't imagine myself doing/pursuing anything else. If this is truly what you want, it WILL happen. Okay, onto the interview info:
First, our program director is probably the sweetest, most supportive, and accommodating person I've ever met. She is a gem and she will make you feel super comfortable during the interview--her positivity will ease your nerves. You will be in the interview with 2-3 other people in our smaller conference room. The interview will of course start with introductions, where you went to undergrad, why you enjoy/chose the field, Etc. Questions that are posed to the group are definitely more situational-based than personal. One question that I can say is a definite is naming components of ASHA's code of Ethics--be SUPER familiar with it and be able to name a few bullet points basically verbatim along with an explanation in your own words--along these same lines there is also a question along the lines of "if you were in this situation, what would you do" (ex: if someone other than the child's parent/guardian comes into the clinic and asks to access the child's files/documents, is this allowed?") and you will have to apply the code of ethics to some extent to your answer. In some cases, you may be able to talk your way through it, but they will definitely be impressed if you can apply that knowledge to it as well. There is another question about the important of evidence-based practice in our field in terms of treatment efficacy, etc. They are HUGE on EBP in our program (as they should be), so I would definitely brush up on that so you can speak to it on an elevated level. They ask you what 3 qualities you think are important for an SLP to possess as well. They also ask what you do in your spare time or to unwind (due to the stressful nature of the program). The whole interview process is quick overall, about 15-20ish minutes if that. I hope all of this information helps, and I truly wish you the best of luck at the interview and during this entire process! 

YES. I feel so bad - like I truly feel bad that they're in a "sticky situation" or whatever but seriously, I would give A LOT to be having the troubles they're having. 

This is the meatiest, most interesting discussion I've ever seen on Grad Cafe. I'm so proud of us.
In all seriousness, though, I think there does need to be a balance between increasing the number of schools providing the MA-SLP and oversaturating the field. SLP already has a reputation for being a stable, relatively well-paying career that people can transition into, which is one of the reasons I'm here in the first place. If you think about other fields where that have had this reputation - law is the first that comes to mind - a sudden and sharp increase in the number of schools didn't only devalue the degree. Suddenly there were lots of lawyers with limited experience, student debt, and poor preparation for the field, which is not a good combination. I think the fact that schools are focusing on providing quality education to future clinicians is a good thing. I do hope that programs are able to grow in the next couple of years, but only if that doesn't compromise the level of education that people are receiving, because, like @SLPgradstudent said, we need to consider the needs of the patients.

YES. I feel so bad - like I truly feel bad that they're in a "sticky situation" or whatever but seriously, I would give A LOT to be having the troubles they're having. 

YES. I feel so bad - like I truly feel bad that they're in a "sticky situation" or whatever but seriously, I would give A LOT to be having the troubles they're having. 

anyone else feel like most people either get in almost everywhere or nowhere? :|

Is anyone else looking at estimates for attendance and internally sobbing / laughing hysterically? Add in cost of living and I'm not sure that I'll have any spare money once the program starts. Plus, I'm pretty sure it would be next to impossible to work while completing the MS program. My mom was right about saving for grad school (I still do not regret my impulse purchases... yet ). 
I know SLPs make decent money, but I'm wondering when the loan becomes too big of a loan-- if that makes any sense. I have one program that's going to be super cheap, even with the ridiculous cost of living for the area, but it's not my favorite school. And my top program choice (that I have yet to hear back from) could potentially be the most expensive program.
Thoughts?

I believe Tish22 was trying to be helpful and let people know what she has heard since she currently attends that school. Maybe instead of rudely dismissing her you should thank her. Many schools tell students they will know by a certain date but often notify earlier. 

I think the best thing to do would probably be to contact all of the schools you're interested in -- that way you hear the information straight from the school itself and they're able to see your name before applications and see that you're interested enough to take the time out to contact them... if that makes sense lol. Because, like you, I haven't been able to find any stats for spring admissions. I probably won't start on that adventure until I hear from more schools; although I've only heard from one school so far (waitlist), the other four are not looking too promising. 
Hopefully none of us will have to apply again though!

First, don't give up on this year. It's not over yet! 
But, I know the feeling. I'm a second year applicant. I got into two schools so far this year, but last year I was waitlisted or rejected from all 12 schools. I can't speak for you, but I can tell you how I handled it. First, I emailed the schools I was wailisted at and asked how I could improve my application. Most importantly though, I did some research (ASHA EdFind is your friend). I have good GRE scores and last 60 GPA, but low overall GPA due to some personal crap I was dealing with earlier in my undergrad. So, I emailed probably 60 schools back in May to find schools that only look at last 60 GPA, or schools who review every applicant holistically, rather than just by GPA cutoffs. It took forever, and I had to expand the geographical locations I was willing to live in, but in the end I got a bunch of really honest responses and it helped me whittle down my list. Beyond that, I took another prerequisite course through USU that my undergrad didn't offer, and I became an English tutor for adult immigrants. I also kept up with other volunteer activities even if they didn't have to do with SLP, like the local astronomical society, because I enjoyed them and figured they showed a little more about who I am as a person. I also made sure to get some fresh eyes to look at my SOP and see where that could be improved.
I think the key is the play the numbers game: what are my stats, what schools fit them, and how many applicants am I up against? Of course you can still apply to reach schools; I did. But, I think if I hadn't done my research to see what schools would be a good fit for me and showed my continued language interest by tutoring, I never would have gotten in. That being said, I'm hoping you have get some good news from SFSU and don't have to worry about doing all of this again  

Congrats to those who got into their respective programs!  Are any of you already making decisions, or waiting for the rest to respond back?
Waiting for emails, but not wanting to contact them in fear of sounding impatient.  

Ugh I agree!! But then again, I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one anxiously awaiting; maybe they just send all of their decisions later in the month. I've seen people on this forum who have heard from a few of my other schools, and it's actually torture knowing that they've been in touch with them and not me . Hopefully we both receive good news when we finally hear from them!

Groupon emails continue to be the bane of my existence. 

And tomorrow is Monday, anxiously awaiting updated portals, emails, and waiting for the mail 

Just got my first wait-list notification. I never thought I would be so happy about getting wait listed!

Do you currently go there? I'm very interested in their program, I knew someone who graduated their masters 2-3 years back and loved it. Do you feel things have changed?/ When do they typically send out acceptances/rejections?

I have a 3.3 overall and a 3.4 last 60 and received an acceptance at Midwestern University. I also have two other interviews this upcoming week. People with lower gpa's do not give up!

Anyone else find themselves checking their email, this site, the results page, and all their portals a million times a day? I feel like I'm going crazy!

Winter quarter is here! Meaning Interviews/Acceptances/Rejections are among us.
I would love to hear some motivational 3.4 overall or less GPA stories to get me/us through this tough time.