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If you are applying to clinical Masters program (not PhD) and also not planning on trying to connect with a professor regarding research, emailing the professor (who may not even be on the adcom board) doesn't seem like it would be of a great benefit to you. Why don't you email whoever is listed as the head of the adcom committee on ASHA, and ask if you could tour the department meet with someone to ask questions about the program in personabout any open houses,if there are faculty or grad students who would be willing to communicate with you about aspects of the program,how you could improve your application,or even your stats/asking if your stats are too low? I would not personally email a professor unless I had a reason to (research interest, the course they teach). If you email the program head, they should be able to appropriately direct your email to someone else, or answer any questions you have themselves.

Haha yes! You can go back in a few weeks, a few months, even a year from now and send your GRE score to any program.

koala- Why don't you just resend your old GRE scores again to be sure? & I'm pretty sure you can keep on sending in your GRE scores until the deadline.

Probably not what you want to hear, but why don't you spend a year prepping? It's hard to find a school (sans Loma Linda) that doesn't require the GRE, or pre-reqs. You could easily work and gain experience (like in ABA), take some pre-reqs with that money (as CrimsonWife stated), study more for the GRE, and volunteer to gain experience. What was your GRE score? Your experience? GPA?

Regarding the GRE, you are going to get many different subjective answers. 1 month is enough for some students, and definitely not enough for others. Are you a strong writer? Have you taken a practice test? What are your math skills like? Seeing as you are on a deadline, you can really only start where you're at now, and try to give the GRE your best shot. I would try out different methods: a practice workbook vs online, and see which method works best for you. As for as the Sop, I would just start writing out a draft. Get friends and family to continually edit and add input. What qualities will you bring to a program? What experiences have you had that made you want to choose SLP? Why do you want to do SLP? Just look at the prompts, and start outlining a draft.

Observation definitely counts for something! At this point in the game I definitely wouldn't be beating down the door to volunteer if you aren't finding something that's a good fit. Have you thought of looking into being a literacy tutor for kids, teaching a science class for kids, or working with the special recreation department? I found that I had to sift through the Internet using multiple keywords to find places to volunteer at that weren't the usual top ten and over-saturated. I think each year is rather a toss up in terms of admissions. You seem like a strong applicant with the stats, and you do have some observation to put on your resume. Again, at this point, there are only so many variables that you can control. If I were in your shoes, I would probably try to observe one more place, and focus on my SOP. Also, a lot of college towns have fierce competition when it comes to minimum wage service jobs. From personal experience I've noticed that a lot of hires are referrals, already have experience (especially food, ABA, and retail haha), or fit a certain personality type. Something to look into that actually doesn't require an interview (at least where I am from) is being a substitute paraprofessional in the public schools. You fill out the app, take a proficiency test, get a backround check, then are entered into the system. When an opportunity arises, you just click and the job is yours if it's still available!

speechie94- As CalChi SLP said, I think many schools use GPA and GRE to filter as a starting point. You can use a school's average or range of accepted students to get a better picture if the school would be worth applying to. I would contact programs directly, or look at their website to see if the info is publicly listed. ASHA edfind is a great starting point, but double checking with the program can provide an even more clear answer. For example, San Diego State and Long Beach both list on their websites that their average admit GPA was at least a 3.8*. From such numbers, you can easily conclude that it would be statistically very low for those schools to accept someone with a 3.1 or even a 3.4 GPA when they have X amount of applicants to choose from that meet their their goal criteria for their next class. *I am going from memory, that number is probably not 100% accurate

You will recieve a lot of different answers, and there is no "right" answer. For myself, before I took the GRE I decided I would continue to retake until I got minimum 150 V, 150 Q, and 4.0 AW. After seeing my scores and my strengths/weaknesses, I decided to retake it and set my goals on a realistic upswing of: 150Q, 160 V, 5.0 AW. Obviously the higher the GRE score, the better off you are. Again, I think a 150 150 (or 300 average, could be a 148 and 152) and a writing 4.0 are pretty good minimums.

Have you thought of looking into other options like OT, audiology, PT (depending on your science backround), a Masters in counseling, or even teaching? I would finish out the semester you are doing and still apply if you are applying this cycle and have started the process, but also start considering other options. Have you tried job shadowing? I have always worked with children as well, but a few months of shadowing at a pediatric clinic made me realize that I wanted to explore other parts of therapy. I wouldn't knock any part of speech until you've shadowed the population, you might find interest somewhere! Job shadowing may really seal the deal for you if you are interested in pursuing the profession or not. Realistically, if you find out you really hate speech, don't waste $$ getting a Masters that you can't really do anything with other than therapy or lecturing. It will be worth it in the end to settle into a profession you are passionate about. Plus why attend grad school studying a subject you don't find interesting, haha. Also- have you thought of actually applying next cycle? A 3.0 GPA may limit your options until your GPA has come up a bit with the pre-reqs. If I were you: I would want to keep my options open so I would still apply, while looking into other careers.

From my experience watching this forum over two application cycles, I have noticed that numbers are the ice cream for the grad school sundae, and experience is the whipped cream and toppings that make the sundae even sweeter. You have to have X stats, with many schools listing their cut-offs or averages. A school may get 200 applicants with stats that meet their cut-off, or are the average for that year. That's where your experience comes in for setting you apart. Advice -All A's. You /need/ an upward grade trend, awesome last 60 GPA, and near perfect CSD GPA.-Depending on your units you are taking, you can easily bring your GPA up to a 3.60 in three semesters. -GRE. I personally think a higher GRE score can offset a lower GPA to a slight degree, paired with an upward grade trend. -Continue gaining experience-Research programs very carefully. Email programs asking if they consider last 60 or cumulative GPA. Don't change your major if you love the field. Just do research in regard to schools, apply broadly, and work hard. I am also a junior, and my first semester freshman year grades continue to haunt my cumulative GPA despite near perfect grades since then. I am in a similar boat as you in regards to cumulative GPA. We can't change what has happened in the past, but can do everything to make ourselves the most competitive applicants we can be. & personally, I think a 3.60 cumulative paired with a solid GRE score and experience, as well as broadly applying to carefully researched schools is not the shabbiest place to be in. Not the very best, but definitely not terrible.

Have you thought about taking a prep course, or private tutoring? That is what I'm looking at. It's costly (a grand for a prep course) but if you do well with an additional motivator/ a lot of structure, I would consider it.

I attend school in SF, but live in Berkeley.

koalalover1- she (the professor) must be referring to the old GRE. The "new" GRE on a /170 scale came out in I believe 2012. With the old GRE, your scores were averaged, and if I recall properly all scores were shown. I know this as my significant other started his PhD program in 2012, and took the old version of the GRE in 2011, and had similar questions himself back then. With the new GRE, you have ScoreSelect and only select what sittings you want to send. If you took the test 7 times, you could select from 1-7 exams to send the school. The scores are all from one sitting, you can't take a verbal from one and math from another, but you get to choose what scores "sets" you send. There is absolutely no way a university can access your personal GRE records unless you release them. You would have to ask individual programs if they average, or take the highest, etc GRE score you send. Taking the GRE multiple times is a total waste of money unless you are well prepared for the retake. I took the GRE in August. Did poorly on quant. Was distraught. Registered to take the test again in September. Realized what a poor move that was, had to pay 50 bucks to reschedule it to next summer. I plan on prepping for quant for 6 months, and already (10 months before) am doing some minor practice a few times a week. Any part of the GRE you have a deficit in is, as I believe another user put it, is like learning another language.

Thanks Pennsatucky, I had not actually explored tuition rates beyond my (very small) sample pool of schools I had priced out. $400 for a two bedroom!? I currently pay $3250/month for a two bedroom in a rather sketchy part of town!

Most state schools offer tuition that is less expensive than a private (without factoring in any financial aid one would receive.) Also, states in the midwest/South (Kansas, Mississippi) tend to run cheaper than the coasts. I would do two things: 1. Make a list of programs you like. Spend time adding up the tuition they would cost. I did this for about twenty programs, it took me about 15 minutes per program. A lot of times you have to see how many units the program is, then multiply that, add on the additional fees, etc. 2. Search "cheapest graduate schools" on Google, while also searching to see if any programs match up on Asha EdFind as offering a Masters for speech.

It takes some time, but you can search through ASHA edfind's PhD programs and find ones that offer a combined Masters/PhD option off the bat as well. I know University of Texas, Austin offers one.

For this particular student, that seems almost impossible (though fantastic advice for any other 3.4 students with coursework left.) If the student has a 3.4 GPA and 120 units of coursework, to raise their GPA to a 3.70, that would be exactly another 120 units of A coursework, with no lower grades. fbf13- I would check out the GRE forum, and seriously consider a private tutor, a GRE prep course in verbal, as well as some test taking strategy books, and Magoosh. Private prep is costly, but depending on your learning style, can be greatly beneficial.

What are your GRE scores, and what were you doing in terms of prep? Did you use any test taking strategy books?

Depending on your learning style I would also recommend trying to get into a community college class. I would definitely try to volunteer in a setting you could see yourself working in as well. I love kids, so contacted pediatric clinics in my area. I'm looking for further volunteer opportunities to observe other populations as well.

If I were in your shoes I would -ease off on doing any "extra" EC's as you already have plenty to put on your resume -Put that extra time into achieving hopefully all A grades this upcoming semester -Also put that time into studying a little bit each day for the GRE You should really take the GRE ASAP. As in the latest mid October. I would go register now, and order some prep books or an online program. Your GRE scores will take time to be sent and then processed by CSDCAS. I would focus on maximizing your GPA/GRE to the best of your abilities, I personally don't think 20 more volunteer hours are going to make or break your app, but that's just one opinion.

University of Utah Florida State University University of Cincinnati Via Asha edfind I noted the above three have combo Masters/PhD but have not done more research than that

Has anyone here considered applying to PhD programs? I have seen a few options for a combined MA-PhD. I have an interest in teaching (at the college level) or going into a more administrative position eventually, and had placed some thought about completing a Masters degree, then going for a PhD eventually if the timing lined up well with a future career and family. Meanwhile, a MA-PhD program seems like killing two birds with one stone. I have noticed that none of the CD faculty at my university hold a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences, and most just have a Masters level education. Meanwhile, while browsing job forums, I also noticed that most supervising SLP positions advertised required a PhD in Speech and Hearing Sciences or a related field. Any thoughts or input would be great.

I would email programs you are interested in and find out what GPA they look at (last 60, CSD, or cumulative), and what was their average admit GPA last year. What a competitive GPA is differs vastly on location and number of applicants. Some CA schools may get up to 700 applicants and take a 3.8 and up. Some midwest schools that are not as well-known may get 200 applicants and take a 3.2 and up. In addition, if you have a 3.2 CSD GPA but a 3.6 average GPA, you still may not competitive due to your subpar CSD GPA. From my hours of viewing acceptance threads and emailing programs, I've come up with these conclusions (for cumulative and last 60): -3.8 GPA/above = very competitive for any program -3.6-3.7 GPA = competitive for most schools (depends on location) -3.5 GPA = average, cut-off point for if you're applying to more "brand name" schools -3.2-3.4 GPA = below average but some EC's and at least average GRE balance out for multiple acceptances at less well-known schools -3.0-3.2 = not very competitive, but will be accepted somewhere if researches programs well, and most likely waitlisted at other schools -Below 3.0 = research programs very well, apply to 15+ schools, hope for best Realistically, your CSD GPA should be a 3.7 or up. If not, more competitive schools seem to be a reach despite cumulative GPA. You will get a range of responses on this thread from many folks like myself making generalized assumptions based on information we've gained. You can search schools you're interested in on this forum and spend hours reading acceptance and rejection posts. Both will give you a general ballpark of what schools match your credentials. I would highly recommend making a list of schools and emailing the programs yourself as well for a more accurate representation. Best of luck!

I would stay at your current school for two years. It seems like a good fit for you, and you seem to be excited about attending. If you still want to pursue SLP after two years, I would definitely transfer to an institution that offers an undergrad Comdis major. Check your state to see if any state schools offer the program- most state schools take on large amounts of transfer students that are upcoming juniors each year. Most state schools only offer ComDis classes to juniors and seniors in a sequence order, and most only accept junior transfers (at least what I've seen on the West Coast.) Personally, I would not delay your education by taking a year off. You can get your GE classes anywhere- whether you opt for a community college or your current institution. You have endless possibilities at this point. You could even graduate from your current institution, then pursue a post-bac and do a gap year shadowing and working. Meanwhile, I would not stress about such right now. Enjoy the college experience, shadow SLP, get your GE classes done, then reevaluate and see what path you want to take.

Thanks SLPosteriorCricoarytenoid! I am partial to the hobby of napping as well, haha. I really like your idea of planning and executing daily goals.