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^^ I completely agree. If you put forth the effort emailing programs and finding which ones match your GPA/GRE, you are in a much better position than blowing 2k on app fees to schools that are close by or have recognizable names. I would email programs instead of relying on ashaedfind or even the school's website.

For any undergrads or recent graduates- any time management tips? I'm trying to juggle keeping up my GPA, working, being active in clubs, research, and shadowing/volunteering. Besides the above, how are you finding time to work out, maintain a relationship/friendships, and keep up with cooking, cleaning, errands, and beauty routines? My semester has turned into a sleepless nightmare of a marathon. Any tips, or even just how you manage pre grad school prep like shadowing alongside other commitments would be great!

If you aren't planning to settle down right after grad school, and spend a few years working full-time with contract on the side, I'm sure you could pay it off pretty quickly. Something that hopefully should calm your debt fears a bit is remembering why you were drawn to SLP and your educational investment will bring you years of career stability and pleasure. Someone who was doing SLP "just because" and taking out 90k in loans seems more a cause for concern, particularly if they realize they want to go back to school two years into the profession. (for myself) I am limiting grad debt as much as possible as shortly after grad school I would like to buy a house, have a child, and work part-time (or in a school district.) If I only plan on making 60k/year after taxes tops, I won't attend a 90k program. Thus, if you are drawn to career goals, 90k in debt isn't too shabby if you're making 90k/year in a mainstream city after taxes. You'll be debt free in seven, eight years depending on other aspects of your budget. Meanwhile, if you are not drawn to career goals and only plan on working part-time, I would be quite concerned about that sort of debt load. Fulfilling your educational dream is awesome, but not when it comes to wrecking your future finances for the next twenty years. Also, if you creep into the 100k/over debt bracket, that seems quite the stretch for the $$ that SLP makes.

Whatsinmind- would you mind sharing what you did extracurricular or research wise to make yourself a competitive applicant for a comdis PhD program? Also, what career path do you hope to pursue after the phD?

Also- I would email programs to see what GPA they look at. If your cumulative is a 3.5 but your last 60 units a 3.8, you may want to put your time and resources into schools that focus on your last 60 units GPA instead.

Thank you to all who responded; I am really appreciative of the insight. Definitely looks like I will be contacting a few other clinics and hoping for a better fit.

Most schools I am looking at want either the 50th or 40th percentile for Quant/Verbal and use that as the cut off. I found that out by looking at programs online, and emailing. I have read multiple times on the forum that you want to aim for at least a 4 in AW. Obviously the higher your GRE score is, esp verbal/AW, the better place you are at. For myself, I am aiming for at least a 150 in Quant, and a 155 in Verbal, with 4 in AW. I am hoping to surpass my goals, but plan to retake the test until I reach those "minimum" standards if I score lower.

The past two months I have volunteered at a pediatric OT-speech clinic with multiple OT's, but only one SLP. When I shadow a speech session, I sit in a chair in the corner, but I somehow end up being a distraction to the child due to the small room and me being a new face. Multiple sessions I have felt embarrassed as the SLP has to divert the child's attention back to her as the child glances at me, and in one session the child was very shy with a new face and I had to step out. I have shadowed the OT's as well, but they involve me in their sessions, and provide me with things to do before and after the session to assist them. They explain what they are doing, and make me feel connected and engaged. I am starting to feel like a bit of a bother to the SLP, and today she brought up that she would prefer if I only shadowed speech sessions bi-monthly instead of weekly. Does anyone have any stories, hints, tips, or advice about observations?

How much time did it take you to prep for the GRE? (and what was your backround (recent test taker, very strong in math fundamentals, etc.) Tips, stories, etc, welcome! I registered to take the test in August, but am stressing about what to commit to this summer in order to have adequate prep time.

How much time did it take you to prep for the GRE? (and what was your backround (recent test taker, very strong in math fundamentals, etc.) Tips, stories, etc, welcome! I registered to take the test in August, but am stressing about what to commit to this summer in order to have adequate prep time.

I have not applied yet, but have thought of Plan B's. Such include: -Observing SPED/reg ed classrooms and applying to a dual SPED/reg teacher credentialing program -Taking pre-reqs to apply for a Masters in School Counseling, or Admissions Counseling (for a high school/university) -Going ABA and eventually taking the exam for that -Taking ECE units and working as a preschool teacher -Taking SLPA courses -Doing Americorps Literacy program for a year -Teaching English abroad -Au pairing for a year in another country The above is a mixture of "gap year" fillers and total career path changers. Hope such gives some ideas! (:

candynut- that is AWESOME info to know! Do you recall if they were CSDCAS schools or not? I am starting my junior year of undergrad Fall 2015, but registered to take the GRE this summer. I was upset about losing out on sending my four free scores, haha.

I'm a backpack fan, and have a cute one from Northface. It looks sporty, professional, yet (in my opinion) fashionable haha.

Thanks Crimson Wife!! I have an interest in Deaf/Hoh language acquisition and was excited to see this thread.

-Should I contact professors now, before summer, or wait until Fall semester starts? -What are your experiences with getting involved (or purposely choosing other things to do) with research? -what was the time commitment for you? -what was expected from you? -why did you choose to get involved? Feel free to answer any of the above or just give your own input! My CD advisor recommended that I contact a few professors whose research interested me, but I am a bit at a loss of what foundational skills I need to be successful (programming/coding? Strong science backround? Upper division statistics courses?)

Wichita State (Kansas) Minot (South Dakota) Haven't found any on the East Coast.

More ideas: -Search "ot/pt/slp pediatric clinic" in your area. Most clinics love volunteers. You may not observe speech all the time, and will be expected to do some minor cleaning, but great experience. I volunteer at a clinic for 3hrs/week (one shift.) Very easy commitment! -Ask to shadow an SLP at a public school, skilled nursing facility, deaf/heard of hearing school, early intervention preschool, or rehab department of a hospital. -Search for a speech related summer camp in your area. -Work in a setting with children, such as ABA -Volunteer at your local hospital, or special recreation department of your park/rec district, or special needs classroom I think having (something) to put on your resume is important and can really make your app shine besides an already solid set of numbers.

Kate22192- I would research programs that are out of state, but cheaper. Minot, Fort Hays, Central Arkansas. Even Governor's State or Portland State are under 45k...not much cheaper, but every grand counts! Look at ashaedfind and find schools you rarely see on this forum, or schools in the mid-west. That is where I have had a fair amount of luck with finding cheaper programs. SLPsara- I'll pass on any info I find! (:

For me, cost is an imperative factor while researching schools. -In-state schools -Schools covered under regional tuition agreements -Hours of research searching "_____ graduate school tuition", then adding in fees and inflation (I will apply Fall 2016.) Then again, I'm in CA and currently researching all 19 schools covered by in-state/WICHE, besides other programs that are 35k/under total tuition/fees. I set a limit for myself in how much I would take out for loans (tuition, fees, accounting for possible increases, books), with cost of living separate. This makes it easy to cross universities off of my list. For SLP, I would like to limit my debt as I want my career to be a part, but not whole, of my adult life. I want $$ to be able to purchase a house at high Bay Area prices, travel, and start a family shortly if not immediately after grad school. I feel most confident taking out 50k total (tuition and housing) in order to meet my other goals. Then again, I will have no undergraduate debt and plan on saving hopefully at least a year's worth of rent before starting a program.

I believe Utah State (WICHE!) and CSU Fresno both have a Deaf/Hard of hearing focus option. I got that info from past posts on Gradcafe so I am not sure of the legitimacy regarding the extent that each program focuses, but worth checking out!

Was this (quarter vs semester programs) something you took into account when researching schools or deciding on a program? As I look into schools, I have found myself wondering what the academic pace is like at a quarter system university. Peers at quarter system undergraduate universities have mentioned that each quarter to them is "a fast paced big push" (of work.) Obviously this question depends a fair amount on learning style, but as someone currently on a semester system and enjoying the pace, I would be interested in the experiences of others as they research/ed schools that would fit them well.

I am an undergrad at SFSU and have close friends at East Bay who are CD undergrads. SFSU- LOVE the program! Helpful, informative advisors. Robust and active NSSLAH chapter that is currently hosting a Spring conference this month incorporating community speech organizations. Grad students regularly form semester long study groups for different courses. Friendly, welcoming environment with clean clinic rooms. I have not had a single negative experience in the undergrad program so far, and all grad students I have interacted with seem happy. Lots of different opportunities working with different population with the on campus clinic. TONS of speech opportunities in the Bay Area for every single interest out there. They also offer a study abroad option for graduate students with a university in Sweden. Con: Limited research opportunities/focus. If you have a PhD in mind eventually, you may want to keep other universities in mind. The school/surrounding area. Beautiful library, clean campus. Con: places to eat on campus are overpriced or greasy pizza. Do not expect to find parking if you bring your car (if driving to school.) You will need to bus or walk to campus. The surrounding city does have dirt, grime, packed public transit during commute, and a noticeable homeless population (think any typical city.) I came from the suburbs, and felt very lost/uncomfortable my first few weeks as I settled into learning how to take a bus, or walking past a homeless camp. Neither of those things bother me at all now. That being said- I LOVE the city. Last weekend I biked across the Golden Gate bridge, and my "todo" list for places to see stretches out a solid year. I would not change my undergrad choice at all and have had nothing but positive experiences at SFSU and SF in general. CSUEB- Two friends that are seniors in the CD program have had "pretty good" experiences. Great aphasia clinic but relatively limited clinical options otherwise. Some research opportunities, great NSSLAH chapter, solid professors. Unless you are very passionate about a certain area of speech (such as really wanting to work with HOH population), seems like a very solid program. I have visited a half dozen times and been to a few NSSLAH events on campus. The surrounding area: I personally love the campus. It's clean, the CD program seemed close-knit, and it's in a pretty chill location with an easy commute to many Bay Area adventures. You will need a car at this school. Not a college town school/no school spirit, but that seems like a mute point at the grad level.

What is the maximum amount of letters of rec you feel is appropriate to ask of one professor?

Thank you to all that responded! Upon some searching I found Eastern Illinois is also under 20k/year.

I would search for the topic "less competitive schools" (should be floating around on the first or second page.) Provides a lot of insight on schools that seem to cast wider acceptance nets!