jmk

You have something to put on your resume already. I would spend your time studying for the GRE this summer versus getting a job. Strong GRE scores would offset a 3.55/3.6 GPA a lot more than a few lines on a resume when you already have experience with ASD kids. Plus- as Crimson Wife stated- you start out in an entry position, and would probably not be eligible to take the exam until apps were already due. I would definitely focus on scores more than resume at this point. After the summer, post GRE, have you thought about quitting your library position (unless it is work study or something)? I think paid work experience with kids would look great to future employers, and be a stepping stone if you took a gap year. Reasoning: If you only have time to study and scores 145's, your chances of getting into a program are lower...even with an awesome resume. If you score 155/160, and keep your current resume...well, you have strong scores, and experience! Finally- the likelihood of you having enough experience to talk about ABA in a personal statement, or get a letter of rec from someone you have known for 6-7 weeks doesn't seem beneficial.

-Your GPA is fine. Your Fall grades will be included. A 3.8 cumulative is very competitive...and your 4.0 major GPA is as well! -As someone who is also taking the GRE this summer, the "minimums" I will try for are 150 Quant, 150 Verbal, 4.0 Writing. (300 overall). Meanwhile, obviously the higher you score, the better off you are. Unless you go into the test, freeze, and get 140's, you will be fine. -I would not ask a professor you are taking in the fall for a letter of rec...unless you have to. My university requires all students to ask for letters by November (not sure if yours has a similar policy)...which is not a lot of time to get to know a professor. I would email the professor you had in the past, and ask if she/he could "advise" you about grad school, or look at your essay. Then, ask them for a letter of rec when Fall starts. Deficit: You need another academic letter of rec. Any past professors you could also email? It feels awkward at first, but you'll feel better afterward! Resume: I would get pretty involved w your developmental disability volunteering this summer. Very relevant- something to write about in your personal statement. Improvement: Have you thought of trying to shadow an SLP this summer?

What about a business dress (like the kind Target makes...fashionable, but professional), and flats? (with possibly a cardigan, depending on weather) I feel like a dress is most versatile in the fact that it blends in with both casual and professional dress. Or what about cute khaki capris (I recently saw some at Old Navy), (or straight leg khakis rolled up at the ankles) with a polo or flowy blouse (think Gap) on top?

ABA/other umbrella early interventions. Newborn hearing screener. 1:1 aide for child with disabilities (at least in the Bay Area, some contract companies that specialize in serving families like that). 1:1 aide for an adult with disabilities.

Don't forget that many OT's do feeding and swallowing therapy. I would look for a private pediatric clinic in your area that offers pt/ot/slp services. That way, you could shadow all three. I was torn between OT and SLP for a while as well. Shadowing helped- a lot.

I would also choose #1! Could you ask her now, so she could be mentally prepared/be able to give you an answer if she thinks she will be swamped? Seems like you have the most personal relationship with her.

Alyspeechie- I'm also from NorCal! Are you in the Bay Area? I know of a few clinics (all pediatrics) in the East Bay (Berkeley, and farther out like San Ramon), and a sprinkling in SF/one towards Burlingame that I or classmates have volunteered at if you are in those areas.

I would raise your GPA before diving into a postbacc. Take classes at a CC (in psych, early childhood education, etc.) and bring your GPA up to a 3.0, and take that time to relearn study skills so you will succeed in your postbacc. (or as another poster said, a SLPA program). I would also complete a full postbacc before applying, so that you will have a complete set of CD prereqs done to show your dedication. If you can bring your overall GPA up to a 3.2-3.3, and have a high postbacc GPA, I think you have a shot.

Congrats! I could definitely see how one could be a bit skeptical until they had their offer of admission in writing. Do you know if the university has a wait list? Maybe they had an unofficial wait list you were on. Fingers crossed that everything works out for you!

Don't forget that most program on CSDCAS only requires letters of rec (to CSDCAS) versus per program. So if you apply to 10 programs on CSDCAS, you only need two (academic) letters of rec, and one professional letter. I am hoping to apply to 15, which will be around 2.5 grand. I would rather spend the money once and cast a wider net with hopefully options to choose from, than have to repeat the process. My GPA is a 3.55 cumulative with 4.0 prereq and 3.85 last 60, so we are at similar stats. After watching many of my classmates face a slew of rejections from CA programs, I am pretty motivated to up my chances with a wider net!

If you apply to 18 schools with your current grades and experience, I would be surprised if you didn't get in anywhere. If you do pretty well in your post-bacc, and at least a 150/150 split on the GRE, I would think that number would be higher. Unless you are planning to get C's in your postbacc and bomb the GRE, you look like a strong candidate. I actually have no insight to those schools and how they review applications, being an applicant this Fall myself! It definitely appears that GPA and GRE make up the ice cream in the sundae, with EC's being the toppings. I have similar stats and am also looking to cast a wide net due to wanting to stay on the West Coast, which is also a highly competitive area. The best advice a classmate told me was quality, not quantity, and start early. She completed all of her essays in the summer, ordered her transcripts, and set up a manila envelope for each program with dates on the front, etc. She also polished up her resume, and communicated any questions to target programs then. Her hard work during summer made the application process much more streamlined than students who started in the Fall.

Are we allowed to post external links on here? https://medicine.wsu.edu/speechandhearing/postbaccalaureate-program/ is the link to the courses the OP needs. Do you need all of them? Realistically you could probably complete 3-5 courses. & most leveling programs won't even let you take certain coursework without prerequisites to continue to the sequence. My advice would be to take a leveling year. I don't doubt your enthusiasm or motivation. That is just a lot of coursework. Why don't you e-mail a few leveling programs and see what your options are? Utah State University seems to be a popular program.

momoSLP44- what were your stats in terms of GPA and GRE? Congrats on your acceptances! I have heard similar stories this season about SJSU. It is definitely making me reconsider applying to their program next year.

I would not consider myself to be great at science either, but have really enjoyed my anatomy and neurology courses. Yes- I have to put more time and effort into studying and memorizing for those courses. Meanwhile, if you put the effort in, you should have no problem. There are no equations to memorize or apply. Neurology/neurolinguistics definitely seemed more "science-y" to me than anatomy, but you are barely scraping the surface of harder science topics. Just make sure you truly have enough time to study for the class, especially if you have been out of the school grind for awhile.

Slightly off topic OP, but I see you have a GRE of 292. How does your score break down? Have you considered strengthening your GRE score through added prep and a retake? Also- have you considered widening your pool of school choices (if geographically/financially possible), and emailing programs for the next cycle asking if your stats fit their average applicant? I only have a story from a related field- a friend got a Masters in Kinesiology while trying to get into OT school. He did not think the Masters really helped his app, but did the the research experience and volunteer opportunities he had while at the program did.

I know that Eastern WA is also on the list! I e-mailed schools last year- Eastern WA only awarded 2 WRPG students with in-state tuition, not all. Meanwhile, Idaho State awarded all WRPG students in-state tuition. If you are interested in one of the programs, I would e-mail them for their upcoming app cycle and see how many WRPG waivers they will give out. Don't forget to check out residency requirements- a lot of public schools in other states allow you to apply to become a resident for your second year of graduate school. That can help a lot with cost, especially when you factor in cost of living. I am in the same boat- CA and capping myself on tuition prices.

A student at my university received an acceptance two? or three? days ago (she posted about it on social media). I know she is seriously considering the program and was a careful researcher during app season. Over Spring Break, she also went on holiday to Hawaii, and toured the campus. All of her photos show a beautiful and up to date clinic and campus. Apparently during her tour she also interviewed with the program- I am not sure if it was a planned, or impromptu, interview. The acceptance was received was after she came back from the trip. I would be interested to hear the perspective of a student who is enrolled in the program. It is hard to tell whether threads bashing programs are spoken out of personal anger, or an actual problem. (I also saw the negative Manoa review thread, and am thinking of applying to the program next cycle, but want more personal reviews as well).

@jm1988, if you are open to roommates, that is definitely your best bet. I am an undergrad at SFSU (but live an hour away and spend way too much time on public transit, haha). A friend of mine rents an apartment five minutes away from campus- two bedroom for $3,200/month. She shares it with two other students, and despite not having her own place, is very happy with the $$ saved. Commuting: the weeks pass quickly and my financial relief drowns out the day to day grind and occasional frustration. I know that rents in the East Bay (farther than Berkeley...I'm talking Walnut Creek/San Ramon) are far cheaper than the city, and still cater socially to young professionals. If I could do my undergrad over, unless I got an inheritance haha, I would still choose to have saved the money I did on rent. Downsides? Commuting gets to be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining at times. Requires much more planning than my classmates. Meanwhile, I still have been able to form meaningful friendships and be actively involved with departmental activities despite my commuter status. Overall- I have greatly enjoyed my undergrad experience through the CD program, and wish you luck in finding housing arrangements that suit your need and budget should you attend! I would highly recommend the BART system as well. There is a free shuttle (or you can take a city bus for free as well) that goes directly to campus from the closest BART station.

Would you be able to fund some of your tuition and living costs up front, or are you planning to do it all on loans? Personally, $100k tuition + high cost of living on all loans sounds like a financially poor idea versus a free ride and lower cost of living, haha. If I were in your shoes, my heart would also be leaning toward Columbia, but I would save my acceptance letter as a token a pride, and go with the choice that won't leave me three figures in debt, haha. Could you sit down with a financial advisor (or search around on the Internet depending on your accounting skills), and make a spreadsheet of how long it would take to pay back debt on various starting salaries, as well as discuss your financial goals post grad such as when you would like to purchase a house, and how debt could affect you?

@rainsonata, if you are comfortable with it, would you mind sharing your stats? Trying to map my own application strategy for next cycle! I have a pretty average cumulative gpa, and am wondering if it is even worth it to apply to certain CSU campuses. Congrats on your Radford acceptance!

Q about UOP: have you heard of any funding offered? I am looking into CA programs for next cycle.

In my subjective opinion, I think EC's are the "cherry on top" of an application, but GPA/GRE are the heavy hitters. NSSLHA? Sure, involvement can show leadership. But I view it more as a social club where likeminded students can interact. Research? Definitely a stepping stone if you have a PhD in mind- whether now, or later. If you have the time, I would get your 25 observation hours this summer, and use your observation to glean interest in what population/s you want to work with so you have some solid firsthand experience to include in your essays.

imunster- all schools are different! You would have to e-mail the individual school to see which GPA they place more weight on- CSD coursework, last 60 units, or cumulative. Unless your cumulative GPA is quite low, I (personally) would not put forth effort emailing programs about GPA. If your cumulative is low, then definitely put in the energy finding programs that focus on last 60 and CSD! I am also a Fall 2017 CA applicant! It's really interesting to see the perspective of the peers in my undergrad program (many seniors applied to about five only CA programs), vs GradCafe. I am also looking at CA schools, but Bay Area centered, as well as out of state.

Hi, I am curious as to whom you all asked for your academic and clinical letters of recommendation. If extra time: -For the format of a school asking for 3 letters, did you do two academic and one clinical, or a different combination? -How many letters did you ask from each letter writer? -How did you decide who to ask for your letters? -Did you feel pressure to have a letter from an SLP, or did you use a letter from an employer or volunteer coordinator?

Hi- I'm also in the Fall 2017 boat! Almost anyone you ask may give you a slightly subjective and different answer. You have to assess yourself and choose the path best for you. I am pretty much in the same boat with stats and EC's, and chose the GRE/SOP path like Jolie717 mentioned as I feel that will benefit me (and someone like you) the best. GRE: I would definitely assess your deficits in the GRE. I would do multiple GRE practice tests. I quickly realized where my deficit was, and where I was actually doing pretty well. Armed with that knowledge, I now have made a much better plan of what and how I need to study. I plan to take the GRE in August, with the bulk of hardcore studying done after the semester ends, and studying the portion I have a deficit on this semester. Schools: I have also started a spreadsheet of potential schools. I just started over winter break researching program fits, and making a spreadsheet of what each program needs. I would also look into websites on getting into SLP grad school, and even books about essays for grad school in general. SOP: I wrote down all of the prompts from this year for the schools I am interested in. Which I think is a pretty good lead in writing some very beginning rough drafts. I would also compile a list of folks to send your SOP to for editing. So I don't bug professionals or professors too much, I am probably going to make a list with "waves" of, as weird as this sounds, people who are less skilled at editing to more skilled. I would rather have someone less skilled (aka a friend) initially look at my SOP and critique something probably really blatantly off sounding. By the time it has been corrected many times, and has gotten to the very skilled at editing folks (aka professor)...they can focus on smaller parts rather than marking up the whole essay for something simple like vocab. Extracurriculars: I went through the same "not enough on my resume" crisis a few weeks ago. I chose not to add any additional extracurriculars, but am looking towards summer. I shadowed at a clinic last year, but stopped when Fall semester started. I plan to shadow there a bit over summer so I feel more comfortable asking an SLP there for a letter of recommendation as my face will not only be familiar, but also "fresh" again. I also plan to run for a leadership position in a relevant club (NSSLHA). Finally, I plan to keep my current volunteer commitment through app season. Finally...it is such a relief to watch people go through the process on this forum this year. I feel ahead of the game just reading and taking notes off of gradcafe!