SpeechieAsh

@abSLP22, I admire you so much for applying to 25 (25!!!!!) schools! I applied to 11 and it was an unbelievable amount of work and money so I can't even imagine!

Right after I graduated from my undergrad, I got a great job as an SLPA in Austin, TX (I'm from CO) and I picked up and moved. I didn't know anyone. It was really scary and it was super hard at times, but making a big change like that can be so exciting too. Just be open-minded and make an extra effort to put yourself out there. I'm sure you'll connect with the people in your grad class and you'll be spending a lot of time with them-- kinda like a built-in group of friends waiting for you! Just remember that it might be hard for a while, but you'll get used to it and you'll do great!!

Take a look at the post "Less Competitive Grad Programs." It is sooo helpful to see where students who maybe didn't have perfect GPAs and GREs applied. And the great thing is a lot of them received waitlists and even acceptances! The ones that I can think of (and applied for) are: Grand Valley State, Eastern New Mexico, Univ of Central Arkansas (they accepted me and my stats are low, but I have some unique experiences that I'd like to think boosted my application), Fort Hays State, Kent State, Idaho State, Indiana State, etc. Also, EdFinder on the ASHA website is a great resource. It lists the amount of applications a program received in their last application cycle, the amount of admission offers they gave out, how many students they ended up taking, and those students' average GPA and GRE range. This is super helpful because you can evaluate the odds of getting in. For example, if a school receives 500 applications and only takes a class of 15, those odds are terrible and I wouldn't waste the application fee. But if you find a program that receives around 150 applications and takes 35-40, those odds are much more favorable. Do as much research as you can! Check out the post about less competitive programs and look up the stats for schools you'd be interested in on EdFinder, then make a list. Apply to as many as you can to broaden your chances. Email the program directors, explain your stats and situation, and ask how you can improve your application to be viewed as a stronger candidate for their program. Good luck!!! You got this

I was considering either nursing or early childhood special education. Nursing seems like a good option, but apparently there is a huge job shortage so finding internship placements and employment is super competitive. Have you considered becoming certified as an SLPA? Depending on your state, (I've noticed Arizona & Texas employ SLPAs a lot) you can do really well and have a lot of employment options.

Yay congrats @lakegirl92!! That is awesome!!

You got this!!! Rooting for you & sending lots of positive vibes

Thank you so much twinguy & caterpillar!! Caterpillar, I may just take you up on that!! I'm from Colorado so I literally know nothing! Thanks so much for offering to help

I'm on care.com too! It's a great resource and I've found some amazing families on there. I plan on continuing to work as a nanny until I move out of state. I love the flexibility of making my own schedule. My acceptance is still pretty new so I still have a lot of planning to do... Type of housing, location, roommate vs. no roommate, moving arrangements and costs, etc.

Ughhh the GRE. The source of so many nightmares! I have taken it twice, and I don't think there is anything in the world that makes me feel as miserable as math does. I tried Magoosh my first time, and it is an awesome website! It has really helpful videos explaining how to complete the problems step by step. I personally found it overwhelming because I hadn't taken a math class in almost 5 years, and I don't even know how that specific class qualified as math (I was a journalism major at the time, so I had really lax math requirements), so I literally needed to re-learn EVERYTHING. My first try, I got a 144Q, 151V, and 3.0AW. I ended up getting a math tutor for my second attempt because my math-challenged self needed a TON of extra help. I got my Q score up to 150 which I felt good about... It honestly wasn't going to get much better than that

Hey guys! I just got my rejection letter from ENMU today, and I'm just wondering what other applicants (accepted or not) thought about their application process. What did you guys say for your three weaknesses? I was conflicted whether to list actual weaknesses or "positive" weaknesses like "I tend to overcommit," and "I work too hard," etc. (bad examples, but hopefully you get what I mean.) Also, what did you think of the island survival essay? I thought that was a really unique approach to looking at applicants. Congrats to those admitted!

I just wanted to give a huge thank you to all who have contributed to this post. I'm a long-time reader, but first-time poster and I basically copied all of you regarding where to apply haha. This round (Fall 2015) is my second time applying and my stats are low... I have a 3.39 cumulative GPA and only a 3.28 major. My GRE scores (second time taking the test) are V: 151, Q: 150, AW: 4.0. My first time applying was for Fall 2014 and I applied to West Texas A&M (got an interview), Texas Woman's, Texas State, CU Boulder (my alma mater), Univ of Northern Colorado, and Northern Arizona. I was rejected from all without even a waitlist. This time, I did my research and applied to 11 "less competitive" schools with the help of this post. I applied to Univ of Northern Colorado (this one is super competitive, but less than Boulder and I currently live in the Boulder area), Pacific Univ Oregon, Fort Hays State, Indiana State, Idaho State, Univ of Central Arkansas, Hofstra, Harding, Eastern New Mexico, Grand Valley State, and Loyola Maryland. I'm waitlisted at Indiana State, still waiting to hear from Loyola, Idaho State, and Grand Valley State (but I know they interview & I didn't get one, sooo pretty sure that's a rejection), but a few days ago I got an acceptance from Univ of Central Arkansas!!! I was/still am shocked. You always read on here to never give up, it will happen, etc. It's so true! I was truly about to give up. Sorry to ramble for days, but THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to this post. You all were huge influences to me in where I applied my second time and it worked!! So now I'm going to join in and say to never give up! It will happen