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All of the practicing SLP's I spoke with before grad school (at least a dozen) said "go to the most affordable school you can that will still let you earn your C's" and I think that's true. When I was observing in different settings, I saw SLP's from "top ranked" programs working alongside those from "mid" and "bottom" end programs. So, cost is big. Second, I think a program that allows you to complete your pre-reqs as a grad student (without re-applying) is a great option. Finally, the bilingual training is nice but not necessary. I talked with a few bilingual SLPs and most of them didn't have any special training - they said they learned a lot as they went. The consensus was the bilingual training is valuable, but not required. There's no national bilingual certificate/standard anyways. And finally, first and foremost you're going to be an SLP and you need SLP training - the bilingual part is extra. To summarize - I would use the following as rankings: 1) Where you get in (Kind of a reminder not to count your chickens before they hatch) 2) Most affordable 3) 3-year / pre-req included (to avoid cost, hassle, stress, time wasted reapplying) 4) bilingual I hope that helps! Also, the 6 schools I applied to (listed in my signature) all have bilingual tracks and admit students into the grad program who haven't completed all their pre-reqs. Looking back, I wouldn't have applied to T.C. Columbia (even if I had gotten in, it wouldn't have been worth the cost) and I think the same is probably true of Redlands. They're both so expensive!

I did a whole interview with an SLP on just this topic for my blog. I'll send you the link in a private message (don't want to get marked for spam). In general though, I'd say 1) talk to the schools that rejected you to find out your weaknesses. 2) Address those weaknesses 3) Show the schools you're a new / better / stronger applicant who has grown since the first round of applications.

If the TSSLD certificate isn't needed - definitely skip it. You need to focus on getting your degree first and foremost. The rest can wait. As for when to email the prof, I always go for proactive and front-loading behaviors. So I'd email her. Finally, don't be afraid to reach out for help from people in your cohort or mentors among the faculty in your department. We're all in this together! The school / department you're in does not want you to fail out. They want you to succeed. Find an advocate in your department and get as much advice and support as you can. Maybe you just need new study tips. I recommend working with classmates (I'm such an independent studier, but grad school has forced me to make teams and learn with others).

I heard him speak back in 2009 or 2010 - maybe it is different from then. The main idea though was that if your application is great except for a mediocre GRE, then that GRE score is viewed as an outlier... unless you draw attention to it and confirm it over and over. You're right though. On test day, you decide to send that day's score, all of them, or none. If you don't send any, you can later go back and send from specific testing dates, but you have to pay for it ($27 per school). If you send them on test day, you get to send 4 for free.

I'm at UNM in the bilingual track, and I am loving it. I'd be happy to answer any questions about it!

I heard once from Don Asher, "the grad school guy" that taking the GRE too many times draws too much attention to it and so 2-3 times max is more than enough. Personally, I think you'll have to look at the schools you're applying to for minimum GRE cut-offs. If you don't meet it, that's a problem. IF there is no minimum-cut-off (most schools don't have them from what I remember), you're probably good to apply. Look at the average GRE and consider that people above and below that number got in (that's how averages work).

Sorry to hear you're having such a rough time! I wish I had some good advice. Do you think there is anyone in the program who you feel close with who you could talk with? Working in a toxic environment like that is the worst. I had that during undergrad (different field), and one of the big reasons I picked UNM was precisely because of how welcoming and cohesive the faculty seemed (in case you're looking to transfer ). What about other students? Is there someone from another cohort that you could talk with? I've found people in my program love sharing advice with us newbies. Maybe even a recent graduate of the program could speak with you.

I'm guessing you're fine. What's my guess based on? My clinic / department uses the form that documents each session. But, I only had a single letter from an SLP saying I observed 12 hours and listed a few of the things I saw - so it was not session by session. My clinic director was okay with accepting that letter for those 12 hours. For the remaining hours, I'm using the detailed form. Does that make sense? I don't think either one affects admissions at all. Once you get in, the program will tell you what they want, and I'm sure the person you observed would be more than happy to go back and "re-do" any forms as necessary - SLP's tend to be kind and helpful people. Bottom line - don't stress.

There's a template you can download here: http://www.thespeechblog.com/resources/

Great question! Every school will have a different format. The one thing they should all have in common is: name, signature, and ASHA license # of the supervising SLP (who obviously has to have CCC to have a license #). I'd create simple form documenting the basics (Date, time, length of observation, location (I.e. name of clinic/hospital/school, etc). Also, a space to note the population you're observing, treatment approach, and disorder are good. I'd also definitely include a space for you to write reflections and questions. And don't forget that name, signature, and ASHA license # (they're important). None of the 6 schools I applied to asked for "proof" of observation hours I mentioned in my SOP/Resume (though other schools might!). I did have to provide it once I got in. Unfortunately, on my personal records I had everything but signature/license# of supervisor... but thankfully I got back in touch with her and she drafted a letter confirming the hours and providing her info. Also, check out this thread for related info:

I applied to 6 schools, and only 1 of them used interviews in the process. I got a few weeks notice, and the interview was via phone (which was good b/c I was living in Mexico at the time). They were great about flexible scheduling. It only took about 25 minutes, and I did it while I was at work (I just locked myself in an office and got one of my 6th graders to stand guard at the door, haha!)

I would advise to push yourself as much as you can handle to get things in early - I don't think (but I don't know for sure) if there is any advantage on the admissions end, but it will give you so much more time to handle revisions and surprises.

I'd be happy to - send me a private message and I'll hook you up with my email

@Crimson Wife How would you not save time? I'm genuinely curious about your thought process. My thinking: A 3 year program is targeted at the exact classes you need, no "extras" that you might not need (for example: some programs require 2 anatomy classes. You take them both, but then the grad program you get into considers them as one "Anatomy Pre-Req". OR a 2nd degree might require some "intro to comm. sci" classes that most grad programs won't worry about). Personally, if I'd finished my 2nd degree at USU I would have had at least 4 "extra" classes completed that I don't need to do in my current 3-year program. I think USU is a great program, but I think people overestimate what a "2nd degree" gets you for grad school. Even a 2nd degree doesn't guarantee you won't have to take a leveling class or two - my program for example requires some advanced neuro coursework that many students with a degree in SHS/CommDis don't have. A good friend of mine did her bachelor's in SHS and still had to take a few undergrad courses that her masters program required though her undergrad didn't. On top of all that, consider that as a 3-year student you might even be able to start mixing in your grad classes (that's what I'm doing currently), again with no worry if they'll transfer to another program. I think many times the 3 year option is most efficient if you can get in. My real advice I guess would be: When you have enough pre-reqs finished to do so, apply to a 3 year program. Keep taking pre-reqs in the spring before you hear back (preferably your stats, bio, physical science requirements). If you don't get in: finish more pre-reqs to further boost your GPA and bolster your app for next cycle. If you do get in, great, see what pre-reqs transfer and now you don't have to worry about accidentally taking anything extra. I do see what you're saying about the cost of graduate credit over undergraduate credit, that is an important consideration! In the end I think whatever gets you through the most affordably in the shortest amount of time (obviously in an accredited program) is going to be your best bet.

Schools don't want the exact resume you submit to jobs. In Academia, the more common term is "Curriculum Vitae" and it focuses more on academic and scholarly achievements. I wrote more about this distinction on my blog, and you can find a lot of info by googling it. SO yes... and no. Definitely put your current education experience! Just list it as in progress.

Go with the 3 year if you can - you save time, money, and work. As for the med route - look for programs that can guarantee you those medical clinical rotations. That is where most of your learning will take place, the actual classes will be quite similar. If you're really serious about it, read up on the professors teaching the adult courses in the programs your looking for (adult neuro, dysphagia, adult motor, etc) and see how much they're publishing and what its on.

Zero volunteer hours (not including about 12 observation hours) - got into 4 programs

Sounds like a tough situation - sorry to hear you're dealing with it. Can you call the dept. secretary and ask if the prof is in before being transferred? Seems like your options are 1) trust in it or 2) find another recommender - harsh truth kind of moment :/

That is definitely frustrating. So, the prof agreed to the letter. Did you send her the details / your SOP & resume? If yes, you might just have to wait it out and trust that she's a professional :/ I know it sucks, but I had a similar scare. The professor didn't let me down though - she came through and delivered the letters on time (close to the deadline, but on time).

Sorry, but you can't use a personal contact to right a LOR. As @qt_dnvr said, it has no value. Have you gone to see the professor in person? Called on the phone?

Ditto what everyone else said. You've got good relevant experience from that time so I wouldn't sweat it

Your numbers will get your application noticed - focus on a killer personal statement and good letters of rec to make sure you can hold their interest after your numbers grab it

It might. I don't want to say "probably" because I might be wrong. Basically, each graduate program makes this decision. You can email them with a description of the course and they can tell you. Also ask if it doesn't count, can you be admitted without it and be allowed to do it during grad school (many programs do this even if they're not marketed as "extended masters" or anything). Also, I think they usually call it the "Basic Science Pre-Req" or the "Standard IV-A Pre-Req."

Somethings to think about.... Usually these are "multicultural" types extensions/programs, more than bilingual. I often say "bilingual" as well, now that I'm in a program I think I can see the value in distinguishing. As @combustiblecake mentioned, a big part of the equation is culture. And no program can prepare you for alllllll the different language backgrounds you might run into. Good bilingual multicultural training should prepare you to keep an open and critical mind during screening, diagnosis, and treatment regardless of language background - to help you know when you "know enough" or "you don't know enough" to distinguish disorder from difference. Then, a good grad program in general should teach you the value of EBP and finding the appropriate evidence you need in the cases when "you don't know enough" Coursework probably won't focus on a specific language, but maybe the university offers advanced language/linguistics/grammar courses in/on that language that would be super useful supplements. Essentially, you could build your own multicultural training Finally, check with clinical faculty about the possibility of doing some placements with specific language background clients - that is when a lot of the learning happens.

Oh that's a great question! Schools will vary in what they accept / ask for. I'd create simple form documenting the basics (Date, time, length of observation, location, etc). If it makes sense given what you're observing, also a space to note the population you're observing, treatment approach, and disorder. I'd also definitely include a space for you to write reflections and questions. Finally, you must have the name, signature, and ASHA license # of the supervising SLP (who obviously has to have CCC to have a license #). I did all of the above except getting that ASHA license # (because I didn't know about it). Almost 3 years later when I got into grad school and found out I needed it, I wrote to the SLP and she gladly drafted a simple 1-page letter confirming everything and included the #.