futureSpeechLP

Sorry it took so long to reply! I was away for most of the summer and wasn't checking GradCafe. I did the 1.5 year option because I was also working. They don't offer this option anymore. The full-time program is 1 year and part time is 2 years. Classes were M-Th with most classes starting in the afternoon to evening. I had some morning classes because I did the statistics course that is the ASHA requirement and I was an assistant in the graduate clinic with late morning sessions. I prefer taking classes in person because I learn better that way. I also want to get to know that community and study with people. It was invaluable for me to have my classmates as resources and support. I loved going to CSULA! I moved to Minneapolis to go the grad program at UMN-Twin Cities. The move was more of a personal family decision - my husband grew up in the Twin Cities and LA wasn't feeling like our permanent home. I got into the CSULA grad program and there is a part of me that wishes I was going to grad school with the friends I made during my post-bacc. It's a phenomenal program with professors who care about you and classmates who are not competitive but become your good friends. Good luck with your post-bacc! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for the reply! Are you able to keep your notes organized via the iPad? I'm wondering if saving to the cloud is easy on the iPad.

Has anyone tried using the iPad to type notes? I'm wondering if that is a realistic use.

I just finished my post-bacc at CSULA. The program is excellent. I highly recommend doing for your post-bacc there. What were your questions?

$90,000 for grad and undergrad debt is reasonable if loans are your only option. Obviously, this is my opinion. I don't have the luxury of getting help from family, so loans are the way I have to go. @wcslp what is your advice on how to move forward if loans are the only option for school? It's a gamble to wait another year to get into an in-state public school if you've only gotten into private/out of state schools. I don't recommend taking that gamble. I totally agree that rankings don't matter BUT don't go a to a cheap school just to save money. That cheaper school may be miserable for you or not give you the opportunities you need/want. If you get into a more affordable school that you like, then I recommend going there. By getting through school sooner, you will get into the work force sooner. Obvi, if your family has money or you are able to get scholarships then I recommend that 100% over taking out loans. If loans are your only option, then be smart. Do your research and do what you think is best for you. It's not an easy decision to go into student loan debt.

Congrats on getting into your first school! $90,000 is reasonable to have for student loans. It seems outrageous, but you will start getting a salary soon enough. I'm applying to different scholarships, but I only expect to get a small percentage covered with scholarships. I'm expecting to get at least $50-75,000 in loans. Hopefully, the school I get into will also be able to set me up with a work study or assistant position. This is the only way I would work during grad school. I would recommend not getting a private loan if you can avoid it. The interest is much higher than un/subsidized federal loans.

Career-changer here! My GRE experience was stressful mostly because I didn't realize how high security the test facilities are. They make you clear out pockets, did a metal detector scan of my body and I had to repeat the process when I stepped out for a break. I took an online practice test with Princeton Review that came with a $40 book. They gave detailed categories of the math topics I needed to work on - attached is a copy of my practice test results. They also gave personal feedback on my essays. This allowed my to focus on how to take the test, how to utilize the scratch paper and what to study. They also gave strategies on how to answer questions and how to mark questions to go back and check. I liked practicing the test on the computer in the format that the actual GRE is in. Also took practice tests with ETS online. In the end, I raised my verbal score two points, didn't increase my math, and raised my writing one point. GRE Results 1 Prep Test - The Princeton Review.pdf

Cal State LA is on CSDCAS for 2017. You also have to go through CSU mentor. Cal State Long Beach was on CSDCAS for 2017. Maybe they haven't updated the CSDCAS for 2018.

Thanks for all your replies! This was very helpful. I think I'll get write a card and give them some chocolates.

What is an appropriate gift for Letter of Recommendation writers?? I'm planning to give them a small gift prior to decisions from schools coming in. Also, when do you plan to alert your letter of rec writers when you get decisions about admission? Do you let them know when you've made the final decision?

I suggest sending the second one if you only send one. It's a higher Verbal with a good Quant score. Breaking 160 is impressive tho.

Score #1 - higher verbal!

I don't think you need to in your SOP. You did the right thing and took care of yourself. If they ask in interviews you can say what you did, but you only need to disclose what you think is necessary. If a school looks down on you for taking care of your mental health, then that school is not the place for you or frankly, anyone else.

I haven't heard to write in a letter format. I'm going to write all of mine in essay format.

If you can/want to move - there are programs that don't require any communication disorder pre-reqs. I think those programs are three to four years. There may also be some online SLP MA programs that don't require pre-reqs. I haven't done that research so I can't give you the names of those programs. I had shadowed some SLPs and LOVED what they were doing in their sessions. I would really recommend you do that. If you have the chance, ask an SLP in the school setting if you can observe them with a few of their clients. This will help you figure out if this career is actually what you want. I am an out of field applicant as well and was VERY reticent of doing a post bac for a year and a half. The time, Money and then having to apply for grad school has been difficult but ultimately worth it. Right now, I am SO SO SO glad I did the post bac. I was able to get my GPA very high and position myself as a good candidate for grad school. I also wanted to know more about this profession. Honestly, jumping right into a grad program would have been rough for me because I was still deciding if this was the right career move for me when I started my post bac classes. I'm done with my post bac in December and I have been so happy with this program. I wish I didn't have to go through the stress of applying for grad school, but I needed the time to be 100% positive about the $ and time for grad school. That peace of mind is worth it for me. Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy may be good options for you. I have no idea if those MA programs have pre-reqs. Special Education is also a great field to get into. A school counselor doesn't incorporate a health science, but fits in with your BA.