onlybattles

Hi everyone! I'm planning on starting the application prep super early this year, so as not to hit the ground running, and so that I have enough time to reach out to schools and figure out where I might fit in best with my less-than-stellar stats. That being said, who are you emailing to have a conversation about your stats and if it's worth a shot to apply to that school? I've read a lot of posts that say "I emailed the school to find out if X, Y, & Z work for their program," but who? I don't think I'd feel comfortable emailing a director of a program, but I've emailed admissions for one school, and they don't quite know where to forward my email. So, any help would be appreciated! TIA!

Hi! Sorry to hear your circumstances! I was rejected my first time around, and it stung badly. When I didn't get in, I got a job at a special education preschool and worked with them for about two years. I recently switched gears and am working with kiddos that are a little more behavioral in an emergency foster care/trauma unit at a children's home. Meanwhile, I am completing the post-bacc certificate through UVM to retake my speech classes and come out with a certification as an SLP-A. My undergrad GPA was disgraceful, so I'm taking these classes in hopes of showing that, academically, I'm capable of so much more, and personally, I have drive, determination, and want nothing more then to be an SLP! That being said, I have not tried applying to graduate programs since, but I'm hoping I'm on the right track. Best of luck to you!!

Hello friends! So, I am in quite the pickle. My undergrad is in speech, but I am doing an online post-bacc program to raise my GPA. It is very low and frankly, laughable. It does not meet the minimum to even be considered to most programs. (First question: is retaking all these classes even worth my while? Will it hurt me in the long run, even if I ace them?) Moreover, my undergrad career was plagued with a series of terrible occurrences. I lost my grandfather fall of sophomore year, was involved in a car accident spring break of sophomore year (ten months in a wheelchair and two years of physical therapy to get me walking again), and spring of junior year, I lost my mother. So, needless to say, it was a very bumpy road. Instead of sitting here with a "survivor" story to tell you, someone who took all the adversity and came out on top, I'm afraid my determination to simply finish on time deterred me further; I worked hard to finish, not finish well. (Second question: how to I explain in my SOP that I had some unfortunate circumstances without sounding whiny or blaming my less-than-stellar GPA on them?) Lastly, I have a grade that needs resolved and I'm not sure how to explain this in my LOR either. Spring of junior year, the semester I lost my mom, I was taking a class that had a two-fold purpose - to prepare us for our senior year clinical rotations and to have us go into the field and complete our 25 hours of observations. Under the circumstances, I missed an abundance of classes. I was able to complete the observations and the required write ups on them. I remember getting Bs on my exams in the class, however, I am unsure of what I got on my final. At the close of the semester, I found out I received a D in the class, tanking both my major and overall GPAs. Again, in my mind, I had to graduate on time, and I was still incredibly grief stricken, so I took the grade and accepted it, not realizing how it would impact me. Now, I have contacted the head of my undergrad's department and, in the restructuring that is happening in the department, the class is no longer offered, so I cannot retake it. (Third (and final!) question: what the hell can I do about this grade that is actually keeping me from getting into graduate school?) The professor was horrendous. She was my clinical supervisor for two semesters following this class and I literally lost my hair because she stressed us all to the max. I made myself sick over her expectations and her attitude, I worked my freaking tail off, and it didn't get me anywhere. After being rejected, I contacted a few of the schools I was really set on and asked them their thoughts. They explained to me that, because I had GREs in the higher end, outstanding LORs and fantastic resume builders, those are the reasons my application was even considered. However, they were firm that my SOP could use a little work, it was that one grade that kept me from getting in at all. So here I am. Any and all advice that you could throw my way would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone! I applied to the University of Vermont's Pre-Master's Track program. It's all online and DL. I have a Bachelor's in SLP, but due to extenuating circumstances, I completely sabotaged my undergraduate GPA. It does not even met the minimum for the majority of MS or MA programs. Therefore, I'm retaking all my SLP classes in an effort to raise my GPA and show that I really do know what I'm doing and what I'm talking about, even if my original GPA and my first round of classes don't necessarily show it. After all that haha, my questions are.. has anyone heard anything about this program? Has anyone taken these classes, did their undergrad at UMV, ect? Annnnnd is anyone going there for grad school? I love the school and am SO happy that they offer this program! Hopefully, I can bust my ass in this program and apply there for grad school. TIA!