[UVA Accepted Students 2016]

16 hours ago, NorcalSLP said:

What's your last 60 GPA? Your major GPA? And do you have post bacc credits that bring your cumulative GPA above a 3.0? I don't want to discourage you from applying anywhere bc I think (as you demonstrate) there is so much behind the "number" of your GPA but some schools won't even look at an application below 3.0 (which yes is very problematic). I don't know about UVA but I would highly recommend talking to someone in their program (a professor, someone in admin, someone on the admissions committee if possible), explain your situation and ask how they view applicants with your extenuating circumstances but a (I'm assuming) otherwise strong application. (And make sure the rest of your application (GRE, LOI, LOR, CV) is stellar). And I'd do this with all the schools you plan to apply to and even some you don't. I found departments to be pretty honest and understanding when approached about things like this (doesn't mean you will get the answer you want) and they won't look down on you for asking. And if worse comes to worse and you have to reapply, it's not the end of the world. Many many many of us have had to apply more than once and we survived. Potential employers won't care or even know how many attempts it took to get into graduate school. 

Thanks for the insight, NorcalSLP! I am actually going to visit and meet with the department at UVA in the next week or so, so I will definitely be asking them directly. I currently work at a pediatric speech therapy practice and I also am doing work with the Chicago Aphasia Network so I'm getting a variety of experiences, doing everything that I can in that aspect.  I've been told to re-take courses but I know CSDCAS takes ALL of your grades into consideration, so even doing so wouldn't really help me in anyway, especially after factoring in classes that I have previously/already retaken while in school. Who knows! But this was helpful! It has been discouraging to hear back from some schools telling me to just go for Psychology or something different, so thank you  I won't lose hope just yet!

[UVA Accepted Students 2016]

Congrats to everyone!

Although I'm a bit out of place here, seeing as I am actually applying for this coming Fall of 2017, I am getting ready to venture out to Charlottesville, VA in a couple weeks and would love any sort of advice you may have! I am going to meet with the department, learn more about the program, all that good stuff!

Also, I have a lower-than-average GPA. I went to 3 different schools throughout my undergraduate career due to family medical issues, so between all the transfer and lost credits, I graduated from KU with a 2.8 cumulative. It's a very sensitive subject, but I'm not going to get discouraged and give up on my dream that easily! 

Anyway, if anyone would care to share their story or any tips for people like myself I would greatly appreciate it!

[There is still hope after denials!]

Well, can't say I'm surprised that I got denied into grad schools this time around. It seemed almost impossible to try and compile an outstanding CDCAS application when I already had so much going on with my schoolwork in undergrad. Anyways, for all the people like myself who are feeling down, just wanted to put it out there that Karen George at Chicago Speech Therapy is hiring for people like us! I just interviewed and was BLOWN AWAY. I honestly would've never expected this opportunity to exist, especially because on their posting on indeed it was for an SLPA and I thought for sure I didn't have a chance without licensure. They do pediatric in-home therapy, but have three 'day' programs where kids come in and do language enrichment stuff. Super cool opportunity! Just thought I would share because it gave me hope and could really improve my odds for acceptance next year!