CLCD

My husband hired someone to review his essays for medical school...out of the $500 it cost, there were only two pieces of editing advice that we really thought "wow, I didn't know that/looked at it that way before." All in all was it worth it? We don't think so. Stick with your professors and a person who isn't afraid to give you some tough love However, we both used Kaplan for my GRE prep and his MCAT prep... and it was the best decision ever. I got the score needed to get into my 1st choice grad program, and my husband scored in the 91st percentile with their course. So in regards to the tests, I highly suggest some form of coaching/tutoring/course/study plan (if that is a pain-point for you).

Depending on what your first degree was in, I would look at a post bac program or a second degree. My first degree was in business at a well known university and my GPA was a 3.2. I knew it wasn't competitive so I enrolled in an online 2nd B.S. program in CSD through Utah State University. Because it was another degree (versus a post bac), I was actually able to take out student loans to pay for it at a really great interest rate, and didn't have to worry about paying it back until after graduation--which was huge for me , just like you, money was tight for me as well. The 2nd degree took me 2 years to finish because I did it part time, although you could finish it in a year if you went full time. Just make sure you get all As/A-s in your classes along with sufficient experience (shadowing/volunteering), a decent GRE score, and solid letters of rec, and you will be golden! I PROMISE!!! I was just like you and sooooooo worried, but I got into 10/11 of the schools I applied to (even with my initial GPA) . Let me know if you need any help. Hang in there ❤️

Like many others, I pursued a 2nd B.S. degree from USU online. I got into 10/11 schools I applied to. I know this is all nerve wrecking, but you will be just fine :)

I just found out (via email) that I was accepted to Florida State University (online)! It's my first acceptance! I AM CRYING TEARS OF HAPPINESS RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Good luck everyone!

I applied to 10... Florida State University (online), NYU (online), University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, East Carolina University (online), Ole Miss, Florida Atlantic University, Jacksonville University, Western Kentucky University (Online), an Nova Southeastern University. Oh the waiting game..... Good luck everyone!

@SLPHopeful80 I totally get your frustration!!!! I'm so sorry (*hugs*). I do know of a few schools who take the best score in each section regardless of how many times you took the test I would reach out to the schools you are interested in and see what they say as far as that goes. But I agree with @ElKel87. Your verbal score the first go around is absolutely awesome! But I think your best shot would be either taking the test a 3rd time OR submit your second score if your writing score is a 4. There are a lot of schools who have minimum requirements of 150 in both V and Q (not just the 300 total) with a 4 in writing, however, that might only be the schools I've looked at (for example, FSU Distance Learning program). If your writing score remains a 3.5, definitely submit your first score because of how high your verbal is. I'm far from an expert, my GRE scores were average-ish (151V 151Q 4W), but the above advice is just based off of what I've seen. Good luck!!

I'm applying for summer! I wish I was y'all right now <3 Congratulations!

Do you have anyone you could live with in Texas or in Orlando? Cost of living was a huge factor for me when it came to applying to graduate schools---which is why I am applying to a lot of online programs. By the time you account for rent, utilities, etc, it was just as expensive to go out of state as it was to do an online program where I could still work and be close to family. So if I where you, I would crunch the cost of living expenses and the options. If they are the same, and you do not have any desire to stay in Florida, I would go to Texas. With the 20K scholarship, you are looking at roughly the same cost in tuition but you would be done earlier. That right there is a HUGE plus!

Hey @plume, I'm applying to 14. My list was at 27 but I had to have a "come to Jesus" moment on a lot of schools. My fiance (soon to be husband in April--whoop whoop!) is applying to med school so we both had to really narrow down our choices to what was not just attainable with our grades, but also affordable. Plus, holy moly, each application costs a minimum of $100 due to fees, transcripts, GRE scores, etc. Most of the programs I am applying to are online that way I can follow him wherever he goes, but I am starting to really second guess whether or not I will get in. I had posted my stats earlier on but I would love for others to weigh in on my chances (if you don't mind): First degree: 3.2 (business), Second degree: 3.9 (COMD), GRE: V151 Q151 W4. I have tons of experience; ABA instructor, aide at a pediatric deaf and hard of hearing clinic, 300+ clinical hours at a hospital, and over 100 hours at a private pediatric SLP practice.... plus working full time for the company I've been with for four years. I don't know if it's enough though. A part of me feels like I need to take the GRE again to raise my verbal score but, UGHHHHH, I really really don't want to do that. I have so much other stuff to do Help?

Hi Everyone, I saw that Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions has a new SLP program that is developing! It seems to have an emphasis on medical, but I was wondering if anyone else has done any research on this school. What is everyone's thoughts on applying to a brand new program? Thanks!

At @imunster, where in California are you located? The program that I am in takes volunteers on a rolling basis and you might be able to get in! Today is the last day to submit an application for the Winter cohort! http://copehealthscholars.org/prospective-applicants/cce-key-dates-and-deadlines I can tell you more about the program if you like but the website does a pretty good job of explaining it. You end up getting a certificate of completion through UCLA school of Public Health as well as the COPE Health Scholars Program. You rotate on different floors of the hospital (although I've always stayed in Rehab) and get a lot of hands on experiences with patients. I've seen A TON of really cool stuff! Apraxia, Dysarthria, Fluency disorders, tracheotomies, traumatic brain injuries from falls, other stoke patients who weren't as severe, etc. My fiance who is applying to Med School is also in the program and has seen the most INSANE things in the ICU and ER. When I'm talking you get hands on, you get hands on.... he's performed CPR on patients before and helped drill a hole into someone's bone. Luckily on the rehab floor I don't see that but I get to see the SLPs and other health care professionals work with patients and it's pretty awesome. I also ended up getting volunteering experience at the most amazing office by cold calling/cold-emailing private practices in my area. I would tell them a little bit about myself, explain why I would like to shadow them, offered to do free office work, and would attach a resume. I started at one 3hour shift a week and after the first day they increased it to 3x a week. It sucks putting yourself out there, but just go for it! I think you'll be pleasantly surprised..it just takes one yes!

I'm finishing my application here as well. I talked to an admissions counselor beforehand.

I'm an out of field applicant too. Original degree was in business from the University of Florida (2008), 3.2 GPA. Sigh. Applying to grad school ... the one time you will question every single life choice you ever made while in undergrad. Anyway, I ended up applying to 3 post bac/2nd degree programs last year and decided to go to Utah State University to get the whole 2nd degree (although it was hard turning down Northwestern!). ElKel87, how do you like your professors/classes there?! If anyone has any questions about USU, I would be happy to answer them! I have a 3.9 in my 2nd degree but when you average that with my first, it's only an overall 3.4...at best. I have over 280 direct patient care hours through a hospital Health Scholar Program and UCLA, another 100+ at a private SLP office, and bout 40 at a deaf and hard of hearing clinic centered around auditory verbal therapy. I also have experience working as an ABA instructor. Here are all the programs on my list BEFORE taking the GRE. MGH Institute of Health Professions University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Florida State University University of Florida, Gainesville Teachers College, Columbia University University of North Carolina, Greensboro University of South Carolina University of Georgia Gallaudet University Georgia State University New York University University of Central Florida University of South Florida Auburn University East Carolina University Louisiana State University - Health Sci Ctr, New Orleans University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa University of Mississippi Florida Atlantic University Florida International University Jacksonville University University of West Georgia Armstrong State University Nova Southeastern University - SLP Program If anyone has any insight on some of these schools, I would love to hear it! Or, if you think my credentials wouldn't gain me a possible admission offer to any of the above, feel free to crush my dreams and put me back in check. Some days I think optimistically....other days I eat a pint of ice cream and legitimately cry over an A - believing I won't get accepted anywhere .....soooo yeah lol. Also, I for those asking about CSDCAS accounts, I made one the first day it opened and also noticed there were a lot of missing pieces

I am applying this cycle to summer/fall 2017 programs... and I am losing my mind over it. I've narrowed it down to 27 schools so far and will either be eliminating my top ten or my bottom ten once I take my GRE in September. This is my first time applying and holy moly the whole process is SO. DARN. STRESSFUL! How many others have had sleepless nights over this? Good luck to all <3 Virtual hugs XO

Hi Everyone! I am applying in the Fall to a TON of schools in the South, which I was hoping would included LSU. However, I am only slightly familiar with LSU Baton Rouge and sort of confused. Would someone mind helping me out when it comes to comparing SLP programs at LSU AM and the other LSU campuses? Should I apply to all? Just one? Do they prefer LA residents? My fiance is applying to medical school this year too, so we are trying to apply to the same schools but it looks like LSU only accepts LA residents for their med program Any help is greatly appreciated! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Congratulations on your acceptances! I actually want to apply to those two programs myself this fall If I were you, I would first analyze what I want to get out of the program. For example, I really REALLY like MGH because I am highly interested in Neurogenics and .Auburn really wouldn't be able to afford me the same opportunities MGH has. So I would first think about stuff along those lines. Have you had a chance to research their curriculum? Do you resonate with one more? Why did you originally apply to Auburn? Why did you originally apply to MGH? What about each program appeals to you? How will each school benefit your professional goals as an SLP? If you can answer those questions I think you will start to realize which answers hold more weight. Or if you still have trouble deciding, you could always assign point values to try to see it from a different perspective. Example, if you have 7 different categories and the cost category is the biggest factor for you, make cost worth 7 points and give Auburn those 7 points. At the end, see who has the most points. Speaking of cost, once again, CONGRATULATIONS!! You should be extremely proud of yourself!! And while a part of me says "GO FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP!", the other part of me says, "make sure you are doing it for the right reasons." A friend of mine turned down Law School at an Ivy League because the University of Florida gave him a full ride. He didn't want to practice up north, he wanted to practice in Florida so the brand name really didn't matter to him. But then I know someone who turned down a scholarship worth roughly $75,000 because the school couldn't pay him enough to give up attending his dream school. Both individuals are extremely happy with their decision. Either way, you should be proud of your accomplishments. If you decide to turn down MGH, you will always have pride knowing you got into a top tier program. If you turn down Auburn, you will always have the satisfaction that a school not just accepted you into the program, but wanted to pay for it because they see enormous potential in you and want you to represent their university. (ps: would you mind sharing your stats?)

Hi GradCafe Community, I'm a new user to the site (although admittedly, I have stalked a few forums for months) and was looking for advice in regards to which schools I should look at applying to this upcoming admission cycle--fall 2017. This will be my first time applying and I am extremely nervous! I've used ASHA's EFind, looked up almost every school's program, viewed admission stats on various forums/sites, but I am still so ridiculously stressed out and overwhelmed. Not just about choosing the right school...but a school that will except me. How did YOU choose the schools you were applying to? What stood out to you? Are there programs that you would absolutely stay away from? Are there schools that like to accept their own residents first? Based on my personal stats, do you have any recommendations for me personally? Any advice on making this process any easier I would GREATLY appreciate. Some stats about me: -My first degree was in business (2008-2012): 3.12 GPA. (A in Bio1, B in Bio2, A in AP1, C in AP2--stupid bell curve, B+ in Chem1, A in Stats) -Worked in education for the last 4 years but wanted to continue on to SLP school. -Will be receiving my second bachelors degree in CSD with a 3.9 GPA. -50+hours of volunteer work at a deaf and hard of hearing school for children. -Accepted into a UCLA sponsored clinical externship @ a hospital (will be completed in October with over 280 hours) -Working part time a Behavior Instructor with individuals ages 2-24 with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, etc. -Fluent in Sign Language -GRE Scores: To be determined (using Magoosh and a Kaplan class) Thank you in advance to anyone who responds!!!! My family, friends, and fiance really don't understand how stressful this process is so when I turn to them for advice their answer is "you're going to be fine!" or "you're crazy." I guess randomly bursting into tears over this at times only strengthens the "you're crazy" argument...but I feel like they don't understand just how competitive this field is! As a side note, since I have looked at so many threads on here recently, my heart has literally ached for many of the members on here. So many are extremely qualified, yet have felt one too many rejections