Lwc23

I would consider asking a professor that you had in the past and connected well with! I took two years off before applying and asked all of my professors from undergrad - two CSD professors who I’d spoken to about LORs before graduating, and one non-CSD professor who I reached out to during the application period to ask. I’m sure you could get LORs from your online professors but don’t dismiss professors that you had positive relationships with just because it’s been a few years! Otherwise, make sure you give them lots of info. for the LORs. I gave my professors copies of my transcripts, resume, SOP drafts, and a list of schools I was applying to with deadlines. Even if the professors don’t know you incredibly well, that info. makes it possible for them to write about your strengths and positive attributes in depth.

Could you reach beyond email and call them? I’ll be honest, I’m not too surprised to hear this as professors can be really busy! I spoke in-person to a professor for a LOR before I graduated; later, applying while living abroad, I needed to contact that professor via email to get my LOR. It definitely took some time! Some professors are just bad at replying to emails, which is a problem, yes, but didn’t mean that she wasn’t willing to write me a LOR. The reality is that everyone's asking for LORs right now and yes, the fact that you can’t go to their office hours could be holding back a timely response to your question - but honestly, I doubt that your relationship to your professors is dissimilar from that of many other students (because there are a lot of in-person students who don’t work extra hard to form relationships, but still get LORs). Keep trying, and try different methods! But certainly don’t lose hope.

If you know what universities you’re applying to, you can generally go on their individual websites and find prereqs or required courses.

I’d be happy to, just send a message!

I went to UNH for undergrad and was accepted to their grad program (though it’s not where I’m going) so I’d be happy to speak to that a bit, if you want. (I know nothing about it in relation to being Canadian, but the admissions criteria are all quite clear so if you meet those I see no reason you don’t have a shot at getting in.)

I’d keep in mind that professors receive a lot of emails, so two weeks might be reasonable! If you didn’t already in the first email, make it clear that you’ll be able to provide copies of your sops, your transcripts, a resume, a list of schools you’re applying to, and any other pertinent information to help them write you a lor. I’d imagine that at least some professors will be understanding that you haven’t cultivated as close relationships as a distance student.

Send me a message, I’m happy to help!

One school I know with a medical concentration is MGH, but regardless of what program you go to, you’ll almost definitely do a placement in a school setting.

For my two cents, think it depends on the school and application. I believe with CSDCAS, for example, you could submit four lors and depending on the school and their individual applications, CSDCAS might send them all four or only the first three. If a school gives you the option of submitting more lors, take advantage of that! But I’d keep in mind that schools are getting hundreds of applications and may not look kindly on (or consider) extra unasked-for materials, so I’d only do it for the schools that give you the option.

Don’t give up! First of all, is there any chance your fall/spring classes could raise your GPA? What’s your in major GPA and how does it compare to your overall? What else are you bringing to the table in terms of experience, GRE, etc.? In terms of getting anywhere this cycle, I’d say it depends a lot on where you’re planning to apply. However, if pushing off applying for a year is something you could do, it probably wouldn’t hurt to get some experience and then apply with your (hopefully higher) GPA including senior classes. You could also consider putting off applying for a spring cycle...

A lot of schools place emphasis on academic recommendations, because they want to know about your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment. I’d lean towards two academic, and then one from work or shadowing (or both, if the school allows four letters). If you really don’t think you can get two positive academic letters then obviously go with whoever will give you positive recommendations, but many programs would strongly prefer most if not all of your letters to be academic.

I don’t know if this would be relevant for you, as it’s only somewhat related with speech. There are good opportunities to teach English online, through companies like VIPKID. It works with Chinese children one-on-one (as is the model for many companies, though some work in other countries and a small handful with adults, though those typically pay less). I find them convenient because the online work allows you to work from home and make your own hours, and helping with things like phonics and grammar does feel related enough that I appreciate the experience!

If you think that with studying you’d be able to gain 4 extra points, I’d say retake it! (I didn’t actually study, but almost everyone seems to recommend Magoosh.) Those scores aren’t horrific though, so depending on the schools you’re applying to and your other stats, you may not want to bother. You’re nearly at the 300, and if you have a strong GPA and experience, it could balance out. However, I know that 300 can be a cutoff for some schools, since they get so many good applicants.

I will say that I got 39th percentile for quant (and in the 80-somethingth for verbal) so consider the balance between those two sections! As bibliophile222 said, most schools are just looking for a minimum 300 combined. I had no problem getting into several schools with my scores, so unless your scores were truly absolutely dreadful, I wouldn’t worry about being under the 50th percentile.

I’m attending Bridgewater State in Mass, and while there aren’t really specific CSD funding opportunities, the school offers a large number of Graduate Assistantships that cover tuition and fees (in addition to the school being quite inexpensive to begin with).

I don’t want to discount others’ experiences, but I wouldn’t say that THAT many apply 3-4 times before getting admitted. Although not totally applicable to your situation, about 20 out of 30 in my CSD undergrad cohort applied our senior year, and everyone got into at least one school; I applied one round and got into 4/6 schools. Your stats sound good, you’ve got some experience, and schools want to have a variety of applicants and have nothing against out-of-fielders. I really think you’ll be fine, especially if you research schools and apply to ones in your range. And worst case scenario, if you aren’t accepted you can work for a year before trying again.

I’m happy to help anyone who wants assistance brainstorming or proofreading statements! Others on this forum were helpful to me during my rough/final draft stages of my statement, and I ended up getting into 4/6 schools I applied to and waitlisted at the other 2, so I’d hope I could give helpful advice on statements. :) Just send me a message!

Quick question: if accepted, how long do we have to accept our acceptance? (I'm sure I could've phrased that differently.) I've applied for the ETA program in Malaysia, by the way.

Hello everyone! It's been great reading through this chat so far - good luck to everyone who's planning to apply! I am applying to be an ETA in Malaysia. If anyone else is applying to Malaysia (or has been a Malaysia ETA in the past) I would love to hear from you! How is the application process going for everyone? I'm in the midst of the essays currently, though I'm struggling to pinpoint what I need to focus on in the Personal Statement.

Congratulations to everyone who was accepted for the 2016-17 round! I am applying to be a Fulbright ETA for 2017-18, and I was wondering if I could get any tips from anyone who applied previously. I'm having the hardest time trying to determine what should go in my Personal Statement as opposed to what belongs in my Statement of Grant Purpose - aside from the obvious differences, how much should the PS deal with plans for teaching and/or community involvement (or does that all belong in the SGP)? Additionally, I'm applying to the program in Malaysia, and I would love to hear from anyone who was/is going to be an ETA there. How did you decide on Malaysia? What was the application process like for you? Thanks for any help anyone is able to provide!