Slp_AZ

Thank you for your advice on how to study for the exam the second time around, that is a huge help! It's encouraging to hear that someone else with test anxiety was able to improve their score so much! I really appreciate it!

Hi there! I am currently an undergraduate senior studying Speech and Hearing Sciences and I am hoping to be admitted into a SLP graduate program for the Fall 2017 semester, but I am aware of the reality that this is a very competitive field. Now that I have started the application process, I am having trouble determining how I rank as a student. I don't personally know many people in SLP graduate programs, so I am hoping to get some advice from people who have experience in this area. I am a little concerned about my overall academic standing because although I have a pretty strong GPA (3.95), my GRE scores are less than impressive: V-151 Q-152 AW-3.5. I have only taken the GRE once and I am scheduled to take it again, but I am not confident that I will be able to raise my scores very much (standardized tests have always been a major weakness of mine). I do have some work experience; I am currently enrolled in a SLPA internship program which will allow me to obtain my SLPA certification by the time I graduate in May, I am also enrolled in a 2-semester long independent research project, I worked as an intern at Sylvan Learning Center (but not since 2013), and I have experience working as a habilitation therapist. My school advisor insists that I will be considered a competitive applicant, but after spending hours on the edfind website, I've found that I don't meet the minimum GRE requirements of many of the schools I'd like to attend. As a result, I currently have a list of 13 programs that I plan to apply to ranging from near top-tier schools all the way to low-ranked programs in schools I didn't know existed. Based on the information above, do I have a chance getting into competitive programs that are looking for high GRE scores? Would I be better off saving money by only applying to less competitive schools in undesirable areas? Any other advice on creating a strong application? I would really love to hear from people who have applied to SLP graduate programs before, and anything you may have learned from applying (whether you were accepted or not). Any advice helps! Thanks!!(: (*On a final note: I know that if I don't get into grad school the first time around, it's not the end of the world. More experience working as an SLPA is never a bad thing, but as of right now, my goal is to do anything I can to get into school ASAP so that I can continue pursuing my passion. Thanks again!)