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I'll be going to West Texas A&M. I only applied to 3 schools and apparently Eastern New Mexico lost my application?! Not interested in following through with the grad dept to find out what happened. I see it as a sign that I should go to WT!  Anyone else going? I'd love to connect! 

It took me four times of applying to finally get in. Working as an SLPA will definitely help...I was working in a different industry, which was part of the problem for me. If you're worried you won't get in next time, I would definitely suggest applying to a wider range of schools, particularly ones in less desirable areas. I really wanted to stay in the Portland/Seattle area, but then, so do a lot of people...which is why all the programs in those places are so competitive! I'm going to Idaho State and I'm not super thrilled about living in such a rural area...but two years is not a very big sacrifice compared to the decades you'll get to work in your desired field! Plus, every SLP I know (plus people in other healthcare professions) tells me that it really doesn't matter (from a career standpoint) where you go to grad school. 

I was diagnosed with severe depression and PTSD.  I am not diagnosed with any attention problems because I have never brought it up with a therapist, but I do think I have a lot of problems with attention or auditory processing that have been getting worse.  I think it's probably due to the depression...maybe...
I am about to start my second year of grad school.  Honestly, the first one was alright.  I can't say I was happy, but this is the longest period in a while I haven't had a panic attack, weirdly enough. I feel like my heavy work load actually distracted me from thoughts that would trigger my mental health issues.  However, sometimes my depression flares up for no reason and motivation is tough to harness.  I stopped taking medication for almost a year, but I think it's about time to get back on it.  I did not contact disability support services, but that is really not a bad idea at all.  
I also know to go easy on myself.  I'm not going to be 100% energetic all the time and awesome at everything, and that's okay.  A lot of us SLP students are real perfectionists.  But there is no need to be a perfectionist in grad school.  You're in.  Grades are not nearly as important as they once were.  Just focus on learning, and don't work so hard that you sacrifice your health.  

non-degree seeking student 

A friend of mine has and she re-took classes through Utah State and Eastern New Mexico. 

Well, I promised myself if I ever got into grad school I would post on gradcafe to help others out there that are trying to as well. Hopefully this information inspires you to pursue your dream of becoming an SLP.  
Back story: When I was younger, I was diagnosed with a learning disability (auditory and visual processing). I always had to try harder in school than the average student. I went to community college after high school because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I always had a liking working with kids. In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I hated subjects so I wasn't sure how that was going to work out lol. After researching Speech Pathology, I realized I wanted to be an SLP. I observed a few SLPs before I made the decision to transfer to a University and pursue a Bachelors degree in Speech Pathology. I was only accepted into one school in California because my cumulative GPA was a 2.6 (did I mention I HATE subject courses). After two grueling years pursuing a Bachelors degree in Speech, I managed to graduate with a 3.7 CDS GPA and 3.2 cumulative GPA. During the two year program, I had the WORST faculty. They were not supportive at all and had their favorites. It was terrible and I am so glad I am not going there for grad school. 
Ok, so this is how I got into grad school: 
I worked my ass off during my two year undergrad program by volunteering at a school (classroom and SLP), hospital (child life department), NSSLHA events, reading program, and an aphasia support group. I applied to three grad school programs my senior year, scored extremely low on the GRE and didn't get accepted. I even applied to my undergrad summer SLPA program and didn't get accepted. I knew I had to take a gap year and work in a related field. After I graduated, I worked as a behavioral therapist. It has almost been a year now since I started, and honestly, it was the best idea. It reassured me that I was meant to work with kids and become a therapist. I don't necessarily love ABA, since I have long in-home therapy sessions, but I believe this experience helped me get into grad school. I applied to 12 schools this time. I retook the GRE and scored a little higher, but still low. V:140, Q:145, A: 3.5.  I researched literally every single program on ASHA edfind with low GPA and GRE scores. Also, I rewrote my letter of intent and had it proof read from sooo many people. I was determined to get in. I ended up being accepted into one school, waitlisted for 3 schools and rejected from the rest. The school that I was accepted to is literally my number 1 choice. I was in shock. I finally did it. 
So what I am trying to say here is that, YOU CAN DO IT. Don't give up. If you really want it, you will make it happen. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me! Grad cafe really helped me research my schools and kept me up to date on the grad school process. I am so thankful for all the support on here. 
 

I can totally relate to how your feeling. I recently got some not so good news about my father's health as well and will be moving away this fall. I have felt torn about the situation and it totally sucks! I think having close communication with family and the university will help in case anything arises. You are making the right decision and shouldn't feel guilty about what others might think. Sending positive vibes to you and your family~  

I just wanted to add that I've been a SLPA for almost two years and the self-confidence builds up very slowly. Don't be discouraged and remember that even experienced SLPs have bad therapy sessions and self-doubt. Learn from your mistakes...you actually learn a lot from reflecting back on what you could have done better...but know that it's completely normal to feel like a "failure".

I second what the poster above said. I'm from CA and school districts are ALWAYS hiring in my area (Los Angeles). I hear starting salary ranges from 70-80k depending on which district you work for and its not hard to reach 90-100k. The school district I currently work for even offers a pretty big sign-on bonus too.

Here's the FB group for West Texas A&M
https://www.facebook.com/groups/795333493957828/

I had no idea! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much to everyone for all your thoughtful words of encouragement!! I truly truuuly appreciate it! I am so incredibly happy to say that today I received an acceptance from LIU POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????? I literally cried tears of joy as soon as I saw the words "Congratulations" in the email subject. I am seriously so incredibly overjoyed. You were so right @plume. All I need is ONE! After 5 CONSECUTIVE PAINFUL REJECTIONS.... the 6th is a YES!!!! Thank GOD!!! ???

@slpregret21 I took my pre-reqs online through Sacred Heart and Northwestern. I really liked the Audiology class I took at Northwestern with Dr. Sanchez. There was a group project that was a little annoying but I felt like I learned a lot and the workload was manageable.
Northwestern: http://sps.northwestern.edu/program-areas/post-baccalaureate/prespeech-pathology/
Sacred Heart: http://www.sacredheart.edu/academics/collegeofhealthprofessions/academicprograms/speech-languagepathology/speech-languagepathologyonlineprerequisiteseries/
I've also heard a lot of people on these boards mention great and affordable online classes at ENMU, though I never took any there so can't speak to it myself: http://www.enmu.edu/health-and-human-services/undergraduate/speech-pathology-courses-online

YAY! CONGRATS!

Coming from someone who has yet to get an acceptance from ANYWHERE... YOU MAKING A CHOICE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE ?. If you don't mind me asking.. What school did you accept the offer to? And from what you're saying, it seems like you picked that program for the right reasons. A big factor for me if I'm accepted to multiple programs will be the cost. So although you're saying you feel some disorganization/bad vibes, it may just be your doubts making things seem worse than they really are. And once you start the program, you might find that it's the total opposite, 
The great thing I have come to understand about this field, is that for the most part, it really doesn't matter where you go for grad school - you will get a job because of what you studied and not really because of where. 
So unless the school you go to has a low passing rate for the Praxis or doesn't help you get externship placements or something that would hugely impact you, I would say take it easy and just be really happy that you'll be starting your last stretch of education for your dream career ? And if some red flags appear that make you really worried about your education there, maybe you can consider transferring or possibly contacting a program that previously accepted you. But I doubt it would come to that anyway. All the best to you!! Be HAPPY & RELIEVED that your wait is over!! ? And congrats on your acceptance!! ???

@twinguy7 What a small world I worked for TES too! I agree the district is the better way to go in regards to pay and benefits. Are you working for a district now as an SLP?

West Texas A&M is more or less 10k a year and rent is looking to be around $500-600 for a 1 bedroom which I will split with my boyfriend. Not too shabby but then again I am moving from Los Angeles to the middle of nowhere in TX. Pros and cons I guess.

Bump! This is a valuable topic that I saw and hoping to hear if anyone else has more to add  The struggle is most definitely realll

Hi Lily, 
I would say forget rankings - they're kind of meaningless in the job market; During observations I did before grad school, I saw clinicians from top programs working in the same hospital with clinicians from "all the other" ranked programs. Even if you decide to go on in academia, they don't mean much.
I think cost is a big consideration - probably the biggest. I interviewed probably about half-a-dozen SLP's and they all told me to go to the most affordable school. While others clearly disagree, I think an extra $23,000 is a huge amount of money to be paying off in debt. That's a new car or two... or a down payment on a house!  
I'm also interested in bilingualism and multiculturalism. I was lucky that my most affordable school also had an emphasis in bilingualism/multiculturalism. I'm sorry that didn't align so nicely for you. Don't worry - you can pick up that extra training in other ways. Maybe there are classes in the education or special ed (or even other!) departments at both universities on multiculturalism. You can take them as an elective. You're going to do Continuing Ed. credits for the rest of your career. I think TC Columbia offers their bilingual program as a certificate you can do separate from the graduate program. There are posters and presentations at ASHA every year (I'm applying now to present one!) on multiculturalism. The books and articles on topics of interest are available to you. 
Finally, in my program I haven't even taken one of the special "bilingual/multicultural" assessment or development classes and I've already learned a ton about those topics. During your "regular" classes on assessment, intervention, etc - you should be covering these issues because they're kind of an inherent part of what we do. I ask questions about diverse populations all the time in classes not labeled "multicultural." When you get to chose a topic for an in-class research project, select something about "bilingual assessment" and you'll be reading the same literature / articles / journals as someone in a program with a "bilingual emphasis." 

In the SLP/A field a 3.5 isn't considered competitive. Although I have no authority on the matter, I'd say a 3.7 would be considered competitive. Speech Pathology graduate school is extremely competitive, 300-400 applications for 20-30 positions is typical. This was record year for applicants as well. I don't mean to be belittling or anything, I just noticed you're in a different field and I'm not sure if you're familiar with speech =)

This is my 2nd time applying. I don't have the best stats by any means. First round I didn't do as much research and applied to 8 schools. Rejected and waitlisted. 2nd time around I did more research into schools- I also applied to way less for financial reasons and got 1 acceptance so far!! In the meantime, I took pre-reqs I was missing and formed bonds with current professors and supervisors to get better LORs. I also took more time on my personal statement and worked as a SLPA for 4 years. Don't give up hope! It took me 4 years after undergrad to gain the courage to just apply because of all the horror stories I heard! It is tough but doable! Good luck

This is my 2nd time applying. I don't have the best stats by any means. First round I didn't do as much research and applied to 8 schools. Rejected and waitlisted. 2nd time around I did more research into schools- I also applied to way less for financial reasons and got 1 acceptance so far!! In the meantime, I took pre-reqs I was missing and formed bonds with current professors and supervisors to get better LORs. I also took more time on my personal statement and worked as a SLPA for 4 years. Don't give up hope! It took me 4 years after undergrad to gain the courage to just apply because of all the horror stories I heard! It is tough but doable! Good luck

This is my 2nd time applying. I don't have the best stats by any means. First round I didn't do as much research and applied to 8 schools. Rejected and waitlisted. 2nd time around I did more research into schools- I also applied to way less for financial reasons and got 1 acceptance so far!! In the meantime, I took pre-reqs I was missing and formed bonds with current professors and supervisors to get better LORs. I also took more time on my personal statement and worked as a SLPA for 4 years. Don't give up hope! It took me 4 years after undergrad to gain the courage to just apply because of all the horror stories I heard! It is tough but doable! Good luck

Unfortunately, I did not get paid to teach English- I thought you needed to be certified for that but once I was there I was told by many people you can find work without it. I volunteered since my family is from Costa Rica I took it as an opportunity to volunteer/visit family/explore the country
I am totally on the same page! My family can't financially help me which is why I become a SLPA. The pay is pretty good in CA and I got a ton of hands-on experience. Honestly though I don't know how much volunteer experience really helps. Only 1/3 schools I applied to gave me the opportunity to state any volunteer experience- the rest didn't ask. So didn't worry too much if it is impossible, you can find other ways to improve your app

I attended college a decade ago and was not successful. I had a GPA below a 1.0! Yes, you can get a GPA that low. I finally took a break for 5 years, started working for hospitals and clinics around the metropolitan area. After realizing that I needed a career and a higher income, I returned back to school. I knew my old stats were going to hurt my chances of getting into grad school so I retook some classes over (some were so old, the college no longer offered it and were stuck on my transcript). I started getting involved on and off campus. I found volunteer positions working as a paraprofessional and an augmentative and alternative device assistant WHILE maintaining my full-time position at the hospital. I also got involved in research for three years, published an article and presented at ASHA. As busy as I was, I made sure I maintained a good bond with faculty members who I felt would be great letter writers. One of the most crucial part about students are that they don't realize how important it is to network with their professors. HELLLLLO! they know at least ONE faculty member from each school in the U.S....because most likely, they went to grad school with them OR they've probably worked on a research together. Networking was the MOST important part towards gaining access into graduate school for me. 
By the time application period rolled around, I've had three years of research, 13 years of medical experiences, 2 years of paraprofessional work, a published research, and 5 research conferences done. I contacted professors who I felt were a good match for me, completed a few interviews before submitting my applications. I wanted them to know me prior to looking at my stats... I felt that # tends to distract people from seeing the whole package. I'm happy to say, it took me 6 years to complete my undergraduate studies but I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL ON THE FIRST TRY!! Anything is possible as long as you put in that extra work.