Blue J

I commute 40 min-1 hour 15 every day each way. It depends on what time I have to be there or at my practicum. But honestly, it isn't that bad and I got used to it. Plus, I commuted about 35-45 min for undergrad as well so it's not that deep.

Me and some girls in our program commute 1+ hr, and it can suck because we have to get up 2 hours earlier than everyone else and can't go to every activity (study session or hanging out). But it will be worth it in the end because we save so much money by living at home! I spend my time on the train reading for school or studying so at least I'm being productive. And we stick around on campus to do work if we are already there. 

I was going to apply to all Florida schools come January if I didn't get into UCF's  Spring 2018 program, but, luckily, I did. Whew. First time applying, and it was so stressful!  The process is so draining.
For those of you who are bilingual, emphasize this repeatedly throughout your application. The field is desperate for bilingual therapists -- you have to let the programs know that you are a valuable asset for the field because of this. Know your worth.

I turned in my applications on Tuesday the 14th and they were verified today on Thursday the 16th! Get them done sooner so you don’t have to stress! 

Huh. I wonder who suggested that course of action.
You can call it trolling if you want, but I've been pretty gentle with you here. I really do hope that this is the only place where you've expressed yourself as you have here, or you've done yourself pretty significant harm which you need to start trying to fix. People do not generally try to read between the lines to stretch out some absurd favorable interpretation, as @buttercup8d did; they'll take you at face value and respond in kind. 

Ah, not only are you way too smart for your school, the other programs just wouldn't recognize your genius. Of course. lol.
I assume that, since you're just so smart, you actually had a purpose in attending your program despite the caveats given by @ExponentialDecay above. Obviously you're too intelligent to have gone in without having fully researched the consequences of taking an interdisciplinary degree. So clearly there's still some point in getting it, and that point hasn't changed. My advice thus remains the same: first semester tends to try to bring people up to speed, and may be easier since you have an MA. See if you still feel that way in the spring.
Oh, and try not to cause yourself irreparable social harm by talking about how you're too smart for your program.

Ah, yes, the good old first year "I'm too smart for this." Spoilers: you're not. And if you don't think your program is well regarded, why did you not consider that before accepting? Did you not get into anyplace better? How do you mesh that with your perceived intellectual superiority?
Classes are interesting but not where you should be spending most of your effort; easy classes mean there's more time for you to focus on other work. This is particularly true if you have an MA, as first-semester PhD work is often designed to get everyone on the same page.
Get over yourself, buckle down, and work to make your time productive.

Am I the only one feeling some anxiety about reapplying? This will be my second application cycle.  I'm not one of those 4.5 cumulative GPA students with 3,000 hours of volunteering/shadowing hours. ol Not bashing anyone who is, but I just want to see if there is anyone who is the " above 3.5 but not 4.0 club and okay GRE scores" club.  3.67 cumulative... CSD GPA roughly the same give or take a point or two with CSDCAS calculations. 153 Verbal 144 Q; AWA 4.0 taken it twice and advised not to take again  since I am currently in the process of gaining more experience. Served as NSSLHA officer, volunteered overseas at an autism camp , shadowed SLPs treating clients with dysphagia, dysphonia, autism, aphasia, cochlear implants, apraxia, other forms of developmental delay. I speak spanish and can communicate in sign language. I currently work with the special needs population where building social communication skills is a significant part of my daily tasks. I just feel as if no matter how much I do, I still go to sleep wondering if there is something I'm not doing. I was placed on my alma mater's wait list, and of all years this year they didn't use the wait list. lol  I was told that it was really close and a difficult decision,  I was a strong candidate, and that there have been many students who have gotten into  their program after applying multiple times. If people with the perfect stats and experience have to go through this and worse face outright rejections, it just makes me wonder how much of a chance I have. This is my passion, and as much as I would like to tell myself that if it's meant to be it will be, spending hundreds each cycle is ... scary and discouraging. I'm still going to try my best , though. I'm happy for those who have gotten in. I just hope that the steps I am taking to improve, not just get in, [but improve] my skillset are not in vain and the committees can see that. Also, I think a big factor was in the number of schools I naively applied to. Don't ask. lol I'm applying to 7 schools this cycle.  I already have my letters of reccs. lined up, applications 75% complete, and I'm working on my personal statement. Any advice or success stories? 

@chloslp I came in feeling incredibly unprepared. I went to a different school for undergrad, so I was nervous that I didn't learn the same things those that went to my current grad school for undergrad did, and I felt like I hadn't had as much shadowing/outside experience as others, plus my undergrad program didn't offer clinic practicum while others did, so I was worried I would be behind. However, when I started I was pleasantly surprised that it seemed like most of my cohort was all on the same page. Many of my classes (aside from neuro lol) overlapped with many things I learned in undergrad but just went into more detail. As far as clinic, I was nervous I would be thrown in and have no idea what I was doing, but the supervisors offered a lot of support because they want you to succeed and they know what level of support students need to do that. They offered many "inservices" the first few weeks to help you figure out how to do paperwork, logs, etc. and work with the population you were assigned. I also have a class just for clinic procedures to practice writing goals, SOAP notes, plan of cares, etc. I also have a 2nd year mentor who has been extremely helpful in figuring out the ropes. I came in with the mindset that it was going to be extremely difficult. Overall in regards to classes I have felt much more prepared than I thought I would. Even though I didn't feel prepared for clinic coming in, all of the support given through my clinic class, inservices, and mentor helped me feel very prepared for my first clinic session once I started! 

Hi all! 
I am a current slp graduate student in my first semester. I remember being incredibly scared and anxious during the application process and months leading up to graduate school after hearing many horror stories about stress level/lack of time and not knowing what to expect and being so nervous to start clinic for the first time. I remember reading through this forum and trying to soak up any and all information I could find about what to expect when I started. I am now 2 months in and loving every second! Yes it is a lot of work, but it is so exciting to be able to apply the knowledge you've spent 4 years learning and getting to connect with clients and see their progress. If you are anything like I was and and feeling anxious/curious about what to expect please feel free to ask me any questions!  

I'm in the English department and receive a stipend, insurance and waiver of tuition. The stipend is low, but not as low as Chai Tea's is. I have other independent income, but most of the GAs are in roommate situations. Most assistantships are 1/2 time (which is as much as the department will allow) = 20 hours per week. I teach a 2/2 schedule and hold office hours on campus. My MA campus was different in that the 20 hours had to be spent completely on campus. Anything lower than the 20 hours is quarter time and the benefits are reduced accordingly.

My GA is within the department and 10 hours a week. We get paid twice a month and my checks are always $170. So, no, it does not help at all with any major expenses. If anything, it's lunch money and used for small personal expenses (ie. getting a pedicure)
Others in my class make a few dollars more, some make a couple dollars less but we all work a maximum of 10 hours regardless.
The GA did allow me to have in-state tuition though, so that was a plus, but I also could've gotten in-state tuition via a tuition waiver if needed.
I primarily rely on student loans to pay for rent and tuition.

I'm honestly not sure as I was rejected but it depends on the school. I know some programs will accept you and either require you to complete the class before starting the program or during the first semester of courses or won't accept you without. From the website it looks like you need to have either a bachelors degree already in CDIS or take these courses plus have a bachelors degree. 
CSDS 2230   Anatomy of Speech & Hearing Mechansim CSDS 2240    Normal Speech & Lang Development CSDS 2250    Phonetics Non-Communication Sciences and Disorders coursework )i.e., linguistics courses) are NOTacceptable CSDS 3400    Speech Science CSDS 3410    Introduction To Audiology CSDS 3420    Language Disorders  

Your application sounds pretty good to me although I am in a completely different field. It took me a dipping of toes in the water when I was an undergrad and another full-blown application cycle to be admitted. I took the GRE as a senior and applied to two universities. I was outright rejected by one and received no information from the other where I was waitlisted, as to how I could better myself. I took my great verbal (163) and poor quant (145) GRE scores and went to the MA program in my undergrad school. Last year (the second year of my MA) I applied in earnest to 9 universities. I was accepted by two, waitlisted by two and rejected by five. My SOP and WS was vetted by three professors. GPAs were BA-3.82, MA-4.0. I had two major conferences, several regional conferences, and no publications. There was some initial anxiety about reapplying, but I pushed it aside. Yet, in the Spring, when the rejections kept coming, I felt that old demon anxiety come creeping back into my life. I was in the middle of writing my master's thesis. Took a weekend and felt totally sorry for myself (ate a half-gallon of Blue Bell ice cream in one sitting-ugh!), then got back to work--I did want to graduate come May, whether or not I was admitted to any PhD program. After all of the rejections arrived, along came one, then two waitlists, but still no acceptances, although one of the universities I was waitlisted at pulled my application back to active consideration. Finally, I received the first and then the second offer. I accepted the first offer and after a rough week of teaching orientation, I got into the swing of the new semester, attending classes and teaching. 
The anxiety and depression will hit again in the spring when you start seeing the acceptances on this board. Don't let it push you down too far. This is something of a trial by fire. Good luck. 

It took me three different application cycles to get into grad school! Don't give up! The process is quite frustrating, believe me I understand. You sound like a strong candidate and have a lot going for you. Focus on that experience. It shows that you are truly interested. I know you said you're almost done with your applications but try and find schools that have a good ratio between class size and those they accept. I was almost done with my applications when I applied to a school at the last minute because I thought it would be a good fit for me. That's where I ended up going! I went for schools all over the country that accepted a wide range of applicants with gpa and looked at your experience. While interviews are scary I believe they help you get in if you're invited to one. I was invited to interview at 3 schools and ended up accepted at 2 of those! You will get there. Like @Chai Tea Latte said you have to apply smart! I learned the hard way that lesson. 

I'm in that "average" range group. As you can see form my sig, I had a 3.61, and was accepted into 10 schools. You just gotta be realistic with your expectations and apply smart as in, don't apply to any top 10 schools for obvious reasons.

Hi all- just wanted to share a new website I started- http://slpgradschool.com/ (or just enter slpgradschool.com) to help undergraduate speech pathology and audiology students improve their chances of getting into graduate school.  The site has tutorials- videos too- on all aspects of getting into grad school.  I've been in the field for 12 years and have served on two different university admission committees so have a pretty good sense of what schools are looking for.  On the site, I give you lots of strategic ways to improve your chances of getting in and even explain the parts of the process. For example, its the start of the fall semester-- if you are a senior, you should have asked the 3 or 4 people you've identified to write your letters of rec already. Check it out!
 

This strategy helped me survive a 20 hour a week GA ship; working 16 hours a week; full-time grad classes, and an additional part-time teaching job while I was a commuter from 90-120 minutes away from the school. So, not in SLP, this may help a bit.
1. Write out your self-care needs. It may feel weird to have this prioritized as number 1, but that’s the only way to stay healthy enough and focus long enough to make it through grad school. What are things you need to feel energized and healthy? Do you need interaction, sleep, working out, etc.? Make a plan that includes all the necessary items to keep you healthy. Mine included:
No less than 6 hours of sleep for any more than 2 days a week. I just don't function well and would crash for about 12 hours the following day. Snacks. Lots of little snacks and nibbles throughout the day a 'home' to come back to. I was willing to travel 90-120 minutes one way if I came home to my cuddle-y cats and loving boyfriend These times were untouchable until right before finals.  Then, I was sown together solely by caffeine and luckily had a boyfriend who shoved under my face to remind me I had to eat. He was also nice enough to wait to watch any of our shows until finals ended.
 
2. Worker smarter, not harder. Consider what you can bundle. When you can choose research articles, choose smarter. Have articles that really cross over into multiple subjects. Overlap projects, roles, whatever you can. My plan looked similar to this:
My GA-ship and internships allowed me to research class articles and read during downtimes (such as if a client skipped out on me). That would give me maybe an additional 6 hours in a week
I would take notes at work of experiences, anecdotes, stories that reflected course material and discuss those notes in class discussion time
Most of my research papers had overlaying articles from other coursework. I wouldn’t copy the papers, but I would use one article to inform about 6 different papers, and back up those professional observations.
I started taking public transit more so I could read, watch class videos and write papers during the trips.
Writing client notes immediately after every session. I ended all sessions 10-15 minutes before the next one to carve out the notes quickly. They were more accurate and make me less overwhelmed at the end of the day. I still usually have 30 minutes after everything was done at the internships to go back and fill in any gaps, or add any observations I thought of as the day progressed.
One I wish I had, but couldn’t make work: more study groups and group notes. I’ve heard of people taking notes via google docs (in a group document), and that sounds like a fantastic idea to me.
3. Have a plan realize you won't keep that plan, but it was a nice idea. No, this isn't hyperbole. I know a ton of people who said they had a 'schedule' but they never kept to it. It included blocks of time to study, work-out, you name it. The only benefit of writing out the plan was seeing if I legitimately had enough time in the day, or if I had to just to step 4.
4. Be realistic. If you legitimately cannot keep your schedule as it is, something’s got to give. That might mean dropping hours somewhere, dropping to part-time classes, etc. This is when you schedule with an academic advisor to discuss how and where you should refocus your energy.
 
I hope this helped, at least some what!
 

This was my second time applying and I got in, I had a horrible undergrad GPA. I did a post bacc and got good scores on my GRE, the most important thing I did was research within the department for a year. You have to get to know people and have them write you letters. I felt like that is what would set you apart. My letters and your personal statement, also attending open houses and getting involved if you have the time. 
Good luck
 

I am a current graduate student as ENMU and my GRE scores were157 verbal, 146 quantitative, 4.5 analytical writing. My undergrad GPA was 3.6. I know before I applied there I went to visit. I was informed that each application is based on points awarded for the different application aspects such as GRE scores and GPA; however, I was told the essay question part of the application is worth at least half of the points so to really concentrate on that. Hopefully this helps! Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Thank you so much for the motivation! I'm working as a special ed parapro right now-- teaching me so much about dealing with young children  diagnosed with autism and experience meltdowns. I'm shadowing an SLP. The idea of reapplying year after year is scary especially when I hear about people who seem to be the perfect candidate and can't get into a program for whatever reason. Thanks,once again and all the best with grad school. 
 

It took me three times to become accepted into grad school! Don't give up! I would say that to me you have really great GRE scores. Most of my professors said that you should be in at least the 50th percentile or above and that's what you are. I think what's more important is you as an applicant and the whole picture. To me and some schools I applied to it was more important the student as a whole and their experience than anything else. I volunteered the past school year once a week at an integrated preschool. There I assisted the special education teacher with the classroom and got to work with kids with Autism, Down Syndrome and developmental delays. They were also super helpful and let me observe with an slp since I expressed an interest an becoming an slp. I think that really boosted my application since I am going to grad school in the fall and I even had a choice between schools   I would use that experience you've gained and also if you are able apply to schools all over the country. I found that I had a better time not restricting my applications to a certain region of the country. For example as an east coaster I found there was a lot of competition there so I expanded my search but I understand if that's not possible. While I am going to school farther from home than I would have liked I figure it is only 2 years of my life and it will get me the degree I want!  Edfind ASHA was my best friend when researching schools. I became really picky and specific with finding schools that my stats fit with and I think that really helped. I know I couldn't help specifically for those programs!

My grad school journey started when I graduated with a BA in 2013. I didn't know if I wanted to apply to grad school right away or wait a year and just "live my life". I was still young and wanted to experience life. I ended up applying for an Honors English study abroad opportunity. I left it up to fate to determine if I apply to grad school OR go study abroad. I ended up getting accepted into the study abroad program. There were over 300 apps and I was chosen. Couldn't believe it and obviously, I took it as a sign. 
I studied abroad for 6 months and applied for my SLPA license (along with 4 of my friends). Again, didn't know if I was even meant to be in the field of SLP or not. I ended up being the only one accepted out of my group of friends, again... another sign. 
I've been working as a SLPA in CA for the past 3 years. I applied to grad school my first year to a couple programs that were SO unobtainable. I reached out to an academic advisor and she said with my grades, I'll never get into a speech grad program. What my academic advisors didn't know what my background and why I received poor grades. In a semester of undergrad, I had a family emergency. I basically put my family first and stopped attending classes. I just went for tests and some how skated by with getting C+ (4 of them). That semester killed me.. dropped my overall down to a 3.3. This last year, I retook those 4 classes and received an A in all of them. Depending how you count it, I either have a 4.0 in all CSD course, or a 3.6 if you average those GPAs out. Regardless, I totally pushed through it. Being a SLPA really changed my life. I love my job and I am truly passionate about this field. The struggles I went through just made me a stronger person. It's a shame grad schools don't look at the overall applicant or story behind them (in some instances) but I found schools that have this year. I've been waitlisted and accepted! I am so excited to start my journey. 
Moral of the story.. everything happens for a reason. If I would've gone to grad school out of my undergrad, I wouldn't have met my soon to be husband and I wouldn't be the woman I am today. I can say, I will truly appreciate grad school more since all this has happened to me!

My guess would be they accept their target number at first, but then offer acceptances to people on the waitlist as other individuals decline offers. And the large number of admissions offers is a total that includes the offers that were given, even to those who were waitlisted originally.
So if that is true, you can almost guess how many people were offered admissions off the waitlist by subtracting the target enrollment from the admissions offers.
However, if there is one thing I have learned there is so much that goes into considerations it is difficult to predict how things work in the admissions world. 

@Blue JLast year, my friend got into UGA off of their waitlist around late April early May.  & this year I was waitlisted to UGA but declined my position on the waitlist because I accepted my offer at GSU.