AlwaysaFalcon

That's crazy your professor said that! I had a lower gpa than you but similar gre scores and I got in! Try selling yourself in other areas but having a very strong letter of intent and letters of recommendation! Like others have said you could apply to programs that don't require the gre scores if you are concerned! My graduate program I"m currently attending didn't require the gre score when I was accepted! Good luck! You got this

My biggest advice would to keep yourself busy! Like others mentioned this could be a new hobby, working out, hanging out with friends, etc. When you are busy you don't have time to think and worry about the what ifs of your application. Also give yourself a clap on the back! Applying for programs is not easy and neither is this process. Treat yourself! Get a massage, spa time, nails, etc!

Maybe you could apply to programs that don't require the gre as part of the admissions process? My program didn't require gre scores when I applied.

Personally I can not attest to that but I have multiple students in my class that are career changers and around the same age! I admire so much you and these classmates for taking a chance to go back to school!

I think you have excellent extra-circulars! Plenty of evidence and experience to put in your letter of intent to prove that you are interested in the field! Also with all that experience I bet you have some people that would write on your behave an excellent letter of recommendation. I had lower stats than yours and was accepted! It took me three tries but was admitted Don't give up! I'm a current student at Governors State University so pm me if you have any questions!

@kjgoo I agree with what was said regarding more than gpa. If you are lacking in the gpa beef up your application in other ways such as gaining experience to put in your letter of intent, strong work experience/connection to professors so they can write your letter of recommendation. Also if you can apply to a wide variety of programs. Check ASHAedfind and find programs that have a smaller number of applicants applying to them. I found myself that if I had an interview to a program I had better success so look for programs with this option. This way they can place a name to an application and you can shine in person. You can do this! I had a spot on gpa as yours and after three different application cycles I was accepted into my grad program. Good luck

Get involved with something that has to do with speech language pathology (research, volunteering in area/population of interest, job in an area related). Between the second and third year applying for graduate programs I volunteered at in integrated preschool where I assisted the preschool teacher. I was able to interact with the preschoolers and also had opportunities and observe therapy sessions between the slp and the students. Not only did it confirm my interest in the field, but it was also something I could add into my letter of intent.

I honestly don't know the answer for sure. LIke @LivMASpeechie said I"m sure it wouldn't hurt to call the department and ask.

The schools I applied to are under my signature and one of the programs I received an acceptance from, Governors State University didn't require a gre when I applied.

When I applied using CSDCAS I was able to add a fourth recommender. Personally I think it helped my chances but it's ultimately up to you, I see others points as well.

I definitely agree with @Swishfish22. I had a "lower" gpa myself and therefore wanted to apply to a wide variety of programs and more of them then others as a safety net. It worked for me! Look on ASHA edfind and find schools that fit your statistics and look for schools with less applicants applying to them. That means less competition for you! Good luck!

Personally I applied 3 different times and never mentioned that it was multiple times. I personally never thought about mentioning that fact in my letter of intent. Instead I just tried to make my application stronger in other ways like experience, letters of recommendations and the programs I was applying to.

You could always try and apply to programs that don't require the gre scores as part of the admissions process. I know my program didn't require GRE scores when I apply. Or like @smileyslpsaid explain to programs that you are applying to why you are a great applicant regardless of the GRE score.

I'm a current graduate student at Governors State University. If you have any questions feel free to pm me Good luck with the application process!

That's amazing! It took me three application cycles to become accepted ❤️ It's so worth it to get that acceptance. So happy you didn't give up!

Personally it's up to you but for me personally one of my future goals is to be financially responsible and reduce as much future debt as I can. With that in mind I chose ultimately the cheaper school (this wasn't the only reason). I'm happy I made this decision! It also depends on your future goals as a clinician.

Hi @mckennahslp! So myself I had very similar GPA statistics as you! It took me three application cycles of applying to schools but started last year! This is currently my second year of grad school so you can do it too! Personally I had 3 C's in undergraduate schools and didn't redo them before entering grad school. My biggest tips I used to strengthen my application were: 1.Doing more than 2-3 letters of recommendation. I personally did 4 letters of recommendation (2 bosses, 1 academic advisor/professor and another professor). I feel this made me stand out and I had professors and bosses to back me up that had experience with me personally and could attest to my character. 2. Gain experience in the field. I volunteered at an integrated preschool in between undergrad and grad school to help gain experience. I was a preschool assistant and was also able to observe in slp in the field. It was great and confirmed my interest and determination not to give up in the field that I wanted. 3. If you can apply to schools all over. My last application I applied to 25 different states. (You don't have to be as extreme as I was haha) I did throughout research on asha edfind of grads schools and their statistics. I applied to schools that I felt I could be accepted into matching my stats and that less applicants were applying too. This way there is less competition. 4. Personally I also feel interviews for schools that I spoke too helped. I felt as though I shown more in person than just on paper. Personally gpa does matter to an extend but honestly it depends on the school and what they find important. I felt that the grad school I ended up attending cared about the applicant as a whole and not just their gpa but their letter of intent, interview and letters of recommendation. Let me know if you have any other questions!

In between my gap years between undergraduate and graduate school, I volunteered at an integrated preschool near my work. I went once a week for a few hours and was a preschool helper for the main teacher and also was able to observe with the SLP there. Not only did I gain experience working with younger children, but I also got to work with inter-disciplines and solidify that being an SLP was what I wanted to do.

My program Governors State University has options for 2.5-3years to complete your degree depending on if you want to go full time or part time. However you do already have to have your Bachelors in Communication Disorders though.

When did you start applying to CFY positions (how many months before graduation if applicable)?

Some schools have rolling admissions but from my personal experience programs will wait till after the deadline has passed to look and categorize applicants.

One of the schools I had applied to, Sacred Heart University has a literacy track!

I agree with @pbandj I think you have a chance! You're stats were not that far off from mine. It took me a couple of tries but I got in! Apply to programs that have a smaller number of applicants applying to them. I found that I had a "better" chance of getting in when I did this.

If this helps answer your question two programs I interviewed with I had not taken Neuroscience as this was a requirement for their programs. During the interview process I was told that I could complete this course in the beginning of my program to fulfill this requirement. So this personally did not hurt my chances as I was accepted into both these programs mentioned. You would have to check the program though. Some programs might not let you complete undergraduate courses with their grad classes. Hope that helps!

This is so good to hear! I'll be so nervous when I have my first client but so excited too!