AlwaysaFalcon

Hi! I remember the amount of times I checked grad cafe around this time last year. So, I'm here to answer any of your questions from how to prepare for a grad interview, to trying to pick between programs and what grad school is like. I know I needed something like this when I was applying/waiting to hear back. 
You guys got this!! Hope I can help
 

Hello! Your clinical fellowship is completed after you graduate with your masters. It’s about 9 months long, it’s a paying job but you get extra supervision from a SLP with their CCC.  After you successfully complete your cf is when you can apply for your CCC. Hope this helps!

You need at least 100 public school hrs for Mass so just keep that in mind. Wherever you go to grad school will help you with that.

Here is information about licensure from ASHA about licensing in the states you're interested in:
Rhode Island: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/RI/licensure/
Connecticut: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/CT/licensure/
Massachusetts: https://www.asha.org/advocacy/state/info/MA/licensure/
Also if you express to whatever grad school you go to about practicing in another state they should be able to help you or contact ASHA if you have questions. As long as the program is credited by ASHA and you are able to get your license and degree that's all that matters! You can always apply for instate residency if you do move out of state to save on costs!

You ranges for gpa and gre are almost identical to mine! Feel free to message me but like others have said I think that you need to work your strengths. Talk about that research experience in your letter of intent and experience. There is more to a future clinician than grades

I put it right underneath my name  

I applied from out of field and was still takungvmy prereqs when I applied, so I used 3 different linguistics professors for my LORs. I'm sure that having at least one CSD prof would have been better, but sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do.

I had a lower GPA and got in my first try. Definitely don’t give up! Rather than retaking courses and spending $$$$, focus on your applications and making sure you show that you are awesome!

I did! Don't give up  

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...

Personally what I do is rent the books first from amazon or chegg or see if it is cheaper to buy off amazon. I can't afford to buy my textbooks and keep a copy of the syllabus with the textbook name in it in case later on I want to buy the textbook when I have more money haha

I've stuck with on-campus work-study jobs, since they're super flexible with scheduling and can be done on-campus or even at home. My first semester I was a TA for a 1-credit undergrad class and mostly just graded papers. For my 2nd and 3rd semesters I was an RA, transcribing speech samples and helping with evaluations. This coming semester I'll be a writing consultant in the grad writing center. Of course, there are many more options than these, but I've been pretty happy with them!

I love my dry erase board. My friend got a me a bunch of items that she wished she'd had in grad school and that was one of my favorites. I used it a lot when practicing transcription in my speech sound disorders class. Very helpful! 

It took me three application cycles to become accepted into graduate school! Maybe you can take time to volunteer or work in areas related to the field. I volunteered at an integrated preschool that worked with typically developing children and children with autism and down syndrome. I also got more letters of recommendation to try and make me stand out. Take time to improve your application. Feel free to PM me!

I had unintended two years off between my undergraduate degree and pursing my masters degree. I discussed my continued interest in the field and my experience involved in populations related to speech language pathology. I volunteered at an integrated preschool where I observed an slp that worked with the preschoolers. I believe programs like varieties in their cohorts so for me I think the experience helped me stand out. 

I love my dry erase board. My friend got a me a bunch of items that she wished she'd had in grad school and that was one of my favorites. I used it a lot when practicing transcription in my speech sound disorders class. Very helpful! 

I had unintended two years off between my undergraduate degree and pursing my masters degree. I discussed my continued interest in the field and my experience involved in populations related to speech language pathology. I volunteered at an integrated preschool where I observed an slp that worked with the preschoolers. I believe programs like varieties in their cohorts so for me I think the experience helped me stand out. 

I graduated with a 3.3 and got into 3 masters programs! You definitely have a shot of getting in. I'd set your sights on "less competitive" schools that will accept students within your GPA range. You can use ASHA EdFind to search for schools that accept students with your stats and go from there.
I'd also suggest looking into schools in the UK if you'd be open to it. UK grad programs, while similarly competitive, often have higher enrollments and they look at more than just GPA, plus they don't require the GRE. It's no secret that in American schools it's a bit of a numbers game, meaning GPA and test scores, but in the UK they stress interviews (done via Skype if you're overseas) and an applicant overall, which I think is great as a competent clinician is more than his or her GPA. There's an agreement between the UK and US (as well as many other countries) for licensure, so your degree would be recognized. Plus, to my surprise when I was applying, it's often far less expensive than a master's program in the states! 

Grow a thick skin. --Your supervisors will critique you in every way possible, suck it up. It's a learning experience...even if they hurt your feelings, their opinions do not define who you are. Your laptop is your lifeline. Connect your school email to every technology you own especially your phone. Phonetics and speech-language development is worth knowing. Get used to not being "perfect" in graduate school. You won't get kicked out for getting a B ? Graduate school is not hard, it's just time consuming.  Prepping for an articulation session takes longer than two hours (until you know your kiddo quite well and/or perfected a few habits). Your classmates/professors/staff members are your colleagues. You do not have to like them but be respectful. Do not burn bridges. Treat this experience like a job because it is. Do not gossip. Research is so important in graduate school. Learn how to read articles. Be flexible. Everything you planned for in your session will most likely by altered by that little 5-year-old in front of you. Another clinician is currently using an item you needed? Find a different toy/activity that can still elicit what you want. Your client is having a bad day? you might end up tossing your lessons away and doing whatever to get them back on track. You will find yourself doing the most silliest things ever just for that speech production.  Even after a month of therapy, you'll still be nervous to see your clients and have NO clue what you are doing. LOL. That two minutes you have until your session starts is still a lot of time. You'll adjust to working under pressure. You're a natural, trust me. You know more than you think you do.  GOOD LUCK! 

I just posted a blog on ten things you need for graduate school. 
Things I wish I knew, You'll probably cry and its fine, its nothing to be ashamed of, you need to find at least one good friend, and when I mean good friend, like someone you can trust. It will make the difference, that you should put some efforts into building relationships with both your classmates and your supervisors. I wish I knew that, it was going to feel bad to not know anything but that feeling of being uncomfortable was just temporary. I wish that I followed my gut more, and wasn't so worried about what I was doing wrong or right and really just tried to connect with my clients that first semester. I wish I knew that there are SO MANY resources online. I underutilized my resources. I wish I had started working out my first semester and not just completely abandon my life! Also, that making lists and using priority lists for that matter was going to save me, you can't get everything done, its almost impossible. 

The number one thing that I appreciated having during grad school is Google Drive. I'd recommend organizing by classes as well as making folders for topic areas for resources. It's amazing to be at an externship and be able to pull up all of your materials. Also, when a computer died on me during grad school--no problem. I had everything organized and backed up already. 

Hi! So in my opinion if this is the major you truly love you should stick with it. 
I was originally in a different major my freshman year too. I got a D+ in a pre req for that major and ended my first semester with a 2.1. I think if you stay consistent and make sure you get really good grades your last two years you’re overall will jump up. I went from a 2.1 to a 3.1 so with two years left for you you have time to get your GPA up. 
Don’t forget a lot of schools look at your last 60 credit hours more than your overall. So if you happen to get a 3.5 to 4.0 your last two years that’ll look good on your applications. And as always when you write your personal statement you can explain why you started with a lower GPA. 
You have a lot of time left so while it might not seem too promising right now I definitely think it’ll all work out for you in the end.  

I really like Governors! I have a great class of guys and girls! It's affordable and I like how you focus on classes first then do your practicum. Unfortunately the only thing is this makes your program itself a little longer than traditional programs. 

That is discouraging! Personally, I chose the cheapest school I got into because I want to avoid any more debt that I need. I think people are right about the fact that there are jobs available (though you might need to be willing to move/take a setting you don't love/etc.) but also consider your own factors. It might be worthwhile to apply again and shoot for cheaper schools! Something that someone said is a good thing to consider; look at how much you can expect to make salary-wise your first year, and aim to take out loans less than or equal to that amount. I am really passionate about this career but I honestly don't think it's worth going into tens of thousands of dollars of debt, if it's avoidable.

I've heard discover can be quite good. I've also heard that you should check with your local bank or credit union to see if they have individual loans at lower rates. I personally got one private loan through Sallie Mae and then the other loans I had were graduate federal loans when I applied for FAFSA.