amf18

Magoosh is great!

I had a terrible time in my undergrad program. At the time, I didn't know it, but I had dyslexia and was not diagnosed until 2 years after I graduated from undergrad. I was told by not one, but THREE professors AND my adviser  to "highly consider" a different career path and that I would "never be accepted into a grad program", because I was not a "strong enough candidate."  It was the hardest thing I ever had to hear. I sulked for about 2 years. Finally, I thought screw it I am good enough and will make into grad school. Fast forward 5 years, I was accepted into not one, but TWO grad programs. My GPA and GRE scores are not what one would consider exceptional either (GPA: 2.99 GRE: V=146, Q=143, AW=4). I was almost driven more to push harder because I was told I was not good enough. You can PM if you want to know how I did finally get accepted. 
However, my point is you can't let one person tell you that you are not good enough. Screw them. If you are passionate about becoming an SLP then you can't let one person opinion of you get you down. 
 

So I'm taking a class online through ENMU and I think my bill is $898 after all the fees. I'm retaking phonetics, the book is pretty pricey too. Still cheaper than my local college and conveniently online. Plus, so far....i have enjoyed my classes taken there. 

Just wanted to let all of u know.  My son who had a low gpa barely 3.0 last sixty 
he scored 148 149 and 4 writing on gre got into grad school a couple of days ago. We believe he got in due to the fact he visited the campus and spoke with the department head before he applied.  He also gave them a resume.   He was denied at first and then a couple of days ago they accepted him.  The depart head said she was pulling for him. 
 
It it is possible don’t give up. 

YES! There is definitely hope. But, DO NOT give up. I graduated with a 2.54 GPA (So yes, lower than you). I had an undiagnosed learning disability until the age of 24 (graduated from undergrad at 22). I was told by 3 professors at my undergrad that I would never be accepted into a graduate program and to "highly consider" switching career paths. Ironically, this made me more determined to get in. I worked as an SLP-A for 5 years and retook some classes to bring my GPA up to a 2.9. I applied to 9 schools and was accepted to two schools and waitlisted at another. While it was a long process, in the end, it was all worth it! I would look at applying to schools that look at the application holistically, rather than those that base their decision on GPA and GRE scores alone.

If you want it that bad, GO FOR IT! Maybe try retaking some of your classes. I’m in similar situation and I’m doing all of the jobs/volunteering I can! Look on ASHA and also look into programs that look at your last 60 hours GPA, if you did better in those hours. If you’re passionate about it, show them that in your personal statement and also show the people you will be getting letters of reccomendation from how passionate you are, so they can also relay the message. Best of luck to you!! 

You seem to be heading in a positive direction! Here are some things to consider. Graduate schools are interested in hearing people's stories. If you have over come diversity, that is not a slight against anyone, and usually seen as a strength. What is important to keep in mind is that there are a limited number of programs and an abundance of  applicants at these schools. In my experience, what is important is the ability to convey yourself as someone that a program is willing to take a risk on. If they take someone who  doesn't possess the qualities needed to be successful, then they have wasted everyone's time and lost money. Colleges are money making businesses, and they don't like being on the losing end. 2.8 will not be high enough for any programs. You will need to come in above a 3.0 to be competitive, many schools above 3.5. The GRE is also heavily weighted. Are you a good standardized test taker? If you are then this is a great way to make yourself competitive. I have heard of people with low 3's for a GPA be accepted to a program because they had a high GRE score. By high, I mean more than 300 total. Keep building experiences, but there is no way of getting around taking more courses. Perhaps retaking some CSD courses online could help, as would a second bachelors degree or a minor. Regret has no place in life, leave it in the rear view mirror and focus on what can be done. Nothing is impossible! If this is your calling, make it happen! Good luck ?

I'm applying for Summer/Fall 2019 but if I don't get in the first time I plan on working as a paraprofessional or in ABA to get more experience before applying again. If nothing works out my backup career in an ASL interpreter because I have a minor in ASL and an ITP program is only a few semesters. 

My backup plan was to teach English abroad (S Korea or Thailand) or to volunteer with CityYear! I actually was applying to both of those programs at the same time I applied to grad schools so I wouldn't have to scramble if I didn't get in anywhere. I also really didn't want a long stretch of doing nothing because I know I would drive myself crazy in the spare time. Teaching abroad especially in East Asia is a pretty good back up plan since a lot of the countries over there have amazing packages for incoming teachers. I have a friend who managed to put away almost $10k in savings while she was in Japan for 2 years and her school paid for her flight and housing (furnished!)

I've decided to go for occupational therapy assistant. The pay is pretty good and you do everything the OT does, but the paperwork and evals. I've worked in aba and decided that dealing with behaviors are not my thing. I would recommend looking into OTA if aba or teaching is not your thing!

Yes! Don't forget that although those with high GPA/GRE seem to have it made, a lack of experiences also creates a lopsided client that not every school wants (see my stats below!). An abundance in one area can make up for deficits in another. Don't lose hope, schools definitely care about more than just numbers!

I didn’t have long term back up plans because my goal was always to be an SLP, so my backups were things to improve my application. I too have a lower gpa but I encourage you to apply to schools that look at students holistically and weigh your experiences heavier than your numbers! (I got into ONE grad school on the first try but that’s all I needed!) 
If you can afford it, look into therapy abroad programs where you’re directly working with SLPs and clients in different settings, that experience looks great! There’s also a programa called “join hope speaks” and they do therapy in Uganda and you can sign up as a volunteer as well!  These programs are just a couple weeks long so you wouldn’t be losing too much work time. 
Also find local SLP clinics and do as much volunteering and observation time that you can and expand to working with different populations/age groups. Every school I’ve ever researched really values that diverse experience. Your work doesn’t have to be directly SLP related so you can do any work with children with disabilities or older adults. Another option is joining one of those programs where you go and teach English abroad for like a year (and are getting paid for it). So you’re still doing something language related, making money, and traveling! 
And finally, I assume you’ll be graduating soon and if you end up taking a year off, check if your university allows volunteers in research labs, that also looks great. 
Anyways, best of luck! Don’t be afraid to hype yourself up in your essays (;

@snoves Unfortunately where I'm from, SLPAs aren't used or I would so love to do that. I subbed before I got my intervention job, and we only got paid about $60 a day. But I am for sure going to try my hardest for grad school, I'm just interested to see what everyones backup plans are! And thank you, congrats on your acceptances! 
@SavSLP2Be Thats awesome that FL has SLTs! I wish we had it here. I'm from a small area so theres really not many options for me but I'm trying to save to relocate. Thanks for your input!

My back up plan was substitute teaching or being a paraprofessional. Here in California it's relatively profitable ($160 a day I think, and there's a pretty good demand) and since I already had to take the CBEST for grad school, I figured it'd be fine. If you live somewhere where it's possible SLPA can be a really good career, if not lasting, especially for getting experience for grad school!!! Many of the grad students at my undergrad institution have told me that being a SLPA really prepared them for grad school!
I think ABA therapy is also a good route. If you end up really enjoying it you can go on and get a master's in BCBA if SLP doesn't work out!
I will say that it's good to have backup plans, but don't obsess so much over having back up plans A-Z that you forget that it's possible you'll get in somewhere!! I stressed so much about grad school and researched back up plans for hours on end, and I didn't even need it lol. It's good to be prepared for the worst case scenario but give yourself the benefit of the doubt too!  Best of luck you got this!!!!!

In Florida, you can work as an SLT for two years in the school system. That is what I am doing! I am basically doing the same things as the SLP's, I just can't bill or do evaluations, besides re-evals. Also, ABA Therapy is a good route that the person above me suggest. Another good thing would be being a para in ESE classrooms or a substitute!

@andread  I looked at their website and you can sign up for the webinar's on there, there is another one at the end of this month. They are for anyone interested in the program! Also, they are waiting on accreditation from ASHA before they can start classes so I'm not sure if they are accepting people yet or not. 

@BlackGirlSpeechie  Best of luck to you!! 

Yes I was pretty floored by that too! This will be my second year applying next year

It was okay! Their denial policy is kinda crazy though. You only get two times to try and get in before you aren't allowed to reapply to the university anymore. 

@BlackGirlSpeechie Really?! That does seem pretty weird.  Especially with how competitive grad school is, I mean it takes some people years to get in!

I did not but I would love to hear more about the program! I don't see them on ASHA edfind though

Try Southern University in Baton Rouge...it's not nearly as competitive.  And they have a later application deadline.  April 15th

I had similar GRE scores to @canadaSLP only difference being a 4.0 writing after I had taken the gre 3 times. You have to be extremely picky about the schools you apply too. It took me three application cycles before I got into grad school, but then I was accepted into 3 programs  I couldn't have dreamed of that result! Apply to schools all over the country and schools with less applicants applying to them so you have a better chance of standing out. Use that experience as a Reading Interventionalish to help you! That's awesome experience you can use as a letter of intent. For my experience I volunteered at an integrated preschool and observed sessions with the SLP. I wanted more experience working with preschoolers and it was great to bond and learn from the SLP and see the different interactions between professionals. 

I had an extremely low GPA in undergrad (under 3.0), and I also had very low GRE scores (verbal 146, quantitative 144, writing 3.0), so of course I figured grad school would never happen for me!  I decided to take a post grad CDA program (similar to SLP-A but in Canada) and ended up with a 3.8 GPA there, and worked as a CDA in acute care for a year while I tried applying again, I am now halfway through my first year of grad school and enjoying it very much!  I was really surprised to get accepted but it is possible!! Good luck!

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.