HoneyBee03

I don’t have a story to tell about how my lifelong goal has always been to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. I considered it at one point, but I put it off and pursued other career options. One day, when my niece was younger, she was trying to explain something to me but I could not understand her. She grew frustrated and finally said “You can’t understand me!” At that moment, it was not just my inability to communicate with someone who I love dearly, but also being fearful for her quality of life as she grows older, that made me wish I could do more. She is now a few years older and her speech has improved thanks to having received speech services. However, that interaction has remained ingrained in my mind and prompted me to take another look into the field of Communication Disorders. After a significant amount of careful research, I made the decision that I would embark on the journey to becoming an SLP. One of my philosophies is to consider how what you pray for will help those around you. Although my undergraduate degree is in Graphic Design, I never chased a career in it following graduation because it wasn’t something that truly set my soul on fire. Half way through my upper level coursework, I knew that it was something that I enjoyed doing but was not a career field that I would love into retirement. Over the following years, I considered nursing, social work, as well as mental health counseling. The common denominator between these professions is that at their core they help individuals work towards developing normalcy in their lives, and that is something that I have always sought to do. From a young age to now, helping others has always been important to me. I have been a reading buddy, a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a coach with Girls on the Run, and am currently mentoring an at-risk teenage girl. Even though I think I have an idea of which setting I want to work in, I recognize that it may change. Confidently, I can say that regardless of which setting I work in, whether it be education, home health, private practice, or medical, despite the day to day challenges of the job, the fulfilment I seek will not come from a paycheck but from seeing the individual changes and progress in the people I will encounter professionally. Although I remain open to the variety of directions that are present within this field, my main interest lies within education and early intervention. Also, after having worked with many children who use alternative communication devices, I am excited to learn more about assistive technology. One area of research that particularly interests me is the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices among children who have profound intellectual disabilities and are in self-contained school settings. My passion has always been for working with children, specifically in underserved populations. I realize that most of these children only receive speech services through the school system, although they need more intensive therapy. Yet despite the short amount of time their service hours allow, I have seen first-hand how pivotal clinicians have been in enhancing their lives through speech therapy. Over the last year, I have worked in my local school system as a Communication Paraprofessional, assisting three school-based SLPs with their day to day needs such as paperwork and documentation, preparing therapy materials, and assisting with, as well as leading therapy sessions under their supervision and direction. Prior to taking on this role, I only had a vague idea of what SLPs do. However, this experience has been invaluable in forming a clearer picture of the job duties for a school-based SLP and I am extremely eager to continue and not only learn and grow, but also thrive within this field as well as use my continued education to enrich someone else’s quality of life, particularly the youngest among us. In addition to working full-time, I have been taking prerequisite coursework in preparation for graduate level study. It is no small feat to work all day servicing children with special needs and in the same day, return to the classroom for yourself. However, unlike my undergraduate coursework, my prerequisite class content genuinely excites me and I remain anxious to absorb as much information as I can. I have maintained a solid GPA in my prerequisite courses, which is reflective of not just my dedication and determination, but also my sharp focus. I am confident that I will carry the same work ethic through my Master’s program. While I have worked with a multitude of communication disorders in children who have varying levels of abilities and have spoken with therapists from various settings who all have different years of experience, I know that I have much more to learn. I understand the program is challenging and success will require a strong commitment. I anticipate taking advantage of every opportunity I am given to learn all that I can about every facet of this profession.

I worked with a therapist int he school system who applied to only one school. but they required the GRE. She thinks she kinda slid in because it was for Spring admission.

What stigma is associated with medicaid? That maybe health insurance is too expensive so maybe some people need help getting covered? If I qualify, I plan on getting it. Nobody pays my bills so I care nothing about a stigma

Have you looked into scholarships or teaching assistant positions to give you a break on tuition? Personally I’m not overly concerned about my student loan debt because I know I’ll love this field and it’ll give me job stability since I’ll never be without a job. You could also look into loan forgiveness programs, I know the state of NY does one in exchange for working 6 years with their public school system. i know money is a concern but if it’s a field you love, don’t let it be the reason you don’t go. As for someone else having had the chance, you shouldn’t feel bad. What’s for them won’t pass them by and a spot might open after all if you turn it down.

I actually see a lot of openings in medical facilities. Have you just browsed hospitals and rehabs in your area to see? My suggestion is to look for programs that have a specified medical track or emphasis. Also, assuming you haven’t applied yet - try shadowing and volunteering at hospitals.

A therapist i supported told me to work as a contractor if i decided to work in a school system. However, another one told me it comes out to about the same because contractors don’t get paid when we’re out such as snow days. Im probably looking at $40-50k for grad school debt

Don't get your hopes set on a TRUE HBCU experience in a graduate program, especially not speech. In a Facebook group I'm in for minority (I say this because they're not all black) SLPs/SLPAs/Audiologists (the group is called SISTAS if you're wondering/interested), there's a thread about SLP/CSD cohorts at MANY HBCUs have majority white students .... Hampton, TN State, NCCU, etc. It's wild. But as an HBCU (undergrad) grad .... I can tell you that you're gonna love homecoming Congrats on getting in!

Hey! There is a group now .... I found another girl in our cohort. Here's the Facebook link .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/191558444841234/

Where are you? I'm relocating to the DMV area and there's a hospital in DC that was hiring for an Audiology Assistant PRN

Doubt it. I got a B- lol I don’t think it’s really major coursework so I wouldn’t stress it. I got a C in biology which is required and was still accepted

There's no way for them to really know unless you mention it. Good Luck!

Are you able to go to campus and take courses? I'm asking because that's what I did at my local college. They offer an undergraduate degree in Speech so I was able to take the prerequisite classes as a non-degree seeking student. I know there are some online classes that will give you LORs (Utah State is one) but I guess I just felt I got a stronger one with instructors I saw in person. I had one professor who was my professor for probably 4 of the 7 or so prerequisite classes that I took lol. I had been out of undergrad for awhile as well. I finished my Bachelor's in 2007. I think having children with speech delays will definitely help your personal statement. The recommendation thing is something to really think about because there are a lot of schools that want recommendations to only come from instructors. Good luck!!

I'd like to start one for the class of 2020 at the University of DC PM me if you're in this class so we can get the ball rolling!

Just keep note of the schools you’re interested in and send them from the testing site.

I still had to send my scores even though they were in the CSDCAS system. I believe you know your score before you send them to the schools also.