LaceySpeechie

I'd agree! Getting in is such an ordeal that it doesn't seem worthwhile to defer. Anyway, the first semester is one of the easiest to conduct online (although it is admittedly less-than-ideal) since typically you do either little or no clinicals. Programs seem more prepared now to be flexible and conduct teletherapy, so I'd say that people starting programs in the fall aren't in a bad spot at all.

I would say that GAs are definitely worth it! I did a 10 hour GA for 15 credit remission per year and ~$120 per week, however much that comes out to a year. My GA isn't even in my department, but I have found it very worthwhile for the tuition remission, the scheduling/flexibility, and the convenience (working on campus while (presumably, with COVID) also taking classes on campus and living nearby). I'd imagine that an in-department GA would be even better, for all of that plus the SLP-related experience. However, you'll ultimately need to weigh out the pros and cons of whether or not more money from a different job would be worth it to you. Grad programs can't actually prohibit you from getting a part-time job but they are discouraged by many programs, not in the least because, unlike a campus job, they may not be as flexible as necessary (though some jobs are much more well-suited to people from our program than others).

That's definitely normal and while it is a big learning curve, remember that every year thousands of people graduate from SLP grad school. If everyone else can do it, why can't you? While the learning is certainly different from undergrad, your undergrad degree does provide the basis for what you'll be learning in your grad classes and as far as clinic goes, the reality is that what you learn in undergrad can't fully prepare you to actually begin working with clients - and grad programs account for that and realize that you'll stumble and make mistakes, especially when you first begin doing clinic. You'll get through it fine!

For the record it seems that people who are starting grad school this fall will be getting a better deal than those of us who were already in grad school when COVID-19 happened. Schools are more prepared now to deal with the possibility of online classes and telepractice where they weren't before - causing 1st and 2nd years to miss out on placements that were discontinued whereas I'd imagine that's far less likely to happen in the future.

My friend just got an email for Bridgewater for an interview this week, so they're working on that process!

I committed to one school and then rescinded my acceptance and went with another school after I got off the waitlist. It doesn't matter honestly, and you shouldn't feel guilty (unless you maybe wait until August or something, like... SUPER last minute) because these schools get a bajillion applications and they definitely have other people to offer spots to.

It doesn't matter. A degree is a degree, they're all ASHA accredited and you'll get your CCC's wherever you go. You can go to a setting with two SLPs doing the exact same job and getting paid the same amount, except one went to a "low-ranked," less-expensive school and is not in debt, and one went to a "high-ranked," expensive school and is still paying debt two decades after graduating. Personally, I'm happy to choose the former.

You could always look into ABA Therapy, English Teaching abroad, Paraprofessional work... anything where you'd get to work with a population with disabilities or something speech-related.

Definitely look at cost! I'm going out of state but the program cost (tuition, living, etc.) is all comparable to going in-state, so don't assume that one will necessarily be cheaper than the other.

I think it depends on the school! I only had to interview at one school and they were willing to organize a video interview - it must've gone fine because that's where I'm attending. I do feel like it was a disadvantage for me (I feel much more comfortable and confident interviewing in person) and things like wifi connection could play a negative role, but I'd imagine most reasonable programs would understand that flying out for one thirty minute interview isn't feasible for most people - and if they don't get that, do you really want to go there?

If you already asked people and they said yes, then yes, ask them again! (But do it ASAP, it's getting quite late to just now be asking for Fall 2020.) I took a two year gap and used two CSD professors I'd already asked before leaving school, and one out-of-major professor who I'd had a good relationship with but basically just emailed out of the blue to ask for a LOR. Nbd, the worst they can say is no! And I'm sure they're all used to it, it's part of their job.

I think it's important to keep in mind that your GPA is not awful (especially if you boost it with grades from this year), and you have a lot of really great experience! I think it's great that you're looking for less competitive schools, and if you're able to do well on the GREs and write a great essay, that will really work in your favor too. Definitely not worth giving up, so long as you believe the profession is for you!

I have no idea if those classes would or wouldn't count on your application - maybe someone else could weigh in? (I applied well after I'd graduated so I didn't have to worry about it.) But wow, those sure seem like some great experiences, and I'd expect that, especially if you're adding a lot of less competitive schools into the mix, it would really help you boost your applications if highlighted in your essay and resume! And your major GPA is just the GPA of your major, not counting classes that aren't in the major. You'd probably have to self-calculate it, unless your school has some kind of major GPA calculator (though I've never heard of that). Supposedly some schools value your major GPA more than your overall GPA, so if your major GPA is higher, that could help you as well!

I took it once - I went in with the goal of taking it once and only retaking it if I absolutely bombed it. As you said, it's expensive, and it's only a portion of what factors into your application. Seconding Dwar's advice, look at the scores of the schools you want to go to (and find some schools in the lower GRE range too - at the end of the day, the school you attend doesn't matter because they all meet ASHA's standards and you'll get the same degree; of course a program that you'll be happy and successful in is important, but that doesn't have to be a "high ranking" school). Practice beforehand (know the test format, if there are areas you're especially worried about then practice/get some tutoring) and do your best, and I'd say unless your scores are really really bad, don't take it again. I didn't do anything to prepare apart from learning the format of each section - I've heard that your SAT scores are quite reflective for your GRE scores, and I found that to be fairly true for me.

Programs I applied to that I felt were less competitive were North Carolina Central University (big program size, strong program) and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (offers GA positions to all accepted applicants) - both had acceptance rates closer to 40%. Although I didn't decide to go to either of those schools, I was happy to be accepted into them as they both have great programs!