Toya

Thanks for the info. I feel like they keep all those not accepted in the dark and this awful limbo that slowly drives everyone crazy. lol

Does it matter if a program is a master of arts or a master of science? Is one considered better than the other? 

Decide which one you'd rather go to and go there! It's your career and your life and your decision. They will understand, and even if they don't, are you okay with making a choice about your education and your future in order to avoid a few awkward moments?

I am currently a SLPA. This is my first time applying since I graduated with my BS in 2017. I applied to a few different schools in Arkansas but I have been rejected by those. I got the email yesterday saying I was waitlisted at SEMO. Anyone else get accepted? Waitlisted? Someone turn them down so they might give me a chance! ? I have never wanted something so bad in my life!!

Congratulations to each of you with your journey! It's so great reading your success stories. Each of you sound so deserving.
A little about me: I have struggled with math and physics. I got an F in pre-calculus my sophomore year so I'm currently retaking it as a second semester junior.. I know that when that grade gets replaced it will surely help my GPA. I got a C in physics but feel OK about that as I think grad schools realize most people struggle with physics, and other historically harder classes like pre-calculus. Besides that, I have mostly A's and A-'s in CSD classes. I am obtaining a diversity studies certificate. I have an intership that isn't CSD related, but is related to helping people and the community and the things I participate in are pretty cool (free meals, fundraising for areas in need, outreach etc.). I volunteer at a special education school during the summer. I work with students who have autism as part of my experience as a student and I have a special needs family member that I plan to touch on in my personal statement. I have not done research. I am hoping to do really well on the GRE and that that, along with my average GPA, will help. I will be applying this coming fall 2019. My current GPA is a 3.365, but with retaking a class and adding to my GPA more after classes this semester and this summer, I hope my GPA will be a 3.4 when applying.
Thank you all again for your words of advice!

Hey! So I have a low overall GPA of a 2.83 but my CSD GPA was a 3.67 and last 60 of  3.65. I applied last year to about 15 programs and got declined from all of them and had to take a year off. So over the summer after graduation I retook the 2 CSD classes that gave me C's. Then with my free time I literally was on ASHA looking all summer at each school looking at their requirements for GPA and everything. I also had a ton of clinical experience. Then I retook the GRE test to get a higher writing score of a 4.0. This year I only applied to 9 schools and applied to my dream school and got accepted. Its all about playing your cards right and showing your self of. I bragged about being tri-lingual and my research experience and my experience DONT HOLD BACK! Good luck!

I applied to 10 programs right from undergrad with a GPA below 3.0. Surprise! I didn’t get into any. I worked, volunteered at a hospital SLP department, reapplied to 6 programs, didn’t get into any. I then started a Masters in Special Education, lived at home, worked and saved money. It was a 2 year program and I finished it with a 3.85 gpa. I still had the dream of becoming an SLP but was afraid of reapplying. My parents encouraged me to give it one last shot, so I applied to 3 programs in VA, where I currently live. I only applied to state schools because I wasn’t willing to take on more then $30,000 in debt. Surprise! I was admitted to 1 school and rejected from the other 2 but 1 was all I needed. I believe my LORs, SOP and the fact that I already had a masters helped get me admitted. Good luck?

Sorry for the double post but I just wanted to let you guys know that I spoke with an application advisor recently and she stated that the cohort is pretty close to being filled already. I dont understand why they started filling it when the application isn't due until April 1st but I guess they have. Their aim was for 30 students this time. 

I have a 2.98 CGPA and ~3.49 in the field. I've been an SLPA for 3 years along with tons of work experience. In my SOI I talked about my GPA and sort of "explained it". I mentioned my CGPA is from 11 years of going to school part-time and my COMD GPA is from working over 50  hours a week while in school full time. I explained my GPA because I didn't want them to assume anything. I also really explained my passion for this field and that I am fluent in American Sign Langauge. My LORs came from my supervisors in the field and their letters were phenomenal! I would tell you to apply to as many schools as you can and remember ALL YOU NEED IS ONE!

I agree. I would thank them for their offer and let them know you are still interested in the program but would like a few days or a week or so to think about their offer further. 

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable. I'm sure they're aware that people may have multiple options that they need to carefully consider before accepting. I don't think they'd take away your spot or think less of you for needing more time to think!

I've been told by several great grad schools to take the ASHA requirements online at community colleges so that they're hopefully easier and also way cheaper. The grad schools don't care about where you take them, it's more of a national requirement you have to abide to. I wouldn't think you would have to put these on your resume or anything and don't think it would really be relevant in the future. I agree and think definitely save money for these because, again, they seem more like things to get out of the way just to check the box that you did them, and where you actually go to grad school is what matters. But in the end it's whatever makes you feel better and more confident!

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by practicals. Is that the same as clinic? We get graded normally for class (A, B, etc). For clinic we have a final grade where different components get a 1-4 rating, with a 3 being "meets expectations". We also do a mid-semester evaluation where we come up with personal goals.
I actually feel fine being observed, although I was nervous the first time I had parents and students observe. The way I look at it, I'm already being "observed" by my client, and my supervisors have been really nice and understanding, so I feel fine with them observing me. I think it really helps having a separate observation room--even though I know people are watching I can put it out of my mind. I think you'll adjust to it after the first couple sessions. I won't lie, the first few are rough, but you'll make it!

Hi everyone,  I am accepting my offer at NAU (turning in my documents within the week) and now I am looking for housing. I have found out a lot of valuable info about housing/apts etc. and think a summer lease apt ( if possible) would be more reasonable. Other than what I found on the internet I have no experience with looking for housing because I stayed local for undergrad. Anyway, if you're going to NAU, let me know what you're doing for summer! Maybe we can be roommates. 

Haha my heart dropped when I read "10 students watching", lol. 

Haha my heart dropped when I read "10 students watching", lol. 

Omg me too!  I hate being watched, it makes me feel uneasy. 

I applied! I am also anxious to hear back. The program is on the"cheaper" end and allows flexibility between going FT and PT. However, I heard ( i think on here) that a few people had a hard time finding placements.

I've wondered this myself and have spent a lot of time researching the decision process to understand what they look for. The truth is that not being accepted into a program does not necessarily mean you were not just as qualified as the admitted students (I hope everyone realizes this). After looking at GPA, Letters of Rec, GRE scores etc., the admissions committee is trying to create a diverse cohort. This is important to remember. They don't want every applicant to have the same background or same research/clinical interests. Your acceptance can really be influenced by the pool of applicants applying the same year as you. To be competitive, an applicant can attain strong grades, strong GRE scores, excellent statement, strong LORs, and clinical or research experience. What that same applicant cannot prepare for are the other factors an admissions committee at a particular programs needs that year. In sum, the committee is looking for fit. Not only fit with the program's need, but also how you fit with the other selected applicants.

Just received a phone call that I was accepted to Biola's MS program in Speech Language Pathology.

Exactly, my reasonings exactly. We’re getting the same degree as the others so why put yourself in more debt. Besides I really like NAU anyways so I’m excited. 

I probably lean toward physics more. Well, I’m actually taking physics (of musical sound) right now and it isn’t too bad. It isn’t meant to be a full-on physics course so there aren’t any calculations to make. It’s straight up concepts and logic. For exams, it’s based on homework (practice) questions and explaining the concept/idea.
As it was said before also, physics (of sound particularly) is super related to our field. If you’ve taken a speech/hearing science course or will be taking one soon, it’ll be quite simplified when you’re dealing with sound waves and related material.

If you're interested in a perspective from an astronomy department, the following article is a really good read:
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/01/29/the-other-side-of-graduate-admissions/#.XH2CVVNKjOQ

In the first year, we have classes 3 days a week in the evenings (usually 5 P.M. - 7:50) plus one Friday AM per month. We also have clinics 1-2 days per week when we're not in classes. Every day looks a little different, but most school days (usually just the 3 a week,) I get to campus around mid-day, work on some assignments or meet clients for clinic, meet with faculty or work my graduate assistantship, then go to class and home.  
LLU uses problem-based learning or hybrid (some PBL and some quizzes or other types of assignments). The research courses (2 of them throughout the first 5 quarters) are not PBL, they use quizzes, a midterm, and final for those. But honestly, after what we did to get into grad school, they're not that bad. So I'd say it's very exam-light. I'd say the most labor-intensive assignments are actually the independent learning activities (ILAs) which usually require a fair amount of reading, analyzing, and writing. We are pretty much always writing things here. Problem-based learning is great once you get used to the format. I think it's super informative and functional. It's the main reason I came here. 
Favorite things: Coming from a state school, I LOVE the amount of attention faculty can give to us here. They're super informal and don't mind taking extra time to explain stuff or chat with you about your life. I love problem-based learning because it takes the pressure off to memorize so that I can spend my time understanding and applying my knowledge. 

If they don’t offer funding then they don’t have to do give you until April 15th. Read the first line of the document listed. 
Acceptance of an offer of financial support* (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor.
 
followed by 

Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15;
This school didn’t offer you funding, so even if they are on the list they don’t have any reason to wait until April 15th. Would it be nice if they did? Yeah, but they’ve made it apparent that they won’t wait until April 15th for your decision. 
I don’t think you’ll be able to strong arm them into doing so otherwise.