When I first entered the major I had a 2.5 GPA because I started in a major that I did not do well in. My advisor told me not to bother switching to CMD because I would never get into grad school. I didn't listen and went into the major anyways. I worked my ass off and brought my GPA up to a 3.4 and did not get less than a B+ in any CMD class (except neuro i only received a B- still upset lol) this was my first cycle applying. I have been accepted to 1 school and waitlisted at 3 schools so it can be done don't give up! I did a lot of internships while in the major and I think that really helped me stand out.
I started this thread and just got off a waitlist today!!!!!! I am freaking out...never thought this day would come for me! Good luck everyone, it IS possible!
Don't get me wrong, I am freaking out about not having heard from almost all of my schools, and I am obsessively checking emails/application status websites. But real quick, can we just talk about the insane price to apply to higher education. Its ridiculous that we have to pay so many duplicate fees when the information through CSDCAS is supposed to streamline the process, not just serve as an advertisement for what schools are available. I find the fees exorbitant, especially in a field where we have always been told to cast a wide net and apply to a large number of schools.
Quick run-down to make everyones wallets hurt:
Each CSDCAS application- $51 through
Individual Schools personal graduate portal- ~$30-$75
Send individual GRE scores- $27***
Official Transcripts- $5-$30***
Thats an Avg. of ~$148 per school, not including the one time fee of $100 from CSDCAS
*** We have to to send individual GRE to practically every program, even though we already paid CSDCAS who apparently can't give out our transcripts to schools (which means we all basically wasted $27). And then to top it off, we have to pay more for Official Transcripts per a handful of schools.
BONUS: We have to fill out multiple applications where some schools ask for additional copies of letters of recommendation, state licenses, online interviews, video essays etc. all outside of CSDCAS.
I just don't understand the purpose of CSDCAS if it can't give the schools we apply to the main pillars of their assessments of students or if we are just re0entering everything anyway so the school can make profit. I get that it helps smaller schools get their program out there, but it can't even format my Resume, or embed video submissions. Okay, rant over. Please tell me I'm not alone hating CSDCAS.
