coffee4lyfe

Look at your experiences and find grad schools that have similar areas of interest- specifically, look at what professors are researching, what the department motives/goals are, if the program does any community service work. This will be huge! So you can do it!! Programs want to feel like you have intentionally chosen to apply to their program because of x, y, z factors, not just because they accept lower GPA. I had a 3.2 GPA overall and got into my top schools (one of them being Ivy), I believe because my experience matched their program's research and motives/goals. Also, reach out to professors at those schools and express interest in the program, their research, ask if they're willing to meet with you. (make sure this is genuine interest though!) Making connections at schools goes a long way. Another thing is choosing programs that express interest in a well-rounded applicant (I've found that a lot of med-focused programs are very GPA driven). You have a ton of good experience in the field already, and this will help outweigh your GPA if you choose the right schools and have a strong personal statement. If you are still shadowing the speech therapist in a school, ask them for a letter of recommendation if you feel appropriate!

I definitely had C or two (and lower) early on in my undergrad career. I also had my CSD adviser bluntly tell me that I needed to pick another field to go into, because my GPA would never be good enough (I had a 2.5ish at one point and finished undergrad with a 3.2). But low and behold I got accepted into my two dream schools (Teacher College Columbia and UMD). YOU CAN DO IT! You have a ton of time life, and a lot of important classes. I'd suggest talking with your professor in the class you got a C in, and ask for any suggestions on how to succeed in the following semesters. (a lot of my undergrad profs overlapped in the classes they taught, idk if that's the case for you) but either way it shows you care and it's a good mentor opportunity, could maybe lead to a letter of rec too. Also, take a look at your resume and see where you can build (volunteering, research, etc.) Acceptances to grad school aren't all GPA based, and it's much easier to build your resume while still in college with tons of opportunity around. And lastly, don't get down on yourself! After my adviser told me I needed a new field lol I got really bummed, but turned it into motivation. You're going to be fine! Hope this helps

This post is for any grad students who took a year or two off before returning to SLP grad life. I am officially going back to school this fall, and am currently trying to curve my anxiety about not remembering anything from my CSD major days. It has been about 3 or 4 years since I was in the thick of my major courses. Will I be completely unprepared come the start of grad school? Luckily I have saved most of my notes/readings from undergrad, and I'm planning on slowly going through them. But just want to see if anyone else out that has had a similar experience and/or is feeling the same way. Thanks friends!

I am declining Teachers College, Columbia University

Hi everyone! I've officially accepted at UMD- do ya'll know if there is a facebook group?

Yay nice to meet yall!! I am not sure if i'll be going to the accepted students day yet but hopefully i can make it.

Hi! Congrats on your acceptance! I am almost positive that I will be attending next fall

Thank you so much for this response! It definitely confirmed everything I have heard and felt about UMD- all good things I am almost positive UMD will be my school! I am waiting to hear back about funding from TC Columbia but even if that is positive, I don't think it can compare to UMD's GA/in-state/stipend deal. Thank you so so much for your help!

Hi! I went to UW-Madison for undergrad and am head over heals for the Madison area, amazing lakes, nature, charming city, very fun night life. I knew applying to grad school was going to be tricky and that other schools would be hard to compete with my love for Madison. But I am now considering UMD College Park for slp grad school and honestly think the program itself makes up for the not so ideal college campus feel. I obviously didn't attend undergrad there so my opinion is just from visiting for the open house and one other time to meet a proff. The program and people I have spoken with at UMD seem very genuine, very kind, and I know the program/research/training is top notch. The campus actually is kinda pretty too and driving through College Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, there were some cute areas. I definitely think the experience is what you make it! I remember a current student at the open house saying that she lives in DC and commutes (only about a 40 ish minute metro), and I am looking to do the same next year. I think rent is about the same in DC and College Park.

Hi everyone! I'm not sure if there is a thread for UMD acceptances already, sorry if this is a repeat! I was recently accepted for the Fall 2019 cohort (woo!) it is my top choice school so I am super excited, but still waiting to hear back from a few other programs before making a decision. I wanted to see if anyone else out there has been accepted yet, or if any current/past grads have some inside scoop. From what I can tell, it seems like an amazing program with awesome Professors. Would love to hear how y'all are liking the program or what you've heard about it. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I'm not sure if there is a thread for UMD acceptances already, sorry if this is a repeat! I was recently accepted for the Fall 2019 cohort (woo!) it is my top choice school so I am super excited, but still waiting to hear back from a few other programs before making a decision. I wanted to see if anyone else out there has been accepted yet, or if any current/past grads have some inside scoop. From what I can tell, it seems like an amazing program with awesome Professors. Would love to hear how y'all are liking the program or what you've heard about it. Thanks!