TeamNoSleep

Hi! I remember the amount of times I checked grad cafe around this time last year. So, I'm here to answer any of your questions from how to prepare for a grad interview, to trying to pick between programs and what grad school is like. I know I needed something like this when I was applying/waiting to hear back. 
You guys got this!! Hope I can help
 

Thank you SO much for sharing! So, what do you feel like made you stand out during your interviews? Did you get in to the schools you interviewed for? What did you wear? How did you prepare?
Sorry for the many questions, but I appreciate your time.

Yes, of course! I've been on 3 different interviews. First one had 2 parts. First part was working on a mini presentation of a topic the interviewer gave us (I was with 2 other applicants). The main reasoning behind this is to see how do you work in a team. Make sure you contribute but ALSO listen to what others have to say and take it into consideration and leave room for others to talk. It's a team. Then after we completed that, we had a group interview. I remember being asked to list 5 things I like about myself, why do I think I'm a good fit for the program and what are things I have done that will prepare me to succeed as a grad student. Honestly, the questions weren't too bad. My other interview was going into different rooms with one.  faculty member and an SLP from the community and they asked questions like "what would you do in this scenario." An example was, "what would you do if you got into 3 grad programs but your close friend got rejected from 3?" Another way, "teach us something." My last one was another group interview online and was asked, "in a group project, which position are you likely to take," and "talk about a time you were faced with an obstacle and how did you overcome it?"
Hope these were helpful! Good luck in your interview! You'll do great

I said this to someone else, too haha but I shared an answer in the comments to another person's question that was similar to yours. They were all questions regarding things about me that would make me a good slp and make me a good grad student for their program. Din't get asked any questions specifically based off my application. Hopefully my other comment will also be helpful to you. 
Good luck!

Any information about the interview process would be greatly appreciated! Were your questions more based off your application or were they kind of analytical, questions that make you think?
 
I know Saint Mary's College does an online interview and the questions wee not related to your application at all.

HI! Current applicant with 2 interviews scheduled. What were interviews like for you? Were there difficult questions or questions you didn't expect? I'm interviewing at Sacred Heart University and Boston University in the next few weeks.

Hi! Thanks for making yourself available. I have an interview coming up and wondering if you could tell me about your experiences. Thanks so much!

Hi! I remember the amount of times I checked grad cafe around this time last year. So, I'm here to answer any of your questions from how to prepare for a grad interview, to trying to pick between programs and what grad school is like. I know I needed something like this when I was applying/waiting to hear back. 
You guys got this!! Hope I can help
 

lmao I am so glad that I'm not the only one who is thinking like this! I accepted my offer like 2 weeks ago and I got an email back saying like "okay cool thx for letting us know" but I'm still so nervous something will happen and they'll just be like "so, about that offer..." 
We are being too paranoid lol. We just need to calm down. They can't really do that because 1. they had plenty of time to choose those who they wanted to accept and 2. they know we probably rejected other offers. it would crazy if they actually did that 

lmao I am so glad that I'm not the only one who is thinking like this! I accepted my offer like 2 weeks ago and I got an email back saying like "okay cool thx for letting us know" but I'm still so nervous something will happen and they'll just be like "so, about that offer..." 
We are being too paranoid lol. We just need to calm down. They can't really do that because 1. they had plenty of time to choose those who they wanted to accept and 2. they know we probably rejected other offers. it would crazy if they actually did that 

lmao I am so glad that I'm not the only one who is thinking like this! I accepted my offer like 2 weeks ago and I got an email back saying like "okay cool thx for letting us know" but I'm still so nervous something will happen and they'll just be like "so, about that offer..." 
We are being too paranoid lol. We just need to calm down. They can't really do that because 1. they had plenty of time to choose those who they wanted to accept and 2. they know we probably rejected other offers. it would crazy if they actually did that 

lmao I am so glad that I'm not the only one who is thinking like this! I accepted my offer like 2 weeks ago and I got an email back saying like "okay cool thx for letting us know" but I'm still so nervous something will happen and they'll just be like "so, about that offer..." 
We are being too paranoid lol. We just need to calm down. They can't really do that because 1. they had plenty of time to choose those who they wanted to accept and 2. they know we probably rejected other offers. it would crazy if they actually did that 

Thank you so much! I’m trying not to give up. I plan on moving to gain even more experience and broaden my scope of practice. I appreciate the encouraging words and advice, it means a lot ?

I clearly have the background and experience! My GRE scores were similar to yours, so I decided to apply to programs that didn't take GRE scores. I applied to NOVA (in FL) but online and a school in MI named Andrews University. I got into both. Do not give up. You will get in somewhere. Find schools that meet your stats and do not be afraid to apply to schools that seem like a reach. I got waitlisted to my safety school and into my top choice. Each school looks for something different. I know people who got in with your GPA as well. So, don't feel discouraged. I would suggest going all out next round. I know applications are crazy expensive (as I am sure you know, too), so save up haha. 
You've got this! Son;t give up! You have so much experience that any grad school should be happy to have you. 

Totally feel you! But trust yourself!  I keep reminding myself that even if I did forget some things, it's not like I've never seen them. You'll relearn without even knowing. It's not a foreign language, we know so much more than we think we do! Trust your abilities!! (This is advice for me as well lmao) 

I don't think it's a huge deal, though as others said, the sooner the better. I put down a deposit at my second-choice school because they had a strict deadline for acceptance, but then I got taken off the waitlist at my top choice so I'll be declining the one I already accepted at. It happens.

I agree with the people above! Choosing which school you'd like to go to is a huge deal and you want to be happy with wherever you end up going. I'm in a similar situation as you and the April 15th deadline is approaching fast, so I'm thinking I will put a deposit down at one of the schools I was accepted into. If I get off of the waitlist from one of my tops schools after the 15th, and the tuition and program is better, I will probably rescind my offer. I'm going to feel horrible doing this, but this is a huge chapter in our lives and we want to make the decision that's best for us!! Best of luck with whatever you end up doing  

I am in a very similar situation, as well. I have only been accepted at my undergraduate institution. But I have been waitlisted at my top two choices. But one has made it clear I won't hear back until after April 15th and the other doesn't have a timeline, but let's be real it will most likely be after April 15th.  My friends, from my undergrad institution, and family have made it clear that it is okay to rescind your acceptance of an offer for a better offer. I really do not want to do something like that though because it feels like I am burning bridges. My friends keep telling me that it will be fine and they will understand. But I am also trying to convince myself to stay here, even though its not ideally what I want to do. Sorry it is not a straight answer, but I understand what you are going through.

Ah shoot that is quite awkward. I think the first thing you should ask yourself is were under a circumstance where you had no choice but to place a deposit down?
One of my choices basically forced me to decide much earlier than the common April 15 date so I might be in the same predicament as you soon.

Totally feel you! But trust yourself!  I keep reminding myself that even if I did forget some things, it's not like I've never seen them. You'll relearn without even knowing. It's not a foreign language, we know so much more than we think we do! Trust your abilities!! (This is advice for me as well lmao) 

Don't worry! Lots of people come in from out of field and have different experiences with prereqs (for instance, it can be hard to retain information if you take a 5-week class and have to cram everything in). There WILL be some review at the beginning of each class. If you are looking for specific things to review, I think IPA, basic anatomy of the larynx, and neuro would be most helpful--nothing too crazy, maybe just general stuff like what basic things happen in each lobe, basic structure of the larynx, etc. IPA is also super helpful but again, there will be some review, so don't waste your summer by cramming all day!

I think only you can decide and commit if it’s doable. It’s only two years, so it may be bearable to know that the end is in sight.
I was making this decision a few weeks ago. My other factor also included getting my children to/from school. In the end, I decided against the long commute school. While the commute was a factor in my decision, the cost of that school was almost double of my other program and was the deciding factor. If I were a young new grad and it was my only option for school, I’d make it work. :) Good luck deciding! 1 hour really isn’t terrible - there are a lot of great SLP podcasts to help pass the time. 

If there is a way for you to use public transport instead of driving, you could use the commute time to study or get things done. I have to spoken students who use their commute time as 'study time' by going through key concepts in their mind or listening to audio recordings of their notes/lectures during driving time. If this is a possibility, it may help in making productive use of that time. If not, it is not uncommon for students to have that kind of commute, especially if you are going to be doing it only 2-3 times a week. I personally would not hesitate to take on that commute.

I know what you mean, it’s so hard getting a real sense of what each program will be like. I just wouldn’t want you to worry too much about offending your current program. I’m sure they want what’s best for you in the end, whichever one it is. Good luck with your decision!

I end up going to campus even when I don't have class or clinic to do work, have meetings, or work on group projects, so 5 days a week is more plausible than 3. I personally wouldn't want to drive an hour in a snow storm since it becomes more like 2 hours, but I think for 2 years it will kind of suck but be doable, and you would still probably save money in the long run. Just make sure your car is in good shape, since you'll probably end up putting on 30000+ miles a year.