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meadymalarkey

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Everything posted by meadymalarkey

  1. Based on what you've written, you don't have "low stats." Sounds like you have lots going for you. Just make sure you apply to at least a few schools and you'll most likely be fine. Good luck!
  2. Congratulations on getting in! So sorry you had that experience. Sounds like she didn't really have a picture of how admissions work with speech pathology. There really are so many variables other than undergraduate GPA.
  3. I think it depends on the district you end up in a lot of the time. I love being an SLP in education, but I am in my clinical fellowship year. I am aware that burnout is high in our field and it can be very frustrating depending on how you fit into the school culture/how you're seen by admin and other educators. I'd recommend checking out the r/slp forum on reddit to get a better idea of actually working SLPs. Note that it has a lot of complaints, which may not be as reflective of people's experiences on the whole, but it will give you an idea of what people tend to have issues with (both in education and in medical spaces). Personally, making a difference in student lives is a huge draw, but I don't think it's enough to go into speech pathology on top of all of the credentials you already have, as the complaints you've listed are also true of SLPs. Being a linguistics nerd is a good start. Do you also enjoy writing lots of reports and tricking kids into completing assessments in a fun way? Do you thrive when falling ass-backward into one-on-one and/or small group instructional situations and somehow manage, more often than not, to make them meaningful for who you're working with? What else do you think you'll get out of it?
  4. Hi @ashreedslp Congrats on all of those invites! This forum has a wealth of information buried in the search function on all of those programs. I recommend using it, as this community is a lot less active right now. I can't speak to those programs, but I do know some people that went through the CSUSM process, which is pretty unique. One of the girls in this podcast duo got into CSUSM and talked about her interview process in one of their episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@PediatricSpeechPals Hope that helps!
  5. Hi @gradSLP2023 - I can't help with these, as I didn't apply to any of those programs, but since nobody has responded I recommend using the forum search function to find more information. I've linked some below. https://forum.thegradcafe.com/search/?&q="emerson interview"&type=forums_topic&quick=1&nodes=95&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy https://forum.thegradcafe.com/search/?q=rocky mountain rmu&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=95&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=or https://forum.thegradcafe.com/search/?&q="nymc"&type=forums_topic&quick=1&nodes=95&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy This forum is also a lot less frequented the last year, especially for US-based programs. You may want to try reddit if you haven't already.
  6. It's great that you're doing so well! Based on the information you've provided, I doubt your undergraduate GPA will drastically affect your chances of acceptance, but it really depends on where you're applying and what the applicant pool there looks like during the cycle you're submitting in. If you're willing to move or the school(s) you're aiming for locally are not swamped with applications, then it's likely that your post-bacc will count for a lot. If you're not able to relocate and planning on applying to only 1-2 programs that regularly get flooded with applications, that might make things a bit more challenging as you may stand out less than other applicants that are coming in with similar academic and professional profiles. You have a lot of great experience, including at one time not performing up to your potential (which can be very relatable, especially if you're interested in working in school environments or pediatrics). That also counts, on the condition that you communicate it well in your applications (essay + recommendation letters). I highly recommend utilizing ASHA EdFind to get a better idea of what students programs tend to accept and how many acceptances generally go out, and then applying to at least 6 programs with a broad scale of GPAs represented that are close to yours. Don't put all of your eggs in one basket if that's something you can help. I also recommend talking to professors and current students in the programs you're interested in about the things you hope to be able to do as a graduate student. Getting involved in some way can also speak volumes.
  7. It won't look bad. The lab position you've described applies to the work you've been doing. If anything, it should make your application stronger because you'll have both clinical and research experience specific to communication sciences. You'll be going into a program knowing more about what you ultimately want to do in the field, which is more than many prospective graduate students bring to the table. Sounds like a great opportunity! Good luck.
  8. You don't need to take all of your leveling classes in the same place. I did mine at like 5 different schools (2 community colleges, CalState San Marcos, UCLA extension, and ENMU). ENMU was by far the least expensive leveling program I found for upper level pre-reqs. You might also look into community college classes in your state because they're usually the most cost-effective. Doing it this way allowed me to pace my pre-reqs out faster rather than being dependent on a single program. The benefit of doing the leveling at one program is if you want to go to grad school there, you'll already have an idea of what the program is like, develop some relationships with faculty, and know going in who you might want to work with. You may also be able to do it in person. However, if you don't know where you want to end up yet, saving money is important to you, and you don't mind being online, I would shop around.
  9. Hey @megcharney, that's such a pain. So sorry you're going through this. I don't miss that headache at all. CSDCAS tends to verify transcripts and applications within about 2 weeks of having received the necessary items. Officially, it's 7-10 business days, so weekends wouldn't count in that number. It is on the longer side if you're submitting closer to the deadlines due to other people waiting to submit as well. They review chronologically based on the order they receive applications. So, if they don't let you know in the next few days that it's verified, you might want to reach out to their support system via their LiveChat option to ask for more information. As far as SJS, that's a horrendous reason to not review an application and shouldn't be held against you. It sounds like you've done everything you can based on what was asked for. I'm not sure what the system was that you used to supply the info, but if you have a digital copy of your proof and you continue to not hear anything come Monday/Tuesday, you may want to call admissions and ask them to confirm receipt and offer to send a PDF if they have yet to review your original documents.
  10. We had a general lesson on it in my medical concentration class, but I think usually you really learn that stuff in your externships.
  11. If you use ASHA EdFind, you can search to look at the admit stats profiles of different programs. Typically they include a GPA range in those profiles. Lower GPAs may be an exception but that doesn't mean they don't get considered. In your case you're more to the left side of the average range. There's definitely options. As far as pre-reqs, most community colleges offer something in each of the 4 areas, and these can be online courses. I don't know your situation or location, but if you go part-time that could be done in 2 terms. Full time (usually 4 classes on the semester system) can be done in 1, if the topics don't feel like they're going to require all of your focus. I don't see how it will cost 10k unless you're very committed to a particular institution. If you do your courses via ENMU it would be <4k tops (typically about ~800-900 per online class), and it's very likely to be less if you do it at a CC. Also, bear in mind that online programs for public schools in your state may be cheaper than out of state programs. And many online programs have rolling admissions. You may not need to wait an entire year to get started if you go that route.
  12. Hey @Momspeech, That's really rough to hear. A 3.4 is by no means the end of the world. Are you able to relocate for graduate school? If so, I would suggest looking into programs that don't have such strict GPA cutoffs. If not, you might want to consider online programs. If you have developed positive relationships with people in the faculty at USU, I would also suggest talking with them about how you might be able to flesh out your experience by getting involved in labs they might have. Like @Arcanelady27said, many programs look more holistically at applicants, even ones that generally have hard GPA cutoffs. Cultivating relationships and showcasing your abilities in other ways can go a long way. As far as switching career tracks, it depends on where you see ultimately yourself thriving. Teaching is amazing if you enjoy kids, working with groups, and you feel the pay would be enough for you to live the life you envision for yourself. You can look up what teachers get paid in your area by googling the district name + pay schedule. They typically post PDFs on their HR sites. That said, I would suggest researching ABA more thoroughly. As pervasive as it is, it has an extremely problematic history and many Autistic people, having lived through it, regard it as abusive. Increasing evidence indicates that autism is one of many forms of neurodivergence. Here are some resources, if you're interested: https://www.spectrumnews.org/features/deep-dive/controversy-autisms-common-therapy/ https://autisticmama.com/even-new-aba-is-problematic/ https://www.amazon.com/Were-Not-Broken-Changing-Conversation/dp/1328587843 In my years of experience working with Autistic individuals, there are genuinely more effective and respectful ways of helping people thrive into adulthood.
  13. Totally hear you on the CSDCAS GPA feelings. I remember being upset seeing the drop as well. They do also calculate different aspects of the GPA if memory serves, like major, last 60-90 units, etc (I may be misremembering exactly but I do recall looking at it thoroughly to make sure there weren't any mistakes). But I wouldn't worry too much about it with your current stats. You wouldn't be the only one. Are you only applying to CSDCAS schools?
  14. Hi @SLPwonder. I'm not sure I'm understanding you exactly. What I'm picturing is that you're wondering what counts toward your final 60 units. My understanding is that they're calculated based on what you report last having taken and goes backward from there, which means that your 2 classes would count, unless those credits are still pending by the time you're entering graduate school. So you can't "exceed 60 credits." I applied with well over 200 credits and of the final 60, 45 came from my post bacc work. Your entire academic history is considered, so it'll be seen either way.
  15. I think it depends on whether or not the schools that are requiring the GRE are your top choices or not. If they are, and you scored <300, it may be worth redoing it. If not, then I wouldn't sweat it.
  16. Hi @unccrm! Most schools place more weight on your pre-reqs and the last 60 units of coursework. These matter more than what you did prior. If you explain your circumstances in your SOP and tie it into how it will make you a stronger SLP, plus have good recommendations, applicable extracurricular/work experiences, and competitive GREs, you should be golden. I would recommend seeking out programs that indicate they accept a wider range of GPAs. You can find that information using ASHA EdFind.
  17. Hi @ajj294, It'll really depend on where you're applying to and making sure you cast a fairly wide net based on your stats. Your work history is great and will look excellent on your apps. Your GPAs are good/average depending on where you're applying, which will make you competitive but may not help you stand out as much against other applicants. That said, all 3 section scores of your GRE are below what's typical for incoming SLP grad students. It's not impossible to get in with lower GREs (especially if you talk about your academic history in a way that explains them compellingly in your SOP), but it may limit your options. If you can, I'd recommend studying and retaking it or making sure you apply to at least some schools that don't require them. Applicants can usually get away with one GRE section being lower than the others (especially quant), but when all of them are under 150/4.5 (the average), you're going to be going up against a lot of comparable applications with stronger scores. Aiming for a combined score of 300 or higher is ideal. You can look up admission profile statistics using ASHA EdFind. They're very helpful when getting an idea of the ranges of stats different programs accept, as well as percentages of acceptances.
  18. I used Magoosh's free content for getting comfortable with verbal, only to find that none of the new terms I'd crammed into my brain were included in my questions, so it's kind of a crapshoot imo. My first score was 156 (with basically no studying), and I raised it by a point the second time around with studying/taking a practice test. It's not nothing, but were I to take it again, I would definitely focus more on greek and latin roots and then on applying those skills to existing GRE word lists. Again, the ETS practice tests are super helpful.
  19. Based on UCF's edfind stats, it seems you're highly competitive. I wouldn't let the GRE spook you, as you seem like you were a pretty solid student. Practice tests are usually pretty cheap and good for acclimating to the format and style of questions. I personally had to do a little bit of refreshing for math and ended up with scores that were competitive for the programs I applied to, so I would recommend refreshing on algebra, basic stats, and geometry if its been a while. But I think you'll be fine. Best of luck.
  20. Hey @GHW, That's rough! Sorry to hear that it's taken longer than expected. I know a handful of people that have gone through similar things prior to getting into grad school, and it really wore on them over time. Most of them didn't complete prerequisites or had limited life experiences, or picked schools that were more competitive without realizing it. That said, I know at least one person that took 3 tries to get in despite doing well as a CSD undergrad, so sometimes the logic is just absent. It's also worth noting that Covid has changed many things, among them SLP grad programs for the time being. You may have dodged a bullet by being forced to wait it out a bit. I am currently in graduate school, but I'm responding because I did a lot of other jobs prior to pursuing speech pathology. Here are but some of the things I did with a linguistics-adjacent interests and a degree: Managed an alternative healthcare clinic Web design (taught myself how to code after graduating, and then as needed on the job) and social media management Part time PA in an animation studio In-house e-commerce manager/UX researcher and designer Private tutoring Literacy intervention/case management It was 8 years of confusion and falling ass-backwards into new opportunities between graduating from undergrad and enrolling. I have love/hate relationships with all of those experiences, but I can honestly say that every single one has helped me be a better therapist and collaborator. I can also say that even though people think certain degrees are "useless," every single one of my employers benefitted actively from work I did as an undergrad. In retrospect, I let fear and my imposter syndrome trick me into not negotiating for better situations. Sadly, most don't automatically recognize the economic worth of hiring those who actively explore their interests, and even fewer people seem to understand what linguistic anthropology is, no matter how many times you explain it to them. But I digress. While linguistics undergraduates are common in SLP grad programs, the degree of overlap isn't as high as one might anticipate. Depending on your focus, it can be about the same amount of overlap as one would expect going into programming/UX and mathematics, philosophy, sociology/anthropology/cultural studies, education (especially ESL and sp-ed), psychology, neurology, translation/technical writing, etc. Exploring those options may be worthwhile if considering "plan B." If the reason you're wanting to become an SLP is because you felt like it was the most logical next step by default, and you're not especially passionate about working closely with kids, the elderly, and/or people in crisis, I'd take time before committing to reapplying. Being an SLP can be a rewarding and relatively steady job with a lot of benefits, but it's also potentially a lot to carry. You can make more money in other fields with less emotional labor and education, but you'll probably have to spend some time leveling up. If you still really want to be an SLP, don't give up. There are definitely things you can do to make yourself more competitive in the meantime. As someone who has dealt with her fair share of grad school rejections and came from out of field, taking a more active approach in addressing the questions below was what ultimately worked: Have you completed prerequisites with good grades (B+ or higher)? Were they the specific prerequisites the schools you applied to asked for? Are they recent (within the last 5 years)? Are your GRE scores competitive (if it's needed where you're applying)? Typically 300 or above combined quant/verbal and a 4.5 or above in writing. Do you have any relevant work experiences? These can pertain to a lot of jobs, as long as they're person-centered. You just have to relate it to why it'll make you a good therapist. Are there any populations you're especially interested in servicing that you can find work/volunteer opportunities with? I'd also try to figure out where it makes sense for you to apply and expand that criteria as much as possible. Often people get in when they broaden their searches (after the aforementioned things are addressed) to out of state. Hopefully this helps! Best of luck.
  21. Hi @Radamel, hopefully someone here has specific answers for you, but just in case, I recommend posting this to the SLP and/or SLPgradschool reddit forums. There are more people there with wider ranges of experience who may have better insight and suggestions. The majority of people posting here/checking in regularly are prospective grad students. I didn't have to secure my own externship connections because my program submits students on our behalf, but I'd imagine a good place to start would be talking to those you observed to see if they would be willing or know people who would be. I'd also talk to professors you're closer to about this.
  22. I took pre-reqs in both full and part-time capacities for just under 2 years while working full-time. I also did way more than I had to in retrospect because I wasn't sure where I wanted to end up. Were I to have cut out the classes that weren't completely necessary, it would have taken 4-5 quarters max. I also took classes at multiple institutions simultaneously, which made knocking out those credits faster and on my own terms. So, for instance, one summer I took 2 eight week classes at ENMU, 1 ten week class at CSUSM, and 1 ten week class at UCLA extension. Then for fall I took another 2 eight week courses at ENMU in the first part of the term, 2 more for the second part of the term, and 2 at a CC for the full 16 weeks, etc. That said, I busted ass the entire time and was basically a hermit outside of my job . I would never suggest anybody go ham in the way that I did, but I'm not sure where that 3-4 years number is coming from. Unless you're planning on getting a 2nd bachelors, that doesn't make sense to me. Grad programs usually list what classes/topics they want you to have completed/be familiar with. For example, here's what the University of Washington expects (see section 3). Here's Portland State's, and here's UT Austin's. The barriers of entry described are somewhat different, but the underlying expectations for what incoming students have formal exposure to are similar. Some schools may have strict cut-offs and specifically want to see classes like Aural Rehab before you start, while others are more flexible and will let you take those classes as a grad student. It's just better to get most of them out of the way. I recommend doing your research based on the programs you're interested in and building your course-load based on that information. If you don't already know, start with basic speech and hearing classes that every program will expect (intro to SLP, speech science, anatomy of speech and hearing, or phonetics) and go from there.
  23. Hi @skeibb97! The biggest determinant is almost always the pre-reqs when you're coming from out of field. Sometimes people find programs that explicitly state that it doesn't matter and allow you to complete them as you go, but after being a grad student for over a year now, I wouldn't recommend this. It will likely be more expensive and stressful if you're a graduate student (especially if you end up going out of state). All of the other things you've listed are good and show your interests/character well (I had a very similar volunteer/work background), but in my experience coming from out of field, wait-lists and rejections are a lot more likely when you don't have the academic experience sorted. Completing pre-reqs will also allow you to boost your GPA in a relevant way. Most programs really only look at your last ~60-90 units and speech credits to determine readiness. As @tennesseespeechiementioned, ENMU has a lot of options. Their classes were the lowest in cost that I took, with the exception of those I was able to take in community colleges in my area. Utah State University also has a good reputation for pre-reqs. Speech pathology classes at the CC level can be hard to come by, but if that's a possibility for you definitely go that route as much as possible. If you already know of a grad program you are really interested in, taking a few of their pre-reqs can be a great way to get to know the professors you'll most likely be working with as a graduate student. It will also give you the opportunity to be a part of any labs/research projects they currently have open to student involvement.
  24. For therapy: - A mini whiteboard and different color expo markers. Index cards and sharpies are good too. - 2-3 hand puppets (kids are sometimes better at talking to a puppet than to a new adult, and puppets present opportunities to demonstrate different linguistic concepts, especially in teletherapy) - A mobile mouth model w/ moveable tongue can be super useful when physical modeling isn't cutting it - A canva subscription/some other graphics program to build your own resources AND/OR TPT resources relevant to the clinics you're assigned to. - Explore Boomcards and Boardmaker, but wait until you start to see what your grad program may be able to provide to you so you're not paying out of pocket if you don't have to. - If you're going to be doing teletherapy, having a doc-cam can be helpful if you prefer writing by hand to typing. You can also buy digital pens that work on trackpads. - I highly recommend creating a system for organizing digital resources beforehand so that you can keep using any images you pull without having to dig far. For instance, I created a digital sticker slide-set that has every GIF or image I've ever pulled, organized by theme. Now, if I have to make a new activity, I can very rapidly copy/paste those assets into new docs. It's literally cut my lesson planning down by like 60%. For class: - Notability if you like being able to write directly on PDFs easily - Zotero - Join your NSSLHA chapter if you haven't already to get access to ASHA pubs/leader - Master Clinician and Simucase are also great. You may want to hold off on Simucase because your program may have a student discount code available, which cuts the cost significantly.
  25. This is awesome! It might also be interesting to include questions about background qualifications to see which ones seem to have more or less sway with acceptances.
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