mud to star

Hi everyone! I have accepted an offer from UBC. I will be declining an offer to Toronto and Western, as well as my place on the waitlist at UAlberta and Dalhousie. Best of luck!

Just declined my offers to Western and Dalhousie. Likely also going to decline my UofA offer in the next few days!

I attended college a decade ago and was not successful. I had a GPA below a 1.0! Yes, you can get a GPA that low. I finally took a break for 5 years, started working for hospitals and clinics around the metropolitan area. After realizing that I needed a career and a higher income, I returned back to school. I knew my old stats were going to hurt my chances of getting into grad school so I retook some classes over (some were so old, the college no longer offered it and were stuck on my transcript). I started getting involved on and off campus. I found volunteer positions working as a paraprofessional and an augmentative and alternative device assistant WHILE maintaining my full-time position at the hospital. I also got involved in research for three years, published an article and presented at ASHA. As busy as I was, I made sure I maintained a good bond with faculty members who I felt would be great letter writers. One of the most crucial part about students are that they don't realize how important it is to network with their professors. HELLLLLO! they know at least ONE faculty member from each school in the U.S....because most likely, they went to grad school with them OR they've probably worked on a research together. Networking was the MOST important part towards gaining access into graduate school for me. 
By the time application period rolled around, I've had three years of research, 13 years of medical experiences, 2 years of paraprofessional work, a published research, and 5 research conferences done. I contacted professors who I felt were a good match for me, completed a few interviews before submitting my applications. I wanted them to know me prior to looking at my stats... I felt that # tends to distract people from seeing the whole package. I'm happy to say, it took me 6 years to complete my undergraduate studies but I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL ON THE FIRST TRY!! Anything is possible as long as you put in that extra work. 

Yeah, I think getting them done in one semester could be tough. Are they looking for five 3-credit courses? If you have good study skills and aren't working much then five online courses would be doable. Of course, this is also provided all the courses you need are offered in spring. Do you have an idea of where you'd be taking the classes? If you apply this fall your application should at least show that your prereqs are all in the works and tell them which school you're getting them at.
It sounds like it would just be easier to wait. It'll give you more time to prepare and ensure you do really well on the prereqs.

I agree with @RMott that you do not need a post-bacc. I got into four-leveling master programs (including U of A) where I do not have to reapply for admission to the masters after finishing the pre-reqs, with a 3.52 GPA and a V160, Q155, and AW4.5. I had 25 hours of observation of a bilingual SLP (no letter of rec or anything though, just mention of it in my SOP). And I got full funding at one of the programs. I´m not trying to be vain, just let you know that you can do it without the time and $$$ of a post-bacc. 
If you have strong numbers (they don´t even have to be stellar - mine weren´t) and you can write a really strong SOP you have a good chance. I don´t think you need experience as an SLPA - in fact, it is not really a "stand out" experience that will help your application jump out. It doesn´t even seem like you´ll need observation hours given your personal introduction to the field, but they might not be a bad if you have time. 
Something else I did to sort of "hedge my bets" was enrolling in USU´s 2nd degree program. I had finished three courses when I applied (which also let me apply to even more leveling programs). I think this boosted my GPA and demonstrated my strong interest. Plus, if I hadn´t gone in I would already be started on Post-Bacc-Plan-B for the next year. Since I did get in, I have 3 less classes to take in my leveling track. Does that make sense? I´m not sure if I´m explaining it clearly. 
One other thing that I think helped me was really focusing my application and my SOP. I only applied to schools with leveling programs (obviously) and bilingual emphasis. I learned in depth about how each program was unique and the interests of the professors in the dept. I tried to include those things in my SOP and my interview. 
Finally, don´t underestimate the importance of good letters of rec. You should be cultivating those relationships now. Pick your recommenders wisely and strategically. 
I hope all that made sense and was at least a bit helpful. I´ve got more of my ramblings on my blog if you´d like to look them over. 
Best of luck! 
 
 
 

Also, I have to laugh at you folks in your early 30's feeling "old". I earned my 1st degree in the 20th century and can remember Reagan as president. You're still babies

Similar to others on here, I didn't have my path sorted out for a while. Did my first degree in an unrelated field, graduating at 22, then decided to pursue a second degree in psych kind of at random when I was 24. Ended up totally loving it and became focused on research and the possibility of graduate programs. Graduated with my psych degree at 27 and will start in fall 2019 at 28. Envious of those who found their path so young and are starting a program much younger than I am, but definitely grateful for the opportunities ahead that graduate school will have to offer!

I'm a young 42 and have no formal research experience. I completed an independent research project and numerous class research projects during undergrad (in psychology and microbiology), but I imagine everyone does those. Worked in the field for several years in multiple positions. First time applying, applied to a single programme. My POI hasn't told me exactly why he selected me, but I have an idea.
My situation doesn't appear to be at all typical in comparison to the people that frequent these forums, but I'm completely fine with it.

I was 21 when I began applying. 21 when I will enter the program (late birthday haha). Got in right away after my undergrad - applied to 6 schools, got into 3 (1 being my top school), wait listed in 2 schools and rejected by 1 school! My program mostly takes older candidates, so I think the average age range is between 23 and 25! Good luck.

I'm a career changer, so my path has been a little circuitous.  I first applied for a clinical psych PhD program at 24 and was rejected.  Applied for clinical psych PhD again at 25 and was rejected again.  Applied to a grad cert program in positive psych at 26 and was accepted.  Completed that an applied for a counseling psych PhD program at 28, was rejected for PhD but accepted into the MEd program.  I applied for clinical and counseling psych PhD programs this past fall at 30 and was rejected by all.  I have had virtually no research experience through everything, so after I complete my MEd next month I'm going to spend a year doing research and hopefully publishing like crazy then applying again this fall at 31.
Everyone has a different path to graduate study.  If you feel you're ready to commit yourself to a graduate program now, there's no harm in going ahead and applying.  If you feel you need a few years of a break from school, there's no harm in taking some time away and returning in a year or two or ten...  Finances can certainly complicate decision making, but you'll make the decision that's right for your situation.  And truly there's really no wrong path to grad school.  Your path is your own.  Good luck!

Started undergrad at 33, master's at 38, starting a PhD program at 40.  Professors I inteviewed with said my life/work experiences were what caught their attention.