popcornlover722

Yep I received that email as well from CSDCAS. I think some programs that are not traditionally online/hybrid are getting deferments. This is just my assumption. I checked out the list of programs that are still accepting applications right now for Fall 2020 and it looks like a lot of newer/less established programs make up that list.

Hey all... so my most recent GRE scores were 148 verbal, 135 quant, and 4.0 for Analytical Writing portion. Basically I'm trying to find out if these scores will get me in anywhere? I do have experience in the field (4 years as an SLPA in two different settings) and my undergrad GPA plus the last 60 credit hours(CSD/major courses) are well over 3.7 so my grades/experience aren't an issue. I simply don't do well with standardized tests (especially math) and I'm also tired of letting my GRE scores keep me from applying because I don't believe they are competitive enough. I know my math score is absolutely terrible as well. I was planning on retaking the GRE to allow myself options but due to the pandemic/quarantine situation all testing centers are closed and I cannot even schedule an exam even 4 months from now. To be honest it is also exhausting being rejected from programs. Is it unheard of to be accepted with scores like this?

Thanks for updating us! Great decision, you'll have so much more control on your finances after grad school.

I think a lot of us get stuck on trying to gain specific experience before applying, myself included, but to be honest I've seen so many girls get accepted by just volunteering for a month or so at a hospital and doing the bare minimum. I'm currently an SLPA and have been since I graduated in 2016. I worked in the schools and now I'm at a private clinic. Definitely put yourself out there and just apply to programs anyway! You'd be surprised at how many people go into SLP programs with zero experience, and tbh I still don't know what I'm doing even after being an SLPA for a couple of years now. So I don't think I have an immense advantage over anyone without therapy experience.The masters degree is where we will get our real training and I'm sure programs know that. But I've had friends work as paraprofessionals for ASD classrooms, substitute teaching, and teaching English as a second language abroad.

One of my good friends got into UDC with a low GPA and low GRE scores, she speaks highly of the program and has been trying to convince me to apply because the other girls in her cohort were in the same situation.

GWU is a private university. So even though they are offering you an "award package" to "offset" the cost of just the FIRST year, you have to keep in mind you're paying double if not triple the cost compared to a program at a public university. The SLP program at this school is 42 credits, each credit costs $1, 825. You're looking at $76, 650 for tuition alone not including fees, books, cost of living (rent/food/transportation). It depends on how much their award package is... I personally wouldn't look twice at a program with a cost like this, that's almost $2000 per credit, but I think it's great you got in it's just something to keep in mind. If you are dead set on attending that program just be aware that private schools usually offer these "packages" because their cost are ultra inflated anyway. It's like someone hiking the price on a purse and telling you it's 50% off but the cost is still $2000. Are you really getting an actual deal at the end of the day? Probably not. It's almost criminal what these private universities charge especially for a career in SLP. I strongly suggest you consider other programs that for the same exact degree, will not give you a lifetime of student loan payments. If you got into this school, chances are you can get in anywhere else for half the cost! America has a huge student loan crisis, if you feel this program is right for you and are not concerned about the cost then go for it by all means. But a quick google search brings up "If you want to pay off $80,000 in student loan debt in 20 years, you will need to pay $573 per month, for a total cost of $137,760". I think it's important to also do your due diligence, with $80K that would cover tuition AND living expenses/books etc at any public university in America.

I was rejected back in 2018 and decided to just take time to live life, pay down debt and work as an SLPA. I was set on NOT paying to retake the GRE. It is an intense exam sitting for 3-4 hours and it can be extremely overwhelming so I understand why you would not want to retake the GRE but it is very important. I last took it Sept. 2019 and now months later, I feel ready to study and retake it for the 3rd time. The key to boosting GRE scores is to study over a period of 3-6 months and focus on areas that you need to improve. Also look into who is writing your letters of recommendation. You can also ask these programs why they rejected you and what can you do to improve your application. I considered applying to Nova because they do not require the GRE but realistically I don't think $67K in private university tuition is worth it just because I don't want to retake a $200 exam. Look into Magoosh and using that to improve your scores. It will be worth it! I had personal things going on too and in retrospect I realized I was lucky to not have been in a grad program when certain things occurred in my life last year, sometimes getting rejected is a blessing in disguise. Just take this time to "reinvent" yourself so to speak. And cast a wider net to the programs you are applying to for the next cycle. Apply to online programs as well. Most people apply to like 6+ programs, if you take the time to improve yourself you WILL get in without a doubt. Have someone look at your statement of intent as well. Maybe consider rewriting your essay. Just look at ALL aspects of you application this time around. Don't be discouraged! Rejection sucks, I actually chose to not apply for this application cycle because it can be really defeating. Also look into what the average GPA/GRE scores of admitted students are for the programs you are applying to. If it's simply out of reach then save your money and apply somewhere else.

A semester is typically 16 weeks or 4 months. There are 3 semesters in one calendar year. Spring/winter is around Jan. through May, Summer is around June- August and then Fall is around August-December. Those aren't exact and I know I'm off with the months but those are just rough estimations lol. So yes, you are correct you would be graduating end of Spring/Winter semester. Right before that following Summer semester would begin.

Go for the cheaper tuition! 2 years will fly by and then you'll have to pay all of those loans back. Biggest CON that outweighs ALL pros in my opinion is having to pay out of state tuition which can be almost double the price. I wouldn't be able to sit in a program knowing that other people in my cohort are paying practically HALF of what I'm paying for the SAME degree/education/experience simply because I wanted to go out of state. I've been itching to go out of state to explore a new city and live on my own but to be honest, after I get my masters the opportunity is always there to complete your CFY in another city or to take a short-term contract/position to explore other cities. Calculate any undergrad loans you have, then calculate the tuition of the out of state school you are interested in... THEN calculate living expenses (monthly rent/food/gas etc. for two years of not being able to work) and add it ALL together. That total is what will be looming over your head when you graduate and for the next few decades if it's an insane amount. THEN look into what your average SLP makes in the city you plan on working in (I've been in the field for 4 years and have worked as an SLPA and as a bachelors level SLP in the schools, I have met and asked TONS of SLP's questions about salary) and it's typically no where near 6 figures or more than $50K starting out regardless as to what pops up on google when you search SLP salaries. Rule of thumb is to try your best to not graduate with more than what you will expect to be making your first year out of grad school. I think it's easy to be swayed by emotions but your future self will thank you if you make the smart decision to pick a program where you will obtain in-state tuition. I feel strongly about this as I have friends that are paying an arm and a leg for SLP programs and will come out with around $100K in loans for going out of state. I understand their situation because they were not accepted into any in-state programs due to extremely low GPA/GRE so they HAD to go where they were accepted. But if you are in a position where low GPA/GRE is not an issue, please consider saving the adventure for post-grad! The student loan crisis is no joke and it's very easy to get swept up into that statistic because these universities love to take advantage of young people that are trying to invest in their future. Out of state tuition is honestly a scam in my opinion and it's important to remember that all of these universities in America are businesses and operate as such. They are in it for the money. I've visited friends that are in out-of-state programs and they live in the funnest/hippest cities and have their own cute little apartments, take the train/subway to class etc and it seems like a dream when you come from a boring suburban town but if you look at how much you will be paying back monthly for student loans post-grad school it's simply not worth it.

For the most part, as long as a school is ASHA certified and nationally accredited you are able to get your CCCs and thus you can work in virtually any state. I've seen that disclaimer on every university's website but if you look into what each state is asking for specifically to grant you a health license/teaching certificate they generally go off of whatever ASHA uses to qualify you to be a certified SLP. I think NY is the only state that I've noticed makes it more tricky to work in the schools even for regular classroom teachers. Possibly because everyone wants to live/work in NY lol...

Send them an email, they should have the email to the graduate admissions person on their site. Usually if a school accepts out of field students they give you the opportunity to get those observation hours in the program.

As someone who has worked as an SLPA in the schools and private practice for the most part no one cares where you got your degree or how "prestigious" the school you went to was. They just care if you have your CCCs which you obtain after you get your masters in SLP regardless of what ranking the school has. What really matters is your CFY if you want to get into medical.

I know it's overwhelming sitting for the GRE and it's a pricey exam, I took it twice and my scores are decent (GPA 3.8, 152 V, 139 Q 4.0 AW) but I will be retaking it again in the next few months before applying to programs for the next application cycle due to my low math score. I think you should consider retaking them! Just study for 1-2 months and use Magoosh. Make a list of the schools you are applying to, look at the average GRE scores for those schools, and if you are no where near their GRE scores definitely retake. I have friends that are in overpriced programs and will come out with 6 figure loans just because they did not want to retake the GRE and put in the time/effort to boost their scores. As someone who has applied for a few application cycles if you do not get into any programs that'll just be another full year to wait for the next app cycle.