SomedaySLP

Your stats look great and you have tons of experience already. You could either do a leveling program or just do a pre-req or post-bacc program to get your SLP pre-reqs. I've heard good things about Utah State's online program (affordable, well organized, etc.) though I've never taken courses through them myself. It doesn't matter if you go that way or the leveling program route, the only things I would take into consideration in that decision are cost and how well you think you'd do in online classes versus traditional classroom setting. Programs are looking for all of the things you listed plus solid letters of recommendation and SoPs. If I were in your position I would get LoRs from two grad professors and one or two of your supervisors from your work positions. I would also get 25 hours of SLP observation (well documented), as ASHA will require it, though lots of schools seem to let you get them during grad school if you don't have them. Some don't though. I don't know anything about the schools you asked about besides PDX (I applied there this year). Just know that SLP school is INSANELY competitive to get into (think around 500 applications for around 25 spots...) so no matter how strong your application is, be sure to cast a wide net and apply to at least a handful of schools (and be aware of the cost of that before hand...I paid around $1000 when all was said and done on applications, including GRE testing and score sending). Good luck!!

I'm thinking we'll hear back from UW either this Friday or next Monday. Definitely hoping for Friday! I've started dreading weekends because I know I'm less likely to hear anything over the weekend compared to during the work week...never thought I'd be wishing for Monday's to come faster!!

You have crazy impressive stats. I have a feeling a second BA will not be in your future

I'm feeling you on this one. I'm thinking I'll hear back from one of my top choice programs this week or early next week and am flying across country to the two Maryland schools I got into on March 8th. I'm just telling myself I can't "count my chickens before they hatch" so to speak, and visiting programs will just help us make better decisions in the end

I'm not since SLP was one of my undergrad majors, but I've heard good things about Utah State University's online pre-req program. They charge the same rate for in-state and out-of-state students, and I've heard it's pretty affordable.

This is partially true. School SLPs are in demand in most parts of the country. So if that's what you want to get into then, yes, this is a pro for SLP. However, many people think they can get into private practices, hospital jobs, etc. just as easily as school jobs and that is not the case, especially for your clinical fellowship year. Just something to consider. I'm applying to SLP programs right now as well. I love everything about the field but I would recommend that you not jump into it unless it's something you have a true passion for. The grad programs are incredibly difficult to get into these days, and grad school is extremely intense and time-consuming if you DO manage to get in somewhere. If it's not something you're truly passionate about, I don't think it would be worth the time, money, and stress. What is your bachelor's degree in? Keep in mind for the vast majority of SLP programs, you'll need to take the pre-reqs or apply to 3-year programs if your undergrad was not in SLHS/ComDis.

I would dress up for an interview. No one is going to judge you for being overdressed in an interview, but the same can't be said for being under-dressed. I dressed up even for department visits that I had scheduled (skirt, nice top, nice shoes). You don't want to not get in for something as silly as being under-dressed for your interview!

I think this would be a good response to an interview question I've heard a lot: "Tell me about a challenge you've faced and how you over came it" or something along those lines. Emphasize the positive aspects, not the rejection. I wouldn't put much weight behind how competitive the programs were (it could sound like an excuse and that you've lowered your standards this year). I think it's a good example of your perseverance and willingness to work hard for what you want! Good luck at your interview

I met with Julie Dunlap, one of the clinical supervisors. She was so incredibly helpful, I was really shocked by how much she seemed to genuinely care about talking with me, since I'm sure they get really sick of giving those tours. I've been in contact with Dr. Spencer a bit too after my visit, she's also very nice (which was nice to see since she's the admissions chair! Hopefully some of that niceness gets applied on our admissions decisions ). I was really impressed overall. I'd have to say Vanderbilt's facilities blew UW's away by far and I was VERY impressed by their program as well, but something about UW felt really comfortable like I just "fit" well. I'd be thrilled if I got in!

I really enjoyed my UW visit too, everyone was so nice! What faculty member did you meet with? I didn't get to meet with a current grad student at mine though, that's awesome you did. I did at Vanderbilt though and it was really informative!

Hey, we have similar interest areas! I work in research in voice disorders (and dysphagia, to a much lesser degree) right now and love it! That explains some of our overlap in top school choices

Oh boy. Sorry in advance for being way more thorough than you probably wanted Academics: -How many credits do you carry per semester? -What electives are available? -How rigid is the course schedule (can it be tailored to your interests) -Are there comps? How are they structured? -Is there an option to do a thesis? How do you go about it? Does it replace comps or in addition? -What areas would they say the school is strongest in? (professor specialties/areas of interest) Research: -How can students get involved in research? -Can students obtain paid research positions? -What are some research projects currently occurring? -Are students encouraged to pursue research? Clinic: -What is the school's supervision style in the clinic? ("sink or swim", apprenticeship, etc.) -When do you begin working in the clinic as a student? -What population(s) does the school clinic typically see? -Does the school work to place you in your internships? -If yes, do you get any choice in the matter or do you just take what's assigned to you? -What are the typical externship sites? -How much exposure will you get with X population (whatever interests you most) Funding -Is there funding available? If yes, in what form? -Assistantships? (research/teaching) Location -How do they like the area? -Cost of living, transportation, fun things to do, etc...I find people really like talking about this when I ask. There have been a couple of times when I've had the opportunity to speak with current grad students. I tend to ask them specifics about the work load, the city, how the students interact with each other (in some programs they seem to be more competitive and in others they're close friends), best places to live, etc. If you have specific areas of interest, be sure to ask what they have going on in that area and what opportunities there are for students (whether clinically, in research, independent studies, coursework, etc.) I probably missed a bunch but this was basically my list last time I went on a visit. Feel free to add!

UW just sent another email about that stupid survey and got me excited for nothing AGAIN. Couldn't they wait until after they've sent out admissions to ask us to fill out a dumb survey?! Althought I guess admissions decisions could bias people's answers. I'd probably write them a glowing review if I got in, but after a rejection maybe not so much

I'm sure you'll hear soon, don't panic yet! We're all bound to get at least one rejection, its just too competitive this year not to. it'll just make your first acceptance feel that much better! Hang in there

It seems like a ton of responses went out from schools today! It almost makes me wish I had applied to some of those schools, just so I'd be hearing SOMETHING right now It also seems like every school out there has 400+ applications this year. I wonder what that means for the decision process. I don't know how they could possibly thoroughly go through all of those applications. I just hope it doesn't mean schools start relying on numbers alone, as I feel like my experience and skills make me a much stronger candidate than my GPA and GRE scores show :/ I wish I could sit in on an adcom and get an insiders view of the process, because as an outsider, it seems like a crapshoot...

Omg that email terrified me! I was so disappointed when I realized it was just a survey though. UW is in the top 2 on my list too (tied with Vanderbilt, though lately I've been favoring UW a bit I think). I also applied to the Med-SLP program. I hope we both get in! Though I don't know how I'd afford it without some funding, haha.

Congrats on getting in. Any advice for all of about to (hopefully) start in the fall? I agree about post-baccs being welcomed, if not sought after by programs. I know Boulder (where I did my undergrad) was that way, and Vanderbilt expressed the same point of view when I visited there. I'm technically not an out-of-field applicant, but I did triple major so I'm hoping that will provide the diverse background adcoms are looking for.

Gah, this is why I don't know why I obsess over the results board. I went back and found when all of my schools responded in past years too, thinking it would make me feel better knowing when to expect something. I think it just makes me even more anxious and stressed! I hope you hear something soon!

I agree. I actually weeded out a few programs I was originally interested in because I felt like their class size was too big and I was worried about the level of attention I'd receive there. I'm looking forward to working with a small group of extremely qualified individuals who will push me to be better I'm sure it's very had for adcoms to decide when there are so many of us to choose from. Oceania, are you in a program currently or applying? But post-bacc students DO have the pre-reqs. I think the poster you were responding to was talking about out-of-field applicants who do not have a post-bacc in SLP.

I applied to seven Master's programs and have heard back from two. The two that I heard back from historically respond earlier (one had a specific "early decision" option), but across the board, March seems to be the decision month for my field. I'm hoping it will be earlier in the month, but two of the seven seem to respond the very last week of March . Seems so late when we have to make decisions by April 15th.

I know absolutely nothing about the program but there was a discussion about it last year here: http://speechpathology.livejournal.com/432683.html#comments Looks like some not-so-great feedback, particularly for the distance program, reviews are more mixed for the regular program. Obviously that's just a few people's opinions though.

Eek, seems like everywhere has over 400 applications this year. Terrifying odds!

I did my undergrad at CU-Boulder and had amazing research experiences there (turned into the full-time research gig I have now, in fact.) Feel free to PM me if you end up going there and I can give you some pointers on the professors, where to live, etc. I'm waiting on Vanderbilt now too, it's one of my top choices but I'd probably need to receive funding in order to accept admissions. Though I heard their application numbers are above 400 this year too, so I'm not getting my hopes up, haha.

I have a friend who applied to Northwestern last year and they never sent any response to her at all. Never responded to her inquiries either, even in April and May. There were similar reports on this board last year, if you look back. When I heard that, I discarded the application I started there early in the fall. Why would I pay to apply to a school (and consider shelling out INSANE amounts of tuition if I were accepted) to be treated so negatively? No thanks, I'll pass.

Congratulations!! Good luck at your interview