Astrid Coleslaw

Qualified applicants are rightfully the biggest criteria, but since there seems to be LOADS of qualified applicants and too few spots, I think cultural, linguistic and gender diversity is an important factor. Bilingualism, especially, as there is a functional need for that. I would definitely not hesitate to emphasize how your experience as X X or X contribute to your qualifications as an applicant as long as those connections are strong and well-explained. 
 
I think the main reason there are so many white, middle-to upper middle-class women in the field is that it doesn't pay all that much compared to how much schooling it takes. This tends to discourage out several demographics which would otherwise be attracted to the field. 

slpgal123: I don't really know how schools will view graduating early, but I doubt it will hurt you given your phenomenal GPA and strong GRE scores. You've applied to a lot of schools, so your chances of getting in somewhere seem good IMO.
 
RN2SLP: I think being an RN will give you an edge (clearly you know how to work in a clinical setting), and your GPA and GRE are strong. I hope Vandy is kinder to you during grad school admissions!
 
My second school's deadline is tomorrow, so the process is officially in full swing. I'm nervous, excited, scared, etc. Basically I'm Jessie Spano on caffeine pills.
 
Best of luck to everyone!

Thank you. I just want to tell everyone don't be discouraged. I just got in a California school and my undergrad gpa is 3.2 in Business and CDS gpa is 3.7.  My gre scores weren't great (145 V/150 Q, 4.0 ).  My essay was well written.  I also got my SLPA license and have been working as a sub SLPA since September.  Don't think you need a perfect GPA and GRE score to be accepted. Just try your best.   I worried soo much and lost so much sleep over-analyzing everything.  It's okay to be human!

Reportedly, LA isn't sending out anything until mid-April which is totally absurd. SJ's website said that they will send stuff BY April 15th so don't contact them until the 16th about your application. But who knows when they will actually send them? I'm tempted to call them and say that I'm not asking about MY application but about all applications in general and see what they say! I just want to know what I should do about making other schools wait while I make a decision. Most schools need a reply if you are going to take their acceptance by the 15th so I think it's totally mean for schools to do this to us...

If you call those schools and ask and report back here I will give you my first born!!

I would definitely agree with this, and have to say that which school each individual chooses is a personal question that has to be only the individual can answer. I have done undergrad, graduate, and post-bac work at the Cal State system. I would venture to say that each campus will have its own pros and cons, and even different departments within a single campus would probably be affected differently by the budget difficulties we have seen.

My personal experience has lead me to desire a change to see whether I can obtain a higher quality education in a different system, and a large part of the reason I want to do that is because I want to increase my chances of working in medical settings (which may not be an issue for students who want to work in the school setting). I don't want to seem overly critical of the Cal State system, but after my experiences with it, I have decided that I will most likely move to a different system for my SLP degree. I honestly feel a tinge of regret saying that because I love my professors and feel very grateful for all they have done for me.

I actually had a school tell me, when I asked if my first bachelor's horrible GPA grade would be detrimental even though my 2nd bachelor's grades were near perfect. The head of the admissions dept (a professor) told me straight up I didn't even have to mention my first degree if I didn't want to. I ended up doing so, since my 2nd wasn't going to be complete yet at the time of admission, but I was surprised to hear that.

If you really are concerned, ask the school. But honestly, what's the harm of leaving it out? It's totally irrelevant. Nobody will look OR care.

Hi Sunjinro!

It sounds like you have some great practical experience! That will serve you well!

This is what I know about the schools you mentioned (since I looked into or applied to all of those!)

Out of state tuition is INSANE in Oregon, so if you are a Californian, thinking about PDX State - it's actually going to be more expensive than Pacific if you don't get residency before you attend. Pacific doesn't have a prereq program. PDX does. I recently talked to someone in the program and it seems like their classes are HUGE. I would probably go elsewhere if I didn't get in-state tuition there. I don't know anything about U of O.

All CSU schools are insanely competitive. SJ and SF slightly more so than EB. I think they are mostly school-focused (particularly EB) but remember, you will get experience in all areas, so I wouldn't consider that a dealbreaker - esp when you don't have much of a choice!

SF State puts a lot of emphasis on prior experience, so you would be a good candidate if you got good grades in your pre-reqs. They do have an undergrad program there. You can only apply to their grad program if you have your BA or pre-reqs in COMD now (its ok if its from somewhere else). They've dropped the extended Masters program.

East Bay DOES have an extended Masters and regular program as far as I know. They'd be good to do a pre-req program. Especially since they have weird requirements (why I didn't apply - some of my core classes are over 7 yrs old and I was NOT going to redo biology and that stuff). I get the feeling the students are on the younger side.

SJ also has an undergrad program. I can't remember if they do extended Master's. I am guessing not. They were very helpful on the phone and the website is very informative. I heard a rumor they do favor their own undergrads for the grad program. Don't know how true this is.

I am taking my leveling courses through USU distance (culminating in a 2nd BA) and it's pretty good. I feel it is preparing me well. The classes are hard though - way harder than my on-campus undergrad degree. But I'm managing to keep a 4.0. They just changed over to a SUPER crappy platform for the classes though. It kind of makes me almost want to warn students against it, but if you're cool with not having a discussion board to communicate with other students and a shitty email function (ie: you work pretty well on your own), go for it. There is related non-official facebook group of helpful students to make up for this.

Your stats look really good. Good luck!

"Stronger"? Girl, you've got killer stats and are already 2 for 0 on acceptances! Stop making the rest of us look bad !

The lack of self-awareness in this post is both hilarious and infuriating.

If you were an international student in the U.S., and went to a half decent school for undergrad, your parents almost certainly dropped over $100k on your tuition, room, and board. Closer to $200k for good schools.

They are providing you with a free house likely worth several hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Let's not forget the electricity, heat, water, insurance and other associated bills that are far from insignificant.

On top of that, they are paying for all your food.

The single mother with a non-skilled job who probably is struggling to stay afloat has the "gall" to suggest you are living off your parents because, newsflash, you are. Think she would mind someone writing her a check for about $500k of aggregate support? And then you castigate her, when your biggest financial worries are "going out" and buying new clothes?!

People shouldn't be embarrassed or try to hide that they have significant parental financial support - it doesn't invalidate or cheapen your academic accomplishments, whatever they may be. But for gods sakes, have the decency to at least acknowledge that you are extremely fortunate in the opportunities afforded (literally) to you!

Hey Dad!

Your daughter's stats and her experience sound very good. She has a good chance of getting into at least some of the schools she wants! However since cost is an issue, I would make sure to apply to both her expensive dream schools and more practical state or well-priced private ones. Funding is sometimes available for stellar candidates but I would make sure to have lots of options in case she isn't offered any. Unless she wants to go into research specifically and not practice as an SLP, applying to "high ranked schools" really means nothing other than probably being impractically expensive compared to what a SLP is going to make in their lifetimes. All certified schools' programs are going to be equal when it comes to securing employment, so she can decide based on cost/location/emphasis and her personal impressions of the program. Best of luck!

Hey Dad!

Your daughter's stats and her experience sound very good. She has a good chance of getting into at least some of the schools she wants! However since cost is an issue, I would make sure to apply to both her expensive dream schools and more practical state or well-priced private ones. Funding is sometimes available for stellar candidates but I would make sure to have lots of options in case she isn't offered any. Unless she wants to go into research specifically and not practice as an SLP, applying to "high ranked schools" really means nothing other than probably being impractically expensive compared to what a SLP is going to make in their lifetimes. All certified schools' programs are going to be equal when it comes to securing employment, so she can decide based on cost/location/emphasis and her personal impressions of the program. Best of luck!

No need to feel bad for her. My prediction is that she will survive just fine. There are plenty of other states in the USA that will be more than happy to welcome her, unfortunately.