timberlake

I took 3 years off and I was worried I would be behind when I started. I bought an old Praxis review book and I intended on reviewing some of the basics. Honestly, I never got around to it and I was fine. The only time I felt overwhelmed was the first day of my dysphagia class where we reviewed anatomy, but so did everyone else! Everyone will go through a learning curve in beginning no matter when they graduated. The most I would do would be to brush up on some basic A&P and phonetic transcription.

1. Where were the schools you applied to? Were they only schools in the NE (I see you're in PA)? If it's an option, maybe try another region. 2. Spring and Summer admissions are usually slightly less competitive. 3. Look into how many applications a school receives vs how many people are offered admission. 4. Working with children with special needs does look good and you could get an awesome LOR from your supervisor. 5. Definitely try to up your verbal and writing scores. I used Magoosh and Manhattan prep.

I agreed! Getting into grad school is competitive, so we spend undergrad focusing on competing with other students for the best grades/experience/recommendations/scores/etc. Don't fall into that trap in grad school. You've already made it. Now it's about personal development and becoming the best clinician you can be. Don't try to out do other students (you'll just wear yourself down). Don't stress out about getting straight As. There's no Cum Laude distinctions in graduate school. I'm not saying don't try to do your best, but Bs get degrees . Just learn the material and be able to apply it. Keep organized (duh). Put dates in your planner. Start work early. Use the time in the beginning of semester when things are relatively calm to get a head start on assignments. Study a little bit everyday. Keep up with your notes. You'll feel so much better during midterms and finals. You don't have to make elaborate therapy materials for each session. Embrace low/no prep activities! If you can, write SOAP notes and enter time logs immediately after therapy (just a good habit and you don't have to worry about it later).

The area is pretty good. I'm from a bigger city, so I'm definitely adjusting to small town life. You take 3 semesters (or 4 if you choose to extend) of coursework and then you are placed somewhere for your internship (school placement) and externship (medical placement). You request where you want to be for both placements.

@FloridaSpeechie 3.5 and V: 155 Q: 151 AW:4 I attend VSU now so feel free to ask any questions.

When I applied I didn't hear anything until late April/early May.

Valdosta State University of Central Florida

Look out for military SLP jobs on http://www.usajobs.gov I've worked in England, Germany, Italy, and Hawaii (I'm there now). I don't work as an SLP, but I know there is always a need. That's what I plan to do when I graduate.

Doesn't matter. I'll be going to a M.Ed program.

Also, I have no idea about the MPH, but I think its a bit early to count yourself out .

Your experience is great. Seriously, I bet you'll be able to get killer letters of rec from your professors. GRE: Study and take timed practice exams. If math is your weak spot, take some time to review the basics. I don't know when your deadlines are, but an October test date should leave you with enough time for a retake. SOP: Don't just write a 'decent' SOP. This is your chance to express who you are and what you offer to a potential program. You've got plenty of time to perfect your statements. Write a draft, have it critiqued (by professors, your school's writing center, people on the forums, etc), then write another, repeat. GPA: I know this field is super competitive and stressful (especially when it seems like everyone has a 4.0), but a 3.4-3.5 is not a bad GPA. Outside of this SLP bubble that we are in, a 3.5 is something you can be proud of. Don't beat yourself up about it. There are plenty of people who apply with 4.0s and still get rejected. To maximize your chances you really need to do your research about potential schools. Check each schools application/acceptance date on EdFind and then email the programs director to verify. Do you apply to a school that received 800 applications for a class of 25 and a GPA range 3.5-3.9? Maybe. Or do you apply to a school that receives less applications/accepts a larger percentage of applicants and a GPA range of 3.3-3.7? Maybe, I don't know. Check the program's website for application info. Some schools are more GPA/GRE focused and some emphasize well-rounded applicants. There's no exact science to this application business. Overall. it seems like you know what you need to work on. It doesn't seem like it but this is the easy part. You're (mostly) in control of all of the aspects of your applications. The hard part is when you submit them and have to wait .

I've been there lol. Good luck!

I think you are set. I know my professor wanted a copy of my SoP and resume, but that's each professor's personal preference.

I'm interpreting your question 2 ways. If you're asking if you need to give your professor both forms in the same envelope, then yes. I sent everything the professor needed in one envelope (along with a reminder of deadlines, my SoP/resume, and a stamped/addressed envelope). If you're asking if you need to send the form and the letter from the professor to a school in the same envelope, then yes. Everything your professor fills out should be sent to the school together.

You need to be a little more specific to get the best advice. What's your exact GPA? What's your degree in? Do you have any relevant experience? GRE scores? Have you done any prerequisite classes?