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Hi all! I am sure I am not alone when it comes to feeling super anxious about waiting to hear back from schools after pressing that submit button. I know there is a Venting Thread, but I thought it would be nice to have a specific forum where people can talk about their worries while they wait. So, I am going to first talk about what I am worried about and then talk about what I am excited about if I get accepted in grad school. Worries: I feel like I don't have enough research experience under my belt, especially since I haven't done any research in the fields that I want do pursue my graduate degree in. My GRE scores are mediocre, so that scares me as well. I think the fact that I am taking a gap year and I am not currently doing anything "resume/cv worthy" right now will make me look lazy to the admission committees. I am also worried about paying for moving to grad school. I really hope I can get a retail job next year so I can start saving money for that. Also, I want to pay off my loans during grad school, even though I know I can defer them while in school. I just am tired of my interest accumulating. Excitement: Even though grad school will have plenty of hellish moments where I probably won't get enough sleep and be able to make meals for myself, I am ready to be back in school again. Despite the homework and stressful tests, I oddly like taking classes. I am even more excited to take graduate-level classes because I feel like I will be able to focus more on learning and less on getting an A on every single assignment. After doing that in undergrad and pretty much destroying my mental health, I am never going back to putting myself through that again. I am also ready to move to a new place and explore the area. Additionally, I can't wait to start researching something I am interested in. I am nervous that I might find out that I might not like it, but at least it will still be interesting enough that I can do it for 5-7 years. So, go ahead and just type away your worries about waiting, grad school, and anything else. Also, talk about what your excited about when it comes to grad school. I feel like doing both will make you feel slightly better.

Im in my 2nd semester of Speech Pathology grad school/program and already looking into internship sites for my last semester. I am trying to go into Medical Speech Path. or Early Intervention but both fields are incredibly competitive when it comes to applying for internships. What can I do now to make me look more competitive? Im obviously aiming for high grades and im doing fine so far and im writing a thesis on a medical speech path topic (and im bilingual so I guess thats a plus too) Is there anything more I can do? I cant really officially "do" observations anymore since they dont count towards my hours and I cant really show any proof I took initiative for that... ANY ideas would help (from anyone with advice applying to competitive internships!!!)

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences graduate program? I seem as though they are looking for candidacy to be accredited? I am not too sure. Any info will help! Thank you!

Has any written an exceptional consideration essay for their grad school application due to have a GPA below a 3.0? If so, what did you include in it? My GPA isn't low due to a significant event taking place. it had a a lot to do with procrastination so I am not sure what exactly to write about.

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Hi all! This is my first post on here so hopefully I am posting in the correct place. I am in the process of applying to grad school for Speech Language Pathology for the Fall 2020 cycle. Needless to say, I am SO nervous!! I've taken the GRE (154V, 141Q, 5 W), and am planning on retaking this month to hopefully bolster those scores a bit. I'm an out of field applicant but completed a leveling program last year and have spent this year volunteering to hopefully get some more experience to add to my resume. My main question for anyone out there: does work experience help with SLP grad school applications at all? I currently work in an unrelated field jut to make money to pay the bills, but I recently got a job interview for a position as a Behavior Interventionist at a nonprofit that for young adults with Autism. The pay cut would be...severe, honestly. But I am willing to do whatever it takes to be the best applicant I can be so I can get into a grad school for SLP. I'm just not sure if your work experience actually helps you stand out in the application process. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thank you so much in advance for your help!! 😊

My gpa is 3.967, my major gpa is 4.00. my GRE is 300 combined (good reading score and crappy math score), and 5.0 for the writing. I have good things for my resume. I was thinking 3 schools, but I am not sure. Thanks!

I am interested in pursuing my Doctoral studies in X-ray Astronomy. I was introduced to this field in the first semester of my M.Sc. programme, when I was looking for a subject of study for my thesis project. I started reading in detail about the field of study and some major science missions launched since the very first discovery of extraterrestrial X-rays. During the same time I familiarised myself with the methods of studying X-ray sources and the tools and techniques as explained by NASA’s HEASARC.I read on review papers and worked on my analysis skills by attempting to reproduce the results of thoroughly studied X-ray Binary systems. I started the literature survey on Neutron Star X-ray Binaries which were studied by RXTE and familiarised myself with the various spectral and timing characteristics observed. The initial idea for my thesis work was to conduct a long term study on a few such sources to understand the development in their behaviour over the years of operation of the RXTE mission. It was during this time when I attended a workshop on India’s first multiwavelength satellite ASTROSAT. After attending one such workshop where we were taught the nuances of comprehensive spectral analysis of ASTROSAT data, led by Professor Ranjeev Misra of IUCAA, my M.Sc. thesis work eventually was finalised to be on “SPECTRAL-TIMING ANALYSIS OF SWIFT J1658.2-4242 USING ASTROSAT DATA” where I worked with Dr. V. Jithesh at IUCAA. For this thesis, I then started to understand the literature of Black Hole X-ray Binaries, their spectral and timing characteristics and the association of them to the accretion process. With the other major missions like XMM-Newton observatory, INTEGRAL, NICER, Chandra and SWIFT, I hope to get more insights on understanding the core physical processes taking place in an accretion disk and how it leads to the various features which we see. I have been fortunate to be a part of a majorly X-ray driven workshop conducted between University of Southampton, UK and IUCAA, India where I got an opportunity to interact with doctoral, post-doctoral students and professors from India and UK who are pursuing their research in the same field. Some of those lectures were aimed on accretion processes, X-ray binary systems and timing analysis methods which motivated me to pursue my further education and a research career in this field. Currently, I am working on AstroSat data analysis using LAXPC-SXT data where I have been performing comprehensive spectro-timing analysis using some standard analysis techniques established by well cited research papers under the guidance of Prof. Ranjeev Misra. During the course of my M.Sc thesis and for the current project I have trained myself with various X-ray data analysis tools. The current project demands comprehensive use of those techniques to analyze the LAXPC-SXT data of galactic X-ray sources which add to my skills. I believe that I am well suited for the Ph.D. position offered as my field of interests, skills and experience acquired by working on X-ray Astronomy suits it well.

Hi all, I've been accepted to the MSc in Global Affairs at the SPS in NYU. Super excited and happy when I got the offer. I love NY and living there has been a dream of mine so I'm very inclined to accept the offer. My goal is also to work in policy analysis and/or counter-terrorism/violent extremism in a think tank, NGO, international organization etc. But my concerns are: 1) the cost: I'll have to take a loan of $80k-100k to cover tuition, living expenses + everything. BIG deal. 2) I'd want to stay in the US to work. What would my chances be to find work in NY or anywhere in the US as a Canadian citizen with a Master's from NYU? I've spoken to 2 alumni's from the program who went from Canada and one is working in NY and the other in Washington. Any advice would be appreciated

Hi all, First off, thanks for reading my question -- I apologize in advance if the question is too broad, please feel free to ask any follow-up questions. I'm a senior at a top-20 US university, and I am currently doing a triple major (history, political science with an IR concentration, and environmental science). My GPA is 3.75 (ideally I'll pull it up higher over the course of senior year). After taking a lot of classes in various fields, doing a few internships with development-related nonprofits, and beginning to write a thesis in history (it's about Cold War proxy wars, counterinsurgency, and IR), I've decided that what I want to do is pursue a PhD in political science. Ideally IR or security studies, because those fields interest me the most. In terms of extracurriculars, I've done a lot of writing-related stuff -- I'm an editor for my university's magazine, a tutor in the Writing Center, a TA for a philosophy class, and I'm also involved in a club that raises money to build schools in a developing country. I also did research for 3 semesters on built environment/school design/architecture-related stuff just because I find it interesting. I discovered my passion for IR pretty recently (it basically took me two years to "discover" my university's political science major), so my extracurriculars are kind of all-over-the-place in terms of area. But I've been trying to do more political science stuff lately: I'm going to an undergrad international security conference soon, which I'm super excited for. I can speak decent French and am currently learning Russian on my own. What I'm curious about now is the following. I'm already committed to completing a 2-year Master's program after graduation -- really, it's more like a service program where you teach for 2 years and take summer teaching classes to eventually receive a Master's in Education. Essentially, I always say it's like Teach for America with a Master's degree added. It's administered out of my current university and is fairly prestigious. I'm excited to start it because I love to teach (one reason I want the PhD is possibly to become a professor), and I always knew I wanted to take a break for some form of post-grad service before embarking on further studies or career stuff. But I'm wondering whether the program will impact my PhD program applications. Will they care that it's not in a subject related to political science? I'm sure I'll be teaching social studies or history or something of the like, but I'm a little concerned that going two years without doing research or a Master's specifically in political science will hurt my chances. Basically, will they think I'm not "serious" enough about political science or think I'm a dilettante? I want to convey as much as possible that I really care about this and want to research, write and teach political science. I hope that the current work I'm doing, especially my undergrad thesis, will convey this strongly enough, but I'd appreciate any advice from people who have already completed the process. If I manage to get good GRE scores (I haven't taken the test yet because my Master's program doesn't require it, which buys me two years), what do you think my chances are for top-15 programs in political science or security studies given my undergrad qualifications? In the meantime, and possibly while I'm doing the Master's in Education, what can I do to advance my application and make sure I don't lose the writing/political science skills I've acquired in college? Any advice is much appreciated, thanks again

Hello! I’m looking into online/distance SLP grad programs. I’m already $65k in debt, so I don’t want to pay more than $15k per year (I’m located in CA so I know there’s some restrictions because of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). I have good grades (3.8+ GPA, great LoC’s and above avg GRE scores). I got accepted to emerson and NYU with scholarships but it didn’t cover enough of the cost. I really like North Colorado University, CSUN, and Akron University. Id prefer to do my clinical practice/extends hips towards the end of the program because I’m working as a nanny and committed to 1.5 years, they are flexible and will allow me to travel up to 3 weeks for clinical/labs. What is your best experience?

Hey guys ! I’m currently taking prerequisites for grad school which I have been getting straight Bs in. Mostly high bs. I know that many of these programs accept higher GPAs on average and don’t know what to do. I’m not a great test taker, but everything I learn that’s applicable at my job I excel at. I work at a pediatric company as a child Development Specialist & a registered behavioral tech. I also work with SLPs providing support with speech goals & help with feeding goals as well. Will this experience help to balance out my low GPA & possibly low GRE score ? I know speech is highly competitive. If anyone has any advice, or similar experiences please let me know ! I’m beginning to stress as I apply to grad schools this fall ! HELP !

Hi guys!! I'm applying to speech pathology grad programs this upcoming semester and I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips and advice (on GRE scores, interview process/popular questions asked, resume tips, etc.) I'm applying to like 12 schools and just thinking about the application process is making me panic, haha. Thank you!!

Hey y'all, Currently a second-year student at UCLA, who has an overall GPA of 2.477 (2.965 Major GPA) and no research experience at my current institution. Do I have some hope in getting accepted to a Social Psych Ph.D. program (e.g., the UCs) in the future? To begin with, I don't know where to start, nor do I know if I have the right mentality to apply (and even handle the rigors of graduate school)... Ever since I transferred from a community college to UCLA, I became more anxious and lacked the confidence to ask for help from my peers. I'm even embarrassed to apply for research positions, knowing that I'll get rejected because of other applicants who have higher GPAs and are more experienced. 😕 Any tips/suggestions, and has anyone ever been in a similar situation?

Hi all, I am a senior at Purdue who is about to apply for Graduate School coming up. Here are some of my stats... - overall GPA 3.73, major GPA 3.62 - 2 research projects with professors in autism cluster and slp program - past honor group vice president, PR, and ICR... Best Buddies member, Actress in theatre club - internship last summer with ABA Autism Center For those of you who have applied or who are applying... anything else you recommend so that I am a more competitive candidate? I have yet to take the GRE and am struggling to find SLPs who will let me shadow them. I am applying to Purdue, IU, Indiana State Uni, Ball State, Uni of Cincinnati, and a few in Chicago.

This is my 4th time applying to grad school. I have been wait listed or denied everywhere I have applied for the last 4 years. For 3 of the 4 years I have worked and tried to do something in the field of speech pathology or close to it. I was a teachers aide for one year and the last 2 years I have worked in Florida at a middle school under a provisional license as a SLP maintaining a caseload of 70 students, writing IEP's, completing evaluations, working with AAC, etc. I had all the roles and responsibilities of a Masters Level SLP, but I was under the provisional license. I've had strong letters of recommendation written for me, I'd like to think my statement of purpose was strong as I had it edited by tons and tons of SLP's in the school district I am working in currently. In undergrad I was involved in CSD groups, had a job through the university mentoring incoming CSD freshman. My cumulative GPA was a 3.2, my GRE was verbal- 145, qualitative- 145, writing- 4. I am so frustrated being denied over and over again. When do you throw in the towel and say this just isn't meant for me? Although, it is also your biggest passion.

Hi all! I have a few questions that are all sort of related to the application process, and then one that'll be more based on my personal experience. To introduce myself and give you all a bit of background, I'm a current undergraduate student at a small liberal arts college who will be graduating in Spring 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Biology. My areas of interest are animal behavior, cognition, welfare, social behavior, evolution, ecology, etc. I want to start applying to graduate school for a PhD in a related field this fall to enter the Fall 2020 cohort, and ultimately go into academia. I have a LOT of presentation experience, internal and external, and a lot of lab experience both participating in studies led by a P.I. as a lab assistant and creating my own small-scale study for a class/capstone. I also have animal handling/husbandry experience working with mice, non-human primates, various invertebrates, as well as experience doing research with (but not handling) a few bird species. Last but not least, I'm working on two manuscripts, one on developmental/behavioral neuroscience, and one on industrial/organizational psychology that I hope to at least have submitted by the time grad school applications start. I've identified a lot of possible PhD mentors, all in psychology/neuroscience programs (Emory NAB, IU CISAB, etc), but many of them are at the same school/in the same program. My first question is, what is the most polite way to "cold call" a possible mentor, and what should I request? A tour of the lab, or an interview, or an informal meeting? Also, if I have mutual connections with the mentor, should I drop the connection's name, or have the connection contact the mentor themselves and namedrop/CC me? In regards to having multiple possible mentors in a single program, is it polite/appropriate to apply to more than one mentor in the same program? Or should I meet with them and choose just one to apply to? My last question is, based on my background, would it be possible for me to apply to mentors in programs that are more aligned/directly affiliated with biology departments (like GSU's Neurobiology and Behavior program)? There's a lot of intersection between biology and psychology in my desired field, but would they not accept someone who only minored in biology? (Let me know if you need more information about me to answer this question). Thank you for letting me ask you all a billion questions, and thank you in advance for your help!

I will be going to Auburn University, AL Graduate School in the Fall (for Speech Pathology). Does anyone have any experiences with this school? I talked to some people in the Grad office today and they just didn't seem very nice/welcoming like I've experienced with other Grad offices in other universities, so now I am a little nervous/bummed out about attending this Fall and it's a little late to change my mind! Does anyone have any experience with this school/ the Graduate School and/or more specifically the Speech Pathology program? Any input would be helpful!

Backstory: I have obtained a bachelors in speech pathology. I really want to go to grad school. I’ve tried at many schools and have been rejected. I have narrowed down my mistake as being my prerequisites. I have two Cs, and I know how competitive grad school is. My question, does anyone here have experience with post baccalaureate courses to retake the prerequisites. If not post baccalaureate then how can I retake those two classes from undergrad in order to boost my chances of acceptance?

I got accepted into a Speech Pathology Grad Program in AL (Auburn Univ.) and for some reason they were missing my GRE scores and couldn't send my official acceptance letter until they had them (I had a different last name when I sent them in vs my application name) I fixed all the things I needed to fix and resent them. I emailed the Grad Admissions office AND the Speech Path program office and have not received any follow up or even a response for almost 2 weeks. Not only am I getting concerned about the organization/friendliness of the university but at this point my acceptance into the program (even though the Speech Path program knows I accepted and sent me an email of acceptance???) Should I be concerned??? Its still pretty early in the process, so should I just relax and wait it out a bit longer??? Does anyone have any experiences or advice??

Hi everyone! I'm an International Student. I applied to NYU's Tisch School of the Arts MFA Dramatic Writing Program from December 19th and I was told that notifications are sent out ANYTIME between MARCH 1st and APRIL frickin 15th! I am going crazy!!! It's almost the end of March and I haven't seen ANY applicants on this site with a decision for this program. In fact, I think one of the key committee members has been out of office for 1 week or so, with no "return date" in his automated email reply, so I don't know when he's expected back. I don't want to keep emailing admissions to annoy anyone, but this is ROUGH! At least with Brown University, they stuck to the date they gave (although it was just as long of a wait). At least they stuck to their date. Tisch, I don't know what's taking them so long... I mean... they have 1 month AND 15 days and I haven't seen ONE decision on the Results Search page... sigh... I'm also waiting on Boston U's MA Journalism which I was told would be out by next week.... but Tisch.... what is going on in that dept? Does anyone know? Thanks!

Hi all! I know I am just an applicant, but I wanted to share some online advice/things grad students can relate to that I found. https://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/the-50-things-only-grad-students-will-understand https://www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/the-12-grad-school-survival-tips I think it would be awesome if we could create a collection of online things for new grad students, or just grad students in general, here.

Hey everyone I recently got accepted to NC state and Virginia tech for a masters of science in aerospace engineering. I know that the department of aerospace engineering is rated much higher at VT than at NC State and I think I prefer who I would be working under at VT possibly more than at State, but I think I like the Raleigh area more as well as the campus and I will have to fight for funding at both places in the upcoming fall and I am in state for NC state. I also understand that I will only be at the school for two years and I am there to learn not be out and about all the time. Still I was wondering what everyone else's thoughts about the two schools were and if anyone could add some input to help me decide.

Hi. I am a senior in my undergraduate and will be starting graduate school in the fall. I have been accepted into the he grad program at my home school, the University of New Mexico, as well as the Universityof Colorado Boulder. I would like some opinions on the gtad program at Boulder, and at unm too. Thanks. Brianna

Hello Everyone! I don’t know if it’s too early to be thinking about grad school but I graduate next year and I want to pursue my masters (Psychology) I’m not sure yet if I want to pursue that or pursue a masters in LMHC. Anyways, I have a couple of questions regarding the whole process 1. Did you apply to in state or out of state grad schools? How many schools should I apply to? (So far I have three in mind) 2. Money. I don’t have any undergrad loans whatsoever but would loans be worth it now in graduate school? Did FAFSA or school offer you anything? (I’m 21 and I’m dependent so if I move to grad school I still have to file as a dependent) 3. If you went out of state or hours from home, how did you move? how was the process? (cross country drive, plane, etc) any support from parents? 4. When filing for FAFSA should I do ‘on campus’ or ‘off campus’ bc some places I want to apply to have limited availability for grad students. 5. How did you provide for yourself, paid living expenses and such? Any tips would be helpful too! Sorry for all the questions! I really want to pursue my masters after thinking my options, I really don’t want to take a year off. It’ll also be my first time going to grad school far from home if given the opportunity and I want my parents to understand.