Advice for someone taking a non traditional route to an SLP career

[msalguero92]

Hi there, 

I'm looking for advice as a non-traditional applicant.  I have really been wanting to go back to school for my masters in SLP. I received my first bachelors in 2015 in the field of communication. I currently work as a business analyst in IT full time. Early this year I began taking some pre-requisite coursework in communicative science/disorders. My goal was to apply this year for a fall 19. However, I really didn't feel like I had a strong application. I did not do well in undergrad....I finished with a 2.89 I believe and Gre scores not impressive 140/152. So I wanted to take this year to really improve my chances. I can't go back and fix my GPA the courses I bombed were completely unrelated and I was told if they weren't relevant to what I want to now I shouldn't re-take them. What I have done is ensure that I do well in whatever courses I am taking now....my GPA is probably about a 3.7-3.8 with the classes I am taking through Utah State University. The two areas where I really need help is gaining experience and my letter of recommendations. Although not mandatory I would really like to get some volunteer or observation hours. However no one has gotten back to me, does anyone have any advice for being able to get a volunteering opportunity. I was thinking of asking one of my old professors to write me one, getting one from any volunteering opportunity, and I'm planning on taking one or two CSD classes at any college near me with the goal of getting a LOR. The classes I am currently taking are online and pre-recorded. We don't have any contact with the professor so I didn't want to ask for a LOR for any of the online classes I've taken. I've been feeling kind of discouraged lately so I'm looking for any advice from anyone who's taken a non-traditional route into this field. 

 

-Michelle 

 

Edited October 3, 2018 by msalguero92

[dSLP]

I am also a non-traditional student who is graduating this December with undergrad CSD. My gpa is a little lower than yours but should go up a little after this semester. My low GPA is due to all of the bad grades I received years ago when I was younger, they are bringing my gpa down. My GRE is similar to yours, I did great in verbal and a 4.0 in writing, I have heard mixed feedback but I decided to retake it because I do not want to take a chance with having a low quant score... What I have done is tried to follow as much as possible the advice from professors/advisor. I have attended conferences, done volunteering, did a study abroad semester this past summer, saw my professors during their office hours for extra help, etc. I also went to my school's writing center and career development center to get help with my resume and letter of intent. They will give you ideas what you can do to add to your resume.

What I would do if I were you is to email your CSD professors for your online classes with questions, ask if you could come in during their office hours so that they get to know you and can write you a LOR. You need at least 2 from CSD professors for most schools. 

[bibliophile222]

14 hours ago, dSLP said:

You need at least 2 from CSD professors for most schools. 

Great advice! I have to disagree slightly, though. LORs do not have to be from CSD professors, just professors in general. I got my undergrad in Linguistics (online) and got LORs from three Linguistics professors.

[AngelSpeechie]

I am also a non traditional/out of fielder! I applied this year to a transitional program for SLP and was accepted. My GRE scores were very close to yours, my undergrad was in Business Admin with a 3.8 GPA. Keep up with your current classes and maintain that GPA you’ve got, it will help.

I was fortunate enough to find a mentor (while observing) in the field who was happy to send me information on conferences I could attend or contact for observing. I actually had very few hours of observation on my application but  attended many conferences and support groups. For my LOR’s I had 2 from work (boss and bosses boss) and 1 from my mentor. It had been so long since I graduated I didn’t think it was a good idea to ask an old professor to write one for me.

Every SLP I’ve met has been beyond willing to give advice, when you go to your observations talk with the SLP’s there, ask for ideas or other places to shadow, show them your passion and tell them you are having difficulty with gaining experience. You WILL find someone willing to go the extra mile for you. Try to observe at hospitals, therapy centers and schools to get a variety on your application. Check with local support groups for TBI, laryngectomee or autism to see if they’ll let you observe sessions as a student. 

I sometimes worry that being an out of fielder and different than whats “typical” for an SLP grad (i.e. older) will mean I’ll fail, but your genuine interest and passion will help push you in the direction you are meant to take!

[dSLP]

Thank you! I am not sure the schools she is applying to but I am in PA,  I was referring to the schools that I am applying to around here, which are requesting 2 LOR from CSD faculty and 1 that can come from other professors, personal or work references. 

[bibliophile222]

Really? That's kinda frustrating for all the out-of-fielders out there. None of the schools I applied to said the LORs had to be from CSD, which is great because I had just started my post bacc when applying, and my undergrad didn't have a CSD program. I wonder how strict they are with that rule, since it is pretty limiting. I know sometimes people have been out of school for years and have trouble getting any LORs from professors. Just another hoop for people to jump through...

[Jordyn_M463]

I am in Western Pennsylvania. I applied to Clarion, IUP, Edinboro, Penn State, Cal U (all PA schools). I applied without any CSD professors as LORs (not from lack of trying) and was still accepted. My suggestion: if you can't get CSD professors, apply anyway. I honestly think it is a "strong suggestion". For out of field applicants especially, don't let it deter you from applying. Apply anyway.