CSU Northridge LORs

[KendallSLPA]

Hello all. Hopefully someone can answer my question. I was looking at the admission requirements on CSUNs website and it states that letters of recommendation should come from academic faculty. Unfortunately, for myself, I haven’t been in school since 2016 and even when I was in school I didn’t form any relationships with my teachers. So I don’t think I could get a recommendation from any of them. At least ones that would be good enough to get my into grad school. Plus my undergrad was an online degree.

My question is, has anyone here applied and not used academic faculty? I have all my experience through my job as a SLPA and was planning to use supervisors and such to give me recomendations. Do you think they would not look at my application if none of my recommendations aren’t from professors in the field? 

[ChaiTeaSLP]

Hi there,

I was recently admitted to cohort 20 and submitted 4 letters of intent. They ask for 3, but I felt 4 was appropriate because my GPA was not stellar (they specifically state 3.5 is competitive, mine was 3.45). Two of my came from supervisors (I too currently work as a SLPA), one from a Vice Principal and the other from the director of special education. I think if you did something similar, it would be fine.

Another idea could be to reach out to undergrad professors and thoroughly explain your situation. Attach a current resume and a link to the CSUN website. Remind them what you enjoyed about their class and your grade.

 

Good Luck!

[JennWilhelm]

I only had professional lors and I was accepted. I talked to the program contact, showed it in my resume, and worked the explainations into my statement. I am an SLPA as well, and couldn't attend full time grad school when I finished my bachelor's because of my family situation. My professors didn't recognise me after 6 years 

[draySLP1]

I was at a grad school open house recently and this question came up. Here was the response (of course it may vary by school, but this was their suggestion). They felt strongly at least one letter should be from a professor. They suggested reaching out to a professor, reintroduce yourself, and provide information about your grades, the class you took with them, anything you can point out to help them remember you. And ask them specifically to attest to your academic abilities, since you have supervisors that can speak more to your slp potential. That way you'd have two strong letters from supervisors and one from a professor that may not be as stellar but will give them information they're looking for, and they would then be able to consider your specific situation and not hold it against you. I would also recommend reaching out to the coordinator at that program and asking them what they recommend doing. 

Good luck!