What can I do to improve my chances of getting in? Is it even possible?

[SLPhopefullyy]

I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree with a 3.2 GPA and a 3.0 in my major. I realize that these are not good stats at all with how competitive grad school is. I’m going to be waiting at least a year before I try to apply to grad school and in that time I will be working as an SLPA. I also have experience working as an assistant teacher at a preschool, and some volunteer and intern hours. I was not close with my professors in my undergrad.. What else do you think will give me the best chance of getting in? What can I do to stand out? Re-taking classes would be ideal but difficult due to the fact that I already graduated and it is costly. I have yet to take the GRE so that might help. But If anyone has any tips for me and if it is even possible for me to get into grad school please let me know. I love this field and although staying as an SLPA might not be bad I know I will crave more. 

[Rezzy S.]

If you can be really flexible about the location that might help. For example, there are a lot of schools in less dense parts of the country that would probably be easier. I would definitely look at schools on edfind to see who has a GPA average closer to yours. If you can do really well on the GRE, get a great letter of rec from your supervising SLP once your a SLPA, and can give a good explanation for your GPA in your SOP, that might help too. Part of the challenge is a lot of schools have a cut off GPA as the first stage of the selection process, so it will be particularly important to find schools with lower average GPAs. I hope it works out for you!

Edited December 13, 2018 by Rezzy S.

[MH13]

Study study study the GRE.  For. Sure. I was told working as a SLPA helps, not sure how much because I’m on my 4th year and I just got accepted after my 4th round of applying with a 3.8 GPA, 155 V 150 Q 5 writing. I also only applied to 2 programs and they can basically have their pick of the litter. I would most definitely recommend looking for schools that take the last 60 hours of college credit, which means you can go to a community college and take some courses to boost your overall GPA, because for those programs they are looking for the overall GPA of those last 60, regardless what the courses are. Do well on GRE, make great friends with your SLP coworkers, if you’re at a school- special education director (one of my recommenders) and show your SLP who supervises you that you’ve got what it takes to become a SLP. Ask to observe assessments, etc. 

[bibliophile222]

Another thing you can do is to really ace the SOP. It's a great opportunity to highlight what makes you special and an asset to the program, showcase your writing abilities, and maybe explain the reason for your lower GPA, challenges you may have overcome, etc.

Start writing it early and have as many people look it over as you can. Make sure each one is customized for the program you are applying to. Proofread carefully!!! The SOP can make or break even a competitive applicant, and you can really use it to your benefit if you do it right.

[MH13]

3 hours ago, bibliophile222 said:

Another thing you can do is to really ace the SOP. It's a great opportunity to highlight what makes you special and an asset to the program, showcase your writing abilities, and maybe explain the reason for your lower GPA, challenges you may have overcome, etc.

Start writing it early and have as many people look it over as you can. Make sure each one is customized for the program you are applying to. Proofread carefully!!! The SOP can make or break even a competitive applicant, and you can really use it to your benefit if you do it right.

Exactly! I found out the hard way on how it can make or break you... . That was the bigger factor in one of my denials. I decided to reapply, carefully read the prompt and stick to it. I did that and had 3 people read my SOP letter and I am in the program this go around. I didn't change anything as far as my stats on GRE or GPA..my recommenders were pretty much the same or said the same thing. The only difference was the SOP letter.