How many schools did you apply to in the 2019 cycle?

[samiamslp]

9 hours ago, BioCook said:

I completely feel this! I applied to 9 schools that were spread across the U.S. anticipating that I would have a difficult time getting into schools... I wish I had cut down on schools I know I didn't want to attend... this is surely a lesson learned haha!

Same here! I was so nervous about not getting in to places and putting all of my eggs into one or two baskets that I ended up applying to way more than I needed. I applied to 9 and almost applied to 10. The irony is that I will most likely attend the program that was the first application I submitted. In which case, I wouldn't have needed to apply to 8 other schools afterwards and could have saved myself a whole lot of effort! Oh well. Who knew??

[Aspire_to_Be]

7 hours ago, zaralee said:

For those of you who applied to many schools and got into more than one... how did you pick which one? I wasn't expecting ng to get into any and now I'm stumped. 

And I applied to 4 even though I had a low cumulative gpa. I graduated from undergrad 8 years ago. I don't have the option of moving because we have a house and my husband has a job and I have three kids with friends and school where we are. So I looked into what schools near Chicago were within an hour commute time and applied to all of those. 

For the most part, I would say it depended on school stats although a lot of them were schools I took a “chance” with. Before discussing my grad school choices, I’ll list some of my stats to let people know it’s a holistic process that is throughly looked into.

3.6 undergraduate GPA, 3.9 post-Bach GPA, 490V/510Q/5.0AW on GRE

I’d say my weakness here were my GRE scores. A lot of the more prestigious schools such as BU, MGH, UT Austin, etc. accept students with higher average GRE scores (think 156V/154Q/4.5AW)

However one of my professors advised me to take a shot at these “reach schools” and put my best foot forward with my resume and statement of purpose. Lo and behold, I’ve been receiving good news from schools, some have waitlisted me and thus far, only 1 rejection. At any rate, I applied to a total of 14 schools, which I now believe was a little too much but I was a little scared of not getting in anywhere.

I would say having strong writing and organization abilities (statement) significantly affects how graduate committees view oh as an applicant. In addition, my professors got to know me very well so I believe my letters were strong as well. All in all, these seriously helped balance the GRE scores I got!

[slpsalaz]

17 hours ago, zaralee said:

For those of you who applied to many schools and got into more than one... how did you pick which one? I wasn't expecting ng to get into any and now I'm stumped. 

And I applied to 4 even though I had a low cumulative gpa. I graduated from undergrad 8 years ago. I don't have the option of moving because we have a house and my husband has a job and I have three kids with friends and school where we are. So I looked into what schools near Chicago were within an hour commute time and applied to all of those. 

I decided on a part-time program with in-state tuition as opposed to a private school over 2x the cost (even with a fellowship offer). I am a career changer with some debt from undergrad,  and I didn't want to add to it. Both schools are highly ranked and have specialists in my areas of interest (voice and dysphagia). My husband and I also want to start a family, and a part-time program will give us more of that option without feeling rushed or crushed by debt. I chose the program that I could fit into my life. My aunt who hires SLPs told me that she never looks at where an applicant goes to school, only if they have their CCCs. With that information, I felt best choosing the more affordable option that fits best with my life and finances.  You will make the right choice, good luck!

[Speechiebeee]

I applied to 10, wish that I had applied to less because so far I've been accepted to 9 and just waiting to hear back from one more. I honestly have no idea what to do now. But I guess that's a good problem to have. 

[CiaraMeow]

I applied to 2 because they were the only ones I really wanted to go to. My family paid my application fees so that was not a factor, though I doubt they would have paid for more than 5 schools. Immediately after the applications closed, I regretted not applying to more schools and increasing my chances of an acceptance, but luckily, it worked out. 

Edited March 11, 2019 by CiaraMeow
a word

[mckennahslp]

On 3/10/2019 at 1:24 AM, Jenisha G. said:

Since I was worried about a lower gpa and writing score on the GRE, I applied to 12. Honestly, I wish I'd stopped at 6 or so... it was SO EXPENSIVE. And two of my schools had free applications! But it eased my fears to know I was casting a wide net.

Do you mind sharing your GPA and GRE scores? I have a 3.4 and haven't taken the GRE yet. I always imagine I'll feel the need to apply to this many when I do in the fall. Thank you!

[KelsHud]

I was going to apply to 11 but didn't like the two schools I dropped. So I only applied to 9!

[aaaslp]

I applied to 8 and have been accepted to 6. I almost applied to 10 but I thankfully narrowed it down.

 

ADVICE TO FUTURE APPLICANTS- While better safe than sorry, have some faith in yourself. I was concerned about not getting in anywhere, due to horror stories about qualified applicants having to apply multiple times. If your stats are in the range of the school you’re applying for, you  work hard on your personal statement (I probably spent an hour a day for three months on mine and had several people edit it), and you have relevant experience, you’ll be okay! I could have saved a lot of money by applying to fewer programs.

[VS-SLP2B]

I applied to 11. Two of which had incomplete applications because my transcripts weren’t received until after the deadline. I applied to this many due to a lower GPA and GRE score. Cumulative: 3.1 Major: 3.3. GRE V: 151 Q: 141 AW: 4.0. 

I was denied to 4 of the programs not factoring the ones that were invalid. They were my “reach” schools but on the other hand I was accepted at one and waitlisted at another which I wasn’t expecting at all. And unfortunately still waiting to hear from 3 schools. Definitely a lot of money spent but for me it was well worth it. 

The Edfind site is a lifesaver and when deciding where to apply it will be your best friend. There’s obviously no right or wrong answer for how many schools to apply to. Just remain confident in the schools you choose to apply to and remain positive!

[Gkj _ Speech]

22 hours ago, mckennahslp said:

Do you mind sharing your GPA and GRE scores? I have a 3.4 and haven't taken the GRE yet. I always imagine I'll feel the need to apply to this many when I do in the fall. Thank you!

Sure! My cumulative gpa was 3.19. My major gpa was around 3.7.

For the GRE, my scores were 157 V, 148 Q, 3.5 W. I took the test twice. The second time, my verbal and quant scores went up a couple points, but the writing score went DOWN ?.... so I decided to skip taking it a third time. Timed writing has always been a struggle for me.  

I think what really helped me was asking supervisors for rec letters. I've been working full-time in an ABA classroom for three years (and did a couple summer school sessions during undergrad). For the summer, if you don't already have a good resume-building job, consider working in a sped classroom if your local district offers an Extended School Year. You get to meet SLPs, observe some therapy, and build some connections in related fields.

[2ls]

On 3/8/2019 at 1:39 PM, A-1 said:

My professors tell us to apply to how many based upon our GPA. Here is the chart that I have been given when trying to decide how many to apply to.

10-12 schools for 3.1-3.4 GPA

6-9 schools for 3.5-3.75 GPA

4-6 schools for 3.7-3.8 GPA

3-4 schools for 3.9 and up

My GPA is a 3.70 cumulative so I applied to 8 schools. So far, I have gotten into 4 schools. I have been placed on the waitlist for two of them. And, still waiting to hear back from the other two. In my opinion, do your research and apply to ones that fit in your criteria. I spent around $900 to apply to my 8 schools. 

Thanks for sharing this. I am a career changer with roots firmly planted due to children/aging parent and a spouse with a fantastic career. I am limited to the local University (which is excellent and my first choice) and the online options that don’t require pre-reqs prior to application. I have a 3.69 and change and can only find 3 online programs that seems to fit that bring me to 4 (Emerson, NYU and Baylor). If anyone has any additional suggestions for online programs that allow pre-reqs post application I would love to hear them. My background is in education. Edited to add I have taken two Graduated courses in the past in education and received A’s.

Edited April 6, 2019 by 2ls

[KendallSLPA]

I took a risk and only applied to 3 this time around. This was my second time applying and I got into 2 out of the 3 schools and the 3rd school offered me an interview but I declined because I had already accepted an offer. 

Edited April 7, 2019 by KendallSLPA

[TW143]

I applied to 8 and spent close to $1000 on applications, sending GRE scores, and transcripts. a lot of schools make you apply to the graduate school and not just through CDSCAS so that adds up. in hindsight I would have only applied to about 5. It's stressful to coordinate that many LORs, sending transcripts, and GRE scores because every school wants things sent in different places. not to mention interviewing at multiple schools can take its toll. 

Edited April 8, 2019 by TW143
update

[mckennahslp]

On 4/7/2019 at 2:01 PM, KendallSLPA said:

I took a risk and only applied to 3 this time around. This was my second time applying and I got into 2 out of the 3 schools and the 3rd school offered me an interview but I declined because I had already accepted an offer. 

Would you mind sharing your stats? What do you think made you stand out this time around or what was your experience the first time around? Thank you!

[KendallSLPA]

On 4/9/2019 at 11:07 AM, mckennahslp said:

Would you mind sharing your stats? What do you think made you stand out this time around or what was your experience the first time around? Thank you!

Of course! My GREs were not that great honestly. I got a 147 V 141 Q and a 3.5 on writing. So I think a lot of people shouldn’t be worried to much on the GREs becuase that wasn’t the only factor they looked at.  I think what made me stand out this time around was my experience. I worked as an SLPA for a year before I applied again. I do think my letter of intent and my references also helped. I changed up my statement referenced professors from each program and how my interests and experiences related to theirs and how I could learn from them. 

My first year applying I was rejected from every program so I honestly think working as a SLPA helped a lot. 

[KendallSLPA]

Also I think mentioning professors in your letter of intent and relating their research to my experience and interests helped also because it really makes you stand out and shows that you really want to go to that school. 

Edited April 11, 2019 by KendallSLPA

[beemissi]

I only applied to two. I'm a nontraditional student, a parent, and a military spouse. Moving to another city is not an option. I applied to an instate online program and a local private university. I was accepted to the online program (my first choice) and accepted my spot there. I was asked to interview for the second place, but I declined since I already accepted my seat. 

[bibliophile222]

3 hours ago, KendallSLPA said:

Also I think mentioning professors in your letter of intent and relating their research to my experience and interests helped also because it really makes you stand out and shows that you really want to go to that school. 

I think this may have made a major difference in my decisions at different schools. For two of the three schools I was rejected at, they didn't specify anywhere in their writing prompt to write about why I wanted to go there specifically, so I foolishly neglected to do so and just submitted my generic SOP. In contrast, the school I ultimately ended up attending had that as part of the prompt, so fortunately I was covered! In hindsight it was really foolish of me to neglect this, but fortunately it all worked out okay.

[Rezzy S.]

6 minutes ago, bibliophile222 said:

I think this may have made a major difference in my decisions at different schools. For two of the three schools I was rejected at, they didn't specify anywhere in their writing prompt to write about why I wanted to go there specifically, so I foolishly neglected to do so and just submitted my generic SOP. In contrast, the school I ultimately ended up attending had that as part of the prompt, so fortunately I was covered! In hindsight it was really foolish of me to neglect this, but fortunately it all worked out okay.

Totally agree. For my reach school I actually looked up a few professor’s journal articles so I could give a more detailed sentence or two of why I’d be interested in working with them (and I got in ).

[TeamNoSleep]

I applied to 8 schools. Got accepted to 6, waitlisted at one (which was my safety school) and rejected from one. 

[LaceySpeechie]

I applied to six schools, got accepted into four, waitlisted at one, and haven't heard ANYTHING from the other. I don't have a ton of regrets but I think if I were doing it over, I wouldn't have applied to NC-Chapel Hill (where I was waitlisted) just because their program isn't even my top, and it was RIDICULOUSLY expensive to apply - at least twice as much as other schools, if not more. ?

[mckennahslp]

On 3/7/2019 at 11:47 PM, SpeechNOLA said:

For me there was only one school I even considered going to due to financial and personal reasons. I felt that focusing on one application really allowed me to be the best candidate possible for that program. And I was accepted!

Hi! Can you share a little on how you focused on one app? I'm also only applying to one.