Speech Pathology Programs in Miami, Florida

[agal1986]

Hi I am new to this site and just trying to find some people who are in the same predicament as me and can possibly offer some advice...

Here is my situation (I will try to make it brief). I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology, my GPA was not outstanding a 3.1. I decided I wanted to pursue a Master's degree in Speech Pathology/Communication Sciences & Disorders. I applied to Florida International University for Fall 2010 but was denied! I spoke with an advisor who said the applicants this year were very competitive, with around a 3.6 GPA. She also said I needed to improve my letter of intent (which I will certainly do next time). She said my undergrad GPA was the minimum, but there is obviosuly nothing I can do about that now. I also took some Speech courses as prerequisites to the program and received a 4.0, which helped. So..... my problem now is if I choose another school then I will have to complete another semester or two of prerequisites to apply to a different program, which is a lot more time and money. I plan on reapplying to FIU, but was also looking into Florida Atlantic University or Nova Southeastern.

Anyone applied to these schools and if so what was your GPA, GRE scores or other application stats like?

Anyone have their B.A. in certain field then decide on another field for their M.A.? What was your experience like?

Have any advice if I have a low GPA, how I can make my application more appealing?

Thank you!

[shannonm2461]

Hi I am new to this site and just trying to find some people who are in the same predicament as me and can possibly offer some advice...

Here is my situation (I will try to make it brief). I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology, my GPA was not outstanding a 3.1. I decided I wanted to pursue a Master's degree in Speech Pathology/Communication Sciences & Disorders. I applied to Florida International University for Fall 2010 but was denied! I spoke with an advisor who said the applicants this year were very competitive, with around a 3.6 GPA. She also said I needed to improve my letter of intent (which I will certainly do next time). She said my undergrad GPA was the minimum, but there is obviosuly nothing I can do about that now. I also took some Speech courses as prerequisites to the program and received a 4.0, which helped. So..... my problem now is if I choose another school then I will have to complete another semester or two of prerequisites to apply to a different program, which is a lot more time and money. I plan on reapplying to FIU, but was also looking into Florida Atlantic University or Nova Southeastern.

Anyone applied to these schools and if so what was your GPA, GRE scores or other application stats like?

Anyone have their B.A. in certain field then decide on another field for their M.A.? What was your experience like?

Have any advice if I have a low GPA, how I can make my application more appealing?

Thank you!

FIU's Speech program has a strong bilingual track. I would maybe try to take some college level Spanish classes. This would show that you have a strong interest in working in the Miami area.

I understand your frustration though. I also applied to FIU. I didn't get in either.

I had a 3.5 GPA, CSD undergraduate degree, 12 hours of college level Spanish, and I've worked in another country teaching ENGLISH! I really don't know what else that school is looking for. Good luck though. I knew a girl who got in and she had a 3.79 GPA. Not really anything special other than that. She said her friend had a higher GPA and didn't get in. There is obviously no method to their madness.

Good luck!

[steph817]

Does anyone know any information about any other schools in Florida? I am applying to FAU. I am a Psychology major and a CSD minor (I didn't have time to switch majors). 3.87 overall GPA, 3.91 Speech GPA. I have undergraduate research experience at the American Institute for Stuttering and am an undergraduate research assistant. However, my GRE scores are very low (in addition to having a mental block, the day was just awful).

I would like to apply to more schools in FL. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Vazem]

On 4/6/2010 at 6:06 AM, agal1986 said:

Hi I am new to this site and just trying to find some people who are in the same predicament as me and can possibly offer some advice...

 

Here is my situation (I will try to make it brief). I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology, my GPA was not outstanding a 3.1. I decided I wanted to pursue a Master's degree in Speech Pathology/Communication Sciences & Disorders. I applied to Florida International University for Fall 2010 but was denied! I spoke with an advisor who said the applicants this year were very competitive, with around a 3.6 GPA. She also said I needed to improve my letter of intent (which I will certainly do next time). She said my undergrad GPA was the minimum, but there is obviosuly nothing I can do about that now. I also took some Speech courses as prerequisites to the program and received a 4.0, which helped. So..... my problem now is if I choose another school then I will have to complete another semester or two of prerequisites to apply to a different program, which is a lot more time and money. I plan on reapplying to FIU, but was also looking into Florida Atlantic University or Nova Southeastern.

 

Anyone applied to these schools and if so what was your GPA, GRE scores or other application stats like?

Anyone have their B.A. in certain field then decide on another field for their M.A.? What was your experience like?

Have any advice if I have a low GPA, how I can make my application more appealing?

 

Thank you!

I am curious about what decision you took?

I applied to this program 3 years in a row (2010-13) and was denied each time. I was in a similar situation as yours. I had many years of SLPA experience and excellent letters of recommendations. My profile was exactly what the program required. I did an excellent job in all the prerequisite courses and even completed an additional minor in linguistics. They did not value this in my candidacy. Nor did they value my feedback when I appealed their decision. I was told to REDO my BACHELORS if I wanted a chance! I was also told that even if I had a masters degree in another related field it would not help my application because it is so competitive. I ask myself why? How could they value the GPA over all other things that make a great SLP?! Grades do not define you!

Do NOT waste your time with them. During my time as a SLPA I have heard that some graduates who come out of the program are unprepared in comparison to graduates from other schools. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. The time will pass anyways. 

I ended up taking on a 3 year Masters in Education from a school in the UK. I work in an international school and have a specialist title from the British Dyslexia Association. I am living abroad and I make a decent salary, but I am not in debt from graduate loans that I would have accumulated from FIU. I do not know if this is the answer for everyone - I am just sharing my experience. I hope this helps.

Reevaluate your career path. FIU is not the "END ALL BE ALL" decision maker of your future! There are so many up and coming professions related to SLP. Keep an open mind. Good luck!