2023 Canada Admissions SLP thread

[nslp2be]

Does anyone have stats on Dalhousie? How many apply and how many accepted?  Also wondering what their average accepted GPA is.. 

Last day for ORPAS! Good luck to everyone! 

[Jen SLP]

6 hours ago, nslp2be said:

Does anyone have stats on Dalhousie? How many apply and how many accepted?  Also wondering what their average accepted GPA is.. 

Last day for ORPAS! Good luck to everyone! 

Hi, I am also applying to Dal!! I believe they accept around ~30 students but I don't know how many apply. I think it might be less than other schools because it is three years versus two years. The following is what their website states 

"In recent years, the average GPA for our incoming class has been about 4.0 and all successful applicants have had GPAs above 3.7. Many students whose GPA is not in the competitive range choose to take additional courses to try and improve their grades before they submit an application." 

Fingers crossed for both of us if you're applying!! 

[MajorTom10]

My application for U of A is officially finished! All references are in, CASPER is in, updated transcripts are in. Basically everything in my control is done. 
 

and now months of waiting. Gonna need to figure out a hobby to keep my brain occupied ? 

[MajorTom10]

21 hours ago, Jen SLP said:

Hi, I am also applying to Dal!! I believe they accept around ~30 students but I don't know how many apply. I think it might be less than other schools because it is three years versus two years. The following is what their website states 

"In recent years, the average GPA for our incoming class has been about 4.0 and all successful applicants have had GPAs above 3.7. Many students whose GPA is not in the competitive range choose to take additional courses to try and improve their grades before they submit an application." 

Fingers crossed for both of us if you're applying!! 

This seems insane to me wow! A cohort of all 4.0 is mind blowing. Also why is Dal 3 years? Is it cause they don’t require pre reqs? 

[nslp2be]

21 hours ago, Jen SLP said:

Hi, I am also applying to Dal!! I believe they accept around ~30 students but I don't know how many apply. I think it might be less than other schools because it is three years versus two years. The following is what their website states 

"In recent years, the average GPA for our incoming class has been about 4.0 and all successful applicants have had GPAs above 3.7. Many students whose GPA is not in the competitive range choose to take additional courses to try and improve their grades before they submit an application." 

Fingers crossed for both of us if you're applying!! 

Wow that's a crazy average! Smaller group than I expected too. I assumed it may be less competitive since it's 3 years. I am applying too! Good luck!!  

[Jen SLP]

2 hours ago, MajorTom10 said:

This seems insane to me wow! A cohort of all 4.0 is mind blowing. Also why is Dal 3 years? Is it cause they don’t require pre reqs? 

Dalhousie goes by the 4.3 system also and yes insanely good marks!! I believe thats correct, it's the only SLP program in Canada where you don't need prerequisites I think. It's my number one even though it's a year longer!

[Jen SLP]

2 hours ago, nslp2be said:

Wow that's a crazy average! Smaller group than I expected too. I assumed it may be less competitive since it's 3 years. I am applying too! Good luck!!  

Yes! I think I read it one a previous years thread but dal may have one of the smallest class sizes, but I think Western or McMaster only take about 32 students so they're similar. Good luck to you too!! I'm happy that applications are almost done but it will be stressful for the next few months. 

[egall]

On 1/5/2023 at 5:39 PM, Lucky11 said:

Hi Everyone, first time applicant here! Although I’ve been following these forums for the last couple of years. I agree with other people there does seem to be less activity this year as compared to previous cycles. Just working on the finishing touches on my application. 
 

For those who might not be applying this cycle but plan to in the future. I’ve never seen cost be discussed on these forums but the fees really add up. I’m applying to 3 Ontario schools; UofT, Western and McMaster. I’ll be paying $510 in application fees. So just a heads up if you are reading these forums and plan to apply to SLP programs. 

Same for me - ORPAS itself is $190 which is just crazy to me. Plus, the Casper ends up being around $60 ☹️

[SLPplease1]

For my sGPA, my20th course is a full course, which takes me to 21 courses. Not sure how orpas deals with that. I sent a message through sam but was just told “to wait until we process you.”   
 

If I take the 12 course lengths that I have from year 3 and 4 plus an average of the next 8 courses to get me to 20 course lengths, it’s actually an average of the next 9 courses, as that last 8th course is a full course, it messes it up. Anyone got any ideas? Thx. 

[MarySLP]

Hello everyone,

 

I have applied to Dalhousie University. Unfortunately, two of my references have not received the link to the reference letter yet. One is professional and one Academic. I don't know why the admission team is not responding to their phone today (only a few days before the deadline)!!!. I am stressed out. There is also a PDF letter on their website. Can my references just fill out the PDF letter and send it to them directly.???

[MarySLP]

On 1/6/2023 at 4:54 PM, Jen SLP said:

Hi, I am also applying to Dal!! I believe they accept around ~30 students but I don't know how many apply. I think it might be less than other schools because it is three years versus two years. The following is what their website states 

"In recent years, the average GPA for our incoming class has been about 4.0 and all successful applicants have had GPAs above 3.7. Many students whose GPA is not in the competitive range choose to take additional courses to try and improve their grades before they submit an application." 

Fingers crossed for both of us if you're applying!! 

Do you mean sub GPA above 3.7?

[SLPQuestions2023]

Hi everyone! I’m applying to McGill and I’m wondering how others completed the GPA information section of the application - once I input my cumulative average, do I convert that number to the 4.0 scale or is the the same process as ORPAS where I convert each course grade to the 4.0 scale and then average those. I tried watching their video and it seems like it’s the first option but I just want to make sure. I’m also wondering if I have to complete the English language proficiency section to describe how I acquired and use English if I’ve completed all my schooling in Canada? Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone applying!

[sunnyslp000]

On 1/6/2023 at 9:19 AM, nslp2be said:

Does anyone have stats on Dalhousie? How many apply and how many accepted?  Also wondering what their average accepted GPA is.. 

Last day for ORPAS! Good luck to everyone! 

 I heard that last year they got 1000 applicants. Whether this is true or not I am not sure!

[nslp2be]

1 hour ago, sunnyslp000 said:

 I heard that last year they got 1000 applicants. Whether this is true or not I am not sure!

I'm stressed about UofA's GPA calculation. The last 60 credits/20 half courses, but not including winter 2020 grades... I think I misinterpreted this, they must mean like December 2020-April 2020. I was thinking winter of the 2020-2021 year so winter 2021 but I guess I was wrong. My grades really werent affected winter 2020 since courses were pretty much over when covid hit.

Does that mean they are dipping into first year marks to add up to 60 credits? I took courses during spring 2020 and those were my worst marks because that was like the height of quarantine  

Edited January 9, 2023 by nslp2be

[MajorTom10]

4 minutes ago, nslp2be said:

I'm stressed about UofA's GPA calculation. The last 60 credits/20 half courses, but not including winter 2020 grades... I think I misinterpreted this, they must mean like December 2020-April 2020. I was thinking winter of the 2020-2021 year so winter 2021 but I guess I was wrong. My grades really werent affected winter 2020 since courses were pretty much over when covid hit.

Does that mean they are dipping into first year marks to add up to 60 credits? I took courses during spring 2020 and those were my worst marks because that was like the height of quarantine  

I had the same question, they mean March 2020-May 2020! They call their "Spring" term "winter", so they mean the start of the year. They have three sessions, Fall, Winter and Spring.

So they're taking your grades from whatever the semester is January 2020-May 2020 if they count in your last 60, but wont count them against your GPA

[NikolaSLP]

2 minutes ago, nslp2be said:

I'm stressed about UofA's GPA calculation. The last 20 credits, but not including winter 2020 grades... I think I misinterpreted this, they must mean like December 2020-April 2020. I was thinking winter of the 2020-2021 year so winter 2021 but I guess I was wrong. My grades really werent affected winter 2020 since courses were pretty much over when covid hit. So that means they're dipping into first year marks..? I took courses during spring 2020 and those were my worst marks because that was like the height of quarantine  

I wouldn't stress over your GPA! the UofA is only using it as a base requirement, so once you meet the 3.3 GPA they aren't considering it any further. People who had 3.3 or 3.4 GPAs got into the UofA last year! I know its hard but try not to stress about it!

[nslp2be]

10 minutes ago, NikolaSLP said:

I wouldn't stress over your GPA! the UofA is only using it as a base requirement, so once you meet the 3.3 GPA they aren't considering it any further. People who had 3.3 or 3.4 GPAs got into the UofA last year! I know its hard but try not to stress about it!

Wow okay that's good news, thank you so much!! It's my top choice ?

[Jen SLP]

8 hours ago, MarySLP said:

Hello everyone,

 

I have applied to Dalhousie University. Unfortunately, two of my references have not received the link to the reference letter yet. One is professional and one Academic. I don't know why the admission team is not responding to their phone today (only a few days before the deadline)!!!. I am stressed out. There is also a PDF letter on their website. Can my references just fill out the PDF letter and send it to them directly.???

Hi, 

I recently passed in my application to Dalhousie and reached out to my references. So far one has gotten the form so fingers crossed for both of us! I would email again, even call to admissions office. 

Im not too sure about the PDF but maybe send it to them  and get them to fill it out incase they don't receive the emails?

Good luck!!!

[somethingcleveraboutspeech]

On 1/5/2023 at 10:41 PM, Lucky11 said:

If you don't mind me asking what were your volunteer hours like? My volunteer experience is probably the weakest part of my application due to the pandemic and how hard its been to find volunteer positions. I'm sure many of us can relate. I know that technically it's been waived but I think it still plays a role into the strength of my SOI. I do have some volunteer experience, however, its all with adults and seniors with Aphasia, Dysphasia and Apraxia. Based on previous years I've read that the programs really look for variety and diversity across age groups and disorders in volunteer experiences. Anyone else on the same boat? 

Hey - I thought I answered this, but it looks like I didn't. I have about 150 volunteer hours with two different ages but similar populations (adults with aphasia, children with developmental disorders). I was told by the student coordinator at U of T (Robin) that whether or not they even look at the volunteer section of your application depends on the specific person reviewing your application. They really aren't taking it into consideration for the most part. Last year, I put all my work experience into the volunteer section (and wrote in the description that it was paid), but this year I didn't bother. They are really looking at the combination of grades, references, and a kickass statement of intent.

Good luck!

[Jen SLP]

8 hours ago, MarySLP said:

Do you mean sub GPA above 3.7?

Yes they use the same system of calculating the last 60 credits!

"A minimum GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.3 scale) is required by Dalhousie's Faculty of Graduate Studies. The GPA used in the admission process is calculated using the most recent 60 credit-hours (equivalent to 20 half credit courses) of undergraduate studies for which grades are available at the time of application."

https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/scsd/scsd-admissions-info/scsd-admission-requirements.html

[Jen SLP]

5 hours ago, sunnyslp000 said:

 I heard that last year they got 1000 applicants. Whether this is true or not I am not sure!

1000 applicants ? if that's true that's almost double what other schools receive!

[Yasmine99]

Hi Everyone! 

I just am hoping to get some advice! Basically, I was planning to apply to UofA as I've heard really good things about their program, and alot of the SLPs I've talked to have gotten in and recently graduated from there, the only thing is, is they require an extra stats course. I hate stats, and I really don't want to take another stats course. I can still apply to UofT, western, McMaster and Dal, but I feel like the only place that seemed reachable to get accepted into was UofA. Any advice or thoughts? 

Thank you!!! 

[NikolaSLP]

2 hours ago, Yasmine99 said:

Hi Everyone! 

I just am hoping to get some advice! Basically, I was planning to apply to UofA as I've heard really good things about their program, and alot of the SLPs I've talked to have gotten in and recently graduated from there, the only thing is, is they require an extra stats course. I hate stats, and I really don't want to take another stats course. I can still apply to UofT, western, McMaster and Dal, but I feel like the only place that seemed reachable to get accepted into was UofA. Any advice or thoughts? 

Thank you!!! 

I wouldn't say the UofA is the easier school to get into necessarily. I think it depends on what each school values and if your application lines up with those values. 

For example the UofT values research and a high GPA more heavily, so if you have those things you might have a better chance of getting in. 

Western values experience and volunteer hours more highly than just having a great GPA.  

McMaster is initially entirely based on GPA, so it has to be high to make the short list of 125 candidates that will then go on to the MMIs, then you have to stand out in the MMIs. 

The UofA on the other hand wants a more holistic application, meaning you need to have good GPA, experience, good SOI, good pre-req marks, good references etc. While you may be able to get into the UofA with a lower GPA than what the other schools might accept you still need to shine in the other parts of your application.  

My advice would be to pick out the schools that align with the strengths of your applications, and of course the schools you want to go. Then apply to them. Honestly, it is up to you whether doing the stats course is worth it or not, but the UofA is by no means the easier school to get into. Hopefully this does not come across harshly, I believed the same thing when I applied last year, and I wish someone had told me otherwise! And keep in mind plenty of people have gotten into schools they didn't believe they stood a chance of getting into. At the end of the day it doesn't hurt to send in an application and see what happens (except maybe your bank account haha). Best of Luck!

[Yasmine99]

Thank you! I found the advice very helpful, not harsh at all!! I will def take that into consideration

[15itspossibleslp]

Anyone experiencing a long wait for processing checkout from U of A applications on the FGSR portal? It only says "Processing checkout please wait.. " for at least 10 minutes now for me.