Advice on chances in Speech Pathology programs

[Abeja]

Hello everyone,

I'd really appreciate any input on whether I make a good candidate for top 10 programs.

-I have my undergraduate degree in Special Education from UT Austin, with a GPA of 3.57 (overall), 3.7 (in my major).

-My GRE was 1380, an even 690/690 split. 4.0 in writing.

-Letters of rec are strong and include two SLP's.

-Specific and less common interest- I want to work with students who have dual sensory impairments.

-2 yrs of related experience teaching at the School for the Blind

-10 yrs of work relating to children with disabilities

-Diverse and ongoing volunteer experience and community activity, although most on a topical level (did not lead any projects, etc)

My absolute dream is Vanderbilt but I'm afraid I'm too all around unremarkable. Would they even consider a 3.57 and a 4.0 on my GRE writing? I've also applied to MGH, Emerson, Columbia TC, Boston University, University of Tennessee Memphis and University of Pittsburgh.

Any thoughts on how to improve my candidacy would be so appreciated!

[mscongeniality1]

I think you've got a shot. Your GRE scores are fantastic (even the 4.0 writing--I've been told that isn't the most relevant for SLP master's programs) but the GPA is a tad low. Your experience seems really great. Some schools do require/appreciate candidates who have taken some of the speech prereqs before entering their master's program. I think schools run the gamut from "We'll take any fabulous candidates regardless of their background" to "You're STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to have taken most or all of the prereq coursework". I'm not sure where Vanderbilt falls on the spectrum. So my advice would be to look into some prereqs if you haven't already.

Good luck! I also applied to Vanderbilt (and your undergrad school, UT Austin).

Hello everyone,

I'd really appreciate any input on whether I make a good candidate for top 10 programs.

-I have my undergraduate degree in Special Education from UT Austin, with a GPA of 3.57 (overall), 3.7 (in my major).

-My GRE was 1380, an even 690/690 split. 4.0 in writing.

-Letters of rec are strong and include two SLP's.

-Specific and less common interest- I want to work with students who have dual sensory impairments.

-2 yrs of related experience teaching at the School for the Blind

-10 yrs of work relating to children with disabilities

-Diverse and ongoing volunteer experience and community activity, although most on a topical level (did not lead any projects, etc)

My absolute dream is Vanderbilt but I'm afraid I'm too all around unremarkable. Would they even consider a 3.57 and a 4.0 on my GRE writing? I've also applied to MGH, Emerson, Columbia TC, Boston University, University of Tennessee Memphis and University of Pittsburgh.

Any thoughts on how to improve my candidacy would be so appreciated!

[psycholinguist]

I agree: that's an impressive amount of work-experience, and you have a very clearly-defined idea of what it is you want to do. I'd say just go for it and see what happens!

[res2135]

For what it's worth, I applied last year with a 3.5-something from Barnard and got into Vanderbilt off the waitlist, so it can be done!