SLP: Apply right away or take prereqs?

[Begemot]

Hey all,

I'm in my senior year as a Linguistics major and would like to get into an SLP program after I graduate. My question is this:do programs that accept non-CSD students and put them on 3-year tracks still make offers for financial aid (tuition reduction, scholarship, etc.). They way I see it, I could apply to programs this fall (and take the GRE!) and then wait and see what happens as far as aid goes. I can also squeeze in a CSD course or two over my senior year. If I don't get any substantial offers (by that I mean it would cost less to move and start a program than stay where I am), I could continue to take prereqs and try to apply next year. What do you all think? I know it "depends on the applicant," but let's just assume a strong GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and GRE.

If you have any questions for me, please fire away!

[trevortiger]

I'd sign up for the GRE pretty quickly, I think the new one is going to take a little longer to score, check the deadlines. I would also get some shadowing and volunteering in, if you haven't done so already. Even those who are getting into the 3-year tracks seem to have some background in the field. The department you are applying to is going to want to know that you are certain about going into the field - and it looks like you are considering TESOL as an alternative. Getting into grad school in the field is getting more competitive.

[res2135]

I applied to an SLP program right of out college, and I majored in Linguistics too. I got into Vanderbilt with a GRE score of 1150, 4.5 writing. There are some programs that accept non-CSD candidates- Vanderbilt especially encourages it, and you still graduate in only two years! If I recall correctly, I also applied to Northwestern, BU, Emerson, and NYU. All of them accept non-CSD majors. I actually was waitlisted at all of them and then convinced Vanderbilt to let me in when I visited. If I were you, I'd just apply this fall. I took my GRE the first week in November if that helps with timelines. That was basically the latest I could take it.

All of that being said, prepare to totally reconfigure how you think about language in an SLP program vs a linguistics program. I personally hated it, as did a friend of mine who also had a linguistics background. We both ended up leaving the program. Then again, other friends with linguistics backgrounds loved it. Just...be aware.

[vpeters25]

I am curious about this too. I am completely out of field (got my BA in classical civilization at UCLA!) and am currently signed up to take 2 pre-reqs through USU this fall. I'm wondering if it matters whether I take a class or two, like if I have one or two completed that it shows that I am interested in pursuing SLP? Does anybody know of schools that have post-bac programs? Right now I am have discovered and am planning on applying to UNC Greensboro and Texas Tech, which both have 1 year post-bac programs where you can apply to their own grad programs while you are taking the classes. Seeing how competitive admissions were this past year and how everyone has such great stats and experience, I feel like I only have a very small chance of getting admitted to a 3 year program!

[caffeinerd]

I am curious about this too. I am completely out of field (got my BA in classical civilization at UCLA!) and am currently signed up to take 2 pre-reqs through USU this fall. I'm wondering if it matters whether I take a class or two, like if I have one or two completed that it shows that I am interested in pursuing SLP? Does anybody know of schools that have post-bac programs? Right now I am have discovered and am planning on applying to UNC Greensboro and Texas Tech, which both have 1 year post-bac programs where you can apply to their own grad programs while you are taking the classes. Seeing how competitive admissions were this past year and how everyone has such great stats and experience, I feel like I only have a very small chance of getting admitted to a 3 year program!

Did I just reply to you in the other thread? I think so.

Getting into grad school with pre-reqs is very doable. I know a pretty good amount of people who are doing it and have done it. Although it's not the exact same major, there's no reason that a bachelor's from another field cannot compete with one in CommDis. For all of the schools I applied to, it's actually welcomed (in fact, I only came across one school that required the full undergrad degree). I think it's people who are coming in from other backgrounds that make admissions all the more competitive. Classical civ? What up! Bring it on! You bring something to the table that not many people do. You said it right: a lot of people are coming in with great stats. So, the best best best best way to make yourself stand out is with your personal statement (and your LoRs, too). I knew someone who has sat on an admissions committee in the past and he said it's really too bad when that crucial a component of peoples' applications is so lacking.

You can't have full control over the GRE. . .You *can* polish your statement until you can't look at it anymore.

Remember, we're in grad school because we don't know everything about being an SLP. We're all starting from square one at some point.

[vpeters25]

Haha, yes you did reply to me over there as well Thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to go ahead and do my two pre-reqs this fall and apply to both grad programs as well as post-bac programs and see what happens.

[redheadedasian]

Do the prerequisites. Not only will it show up on your transcript that you have them, but you will sound so much smarter in your SOPs and interviews if you're well-versed in the subject.