SLPs - "expiration date" on leveling courses?

[k_inca]

Hi fellow SLPs to be!

Out of curiosity, just for life-planning in general... Does anyone have an idea how long one could possibly wait between finishing the undergrad COMD degree/leveling courses and then going to grad school? At what point to grad programs want you to re-take those leveling courses if it has been too long?

I'm just not sure if I'll be in the right place financially, or with my job, or family planning stuff to go STRAIGHT to grad school. Right now I'm proceeding as that will be the case-- I'll go straight to grad school-- but I just want to know my options. I don't want to have to take these leveling classes ALL OVER AGAIN in, like, four years. I'm sure each program is different, but in general, is there an option to wait before grad school?

Anyone else have experience with this?

For reference: I have a prior BS and am in my early 30s. I support myself and my husband, and I have too many student loans to depend on living off more loans for the next 2 years. I'm applying for Fall '13.)

[GandalfTheGrey]

Hi fellow SLPs to be!

Out of curiosity, just for life-planning in general... Does anyone have an idea how long one could possibly wait between finishing the undergrad COMD degree/leveling courses and then going to grad school? At what point to grad programs want you to re-take those leveling courses if it has been too long?

I'm just not sure if I'll be in the right place financially, or with my job, or family planning stuff to go STRAIGHT to grad school. Right now I'm proceeding as that will be the case-- I'll go straight to grad school-- but I just want to know my options. I don't want to have to take these leveling classes ALL OVER AGAIN in, like, four years. I'm sure each program is different, but in general, is there an option to wait before grad school?

Anyone else have experience with this?

For reference: I have a prior BS and am in my early 30s. I support myself and my husband, and I have too many student loans to depend on living off more loans for the next 2 years. I'm applying for Fall '13.)

An admissions director at an info session I went to last year said that there is no hard-and-fast cut-off, but that "three years is fine, and ten years is too long". Definitely check with the schools you are considering, but your leveling courses should definitely cover you for the next few years.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but maybe someone else on the forum can offer more specific advice.

[queenleblanc]

All of the schools I have contacted want everything within 5 years -- leveling courses, GRE, etc. Don't know if that helps you much. Definitely mention your leveling courses in your application somewhere (SOP, Resume or CV, etc.)

[k_inca]

All of the schools I have contacted want everything within 5 years -- leveling courses, GRE, etc. Don't know if that helps you much. Definitely mention your leveling courses in your application somewhere (SOP, Resume or CV, etc.)

Thanks, that does help! I'm wondering what you mean about mentioning the leveling courses in the application-- won't that be obvious by my transcripts, etc? Is there some advantage to talking about them in the SOP? Thanks!

[GandalfTheGrey]

Thanks, that does help! I'm wondering what you mean about mentioning the leveling courses in the application-- won't that be obvious by my transcripts, etc? Is there some advantage to talking about them in the SOP? Thanks!

I think it really depends on the school's application process. It sounds like kcald716's schools wanted her leveling courses listed in their resume (I believe they mentioned that in another thread) but the schools I applied to had a separate section of the application where we listed our leveling courses, and it would specify if we needed to attach a syllabus or description. Personally, I wouldn't mention leveling courses in your SOP unless they are relevant - for example, if you weren't sure you wanted to be an SLP until you took Intro to Clinical Procedures and became so fascinated with craniofacial anomalies that you knew you just had to go to grad school so you could help people with cleft palate communicate better.

[Astrid Coleslaw]

I know a couple of crazypants schools I looked at wanted their GE courses to be less than 7 years old (which basically guarantees a super young student body which seems --- weird and undiverse) but I see the point of wanted relatively fresh leveling courses. I haven't heard of any specific timelines though. I might call and find out specifically from schools you are interested. I don't think waiting anywhere up to five years is unreasonable but you never know!

Oh additionally - if you do wait some time, I'd make sure to get some good practical experience or volunteer work before you start applying to show them you are still up to date and involved the field! Maybe even something the whole time you are taking a break/working even if it is only a few hours a week. That might actually boost your application when that time comes!

Edited November 6, 2012 by Astrid Coleslaw