ASU Interview

[CassieKay]

I was invited to come interview for Arizona State's SLP program on March 1st and I am so excited! Does anyone know the odds/chances of getting in after you are offered an interview? For example, are most of the candidates offered an interview given an acceptance letter? I am from Iowa and I am buying a plane ticket/hotel room to go to Arizona so I am hoping that it won't be a waste.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice  

[Dibbels81]

Hey Cassie, I received this invitation too.  This email was apparently sent to 88 people (amused that BCC was not used).  According to their program statistics, ASU typically makes between 70-90 offers of admission.  So, I think things look very good.  I'll see you in Tempe!  

 

-Dan (tall awkward guy)    

 

 

http://shs.clas.asu.edu/files/stats_2012_MS.pdf

Edited February 16, 2013 by Dibbels81

[katieliz456]

 There were over 300 applicants this year. (I'm currently an undergrad at ASU, so I heard the stats from my thesis director.) I couldn't help looking through the other email addresses to make sure my friends were invited, too  

 

They are also hiring several new faculty members for next year, so I think that they might accept a slightly higher amount of applicants:D

 

I'm an AZ native living in Tempe, so if you all have questions regarding hotels/transportation, ask away!

[katieliz456]

Oh, and keep in mind that ASU requires students to interview in-person if they want a chance at admission. I'm betting there will be at least a few students who are unable/unwilling to travel out to Phoenix, so that should reduce the number to 85-ish!

[Slptlc]

See you all there! Stoked

[CassieKay]

For the ladies, what do you plan to wear to the interview? Since I'm from Iowa, most of my dress clothes are pretty warm, but I see that Arizona is in the 70s right now. 

[katieliz456]

I plan on wearing black dress pants, a colorful (but conservative) blouse, and a black cardigan or blazer. I will wear either black flats or very low/comfy black heels.  It will still be a bit chilly (for us, at least!) in the mornings and evening, and we will be inside for most of the day (all department facilities are on 2 floors of the same building).  The restaurant is a couple blocks away (maybe 1/3 mile?), and the campus is pretty spread out, so make sure to wear shoes you are comfortable walking in  Hopefully AZ is a nice break from the cold weather in Iowa!

 

Oh, and I know that the clinic dresscode guidelines tend to be pretty strict, so I'd say to stick with either pants (no denim!) or a knee-length, not-too-tight skirt.  Make sure shoulders are covered and the neckline doesn't fall too far below your collarbone.  And if possible wear closed-toed shoes, like flats, rather than strappy sandals. 

[katieliz456]

For any out-of-state people who will still be around Saturday evening, check this out: 

 

clasopendoor@asu.edu

 

It is an open house-type thing from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. You get to tour labs, see displays, etc. It's a fun way to kill a few hours before heading over to the Mill Ave. bars  

[g1slp]

Slightly off-topic -- Did anyone apply to ASU's bilingual track? This is way late in the game and I wish I had clarified this earlier, but these interviews have nothing to do with acceptance to the bilingual track, right? From what I can see on the website it says that they "assess your Spanish in an interview" after you are already attending school there -- meaning that it would be possible to attend ASU and then only afterwards find out that you are not admitted into the bilingual track? Is that right? (Am I making sense?)

 

The bilingual emphasis and the study abroad opportunity in Mexico were definitely contributing factors in my decision to apply to ASU, but I would be much more hesitant to commit to a (theoretical) acceptance if they weren't sure things.

 

Does anyone know how many people typically express an interest in the bilingual track / how many students are accepted into the bilingual track?

[CassieKay]

I applied to the bilingual track also but I'm not sure how or when they assess if they admit you to this program. I see on the website where it says that candidates will be interviewd, but it doesn't give a time frame for this. If that is this upcoming week, I will definitely need to brush up on my Spabish skills.. Hopefully we will get more insight on this when they send out the schedule for our visit.

Sorry I'm not much help :/

[katieliz456]

I don't think the bilingual track is necessarily considered competitive because there is such a high demand.  However, I think you are expected to be at a near-native fluency level All grad students at ASU have to choose a specific track, but do not have to choose until around their 2nd semester. Tracks include Adult, Pediatrics, and Generalist, in addition to bilingual, and there is a lot of overlap so I think that's why you don't have to declare your preference immediately...

[Dibbels81]

Hey guys have you received the schedule for Friday yet? I'm hopping on a plane tomorrow.

[katieliz456]

Hey guys have you received the schedule for Friday yet? I'm hopping on a plane tomorrow.

 

Nope I don't think any of us have I emailed Vicky on Monday, but still haven't gotten a reply. It seems like we're gonna be busy for the whole day-- I believe they usually do interviews 9-12, lunch break 12-1, interviews 1-4, and then social hour.

[Slptlc]

Just got the email with the general itinerary (individual ones to be given at sign in) and apparently we have to do a writing sample?! Eek!

[Dibbels81]

I was surprised by that writing sample, too. And boy, that is a lot of time scheduled for interviews. I'm definitely buying a margarita at the cantina afterwards to unwind

[katieliz456]

I wouldn't be tooo worried about the writing. It's only 30 mins, so it can't be too unbearable  

 

I've heard from other students that in the past, there have been some....surprises.... when it came time for graduate clinicians to write their first client reports, SOAP notes, etc. They were referring to things like using first person POV in academic writing, lacking basic grammar and punctuation skills, and writing with extremely poor fluency and organization. I think this is more of a problem since some students haven't been in school in years, and haven't taken an English class in decades (I'm sure my writing skills would be terrible if I had been out of practice for even a few years!).

 

I think as long as we can demonstrate knowledge of how to write professionally, we should be good  

[Slptlc]

I concur! Definitely made me nervous but shall put my best foot forward!

... And their margs are delicious and inexpensive during happy hour!

[katieliz456]

Do you guys know what exactly the "social hour" is? It seems like it is mandatory.... is it just for us to get to know one another? Will professors/current students be there, too? I wonder if it's going to be structured (like assigning us to small groups or something) or if it is just a free-for-all haha

[Slptlc]

I was wondering the same. Id imagine the grad students on the panels would be included? to see how everyone mingles? Haha

[CassieKay]

Does anyone know if the writing sample will be done with our without a computer? I have a very hard time writing papers without the use of a computer, I like to organize and reorganize my thoughts often and that doesn't work so well with pen and paper!

[katieliz456]

Does anyone know if the writing sample will be done with our without a computer? I have a very hard time writing papers without the use of a computer, I like to organize and reorganize my thoughts often and that doesn't work so well with pen and paper!

 

I am guessing it will be pen& paper. I'm trying to envision the Coor building, and there is only one large computer lab with enough computers to accommodate a large group, but it is open to the public (and there wouldn't be a block of 50+ computers available).  There are a few smaller SHS labs with maybe 5-10 computers, and some laptops, and there are a couple classrooms with around 30, but I doubt they'd use them.  If you think it would be a problem, I'd recommend contacting them and I bet they'd be willing to help make arrangements for you  

[katieliz456]

Only 80 people are actually attending the interviews; it looks like our chances are pretty good

[CassieKay]

Only 80 people are actually attending the interviews; it looks like our chances are pretty good

Haha I counted the number too! Super exciting! 

 

What are you guys bringing with you for the day? A purse/bag/backpack? Paper, pencils, anything like that?

[katieliz456]

I'm bringing a small, black leather purse (that coordinates with my "professional" outfit), and carrying a copy of my resume & some paper for Q&As. I'm assuming they will give us a folder of info at the beginning, so I'm just planning to stick my paperwork in there. (We could also just jot questions/answers on the back of the handouts they give us, but I want extra space to doodle ) And i'm just bringing my wallet, keys, and a couple of pens in case we need them for the writing portion. And sunglasses!!

[Dibbels81]

Also, if anyone there wants to make a quick buck, I'll pay $25 for a ride to the airport after the social hour.  After being nearly run over by cabs in Las Vegas, I'm somewhat against the whole cab thing.