So this might sound stupid...

[arthritiskid]

So, I'm a senior at a small private Christian university in northeastern Ohio. 

 

I'm planning to apply to an SLP masters program at a state school near me, and potentially two or three more schools in the area. But, I'm really concerned because I'm terrified that I don't have a chance getting into grad school because of my GPA.

 

I'm a student in psychology, and will graduate in about a week. Next year, I am taking the post-bacc course requirements in order to be considered for a grad program in SLP. When I graduate, I will have between a 3.0-3.2 overall GPA (Not sure quite yet due to retaking one 4 credit course). I have not taken the GRE yet, but plan on doing so this summer. When I was a sophomore, I wasn't looking at the grand scheme of things and ended up getting quite a few Cs which brought my GPA down. And so I've been freaking myself out on the inside.

 

Before this semesters courses are calculated in, I have a 3.02 GPA for upper-level requirements. 

 

My academic advisor in psychology specialized in research and physiological psychology and has been working on a research practicum with me in relations to SLP. She also told me that because of my character and work ethic I have a chance for getting into grad school in an SLP program. She is eager to write a reference for me. I have another professor that told me that my work ethic towards my classes resembles an individual in grad school and she really enjoys reading my papers. I am going to ask those two and one other professor for LoRs. 

 

I have had a lot of volunteer experience in many different areas, including working with elderly nursing home residents who have an acquired language or auditory disorder such as aphasia and loss of hearing. I have many other hours of volunteer experience not relating to SLP.

 

Lastly, I have done research in the area of treatment of speech sound disorders and compiled a research paper for one of my classes. My professor is planning on giving me feedback after she grades it.

 

So, I guess my question is... does anyone think that I have any type of chance getting into grad school for SLP? And will they also consider the post bacc requirements that I am taking this fall?

 

I will be applying for the 2014-2015 academic year, hoping to start in fall of 2014 in a masters SLP program.

 

If anyone could reply and let me know what they think, that would be great. Thank you so much and have a great afternoon! 

[slpf13]

Hi kem1,

I don't think this is a "stupid" topic at all. I really think you have a chance at graduate school. Not everyone on this site has the perfect 4.00 GPA, and if you've been looking at the gradcafe results page (keyword search: speech) and then hover over the red diamond for stats (GPA, GRE scores), you'll see that this is true. A lot of people don't post stats for whatever reason, so we don't really get a full idea of what the range of stats really is. As mentioned before in Fall 2013 SLP thread, admissions doesn't only look at stats. They look at the overall applicant: LORs (letters of recommendation), research, volunteer work, dissertations, lab work, shadowing, observation hours. This is why your professor said you would have a chance because you have been doing research work. Just review the GRE concepts really well, get extra help and finish off the semesters you have left strong!! Good Luck.

 

Also*: Be sure to apply to a wide range of schools. I'd say 10-15 is a good range of schools. Pick schools geographically diverse. Schools in rural areas are looking for more diversity and take students out of state.

Edited April 25, 2013 by slpf13

[jcspeech]

So, I'm a senior at a small private Christian university in northeastern Ohio. 

 

I'm planning to apply to an SLP masters program at a state school near me, and potentially two or three more schools in the area. But, I'm really concerned because I'm terrified that I don't have a chance getting into grad school because of my GPA.

 

I'm a student in psychology, and will graduate in about a week. Next year, I am taking the post-bacc course requirements in order to be considered for a grad program in SLP. When I graduate, I will have between a 3.0-3.2 overall GPA (Not sure quite yet due to retaking one 4 credit course). I have not taken the GRE yet, but plan on doing so this summer. When I was a sophomore, I wasn't looking at the grand scheme of things and ended up getting quite a few Cs which brought my GPA down. And so I've been freaking myself out on the inside.

 

Before this semesters courses are calculated in, I have a 3.02 GPA for upper-level requirements. 

 

My academic advisor in psychology specialized in research and physiological psychology and has been working on a research practicum with me in relations to SLP. She also told me that because of my character and work ethic I have a chance for getting into grad school in an SLP program. She is eager to write a reference for me. I have another professor that told me that my work ethic towards my classes resembles an individual in grad school and she really enjoys reading my papers. I am going to ask those two and one other professor for LoRs. 

 

I have had a lot of volunteer experience in many different areas, including working with elderly nursing home residents who have an acquired language or auditory disorder such as aphasia and loss of hearing. I have many other hours of volunteer experience not relating to SLP.

 

Lastly, I have done research in the area of treatment of speech sound disorders and compiled a research paper for one of my classes. My professor is planning on giving me feedback after she grades it.

 

So, I guess my question is... does anyone think that I have any type of chance getting into grad school for SLP? And will they also consider the post bacc requirements that I am taking this fall?

 

I will be applying for the 2014-2015 academic year, hoping to start in fall of 2014 in a masters SLP program.

 

If anyone could reply and let me know what they think, that would be great. Thank you so much and have a great afternoon! 

 

 

Kem,

 

I had the same issue in undergrad. I have my psychology degree and I didn't take it seriously. I graduated with a 3.1 GPA. When I took my speech classes I focused and got a 4.0. My GRE's were also not so high. Letters of recommendation, work experience, and my essay are what really helped me push through. I got rejected and waitlisted at many places, but I did get the acceptance from the school I wanted. Just make sure you apply to many schools to give yourself options, study for the GRE, and work on getting great letters of recommendation and a great admissions essay. If this is what you want to do then follow your dream because it can and will happen!

 

Best of luck!

[midnight]

Not stupid at all!

 

Unfortunately GPA and GRE can keep people out of programs, but you have some amazing experience, and it sounds like your LORs will be great, too.

 

Schools will take SLP coursework into consideration, and they like to see an upward trend in grades.

 

I think it's vital for you to do as well as you can on the GRE and write an amazing SOP that details all of your SLP-related research and experience. People here can recommend programs for you, too. Luckily there are many schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania that have graduate SLP programs if you want to stay in that region.

 

Best of luck!

[mystiqueSLP]

I was accepted by two programs with a 3.28 GPA and didn't have any pre-reqs or post-bacc courses completed. It is definitely possible, especially with good letters, SOP, and experience It definitely helps if you get a great GRE score too.

 

But I would suggest you should maybe apply to more than just a few schools in your location if possible though...just in case.

[Nebraska19]

I came from a psychology background too and got accepted to 2 schools this year without doing a post-bac. My GRE scores were only average compared to a lot of scores I saw here, but my GPA was pretty strong. I would say you have a good chance if you really work hard to get a good GPA in your post-bac, write a good SOP and explain your low undergrad GPA and get great LOR's and GRE scores.

[DeafAudi]

I am in a similar predicament as kem1. I have a low to average GPA with lots of volunteer and research experience. I am planning on applying to American schools next year to widen my net and am wondering if anyone here knows of any less competitive programs? I come from a psychology background too, if that helps. Kem1, I think that you certainly have a chance of getting in, although I was rejected from two programs this year I was also wait listed at another and received good feedback. Good luck! 

[smartypants14]

im a double major! and im hoping to get into SLP!

[Dibbels81]

I am in a similar predicament as kem1. I have a low to average GPA with lots of volunteer and research experience. I am planning on applying to American schools next year to widen my net and am wondering if anyone here knows of any less competitive programs? I come from a psychology background too, if that helps. Kem1, I think that you certainly have a chance of getting in, although I was rejected from two programs this year I was also wait listed at another and received good feedback. Good luck! 

I would suggest researching and applying to schools that are in the process of obtaining ASHA certification, like Elmhurst college.  They would probably have a small number of applicants and would like to add some international students to their ranks. 

Edited April 26, 2013 by Dibbels81

[DeafAudi]

Dibbels81, thank you very much for your response. That is something that I hadn't even thought of. Honesty, I am not at all familiar with American schools as I never thought that I would need to apply there but clearly I need some more options. It will be pricey but worth it wherever I go!

[Pronounce]

There are no guarantees, but you can increase your odds.  Take the GRE soon.  Work on your SOP.  Start researching schools this summer.

 

 Save yourself a lot of time, money and stress by finding schools that you can like and where you'll have a chance of acceptance.  Call them and ask the stats of their accepted students from the year before.   If your scores and GPA are in the ballpark, apply as early as you can.

 

FInd a safety school or two with rolling admissions.  Having an acceptance in hand will relieve the April stress.

 

If you need funding, find programs where your stats are better in relation to most other applicants. 

 

You might need to expand the number of applications, or the geographic area.

[arthritiskid]

Does anyone know about the 2nd bachelors program at Utah State in SLP (well, technically Communicative Sciences)? I'm thinking that if I do this program online, it might help me with grad school apps. It will take the same amount of time that it would for me to do all of my prereqs and it will also be cheaper. Can someone give me advice on this? THanks  

[DeafAudi]

Does anyone know about the 2nd bachelors program at Utah State in SLP (well, technically Communicative Sciences)? I'm thinking that if I do this program online, it might help me with grad school apps. It will take the same amount of time that it would for me to do all of my prereqs and it will also be cheaper. Can someone give me advice on this? THanks

 

I'm actually very curious about this, as well...